Toilets on Kilimanjaro
Well there are basically two options – use the new improved toilets which are at each camp. Or use a private toilet carried up by our porters.
So we all need a wee and a poo, but strangely it’s a topic that’s never really gets mentioned in day to day life. However on Kilimanjaro, and in fact any mountain, there’s this amazing shift in hot topics of conversation which more often than not include a person’s daily movements or toilet adventures. No doubt questions regarding mountain toilets will come to mind before your climb. Then, after a quick google search, you’ll be horrified by tales of filth and concern about the lack of privacy. So first things first!
THE LOO WITH A VIEW IS NO LONGER!
It used to be the case on Kilimanjaro that the toilets were wooden huts with holes in the very slippy wooden floor for your business to drop down into vast bottomless pits, or if it’s an old, well used loo, then the drop was just a few inches! These toilets were famed for not having doors (loo with a view) and if windy, when your bits are out, well let’s just say the draft wasn’t great – though the wind would dissipate the smell! The original toilets do still exist and are used by the staff, so if you would like to experience them, it’s still possible, but do take a clothes peg!
So what has replaced them? Well there are basically two options – use the new improved toilets which are at each camp. Or use a private toilet carried up by our porters.
PRIVATE TOILET ON KILIMANJARO
Usually people prefer us to carry up a private toilet. For this there is a cost to cover the toilet attendant, who carries, pitches, cleans and empties the loo, which currently costs circa £100 per group per climb. This is not covered in our trip fee as some groups request a loo and others don’t.
So what is a private toilet like on Kilimanjaro? Well it’s clean, it’s doesn’t smell, it’s private but they are small and if windy a bit awkward as they’re inside little toilet tents. They are made from plastic, they have a seat, a flush mechanism and a sliding door which opens for your business to drop down into a container which the attendant empties.
CAMPSITE TOILETS ON KILIMANJARO
The new Kilimanjaro toilets (circa 2015) at the campsites are great. They’re cleaned regularly, they’re big, private and don’t have drafts. The floors and walls are tiled and they offer both western style toilets (sit down) and a traditional hole in the ground. They’re not pristine if the campsites are busy but they really are very good. Whether you climb via the Kilimanjaro Machame route, the Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route, Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai route or the Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit route – all camps have a similar set up.
WHAT TOILETS DO PEOPLE USE ON KILIMANJARO?
As mentioned some groups prefer to take up a private toilet when they climb Kilimanjaro and some people prefer them on the mountain, but quite often, after a few days, people tend to migrate towards the new Kilimanjaro campsite toilets. Whilst using these toilets people tend to also migrate away from the western style sit down toilets, to the hole in the ground version (once people have mastered their aim), they’re cleaner because you’re not actually touching anything.
As for in between camps then people tend to just pop behind a rock for a wee, and this is common due to high fluid intake and ladies may prefer to use a shewee and remember to bring a bag for any loo roll. It’s unusual to need a number 2 whilst in between camps, but it can of course happen especially if someone has an upset tummy. We do carry a trowel which can be used to bury it and any loo paper should be popped into a plastic bag and disposed of at camp.
It is of course personal choice / preference when it comes to what you use, but be assured that you no longer have to fear using the loo on Kilimanjaro!
There we go, that’s how to go to the toilet on Kilimanjaro – just don’t forget your loo roll! Just kidding we provide that – but some people do like to bring some kitten soft triple ply from home!
Related Articles
12 MONTHS, 12 MOUNTAINS
In celebration of World Mountain Day, we've created a calendar for the year to make it easy for you to plan your next mountain climb in the...
Why Kilimanjaro is a Great Mountain for Any Bucket List
Climbing one of the world’s tallest mountains is not a decision to be taken lightly – it will take endurance, a decent amount of fitness...
Kilimanjaro Compared to the Other Seven Summits
The 'Seven Summits' is a challenge first proposed and then completed by Richard Bass in 1985. The 7 Summits consists of climbing to the highest...
What’s The Highest Mountain in Europe?
Its summit is 18,510 feet (5642 meters) above sea level and it is located in Russia. However the mountain itself - including the glaciers...
How can I Climb Kilimanjaro for Charity?
We often get asked, ‘how do I climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Charity?’ and the answer is easy, call us to have an initial talk about...
Huts on Mount Elbrus
Years ago when I was guiding clients with my Russian friend Sasha Lebedev to climb Mount Elbrus during the ‘perestroika’ period after...
Faking Mount Everest?
An interesting story has come about towards the end of this years season on Mount Everest concerning the claim from an Indian climber that his...
What to Wear on Kilimanjaro
What to wear on a Mount Kilimanjaro Trek is probably the question we get asked most and there is, of course, a kit list for...
Kilimanjaro Diamox?
Regarding the use of Diamox on a Kilimanjaro climb, there is a tendency now for people to use it as a default drug in order to increase...