Renting Gear for Climbing Kilimanjaro

A number of travelers – usually backpackers – show up in Tanzania, thinking they can purchase trekking gear for climbing on the mountain. Unlike Nepal, where you can purchase jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and thermal underwear, Tanzania isn’t a mountain community and therefore doesn’t have gear readily available. Much of Tanzania is very hot and since most of the locals never climb the mountains, and many tourists bring there own gear, there isn’t much of market for renting sleeping bags and other gear.

If you do show up in Tanzania with limited gear and need to find something, here are a few strategies.

1. Talk to trekking companies. Sometimes they might have gear that you can rent. Usually they have trekking poles and sleeping mats. If you look for a sleeping bag, or a coat, you might find something, but it’s not guaranteed to be in that great of condition. Make sure to check condition before you rent it.

2. There are some used clothing markets that sell all sorts of clothes. You can usually find some old boots and maybe a descent jacket, but it’s a crapshoot.

3. Go to a village like Marangu, and ask around. Marangu is much more of a mountain community and is much colder than other parts of Tanzania. Since many tourists pass through this village, you might find some used gear to rent.

4. If you are in desperate need, talk to the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, located in Moshi Town. They lend clothes to porters, but might be able to find some gear for you.

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