What is the Food Like on Kilimanjaro

Food Menu on Mount Kilimanjaro is an important issue to discuss before climbing mount Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro Climbs requires healthy food menu ranging from Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats for both clients and our entire Kilimanjaro trekking crew. 

During your Kilimanjaro hike, our professional cooks will prepare three hot meals on daily basis. i.e.  breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Food Menu on Mount Kilimanjaro always is cooked with fresh seasonal yields. All fruits, vegetables, sea food, beef and chicken are purchased from the local markets in Moshi.  For all treks of over 5 days in length, we have re-supplied of fresh food to the camp/hut for our use.

Below is our food menu on Mount Kilimanjaro;

BREAKFAST

Toast (with honey, jam and/or butter); French toast; pancakes; sausage; bacon; eggs (scrambled, fried, omelet); cooked vegetables; fruits (oranges, mangoes, bananas), cereals; hot cereal; tea; coffee; cocoa; juice

LUNCH

Cold meat sandwiches; tuna or chicken salad sandwiches; grilled cheese sandwiches; fruits (oranges, mangoes, bananas);  eggs; French fries, otherwise known as chips; tea; coffee; cocoa; juice.

DINNER

Beef, chicken (roasted, stewed, curried); pasta; rice; vegetables (stewed, boiled, steamed, curried); potatoes (mashed, boiled, fried); corned beef + cabbage; Ugali (Local dish); fruits (oranges, mangoes, bananas); tea; coffee; cocoa, juice.

Also we have various special diet for various allergic, we will provide a form to fill before climb to state your allergic food in order for our cook to be aware and full responsible.

Remember to tell us if you have any special dietary requirements – because both meat and nuts form a substantial part of the food on Kilimanjaro.

One of the marvels of a trek on Kilimanjaro is the skill with which the cooks are able to conjure up tasty and nutritious food despite little in the way of equipment and ingredients. SAFARIBANDO is able obey almost any dietary restrictions, so that vegans, vegetarians, gluten and lactose intolerants and those with restrictions due to their religious beliefs are all accommodated. Just make sure you tell us in advance of any dietary restrictions you may have.

You will be amazed at variety, quality and quantity of the food we served on your tour. Our Food Menu on Mount Kilimanjaro considers, If you have special dietary requirements or you are vegetarian then just let us know when you book so that we can be sure to have a suitable menu planned.

A typical day’s meals

Breakfast is usually fairly hearty, and includes Cereal, sausage, eggs, fried beans and toast with marmalade or jam and Juice or Fruits. Of course, you’ll also have hot drinks, generally a choice of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Let your guide know if you are still hungry, or even if you think you could ‘pack in a few more bites’. Our cooks always try to provide more food than necessary to ensure everyone gets enough.

Fresh Fruits: There will also most likely be some seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables tucked away somewhere as well.

Lunch is either packed for you, or we stop for a hot cooked lunch. A typical packed lunch is a boiled egg, sandwiches, a portion of chicken, crisps, snack bar, fresh fruit and a drink. Hot lunch- Rice or Spaghetti with Chicken, Vegetable Salad and Juice. Evening Tea is served at the end of the day’s riding, once you get to camp. In addition to tea and other hot drinks, there are plenty of peanuts, popcorn, biscuits and snacks to help restore some of the energy you’ve just burned off.

Dinners are quite filling. They usually begin with a nice healthy vegetable soup, and then a main course such as chicken curry, spaghetti Bolognese, fresh vegetables, and plenty of rice, pasta or potatoes, followed by a yummy dessert such as pancakes or banana fritters with maple syrup or nutella!

Water and Snacks on Kilimanjaro

Water is collected from mountain streams and treated with Aquatabs® water purification tablets. Water is provided only at the campsites so you need to carry enough water, usually about 3 liters, to stay hydrated while you hike.

You may want to bring some supplementary “comfort” foods, such as candy, gum, chocolate, health bars or powdered energy drinks.

Carbohydrate Requirements

The primary carbohydrate of the meals are rice, potatoes and pasta. Fresh fruit and vegetables accompany every meal. Meat is served on the mountain but not in large quantities because it is not easily digestible at high altitude and nor does it keep well on the mountain. We resupply the team with fresh food throughout the climb.

It is well known that eating a high carb diet is best for boosting endurance. In general, carbohydrates replace depleted muscle glycogen, prevent muscle deterioration, and require less oxygen for metabolism. At high elevations, this effect is even more pronounced.

When exposed to altitude, there is a shift in the body’s energy source from fat to carbohydrates. Carbs require 8-10% less oxygen for metabolism than protein or fats. Researchers have found that people naturally increase their carbohydrate consumption when at high elevations, presumably as a response to the low oxygen in the environment.

Protein and fat are not well tolerated at altitude. Because absorption of protein and fat drops substantially, you should reduce your intake accordingly.

Read more Can you Climbing Kilimanjaro without a guide?

Carbohydrates are the preferred energy source and should make up the largest percentage of food at high altitude. It is recommended that 60% or more of your calorie intake should come from carbohydrates at high altitude. Therefore, our menu is predominantly made of high carb meals designed to sustain your body’s performance on the mountain.

Not only are carbs the best source of energy for climbing, carbs are also needed for altitude acclimatization. A high carb diet has been shown to prevent symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Researchers have found that a high carbohydrate intake can reduce the effects of altitude by 1,000 feet at a height of 13,000 feet and 2,000 feet at a height of 17,000 feet.

Tips for Eating at Altitude

At higher altitudes, people struggle with appetite loss and nausea. Try your best to keep eating regardless. You want to avoid going into a calorie deficit on the mountain because it will make acclimatization, recovery and athletic performance more difficult. It is better to eat the “wrong” food than no food at all. So eat whatever you can, whenever you can. Protein, fat and carbohydrates are all sources of calories.

We do recommend that you bring some snacks to supplement your diet on the mountain. Snacks add some variety to the food you eat, are another source of calories, and can provide a little morale boost when times are tough.

Here are some best practices for eating and drinking on Kilimanjaro.

• Wash your hands before every meal.
• Don’t skip meals. Eat even if you are not hungry.
• Eat a high carbohydrate diet (which we will provide).
• Bring snacks from home that you love to eat.
• Drink at least four liters of water per day.
• Take electrolytes.
• Avoid consuming alcohol, tobacco or depressant drugs including barbiturates, tranquilizers, sleeping pills and opiates.
• Avoid excessive caffeine consumption.

Read More About Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro