Dining tent at Forest Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro For many trekkers, the food menu on the way up Kilimanjaro is an afterthought – you have a mountain to climb after all! There’s gear, guides, tents, routes, and more to consider. How important are breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the grand scheme of things? Believe it or not, they’re tremendously important and can impact your summit success.

Your Appetite Decreases at Altitude and You Tend to Eat Less

Trekkers on Mount Kilimanjaro As you gain altitude, you tend to lose your appetite. That’s not just conventional wisdom; it’s a studied phenomenon. The Journal of Applied Physiology found that simulated ascents “[appeared] to be associated with a change in the attitude toward eating and with a decreased appetite and food intake.” The higher you go, the less you’ll want to eat and the less you may actually eat. That’s not a recipe for success when you’re burning thousands of calories hiking. A 180-pound trekker with a 20-pound pack can burn 3,400 calories during an average day of hiking on Kilimanjaro. Nutritious food on Kilimanjaro - Dinner on the mountain If you don’t make up the lion’s share of those calories, you may sap your energy, feel more sluggish, and have a tougher time reaching the summit. The trail becomes increasingly difficult and energy-intensive late in the trek, too. You’ll need your strength (and a lot of food) to get through those parts.

The Less You Eat While Ascending, the More Severe Your Altitude Symptoms May Become

Summit day snack break on Kilimanjaro At I Artist Adventure, we always remind our guests – it’s not just the physical challenge that makes Kilimanjaro tough. It’s the way altitude affects your body. Low appetite, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches are the common – and usually mild – effects of acute mountain sickness (AMS). But not eating well can make these symptoms worse. The European Journal of Nutrition published a study concluding that “reduced energy intake after rapid ascent to high altitude is associated with AMS severity.” That’s why it’s essential to eat well on Kilimanjaro, even when you don’t feel like it. That’s where we come in.

Your Food on Kilimanjaro with I Artist Adventure

Food tent on I Artist Adventure trek Our menus are thoughtfully designed by a nutritionist and a trained chef to deliver flavor, variety, and the nutritional content you need for a high-altitude trek. Let’s look at one day’s sample menu.

Breakfast

  • Eggs made to order
  • Hash browned potatoes
  • Banana bread/toast
  • Oat and millet porridge
  • Fresh fruit
  • Hot coffee, tea, cocoa

Lunch

  • Hearty leek & potato soup
  • Grilled cheese & tomato sandwiches
  • Crudités, salami, fresh fruit

Afternoon Tea

  • Hot coffee, tea, cocoa
  • Cookies, popcorn, roasted nuts

Dinner

  • Savory pumpkin soup
  • Italian-style lasagna
  • Green bean salad
  • Pineapple Romanoff
This is just one example. Our menu changes daily, but every meal is crafted with a Western palate in mind and designed to fuel your adventure. The result? A group of full, happy trekkers ready to conquer the mountain. Take it from our guests: “I Artist Adventure served us restaurant-quality food, and it was healthy and nutritious too.” – James Mwangi, Machame Route “The food exceeded our expectations! Who knew you could eat so well at altitude?” – Grace and Sam Njoroge, Lemosho Route “Our chef was incredible! Lasagna one night and a garlic aioli for tempura another – at 14,000 feet! How he did it on a butane burner is beyond me – and the taste was just as impressive.” – Daniel M., Grand Traverse Don’t forget – climbing Africa’s tallest mountain can take time. You’ll be grateful for a delicious menu by the fifth day of your nine-day journey.

A Note on Specialty Diets

Are you vegetarian? Vegan? Gluten sensitive? I Artist Adventure has got you covered. We accommodate special dietary preferences with advance notice. Morning coffee on Kilimanjaro - I Artist Adventure trekkers enjoying coffee before breakfast at Forest Camp