What Do You Eat on Kilimanjaro? Inside Our Mountain Menu | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
A sample Kilimanjaro mountain menu — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and pre-summit meals prepared by a dedicated cook, with dietary guidance, drinking water and dining arrangements.
Breakfast
Snacks
Lunch
Dinner
Pre-summit snack (midnight)
A sample mountain menu for a Kilimanjaro climb — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and pre-summit meals, prepared by a dedicated cook, with dietary guidance and dining arrangements.
Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
What Do You Eat on Kilimanjaro? Inside Our Mountain Menu | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
A sample Kilimanjaro mountain menu — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and pre-summit meals prepared by a dedicated cook, with dietary guidance, drinking water and dining arrangements.
Mountain Life
What do you eat on
A dedicated mountain cook
A dedicated cook is part of the logistical team on every climb. They prepare hot meals throughout the trek, including in challenging conditions, and keep everyone fuelled and hydrated. Cool boxes help keep fresh items — such as dried fruits, chocolate and cheese — in good condition across the trekking period. On some routes a food resupply is arranged partway through the climb.
Drinking water
Prepared drinking water is provided daily. Drink according to thirst and your guide's advice — normal hydration matters, but forcing excessive water does not prevent altitude sickness and is not a substitute for acclimatisation. Read more in our
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A sample mountain menu
Kilimanjaro mountain cuisine normally includes three prepared meals a day — breakfast, lunch and dinner — with snacks in between. The examples below are illustrative; the actual menu varies with the route, supplies and your cook's plan.
Snacks to bring
Appetite often drops at altitude, so bring lightweight, energy-rich snacks you genuinely enjoy — energy or granola bars, chocolate, candy, cookies, crackers, nuts and dried fruit are all popular. Choose things you really like, because you may need the extra incentive to keep eating. Adding drink crystals to one water bottle can encourage you to drink, and often tastes especially good on a hard day of hiking.
Dietary requests & allergies
Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requests can usually be accommodated when discussed before booking. Food selection is limited in Tanzania, so in some cases you may be asked to bring specific items, which the cook will prepare. We do not guarantee certified kosher preparation, an allergen-free kitchen or every requested diet. Guests with serious allergies should discuss ingredients, cross-contact risks and practical limitations with us in advance so we can advise honestly on what is possible.
Birthday cakes or special meals are advance requests and remain subject to logistics and availability on the mountain.
Dining arrangements
Dining arrangements follow your actual package. On camping itineraries, meals are usually served in a mess tent with table, chairs, dinnerware and cutlery — occasionally outdoors when the weather is fine. We do not guarantee solar lighting or a mess tent on every route; hut-based routes such as Marangu use park hut dining facilities. The friendly crew services below are typical where the package includes them.
Keep reading & plan your climb
A day on Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro FAQs
Climb preparation
Altitude & Safety
Plan your climb / enquire
Booking Terms & Conditions