What do you eat on Kilimanjaro?
It’s important that you take some time to consider what you’re going to eat on Kilimanjaro. In particular, remember to your agency if you have any special dietary requirements. This is important because both meat and nuts form a substantial part of the food on Kilimanjaro.
One of the marvels of a trek on the roof of Africa is the skill with which the cooks can conjure up tasty and nutritious food. That they manage to do this despite the restrictions on both equipment and ingredients is amazing. Even birthday cakes are possible (without an oven, remember!)
They are also able to obey almost any dietary restrictions, so that vegans, vegetarians, gluten and lactose intolerants are all catered for. In additional, those with restrictions due to their religious beliefs are also accommodated. All you have to do, if you have any sort of dietary requirements, is to tell your company in advance.
A typical Kilimanjaro Breakfast will involve porridge, eggs (boiled or fried), a saveloy and possibly some tomatoes or beans too. Alongside these items there’ll also be a piece of fruit such as banana or orange. Bread with jam, honey or peanut butter and mug or two of tea, hot chocolate or coffee are also served.
Typically you’ll take Lunch box on your first day of your trek but the for rest of day on the mountain will often have cooked Lunch on the spot by your crew, who will have rushed ahead of you to set up the mess tent and prepare the food.
The final and biggest meal of the day, dinner usually begins with soup. Main course then follows, typically including chicken or meat, vegetable sauce, some cabbage, and rice or pasta.
Snacks and other food on Kilimanjaro
The three main meals, however, are not the only food on Kilimanjaro that your crew will serve to you. Because at the end of the day’s walking, you’ll arrive to find they have already set up your tents. What’s more, shortly after you arrive they will then serve you afternoon tea, which usually consists of biscuits, peanuts and best all, salted popcorn.
Bring your own sweets!
As we mention elsewhere on the site, it’s important to bring your favourite sweet from home. When you’re feeling at lowest, the restorative powers of a chocolate bar, a simple boiled sweet or some other confection shouldn’t be under estimated. Often when I am making final push to the summit, I like to imagine I’m at home anyway. Why? Well, for no other reason than that it takes me away from the pain and the cold that I am feeling at that moment. And simple orange-flavored fruit pastille helps me get there, and get there quickly. Indeed, while we’ve spent a long time talking about the meals the crew makes for you, the snacks you bring may actually be the most important food that you eat on Kilimanjaro.