Before You Climb Kilimanjaro: Abe’s Practical Checklist | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
An approachable pre-climb checklist from Abe Moshi — route choice, training, medical preparation, daypack, luggage, hotels, transfers, insurance, tipping and optional extras.
Choose the right route
Route choice depends on your fitness, experience, available time and any history of altitude problems. Longer itineraries improve acclimatisation but do not eliminate risk. Compare the options on our route pages and ask us for honest advice.
Compare the routes
Train gradually
Cardio fitness and strong legs help with daily hiking of five to seven hours. Build up with long, slow walks and hills, train with a loaded daypack, and start early. Mental steadiness matters as much as fitness — stay positive and follow your guide.
Fitness preparation
Medical preparation
Speak to your doctor or a travel-health clinician about high-altitude trekking, any existing conditions, and medication you take or might consider for altitude. Tell us about relevant medical conditions before you book. A check-up cannot predict who will develop altitude illness.
Altitude & Safety
Daypack essentials
Carry water (2–3 litres, more on summit night), a waterproof jacket and trousers, one extra warm layer, sun protection, a small personal first-aid kit, headlamp, snacks, camera and any personal medication. Keep one clean, dry pair of socks for the summit attempt.
What stays in your daypack
Luggage & weather protection
Aim for a maximum of 15 kg in your porter-carried duffel bag. Each climber has a porter assigned to carry their duffel; if your bag weighs more than 15 kg, let us know in advance, as an additional porter may be needed to distribute the load. Separately, our porters generally carry around 15–18 kg each, and the maximum load is 20 kg per porter, including their personal kit. We recommend a soft duffel bag, and use dry bags or suitable waterproof liners to keep gear dry and organised — Tanzania restricts single-use plastic bags, so confirm current rules rather than assuming all plastic bags are permitted.
Equipment & packing list
Hotels & transfers
Standard packages include two hotel nights — one before and one after the climb — subject to your quotation. Most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO); airport transfers are included where stated in your quotation, otherwise arranged and confirmed with us.
Arrival & accommodation
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential, covering your planned activities, altitude to at least 6,000 m and emergency evacuation. Confirm Mawenzi climbing or mountain biking explicitly where relevant. Evacuation cover complements rather than replaces comprehensive insurance, and rescue is not guaranteed.
Travel insurance guide
Tipping & optional extras
Crew tipping arrangements and optional extras — such as a portable toilet at US$30 per day per group of up to five guests — are confirmed in your quotation. Discuss these in advance so there are no surprises on the mountain.
Understand your quotation
An approachable pre-climb checklist from Abe Moshi — route choice, training, medical preparation, daypack, luggage, hotels, transfers, insurance, tipping and optional extras, with links to detailed resources.
Abe Moshi
Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Before You Climb Kilimanjaro: Abe’s Practical Checklist | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
An approachable pre-climb checklist from Abe Moshi — route choice, training, medical preparation, daypack, luggage, hotels, transfers, insurance, tipping and optional extras.
Preparation & Safety
Before you climb Kilimanjaro:
People from all walks of life have reached the summit, but the challenge should not be taken lightly. Use the points below to understand what lies ahead, then follow the links to the full guides for the detail.
Rental prices & luggage at a glance
Selected equipment is available to rent in Moshi. Each listed rental price covers one item (or one pair where marked) for the full booked climbing trip. Confirm availability and sizing before you travel.
See the full rental list and downloadable checklists on our
.
Entry requirements & visa
Visa and vaccination requirements depend on your nationality and itinerary. Confirm current entry requirements with official sources rather than relying on outdated figures, and apply via the official Tanzanian e-visa portal.
Ready to plan?
Kilimanjaro Beginner’s Guide
Plan your climb / enquire
Booking Terms & Conditions