Tanzania has a pleasant, tropical climate with regional variations and wet and dry seasons. Kilimanjaro has its own microclimate due to its vast size and free-standing nature. Some say that climbing Kilimanjaro is like travelling from the equator to the North Pole, because the mountain has five distinct climate zones and you’ll pass through each of them on your way to the summit! You should therefore come ready to deal with varying conditions regardless of what time of year you decide to climb. Our comprehensive equipment list and guidance will help you prepare.
During the climbing season you can expect fairly consistent weather on Kilimanjaro. Plan around the following conditions:
As you make your decision about when to climb, you may want to keep in mind any plans to travel further afield, on safari or to the coast:
Calving Season - December to March - Eastern & Southern Serengeti
Mating Season - April to June - Central & Western Serengeti, heading north
River Crossings - July to November - Northern Serengeti & Maasai Mara
Alt. Range: 2,600 to 6,000 ft (792 to 1,800 m)
Description: The villages, farms, banana and coffee plantations that you will pass through on your drive to the National Park gates and where many of your mountain crew were born and live. Warm and humid with heavy rainfall during the wet season.
Daytime Temperature: Up to 35°C / 95°F
Nights: 40-60 F /4-15 C
Alt. Range: 6,000 to 9,200 ft (1,800 to 2,800 m)
Description: This lush, often misty and humid forest is where you are most likely to see wildlife, including Colobus and Blue Monkeys, birds and butterflies living amongst the moss-covered tress and a wide variety of brightly coloured flowers and ferns. Warm and humid year-round with frequent rainfall.
Daytime Temperature: 20 - 30°C / 70 – 90°F
Nights: 40-60 F /4-15 C
Alt. Range: 9,200 to 11,000 ft (2,800 to 3,350 m)
Description: Drier than the forest, this zone begins with heather and ends with moorland. Heather, bearded lichen and small shrubs cover the landscape, the weather is significantly less humid and temperatures can get to sub-zero at night. The moorland is home to vegetation unique to the mountain, such as alien-like giant groundsels and Protea Kilimanjaro.
Daytime Temperature: 10 - 20°C / 50 – 70°F
Nights: 30-60 F /(-1)-15 C
Alt. Range: 13,200 to 16,500 ft (4,020 to 5,030 m)
Description: Intense rays of the sun beat down during the day and at night it’s below freezing. There is very little water in this area, and only the hardiest plants can exist. It’s barren and inhospitable. You’ll come across small hardy plants, very few flowers and the odd tussoky-grass.
The landscape is dominated by rugged rock formations, and panoramic views. If you look closely, you’ll see mosses and lichens, which cover the rocks, avoiding the soil altogether. They may look inert, but these are the plants that thrive in this barren environment.
Daytime Temperature: 20 - 30°C / 70 – 90°F
Nights: 10-40 F /(-12)-4 C
Alt. Range: 16,500 to 19,340 ft (5,030 to 5,895 m)
Description: Also known as the Arctic zone, this area is dry, freezing cold at night and subject to intense sunshine during the day. With half the available oxygen as sea level, the area is dominated by huge glaciers, and large boulders. There is no resident animal or plant life, except for a few very hardy lichens, slow-growing and probably ancient.
It’s very cold here, with blustery winds and nighttime temperatures well below freezing. As you set off for your summit attempt, there may be ice and snow underfoot, it’s bitterly cold, even at midday and the sun’s radiation is harsh.
Sunscreen is essential on any exposed parts of your body, the dry air will dehydrate you quickly, and you’ll need warm layers to keep your core temperature up.
Daytime Temperature: Days: 10-40 F / (-12) -4 C
Nights: -15-20 F /(-26)-(-7) C
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The following are the opinions of our satisfied clients who visited Tanzania and had the time of their life.
Jan - 2021
Excellent
Our experience going on Safari in Tanzania with African Scenic Safaris was an absolutely incomparable dream! Shelley did an awesome job arranging our honeymoon...more
Apr - 2021
Excellent
I was treated very well and my dream would not have happened without Africa Scenic Safaris. Then you to my Guide Nestor for helping me achieve it...more
Feb - 2020
Excellent
This has without a doubt been the most amazing experience in my life for three main reasons! The people I was lucky enough to tackle this challenge with...more
Aug - 2019
Excellent
We love Kilimanjaro but we don’t have that young energy to climb to the summit. Twelve of us want to have day trekking to touch the magic mountain...more