If you’re wondering whether to pack a medical kit for Kilimanjaro, well we think it’s a good idea. Indeed, if you’re planning on trekking with a budget company, we think it could be essential. Why? Well, according to Hans Meyer, the Chagga treated their cuts and scars with the liberal application of cow dung.

But we advise you don’t. Instead, take a proper medical kit with you onto the mountain. Because few agencies at the budget end will have one.

In theory many of the mountain huts at the campsites have first-aid kits. But we still advise you to take one anyway. Just to be on the safe side; for you never know what they’ll have, how old it will be or how far you’ll be from the nearest station when you need help.

A medical kit for Kilimanjaro

A medical kit to take with you up Kilimanjaro should include the following:

Antiseptic cream For small cuts and grazes.

Plasters Ditto.

Bandages Useful for twists and sprains as well as for larger flesh wounds.

Compeed For blisters.

Elastic knee supports For steeper gradients, particularly if you have knee problems.

Anti-malarials Though you’re highly unlikely to catch malaria on the mountain (you’ll be above the anopheles mosquito’s maximum altitude for nearly all the trek), if you’re on a course of anti-malarials you should continue taking them.

Ibuprofen/Aspirin/Paracetamol Or other painkillers, though do read the discussion on AMS in this website and the medical indications in the packet before scoffing these.

Bismuth subsalicylate The active ingredient in Pepto-bismol, which could be useful for settling upset stomachs.

Imodium Stops you going when you don’t want to go, which could come in handy.

Insect repellent Useful on the first and last day, though above the tree-line the climate is too cold for most insects to survive.