✨ Real Tips from Real Climbers

❄Sleeping on Kilimanjaro

“I’m not a professional hiker. I’ve climbed Mount Kinabalu once (over 4,000 meters), and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I wasn’t fully prepared - and I learned the hard way how much small things matter when you’re up high and freezing.”

Tip Idea: If you want to sleep well on Kilimanjaro — don’t focus only on the big things. Focus on the small ones that matter when the sun goes down. You will thank me later.

☃The Cold Is Real — Be Smart About Sleeping Gear

Bring your own fleece liner (recommended – it’s a personal item touching your skin).

Yes, you’ll have a sleeping bag. But let me tell you: without a fleece liner, you’ll freeze. I bought mine on Amazon. I zipped it inside the sleeping bag and it saved me. You probably can rent it too, but I recommend owning it — it’s something that touches your body, so best to have your own.

💦A Hot Water Bottle = Game Changer

Bring Your Own or Rent from Us

Bring your own hot water bottle (rubber or collapsible - not metal or glass), and we’ll fill it for you every evening.

Don’t have one? You can rent a clean, quality bottle from us — just request it in advance.

👀The Pillow Regret

Bring Your Own or Rent from Us

One big mistake I made: I didn’t bring a pillow. I used my daypack and wrapped some clothes around it… and let’s just say my neck hated me. Even a small inflatable pillow or travel neck pillow makes a massive difference. Don’t overlook this.

🧦 Socks, Socks, Socks

Bring your own😀

Bring warm socks for sleeping, dry socks, maybe even two pairs. Your feet will thank you. No matter how good your sleeping bag is, if your feet are cold, you’re not sleeping well.

❔Why Did I Feel Like I Got Botox on Kilimanjaro?

(…and other weird things no one warned me about) Let me be honest: I’m not a high-altitude pro. I took Diamox, the medication people use to help with altitude sickness. And yes, it helped… but it came with weird surprises.

Tingling All Over: The “Botox” Feeling

At one point on the climb, I suddenly felt like I’d had Botox - but not the good kind. My face, hands, even my feet were all full of pins and needles. Like ants walking under your skin, or like you’re reaching into a bush full of tiny invisible leaves. It’s not painful, just… strange. Totally normal with Diamox, but I wish someone had warned me, so I wouldn’t think I was turning into a robot. It goes away - don’t worry.

💊What Is Diamox Anyway?

Diamox (acetazolamide) is a medication that helps your body adjust to high altitude. A lot of people take it before and during Kilimanjaro to prevent altitude sickness.

If we are talking about Diamox, let’s not forget Other Weird-but-Normal Diamox Side Effects:

• Frequent peeing.
• Metallic taste.

Tip Idea: Just like altitude, Diamox is personal. What works for one climber might feel weird to another. Test, listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to ask questions even if they sound silly.

⛰️Altitude Check — It’s Not About Fitness

Even experienced hikers can struggle. Don’t push yourself:

Tip Idea:
• Go slow. Hydrate. Respect rest days.
• Mental strength is huge.
• And remember: Just keep walking. One step after the other.

🌦Weather is Everything

If you catch good weather - congrats, you’re lucky. But don’t count on it.

Tip Idea: Weather changes fast on Kilimanjaro. One day can be sunny, the next can freeze you. Layers and waterproofs aren’t optional - they’re survival.

⛺Tent Talk - Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Yes, you can rent a walk-in tent (the ones you can stand inside). Sounds luxurious? It is… But:

• Big tent - more air = takes longer to warm up.
• Cozier tents feel warmer. Bigger tents feel roomier.

Tip Idea: Know your priority.

🎒Daypack Drama: Don’t Just Fill It

You’ll carry your 30–40L daypack every day - not your big duffel (that’s for porters). But here’s what I didn’t think about:

Even if it fits everything, it has to sit well on your back. And rain? It finds its way in unless your zippers are tight and you’ve got a rain cover.

Tip Idea:

• Do a test hike with your daypack fully loaded before the trip.
• Use a pack with chest & waist straps (it helps massively with weight distribution).
• A rain cover is a must. If you don’t have one - rent or buy. Even drizzle can ruin your clothes.

🚻Real Talk Toilets time

You’ll either:

• Use the public toilets at camps (which can get rough), OR
• Use a private toilet tent (a small clean tent with a seat)

Tip Idea: My advice to you, book a private toilet tent!!! Again you will thank me later😉

♨️My Secret Weapon: Warm Packs

I don’t know how to say this without sounding dramatic - but I’m so thankful for warm packs.

Tip Idea: buy it, you will not regret it.

🧠The Best Advice I Can Give You?

Don’t look up on summit night. Especially on summit night. When it’s dark, cold, and your body is tired, the top looks impossibly far — and that can mess with your head.

I learned to look down instead.
Not metaphorically — literally.
I was just walking… counting small stones.
One step, one breath, one rock at a time. Worked for me.
And don’t forget: success on this mountain is mental.

✨Stay Positive - Your Mind Is Your Strongest Gear !

Let me be real with you:
Your brain is powerful.
And I’m not just saying that like some motivational quote on Instagram.
I mean it. I learned it the hard way.
Trust me. I wasn’t fully prepared. But now you can be.
Stay warm. Stay positive. And just keep walking. “Pole pole,” as they say in Swahili. ♥