Kilimanjaro Bathrooms: Chemical Toilet or Pit Latrine?

Hmmmm...should you pay the extra money to have a private chemical toilet carried up the mountain? This is a decision you will have to make on your own. It's a very nice luxury to have, especially if you are feeling sick. Plus, a chemical toilet means that another porter gets a job. However, if you are trekking alone, you may feel strange having a toilet carried up the mountain just for yourself (your guides and porters will not use it, no matter how much coaxing you do).

The pit latrines are in abundance, but depending upon the location of your tent, you may have a short walk to get to one. As you can see from the pictures, they are VERY primitive. You will have to master the art of balancing yourself in a squatting position and aiming into a small hole. Once you get used to it, they really aren't so bad.

LADIES:

Buy a pee funnel. I have tried the She-Wee and the Go-Girl (both available on Amazon.com). They both require a little practice at home before your trek, but they are lifesavers. The Go-Girl is a little more compact because it folds. Unfortunately, I have the curse of not being able to pee in public. So, I held it in the whole entire day — every day of my trek. Thankfully, I have a strong bladder. I took Diamox, which made it a little more uncomfortable. Anyway, the pee funnel was priceless at night. The thought of climbing out of my sleeping bag, putting on my boots and going out into the cold, rainy darkness to the disgusting drop toilet was too much for me. I just peed into an extra Nalgene bottle and snuck it to the toilet with me in the morning to empty it. Just make sure you do it away from your sleeping bag … just in case (TRUST ME ON THIS ONE).