When you think about your Kilimanjaro expedition, you might think about the thrill, the challenges, and the food on Mount Kilimanjaro!
It’s easy to assume that the food on the mountain would be unappetizing, given the remote location. However, this isn’t true.
The food (offered by our cook who’ll accompany you on your Kilimanjaro climb) will be tasty. On top of that, your food is chosen with the purpose to supply the right amount of calories that your body needs.
This is because you’ll also constantly burn calories during your Kilimanjaro hike. On average, a Kilimanjaro hiker can burn between 6,000 to 8,000 calories per day, which is why it’s essential to fuel you up at least three times a day with food, and snacks in between.
The best diet for altitude in Kilimanjaro
When you’re in a place with a high altitude like Kilimanjaro, the food you eat really matters. At high altitudes, it’s much preferred to eat foods high in carbohydrates because it converts to energy faster than fatty foods.
Carbohydrates replenish the depleted muscle glycogen—a kind of sugar stored in muscles. This is to prevent the muscles from getting used as energy which can cause fatigue.
Some of the best food for the high altitude on Kilimanjaro are:
- Energy bars
- Nuts
- Oatmeal
- Rice
- Pasta
- Oatmeal
- Waffles and pancakes
- Soup with bread (low-fat)
Why choose a high carbohydrate diet for food on mount Kilimanjaro
A high-carbohydrate diet reduces the start and rigour of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). In addition, it also improves physical performance, allowing you to withstand the varied mountain conditions.
We don’t prepare a low-carb diet for our clients as it can result in low blood sugar, which can be dangerous. On the other hand, fatty foods are energy-dense but they’re not taken well at high altitudes.
Fatty foods also convert to energy much slower than high-carb foods and worsen the symptoms of altitude sickness. This is because fats need more oxygen to metabolise, whereas carbohydrates don’t.
Nutrition in mount Kilimanjaro
The nutrition or menu on Kilimanjaro is crafted to ensure a triumphant climb. Although the menu may vary, you’ll still be served with high-carb foods that aren’t only appealing to look at and taste but are also easy to digest to supply you with energy.
Breakfast from camp to camp may include:
- Bread
- Eggs
- Chapati
- Pancakes
- Porridge
- Coffee
- Plantains
- Fruits
- Sausage
- Hot chocolate
- Tea
Meanwhile, the lunch and dinner on the mountain may comprise:
- Pasta
- Soup/stew
- Plantains
- Potatoes
- Rice
- Vegetable
- Popcorn
- Fruits
- Meat
- Bread
- Peanuts
However, if you’re a vegan or want specific food, make sure to talk to our Kilimanjaro Specialist about your preferences. Make sure to also inform our Kilimanjaro Specialist about your food allergies to plan your meals accordingly.
Note: Requesting for a specific menu or food type will incur extra charges.
Water/hydration on mount Kilimanjaro
Keeping yourself hydrated is essential for acclimatisation, so we make sure that all of our climbers are well provided with purified drinking water from start to finish.
In addition, we boil and then filter the water that our cook uses to make the food. This ensures safe drinking water to all of our trekkers. This will also avoid gastrointestinal problems that are common in Africa due to untreated water.
Our team ensures that our climbers won’t lack anything, especially food and purified water. This is because as you ascend to higher elevations, the air gets thinner, and the altitude can speedily dehydrate you.
Moreover, if you’re taking Diamox to aid in your acclimatisation, you’ll also be needing to keep your fluids up. This will also boost digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as lubricate sore joints and muscles.
This is why the meals provided always include hydrating foods, such as soup, fresh fruit and porridge to nourish your body with liquids. In addition, each meal also comprises of tea, hot cocoa and coffee.
Meals on mount Kilimanjaro with Easy Travel
Carbohydrates, fats, and protein—these three are all calorie sources. However, since carb-rich foods are ideal in high altitudes, you’ll get the varied foods (including some protein, but mostly rich in carbs) that will benefit you the most on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kindly refer to the table below for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Below are the usual foods that our cook prepares for our clients to ensure that they get the right food combinations for their Kilimanjaro expedition.
Note: The food menu below is the usual meal types that we serve for our clients. At times, this may vary, but you’ll still get the carb-rich foods your body needs for hiking Kilimanjaro.
Menu - Machame route - 6 days
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Breakfast at the hotel | PICNIC LUNCH Fried Chicken, Juice, Boiled egg, cake, burger, crisp | Starter: Cucumber Soup with Toast Bread Main Course Boiled Potatoes, Fish fillet, vegetable, fruits, Tea/Coffee, Milk, drinking chocolate |
| Day 2 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, toast bread, butternut, honey, jam, sausage, fried egg. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Starter: Carrot Soup Main Course Macaroni and Bolognese sauce, vegetables, fruits. Tea/Coffee, Milk,drinking chocolate | Starter: Zucchini soup and Bhajia Main Course Rice, green beans, fruits Hot water—Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 3 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, toast bread, butternut, honey, jam, sausage, fried egg. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Vegetable stew with toast bread, fruits Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate Snacks Tea/Coffee with Nuts | Starter: Celery Soup Main Course Omelet Spaghetti, beef sauce and vegetables Dessert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 4 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, pancake, mandazi, sausage, omelet. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Starter: Pumpkin soup, Roll bread Main Course French fries with fried chicken, salad Dessert Fruits Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | Starter: Leek’s soup Main Course Spaghetti, Vegetable’s sauce, Mushroom sauce Dessert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate Before Summit Tea/Coffee with Biscuits For Summiting Take away Juice, Apple/Biscuit and chocolate Bar |
| Day 5 | SUMMIT DAY | After Summit Brunch Potatoes soup with toast bread, Chapati, vegetables, Fruits, Tea/Coffee | Starter: Sweet potatoes soup Main Course Zanzibar rice, red beans, vegetables Dessert Surprised chef celebration cake and fruits Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 6 | Oats porridge, Pancake, Mandazi, fried egg, fruits Hot water, Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | HOT LUNCH Main Course African food “MATOKE” Mix fruits and soda, Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | At your own arrangement at the hotel |
Menu - Machame route - 7 days
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Breakfast at the hotel | PICNIC LUNCH Fried Chicken, Juice, fruit, Boiled egg, cake, burger, crisp | Starter: Cucumber Soup with Toast Bread Main Course Boiled Potatoes, Fish fillet, vegetable, fruits, Tea/Coffee, Milk, drinking chocolate |
| Day 2 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, toast bread, butternut, honey, jam, sausage, fried egg. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Starter: Carrot Soup Main Course Macaroni and Bolognese sauce, vegetables, fruits. Tea/Coffee, Milk,drinking chocolate | Starter: Zucchini soup and Bhajia Main Course Rice, green beans, fruits Hot water—Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 3 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, toast bread, butternut, honey, jam, sausage, fried egg. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Vegetable stew with toast bread, fruits Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate Snacks Tea/Coffee with Nuts | Starter: Celery Soup Main Course Omelet Spaghetti, beef sauce and vegetables Dessert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 4 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, pancake, mandazi, sausage, omelet. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Starter: Pumpkin soup, Roll bread Main Course French fries with fried chicken, salad Dessert Fruits Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | Starter: Sweet potatoes soup Main Course Pizza and Vegetables sauce Dessert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 5 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, pancake, mandazi, sausage, omelet. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | Main Course African food “MATOKE” Mix fruits and soda, Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | Starter: Leek’s soup Main Course Spaghetti with vegetable sauce, Mushroom Dessert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate Before summit Tea/Coffee with Biscuits For summiting (Take away Juice, Apple/Biscuit and chocolate Bar) |
| Day 6 | SUMMIT DAY | After Summit Brunch: Potatoes soup with toast bread, Chapati, vegetables, Fruits, Tea/Coffee | Starter: Sweet potatoes soup Main Course Chinese rice, red beans, vegetables Dessert Surprised chef celebration cake and fruits Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 7 | Oats porridge, Pancake, Mandazi, fried egg, fruits Hot water, Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | HOT LUNCH Main Course African food “MATOKE” Mix fruits and soda, Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | At your own arrangement at the hotel |
Menu - Lemosho route - 8 days
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Breakfast at the hotel | PICNIC LUNCH Fried Chicken, Juice, fruit, Boiled egg, cake, burger, crisp | Starter: Cucumber Soup with Toast Bread Main Course Boiled Potatoes, Fish fillet, vegetable Dessert Fruits, Tea/Coffee, Milk, drinking chocolate |
| Day 2 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, toast bread, butternut, honey, jam, sausage, fried egg. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | PICNIC LUNCH Fried Chicken, Juice, fruit, Boiled egg, cake, Pie, crisp | Starter: Carrot soup and bread Main Course Macaroni bolognaise sauce, vegetables, fruits, Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 3 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, toast bread, butternut, honey, jam, pancake, sausage, fried egg. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Starter Zucchini soup with roll bread Main Course French fries, Fried Chicken, salad Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate Snacks Tea/Coffee with Nuts | Starter: Sweet potatoes soup Main Course Rice with green beans and Vegetables Dessert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 4 | Millet or oat porridge and fruits, pancake, mandazi, sausage, omelet. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Main Course Vegetable stew toast bread Dessert Fruits Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | Starter: Celery soup Main Course Omelet’s spaghetti, beef sauce, vegetable Desert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 5 | Millet or oat porridge and toast bread, fruits, sausage, omelet. Hot water— tea, milk, coffee, drinking chocolate | HOT LUNCH Starter Pumpkin soup Main Course Mashed potatoes with mushroom sauce, vegetables sauce, fruits. Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | Starter: Vegetable soup Main Course Pizza with vegetable sauce Desert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 6 | Oats porridge, Pancake, Mandazi, sausage, omelets, fruits. Hot water, Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | HOT LUNCH Main Course African food “MATOKE” Mix fruits Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | Starter: Leek’s soup Main Course Spaghetti and vegetable Desert Fruit Hot water— Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Cholate Before Summit Tea/Coffee with Biscuits For summiting Take away Juice, Apple/Biscuit and chocolate Bar |
| Day 7 | SUMMIT DAY | After Summit Brunch: Potatoes soup with toast bread, Chapati, vegetables, Fruits, Tea/Coffee | Starter: Sweet potatoes soup Main Course Zanzibar rice, red beans, vegetables Dessert Surprised chef celebration cake and fruits Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate |
| Day 8 | Oats porridge, Pancake, Mandazi, fried egg, fruits Hot water, Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | HOT LUNCH Main Course French fries with fried chicken, salad, Mix fruits and soda, Hot water – Tea, Milk, Coffee, Drinking Chocolate | At your own arrangement at the hotel |
The experience you'll never forget
There is certainly so much more to Mount Kilimanjaro that the menu… The views, the people you will meet and the challenges alone will leave you with tails to share with everyone back home.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is certainly no walk in the park, but with the right training, the right nutrition and the best team to support you every step of the way you’ll certainly leave a changed person with experiences that will last a lifetime.
To wrap it up
On the mountain, particularly at the camps, you’ll be able to engage with other trekkers and get to know their stories. This is perhaps one of the best parts of the Kilimanjaro experience—to meet new people who have the same interest as you while enjoying the food and the conversation.
As you can expect, meals are shared in large dining tents with tables and chairs. There will be soups, hot beverages, snacks and of course, the main menus and desserts. You’ll be eating well on Kilimanjaro and laughing with a group of people who are as adventurous as you. You’ll get to know each other and support one another in climbing the highest mountain of Africa.
At the end of your Kilimanjaro expedition, you’ll end up with new friends that could be life-long adventure buddies.
Worried about the food on Kilimanjaro or looking for expert advice on planning your custom Kilimanjaro Summit? Contact Easy Travel today.
