What bag will a Kilimanjaro porter carry? Your porter will normally carry your main mountain luggage in a soft-sided duffel bag. A bag of approximately 80–90 litres is a practical size for your clothing, sleeping bag and other items that you do not need while hiking during the day.
With Kilimanjaro Hiking Tours, your personal mountain duffel should weigh no more than 15 kg (33 lb). You carry your own smaller daypack containing the items you need while walking.
What type of duffel bag is best for Kilimanjaro?
Choose a strong, soft-sided duffel bag rather than a suitcase or rigid travel bag. Duffels are easier for porters to transport between camps over uneven mountain terrain and are more practical for a multi-day Kilimanjaro climb.
A suitable Kilimanjaro duffel should ideally have:
- A capacity of approximately 80–90 litres.
- Strong carrying handles and reinforced seams.
- A wide zipped opening for easy packing.
- Durable material suitable for mountain conditions.
- A waterproof or water-resistant outer material.
Does my Kilimanjaro duffel need to be waterproof?
Good waterproofing is important on Kilimanjaro. Even if your duffel is advertised as waterproof or water-resistant, we recommend using a waterproof internal liner or individual dry bags for additional protection.
Your sleeping bag, warm clothing and other important equipment should remain dry throughout the climb. Rain is possible, particularly in the forest and lower mountain sections.
Can I use a suitcase on Kilimanjaro?
A hard suitcase is not suitable for use on the mountain. Porters need to transport luggage along mountain trails between camps, so a soft duffel bag is much more practical.
Your suitcase and any belongings that you do not need during the climb can be left at your hotel while you are on Kilimanjaro.
How much luggage can my Kilimanjaro porter carry?
Your personal mountain duffel is limited to 15 kg (33 lb). This is the luggage that your porter transports between camps for you.
Your duffel is normally weighed before the climb so that unnecessary items can be removed if the bag exceeds the permitted weight.
What do I carry myself on Kilimanjaro?
You carry a separate daypack containing the items you may need while hiking. Your porter normally travels ahead with your main duffel, so you generally will not have access to it again until you reach the next camp.
Your daypack would typically contain:
- Drinking water.
- Rain jacket and waterproof trousers.
- An extra warm layer.
- Gloves and a warm hat.
- Snacks.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Phone or camera.
- Personal medication.
Do I need a waterproof liner inside my duffel?
Yes. We recommend using a waterproof liner inside your duffel even if the bag itself is water-resistant.
A heavy-duty waterproof liner or separate dry bags provide additional protection for your clothing and sleeping equipment. This becomes particularly important higher on Kilimanjaro, where keeping your warm clothing and sleeping bag dry is essential.
Preparing for your Kilimanjaro climb?
Read our guide to preparing for Kilimanjaro for more advice before your trek.
You can also learn more about our Kilimanjaro guides and porters .