It’s crucial that you give your meal plans on Mount Kilimanjaro some thought. Remember to let your agent know if you have any special dietary needs in particular. This is significant because a sizable portion of the food on Kilimanjaro is made up of both meat and nuts.
The ability of the cooks to create delicious and nourishing meals is one of the wonders of a trek on the Roof of Africa. It’s incredible that they are able to do this despite the limitations on both the tools and the ingredients. Even birthday cakes are feasible (remember, without an oven!)
Additionally, they can adhere to almost any dietary restrictions, so vegans, vegetarians, and people who are gluten- and lactose-intolerant can all be accommodated. Additionally, accommodations are made for those who have limitations because of their religious convictions. If you have any special dietary needs, all you need to do is let the group know ahead of time.
A typical breakfast on Mount Kilimanjaro consists of porridge, eggs (fried or boiled), a saveloy, and possibly some tomatoes or beans as well. There will also be a piece of fruit, such as an orange or banana, next to these things. There are also a few mugs of tea, hot chocolate, or coffee available, along with bread spread with jam, honey, or peanut butter.
On Kilimanjaro, you typically stop for lunch at a predetermined location halfway through the day’s hike. On more expensive treks, the crew will frequently cook lunch for you right there and then after hastily setting up the mess tent and preparing the food. For environmental reasons, KINAPA does occasionally try to forbid trekking companies from preparing cooked meals alongside the trail, but so far with little success.
A packed lunch that your crew made at breakfast will be carried instead by trekkers who are traveling on a budget. A boiled egg, sandwiches, a banana or orange, and tea or coffee from the guide’s flask are frequently included in this packed lunch.
Dinner, the largest and final meal of the day, typically starts with soup. The main course then follows, usually consisting of chicken or meat, rice or pasta, some cabbage, and a vegetable sauce. Since potatoes are so heavy, if your porters brought any up, they will typically be consumed on the first night.
When you add pudding to the evening meal, which is typically more fruit, your stomach is still not done for the day.
On Kilimanjaro, however, your crew will provide you with food in addition to the three main meals. Since they will have already set up your tents when you arrive at the end of each day of walking. They will also serve you afternoon tea soon after you arrive, which typically consists of biscuits, peanuts, and—best of all—salted popcorn.
Bringing your favourite treats from home is important, as we’ve mentioned on other pages of the website. The restoring qualities of a chocolate bar, a straightforward boiled sweet, or some other confection should not be undervalued when you’re at your lowest.
I like to pretend that I’m at home when I’m making the last ascent to the summit. Why? Well, if for no other reason than that it distracts me from the discomfort and cold I am currently experiencing. And a straightforward fruit pastille with an orange flavour helps me get there quickly. In spite of the fact that we’ve spent a lot of time discussing the meals the crew prepares for you, the snacks you bring may end up being the most significant meals you eat while climbing Kilimanjaro.
One word of caution, though: don’t come to Tanzania expecting to be able to buy your favorite candy. because it’s likely that you won’t. And even then, there is a very slim chance that it will taste anything like the treats you usually get at home. Particularly, the chocolate you purchase in Tanzania has a distinct (and inferior) flavor from the chocolate you purchase at home. (I’m told that they put something in the chocolate to prevent it from melting; while this makes sense, it’s still a huge letdown.)
