What Is the Toilet Situation
on Kilimanjaro?

It is the question every Kilimanjaro climber asks but nobody wants to ask out loud. You are about to spend five to eight days on a remote African mountain with no plumbing, no buildings, and no flush toilets. So what actually happens when nature calls at 4,000 metres above sea level in the freezing dark? The answer is more reassuring than you might expect — and understanding it before your trip will save you from unnecessary anxiety and help you prepare properly.

The toilet situation on Kilimanjaro is one of the most discussed topics among prospective climbers, and for good reason. It affects your comfort, your hygiene, your sleep, and potentially your health. After guiding thousands of climbers up the mountain, we can tell you this: the toilets are not luxurious, but they are manageable, and with the right preparation, they will not ruin your experience. In fact, most climbers say the toilet situation was far better than they feared.

The Four Types of Toilets on Kilimanjaro

Not all toilet experiences on the mountain are the same. There are four distinct situations you will encounter, ranging from the relatively comfortable to the truly basic. Understanding each one helps you prepare mentally and physically.

Public Latrines: What to Actually Expect

The public latrines on Kilimanjaro are the default option for every climber. They exist at every camp on every route, and most climbers use them at least once. Here is the honest truth about what they are like:

The structure. Most public latrines are small wooden or metal stalls, roughly one metre by one metre. Inside, there is a bench or platform with a circular or rectangular hole cut into it. Below the hole is a deep pit — sometimes several metres deep. There is usually a door with a simple latch or bolt that locks from the inside. Some camps have concrete structures; others have wooden ones. The condition varies from camp to camp and route to route.

The smell. Let us be direct: they smell. At lower camps where temperatures are warmer, the odour can be strong. At higher camps where it is cold, the smell is less noticeable. The key is to breathe through your mouth, get in and out quickly, and not linger. Carrying a small vial of essential oil (peppermint or eucalyptus) and dabbing it under your nose before entering is a trick many experienced climbers use.

The hygiene. There is no running water, no soap, and no toilet paper provided. You must bring your own supplies — toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and wet wipes. Some latrines have a bucket of water outside for washing hands, but do not count on it. After using the latrine, apply hand sanitiser liberally and avoid touching your face.

The experience. Using a pit latrine at 4,000 metres in the dark, in freezing temperatures, with headlamp batteries draining in the cold, is not anyone's idea of a good time. But it is a brief, functional experience. Most climbers describe it as "not great, but not terrible." The first time is the hardest. After that, it becomes routine.

Camp-by-Camp Toilet Quality

Not all camps are equal when it comes to toilet facilities. Here is an honest assessment of toilet quality at major camps on the Machame and Lemosho routes:

The Private Toilet Tent: Is It Worth It?

Short answer: yes. Long answer: it depends on your budget, your comfort tolerance, and who you are climbing with.

A private toilet tent is a self-contained portable toilet system housed inside a dedicated pop-up tent. It is set up near your sleeping tents at each camp and packed down and moved by porters to the next camp ahead of you. The system typically uses a chemical toilet or a bucket system with a seat and lid, and the tent provides complete privacy and wind protection.

The cost varies by operator, but expect to pay between $150 and $300 per person for the entire climb. Some operators include it in premium packages. For groups, the cost is shared — a group of four paying $200 each is only $50 per person for the added comfort, which most consider excellent value.

The advantages are significant: you have a private, clean toilet available 24 hours a day without walking to the public latrines. At night, this is especially valuable. Instead of stumbling through freezing darkness to a distant latrine, you walk a few metres from your tent to a private, sheltered toilet. For women, the private tent eliminates the logistical challenge of using a pit latrine in the dark while managing layers of warm clothing.

Nighttime Toilet Runs: The Survival Guide

The most dreaded toilet experience on Kilimanjaro is the nighttime visit. At altitude, your body produces more urine as it adjusts to lower oxygen levels. Combined with the large amounts of water you are required to drink (3–4 litres per day), you will almost certainly need to urinate at least once during the night — often two or three times.

Here is how to handle it with minimal misery:

Hygiene Essentials: What to Pack

The right supplies make the difference between a manageable toilet experience and a miserable one. Here is what every Kilimanjaro climber should carry in their daypack:

What Women Need to Know

Female climbers face additional challenges with Kilimanjaro's toilet situation, but none of them are insurmountable. Here is the practical advice our female guides share with every woman before the climb:

Managing layers. At night, you wear thermal base layers, a fleece, and sometimes a down jacket to bed. Using a pit latrine requires removing enough layers to squat without getting clothing dirty. Practice this at home before your trip. Some women find that wearing a knee-length skirt over base layers makes nighttime toilet visits much easier.

Menstruation. If your period coincides with the climb, plan ahead. Bring more products than you think you need — tampons, pads, and waste bags. There are no bins in the latrines, so everything must be packed out. Some women use menstrual cups as a more compact, waste-free option. Discuss this with your guide beforehand — they are completely accustomed to it and will ensure you have the time and privacy you need.

Urination frequency. Women urinate more frequently than men at altitude due to anatomical differences. This is normal and not a cause for concern. The pee bottle trick works well for women too — practice using a wide-mouth bottle before the trip. Some women also carry a female urination device (like a Shewee) for standing urination behind rocks during the day.

Safety at night. Always tell your tentmate or guide when you are going to the latrine at night. Walk with your headlamp on and stick to known paths. The camps are small and well-marked, but the terrain is uneven and rocky — a twisted ankle at altitude is the last thing you need.

The toilet situation on Kilimanjaro is not a reason to avoid the climb. Millions of people — of all ages, genders, and fitness levels — have managed it successfully. With preparation, the right gear, and a willingness to accept a few days of basic conditions, it becomes a minor detail in an otherwise life-changing experience.

Daytime Toilet Strategy: The Open Air

Between camps, there are no toilet facilities. The hiking trail passes through wilderness — moorland, alpine desert, and rock fields — with no structures of any kind. When you need to go during the day, here is the protocol:

Find a private spot. Move at least 50 metres off the trail, ideally behind a large rock or cluster of bushes. On the open moorland, there are few natural screens — look for the largest rock you can find. Your guides will point out suitable spots along the way.

Go quickly. The wind at altitude is cold and constant. Exposed skin loses heat rapidly. The goal is speed — find a spot, do your business, clean up, and get back on the trail. Most daytime toilet breaks take under three minutes.

Pack it out. This is the rule that surprises most first-time climbers. Used toilet paper and wet wipes must be carried out in a sealed bag — not left on the ground. Kilimanjaro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the national park enforces strict Leave No Trace principles. Put used paper in a ziplock bag, seal it, and put it in your pack. Your porters will dispose of it properly at the next camp.

The buddy system. On open terrain, it is wise to let your guide or a climbing partner know when you are stepping off the trail. Not for modesty — for safety. If you slip on loose scree or twist an ankle, someone should know where you are.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

After guiding thousands of climbers, we have seen every toilet-related mistake imaginable. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: Not bringing enough toilet paper. A single roll does not last six days. Bring at least two full rolls and store them in waterproof bags. Running out of toilet paper at 4,500 metres is not just uncomfortable — it forces you to use alternatives like leaves or rocks, which is neither hygienic nor pleasant.

Mistake 2: Drinking too little water. Some climbers reduce water intake to avoid toilet frequency. This is dangerous. Dehydration at altitude accelerates altitude sickness and reduces your chances of reaching the summit. Drink your 3–4 litres per day and accept the toilet visits as the price of proper hydration.

Mistake 3: Leaving toilet paper in the latrine. Pit latrines on Kilimanjaro are not serviced regularly. Paper accumulates and creates hygiene problems. Always pack your used paper out in a waste bag, even when using the public latrines. This is the single most impactful thing you can do to keep the mountain clean.

Mistake 4: Ignoring stomach issues. Diarrhoea is common at altitude due to changes in diet, water, and stress. If it happens, do not be embarrassed — inform your guide immediately. They carry medication and will help you manage it. Staying hydrated and using rehydration salts is critical. The private toilet tent becomes invaluable during stomach episodes.

Mistake 5: Not practising before the trip. If you have never used a pit latrine or squatted outdoors, practise before you go. Use outdoor toilets on hiking trips, try squatting for extended periods, and get comfortable with the idea. Mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions