Daily Kilimanjaro Sample Menus

During your Kilimanjaro climb, you’ll enjoy a variety of meals designed to fuel your adventure. We provide a dining tent with chairs for your meals, ensuring comfort after a long day on the trail. While the menu may vary from day to day, here’s an idea of what to expect:

Breakfast:

Start your day with a hearty breakfast, typically porridge followed by eggs and sausage, toast with marmalade or jam, and a hot drink such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. We understand that appetites vary, so feel free to let your guide know if you have any specific preferences or if you need more or less food. We’ll always make sure you have enough to fuel your climb.

Lunch:

Lunch will usually be a packed meal that you’ll carry in your daypack. It typically includes a boiled egg, sandwiches, a portion of chicken, fresh fruit, and a cold drink. After a long day’s hike, we treat you to afternoon tea, which includes biscuits, peanuts, and salted popcorn, along with plenty of hot drinks to refresh you.

Dinner:

Your evening meal begins with a warm soup, followed by a main course of chicken or meat, vegetable sauce, cabbage, and a choice of rice, pasta, or potatoes. For dessert, you can enjoy fresh fruit. While you may be far from home, we know it’s nice to enjoy some familiar brands, so don’t be surprised to see favorites like Heinz, Nescafé, and Nestlé.

We can accommodate all dietary restrictions, so please let us know in advance. For very strict diets, we recommend bringing your favorite energy foods, as some specialty ingredients may be difficult to find in Tanzania.

 

Altitude and Appetite:

At high altitudes, it’s common to experience a reduced appetite. To help keep you energized, we provide meals rich in carbohydrates, as they are the most efficient fuel at altitude. According to the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, a high-carb diet aids in muscle recovery, replenishes glycogen stores, and helps mitigate symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) by increasing blood oxygenation and ventilation.

Carb-based meals are often more palatable at altitude than high-protein or fatty foods, as your body’s metabolism and energy needs change. Given the physical exertion of the climb, your energy requirements are higher than they would be at sea level, and our meals are designed to support that.

Even seasoned hikers who are used to eating dehydrated meals on the trail are often pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of the food we provide. We use only fresh ingredients, and there are no dehydrated “ready meals” in our kitchens. All food is carried up the mountain by our porters to ensure you enjoy fresh, wholesome meals at every camp.

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Drinking Water on Kilimanjaro

We prioritize your health and safety by providing boiled, filtered, and purified water throughout your climb. One of the common causes of gastrointestinal problems in Africa is drinking untreated water, so we treat all the water we use—whether for drinking, washing food, or cooking.

Staying hydrated is essential for acclimatization, as the dry air, exertion, and altitude can quickly lead to dehydration. If you’re using Diamox to help with altitude adaptation, it’s even more important to stay hydrated. We recommend drinking 3-4 liters of water per day to maintain hydration.

At each Kilimanjaro camp, you’ll have access to tea, coffee, hot chocolate, squash, and fruit juices. However, we don’t provide sodas or bottled water, so be sure to bring along any personal flavoring drops or electrolyte supplements to keep your water enjoyable.

Hydration and proper nutrition will keep you energized and support your body’s adaptation to the challenges of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro