Toilets on Kilimanjaro: Camps, Trail Breaks & Portable Toilets | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Find out what Kilimanjaro toilets are like, how to manage bathroom breaks between camps, and whether renting a portable toilet is right for you.
Find out what Kilimanjaro toilets are like, how to manage bathroom breaks between camps, and whether renting a portable toilet is right for you.
Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Are there toilets at every Kilimanjaro camp?
Established camps generally have shared toilet facilities, often long-drop toilets. Conditions vary. Crater Camp is an exception and requires special waste arrangements.
Is the portable toilet private?
Yes. The portable toilet is set up in a tent for your group. It has a seat and a zip-up door for privacy.
Is a portable toilet included in my climb?
It is an optional extra, arranged in advance. The listed cost is US$30 per day per group of up to five guests.
Can I use the portable toilet while walking between camps?
The toilet is set up at camp. During the walking day, tell your guide if you need a break, and follow their directions for privacy and waste disposal.
Does the portable toilet have handrails?
Please check with us before booking if you need handrails or support. We’ll confirm what equipment is available for your climb.
Do I need to bring toilet paper?
Yes. Although toilet paper is provided with our portable toilet setup, carry your own in your daypack for use during the walking day and at shared facilities.
Ask about a portable toilet for your climb
Tell us your route, travel dates and group size, and we’ll confirm availability and arrangements — including a quotation for larger groups.
Toilets on Kilimanjaro: Camps, Trail Breaks & Portable Toilets | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Mountain Life
Toilets on Kilimanjaro:
“My knees won’t let me do this without something to hang onto! LOL.”
If you’ve ever looked at a squat toilet and wondered how you’re going to get back up again, you’re not alone. Add tired legs after a long day on Kilimanjaro, and that little trip to the toilet can become an adventure of its own.
But when you need to go, you need to go!
Toilets might not be the first thing you ask about when planning a Kilimanjaro climb, but knowing what to expect can make your trek much more comfortable. Here’s the honest guide to public long-drop toilets, private portable toilets and those inevitable stops between camps.
The early warning: Kilimanjaro toilets are basic!
Some operators don’t mention the toilet situation until you’re already on your way up the mountain. We’d rather you know in advance.
Most established camps have shared public toilets, typically basic long-drop toilets. You may also find facilities at some points along the trail. Their condition varies, and at busy camps they can become crowded.
If you’ve never used a long drop—or the thought of one makes you a little squeamish—a private portable toilet may be a welcome addition to your climb. The cost can be shared among your group.
What is a long-drop toilet?
A long drop, also called a pit latrine, is a simple toilet built over a pit in the ground. On Kilimanjaro, these facilities are usually enclosed in a permanent structure for privacy and shelter.
Inside, you’ll typically find an opening in the floor, sometimes with places to position your feet. Rather than sitting on a toilet seat, you squat over the opening.
The public facilities are provided and maintained by Kilimanjaro National Park. They serve many climbers and crews, so cleanliness and queues can vary—particularly during busy periods. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser, and be prepared for a basic experience.
And yes, after several days of trekking, your knees may have an opinion about the whole arrangement!
What is a portable toilet on Kilimanjaro?
A
portable toilet
, also called a mobile toilet, porta-potty, portaloo or thunderbox, is a private toilet set up in its own tent at camp.
With Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris, your group can arrange one in advance. A crew member carries the toilet and tent between camps and looks after the setup and cleaning.
The biggest difference?
You have a seat and a private space for your group.
After a day on your feet, that can feel like a small mountain luxury.
What comes with an Exuberant portable toilet?
Our portable toilet setup includes:
The toilet tent measures approximately
140 cm long × 140 cm wide × 190 cm high at the centre
.
If you have knee pain, limited mobility or need support getting up and down, tell us before your climb. We can discuss your requirements and the equipment available. Please don’t assume the toilet has grab rails unless we confirm them for your booking.
How much does a portable toilet cost on Kilimanjaro?
Our portable toilet costs
US$30 per day per group of up to five guests
, arranged in advance.
For a group of five sharing the cost equally, that works out to
US$6 per person per day
. Please contact us for arrangements and a quotation for larger groups. Availability and logistics will be confirmed when you book.
Whether it’s worth it depends on your preferences—but if a private seat makes you happier at the end of a long walking day, we understand!
How is the portable toilet cleaned and emptied?
An assigned crew member looks after the portable toilet during your trek. At camps with appropriate facilities, our porters empty the holding tank at the public toilets.
Crater Camp is different:
there are no public toilets there. For Crater Camp, we use Cleanwaste toilet kits to collect the waste in bags and carry it down the mountain for appropriate disposal.
What happens when nature calls between camps?
Your portable toilet is set up at camp, so you may still need a toilet break during the day’s walk.
Let your guide know before leaving the group. Your guide can help you find an appropriate private spot and explain how to handle waste for that section of the route. Depending on where you are, a tree, bush or rock may offer some privacy—but above the forest, the landscape becomes more open.
Stay away from water sources and follow your guide’s instructions and park requirements. Before your trek, ask our team which human-waste collection supplies are appropriate for your itinerary and how to dispose of them.
Leave no trace: what goes up should come down
Kilimanjaro is a spectacular place to visit, and we all have a role in keeping it clean.
Carry used toilet paper, wet wipes and hygiene products in a suitable sealed bag or container until your guide directs you to the appropriate disposal point.
Even wipes labelled biodegradable should not be left on the mountain.
For human waste, use the collection method advised by your guide. An ordinary biodegradable bag alone is not necessarily a suitable waste-management system.
Clean your hands with sanitiser after a toilet break, or wash them with soap and water when available.
What should I pack for toilet breaks?
Keep a small hygiene kit in your daypack:
See our
for the full personal checklist, and the
on camping itineraries.
Is a portable toilet worth it?
If you’re comfortable using shared long-drop toilets, you may be happy with the public facilities. If you value a little more privacy, prefer a seat or know your knees won’t appreciate squatting, a portable toilet can make camp life easier.
Either way, there’s no need to feel embarrassed about the question. Everyone on Kilimanjaro needs a toilet—some of us just prefer a little more comfort when we get there!
Planning your climb?
Tell us your route, dates and group size, and we’ll confirm portable-toilet availability and arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Keep reading & plan your climb
Equipment provided by Exuberant
Kilimanjaro packing list
Sleeping arrangements on Kilimanjaro
A day on Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro FAQs
Contact our team