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Mt. Kilimanjaro Camps are the only sites for accommodation while climbing the roof of Africa. Sleeping is either in tents that are set up at public campsites on the mountain or in huts made out of alpine wood and everything is pretty much basic. The majority of the routes use tents as the preferred way of accommodation apart from the Marangu route which is the only route that you will entirely use huts to sleep in. At the Marangu route, tents are not allowed or used.
The other routes, namely, Shira, Rongai, Machame, Northern Circuit, Umbwe Western Breach, Lemosho and Kilema biking route, use camping tents for accommodation.
When at the campsite, climbers are not expected to do any chores here – no setting up camp, no fetching water, no food preparation and no cleaning up. That is the job of our hardworking porters. By the time the trekking party arrives, your sleeping tents have been set up, complete with comfortable sleeping pads and duffel bags inside. The private toilet tent stands a bit away from the main site. And the mess tent beckons you inside for hot tea, coffee and snacks such as popcorn, peanuts, and chips.
African Delight Safaris climbers will sleep in warm, waterproof, and sturdy tents that have enough room to accommodate you and give you a peaceful sleep after your long and tedious trek as you think of your next adventurous day. Each route has overnight stops known as camps or campsites where you will pitch your tents and set up camp for overnight sleep as you prepare for your next challenge the following day. Our main aim to provide tents that are as comfortable and warm as possible.
Our Mountain Hardwear tents are warm, waterproof and roomy – perfectly suited for your Kilimanjaro adventure.
We understand that some climbers are anxious about camping for so many days, so we aim to have them be as dry, warm and comfortable as possible. Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 tents are built for the toughest alpine conditions. Trango 3 tents are standard issue for refined basecamp shelters on mountaineering expeditions worldwide.
Each three-person sized tent will comfortably house two climbers and their gear. The interior floor space is 48 square feet, with a large vestibule, dual doors, and internal mesh pockets. The Trango 3 is a fully waterproof tent with fully taped seams and welded corners.
Note: Some Kilimanjaro operators cut costs by using tents that are not appropriate for the mountain. They are typically off-brand, locally made and poorly constructed. Others use name brand tents that have deteriorated beyond repair and should be replaced.
FOAM MATRESS/SLEEPING PADS
A 1.5-inch foam sleeping pad is provided to all climbers.
These sleeping pads are better than any commercially available sleeping pad. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring another sleeping pad unless you really want to use your own, or perhaps to double up on pads.
Our sleeping pads are thick, warm and comfortable, even for those not used to camping. Most of our clients are pleasantly surprised how well they manage to sleep on our trips. The pad is placed inside a washable cover for cleanliness.
SLEEPING BAGS
As important as a good, reliable tent and a comfortable mattress is a top-quality sleeping bag. African Delight Safaris has carefully selected -30F sleeping bags, as they offer superb insulation and provides excellent ventilation when you require it. They feature a full-length zip and a foot zip, as well as a cowel and neck collar.
We recognize that some climbers prefer to bring their own bag, but if you wish to hire one of ours it must be booked in advance.
Sleep is essential to a successful Kilimanjaro climb, allowing the trekker’s body to recuperate and get ready for the following day’s challenge. Make no mistake, a successful summit climb can depend on good sleep. By investing properly in the best tents, mattresses and sleeping bags, we at Easy Travel give our climbers the greatest chance of making it to the top.
The Mt. Kilimanjaro Marangu route is different as camping is forbidden on this route and the only type of accommodation used here is huts. These huts on Marangu Route are A-shaped huts that are dormitory-styled with bunk beds capable of accommodating from four to twenty beds per room. The only people camping on this route are climbers that have used the Rongai Route to go up the mountain and are now descending via the Marangu Route. The huts used for sleeping on the Marangu route are Mandara huts, Horombo huts, and Kibo Huts.
The establishment of huts on Kilimanjaro is closely linked to the colonial history of Tanzania (then Tanganyika) under German and later British rule. European explorers and mountaineers, sought more comfortable accommodations on the mountain. The idea of building huts was influenced by the alpine traditions of Europe, where mountain huts were common for climbers.
In the early 20th century, as Kilimanjaro began to attract more tourists, there was a need to provide basic infrastructure to support these visitors. The Marangu Route, being one of the earliest and most accessible routes to the summit, became the focal point for such development. To accommodate the increasing number of climbers, the colonial authorities and later the Tanzanian government built a series of huts along this route.
The first hut, Mandara Hut, was constructed in the 1920s, followed by Horombo Hut and Kibo Hut. These huts were strategically placed to align with daily hiking distances, providing shelter at key points along the route. There is a common similarity in almost all campsites and huts in terms of facilities and structures. Most notable are the wooden toilets and ranger’s huts.
Below are some tips that will help you have a comfortable night and nice sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Make it customary to always remove your sleeping bag from its compression sack and spreading it on your sleeping mat. This fluffs it up and allows insulation via the air between the synthetic fibers/feathers that traps warmth.
Always make sure that you do not place your sleeping bag close to the sides of the tent as it may become wet or damp causing your sleeping bag to condense due to cold, therefore comprising on insulation.
Use a fleece liner together with your sleeping bag for extra warmth
Ensure that you have clothes set aside for sleeping. These clothes should be comfortable and keep you warm when you sleep
A warm base layer (top and bottom) and a pair of socks for warmth and comfort. At higher altitudes, it is recommended to wear more than one layer of clothing as it will get even colder and since most of your body heat will escape through your head, it is better to sleep in a warm hat
To keep your sleeping bag always insulated, keep it dry and warm do not sleep in damp/wet clothes whatsoever.
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