Trip Finder
Kilimanjaro
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

Keep in mind while you pack that you will be experiencing a variety of temperatures on this adventure. Our service sections will be warm, but the mountain will be quite chilly. We ask that you are respectful to cultural sensitivities and wear pants, capris and/or long skirts during the community service projects or while traveling in public with your group. Shorts will be acceptable on your trek and safari. *Plastic carrier bags are not allowed in Tanzania. However, small zip lock bags for toiletries are permitted.

Long Underwear / Base Layer Top

Synthetic, non-cotton, medium-weight long sleeve top

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Crew

T-shirts

Minimum of 2 synthetic, non-cotton t-shirts, other shirts may be cotton

Qty: 5
Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt, Marmot Windridge
Buy in our gear store

Long Sleeve Shirt

Long sleeve cotton t-shirt

Qty: 1

Lightweight Top

Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 Fleece

Fleece Jacket

Heavy-pile fleece pullover or full zip jacket is good

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla or R2 Jacket

Rain Jacket with Hood

Must be 100% waterproof - not water resistant

Qty: 1
Patagonia Torrentshell or Marmot Precip

Insulating Jacket

Synthetic or down insulation, non-cotton. This can be a synthetic or down “puffy” jacket or an additional heavyweight fleece

Qty: 1
Patagonia Nano Puff or Down Sweater

Sports Bra

For girls

Qty: 3-4

Required clothing items. Moondance will provide you with an 8000 Meter Down Parka for the Kilimanjaro summit

Long Underwear/Base Layer Bottom

Synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms, one pair can be leggings for girls

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Lightweight/Midweight Bottoms

Rain Pants

100% Waterproof pants large enough to fit over regular pants

Qty: 1

Fleece Pants

One pair heavy fleece pants

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Pants or Patagonia R1 Pants

Hiking Pants/Shorts

Two pair synthetic, non-cotton hiking pants; These are worn to be culturally respectful during community service and on the climb. Leggings are NOT appropriate for this section.

Qty: 2
Exoficio

Shorts

Two pair nylon, quick dry shorts

Qty: 2
Patagonia Baggies

Long Pants

Loose, appropriate pants that can get dirty to be worn during community service. These pants must be loose to be culturally appropriate. Leggings are NOT acceptable, but looser joggers would suffice.

Qty: 1

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are okay)

Qty: 7-10

Bathing Suit

Boys: your quick-dry shorts can double as your bathing suit

Qty: 1

Required clothing items. Leggings are not appropriate for community service.

Gloves

One pair heavy wool or fleece gloves or mittens

Qty: 1

Glove Liners

One pair, synthetic or fleece

Qty: 1

Work Gloves

One pair of inexpensive gloves for the community service section

Qty: 1

Baseball Hat

A baseball hat or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Balaclava Face Protection

For additional warmth

Qty: 2

Bandana / Buff

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!

Qty: 2
Moondance Buff
Buy in our gear store

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Please keep in mind that your upper and lower body layers are essential to a successful summit bid of Mt. Kilimanjaro. You will reach altitudes as high as 19,340 feet where temperatures can dip down below zero degrees. Layering is key to staying warm, so please pay close attention to the items listed under the Upper and Lower Body Layers sections of the Clothing + Equipment list.

Hiking Boots

Medium - heavy weight boots with ankle support - break them in before! Wear on the plane

Qty: 1
Vasque

Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty

Qty: 1

Camping Shoes

These can be flip flops, Crocs, Tevas, Chacos, etc - comfortable shoes to wear around campsites

Qty: 1

Socks

4 pairs medium-weight wool, non-cotton socks & 1-2 non-cotton lightweight hiking socks

Qty: 7-8 Pair
Smartwool or Darn Tough

Hiking Gaiters

High/mid-calf length

Qty: 1 Pair

Required Shoes

Duffel Bag

90-110 liters

Qty: 1
North Face Base Camp Duffel L 95 L or Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 100 Liters

Day Pack

20 – 30 liter daypack /school backpack size works fine, one with a waist strap is highly recommended

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio 28L
Buy in our gear store

Small Duffel Bag

(Empty 40 liter) That packs down - you will use this to store unnecessary gear between trip sections

Qty: 1

Day Pack Cover (Waterproof)

Covers your day pack

Qty: 1

Please keep all necessary trekking gear in your carry on, including hiking boots, headlamp, warm gloves/hat, hiking socks, rain jacket, water bottles, and layers as airlines have been extremely inconsistent with lost baggage over the past year.

Hand and Foot Warmers

For additional warmth

Qty: 1

Mitten Shells

Waterproof or water resistant

Qty: 1

Digital Camera

With charger + international adapter, and a 32- 64GB memory card

Qty: 1
Cannon Powershot G9 X

GoPro

With charger + international adapter and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Binoculars

Compact and lightweight for wildlife safari; HIGHLY recommended

Qty: 1

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky

Qty: 1

Friendship Bracelet Materials

Embroidery string for creating friendship bracelets

Qty: 1

Not required but highly recommended. *Since we don’t allow cell phones during the course of our trips, you may not use your phone as a camera. Leaders will take photos that will be shared at the end of the summer.

Sleeping Bag

Synthetic sleeping bag rated 0° – 20° Fahrenheit with a compression stuff sack

Qty: 1

Ground Pad

Insulating ground pad

Qty: 1
Therm-a-rest RidgeRest or Therm-a-Rest ProLite

Backpacker's Pillow

A luxury to have during the trip

Qty: 1

Your duffel bag needs to be able to fit all of your belongings. Your sleeping bag & ground pad will take up a lot of the room in your duffel, so we encourage you to pack light around those bulky items.

Personal + Travel Medications

Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.

Qty: As needed

Blister Pill Pack or PillBox

The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.

Qty: As needed
Consider https://pharmacy.amazon.com/pillpack

Leaders will collect all medications, except inhalers and epi-pens. Other medications should be in a pillbox or PillPack.

Dopp Kit*

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, prescription medication, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L – M

First Aid Kit*

Contains: Insect repellent, reef safe waterproof sunscreen (Kokua, Thinksport, Stream2Sea), zinc oxide, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer

Qty: 1

Prescription glasses + Contacts

If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts.

Qty: 2 Pair

Required Hygiene Items
*Please keep all toiletries in your checked luggage, with the exception of your toothbrush and any personal/prescription medication

Water Bottles

Minimum 32oz water bottles

Qty: 3
Nalgene 1L wide mouth
Buy in our gear store

Headlamp

With fresh batteries + 3 sets of spare batteries

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot or Black Diamond Storm

Sunglasses

With 100% UV protection

Qty: 1
Goodr

Sunglasses Holders

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Nylon Stuff Sack

Sleeping bag size

Qty: 1

For this trip, everything will go into your duffel. You will travel with this for your entire trip. All items on this list must fit into your duffel. We recommend that you also pack a small empty duffel bag inside the larger duffel. You will use this to store additional clothing not used during the trek. While packing, don't forget to keep in mind the 50-pound weight limit enforced by airlines. Moondance will provide trekking poles for the trekking section of your trip.
*Moondance will provide down parkas for the Mt. Kilimanjaro Summit Attempt*

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large is ideal

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Buy in our gear store

Wallet

Personal wallet with $250 spending money and valid identification, we encourage you to bring additional funds to donate in village stops

Qty: 1

Passport + Copies

Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport

Qty: 1 + 2 Copies

Tanzanian Visa

(Inside passport) Directions on how to obtain visa to follow

Qty: 1

Protein Bars

Cliff bars, Luna bars, etc for Kili trek (2 per day)

Qty: 14

Electrolyte Packets

Qty: As many as you prefer

Hydration System

i.e. Camel Bak® (with insulated cover)

Qty: 1

Additional Required Items

Packing Tips

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • Passport, ID, money
  • Completed International Travel Authorization form

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

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Lodging

Sleeping

During your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodations: large canvas tents for Community Service and Safari; 2-person Mountain Hardwear tents for the trek, and hotels (all single gender).

Eating

Eating utensils (plates and cutlery) will be provided throughout the trip.

If you have any special dietary restrictions/ considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.

Immunizations

Routine Vaccinations

Moondance adheres the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. They state that routine vaccines are those recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Please consult with a physician for specific recommendations based on your health history.

Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:

  • COVID-19
  • Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Measles, mumps, Rubella
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
  • Shingles (Zoster)

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Tanzania take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Cholera

Active cholera transmission is widespread in Tanzania. Cholera is rare in travelers. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease. Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Areas of recent active cholera transmission are localized to the regions of Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, Kagera, Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Mara, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Simiyu, and Singida in Tanzania.

Rabies

The Centers for Disease Control recommends a pre-exposure rabies vaccination before your trip because rabid dogs are commonly found in this country.  There may be limited or no rabies treatment available. We will encounter dogs and wildlife especially as we travel to rural areas.

Polio

According to the CDC, poliovirus has been identified in Tanzania recently. Therefore, travelers to Tanzania are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.

They recommend travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a complete polio vaccination series before travel. Children who are not fully vaccinated will be considered for an accelerated vaccination schedule. Adults who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Check the map tab on this page to view a map of where Moondance groups will be traveling throughout Tanzania. Provide this information to your physician of choice (primary care physician, travel clinic, etc.) in order to get the most accurate suggestions for immunizations and vaccinations.

Click here to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in Tanzania.

Flights

Kilimanjaro 1, June 4 - June 26, 2024, Option 1

Kilimanjaro 1, June 4 - June 26, 2024, Option 2

Kilimanjaro 2, June 10 - July 2, 2024, Option 1

Kilimanjaro 2, June 10 - July 2, 2024, Option 2

Kilimanjaro 4, June, 27 - July 19, 2024, Option 1

Kilimanjaro 4, June, 27 - July 19, 2024, Option 2

Kilimanjaro 6, July, 9 - July 31, 2024, Option 1

Kilimanjaro 6, July, 9 - July 31, 2024, Option 2



Important Travel Notes:

  • We highly recommend that all students fly on the designated flights above. If you have any questions OR if you are considering another flight path please contact the Moondance Adventures HQ BEFORE purchasing your airfare.
  • We also highly recommend making your flight reservation through our partnered travel agency, Exito. They are familiar with all Moondance flights. Please follow this link to start the booking process.
  • Remember when booking your child’s flight to allow at least a 3-hour layover in any connecting airport to avoid missed connections or baggage delays.
  • Please keep in mind the group flights will begin and end at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or JFK. It is imperative that every student arrives to their gateway city in a timely fashion. If one individual does not arrive in on time to make the group flights, it can delay the entire trip. Leaders are not guaranteed to be on the flight.
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