Wondering the best Kilimanjaro Climbing Season to execute your trekking plan? For an easy summit success in the most suitable season, you need to go through the weather and climatic conditions.
Though the Climbing Season Of Kilimanjaro depends upon the weather, it is possible for a successful summit in any season of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, for a smooth and easiest summit, you should have detailed information about the weather condition of mount Kilimanjaro.
It has two main seasons which are the dry season and wet season. For Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you should choose the dry season as the climbing season.
Let us clear about what and how to choose Kilimanjaro Climbing Season for easy summit success.
Kilimanjaro Winds and Weather
Directly or indirectly, there is a major impact of oceanic wind on climate which plays a significant role in Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
As the oceanic winds hit Mount Kilimanjaro, the wind turns into rain and snow. The oceanic winds carry moisture which turns into snow, cloud, and rain while hitting Mount Kilimanjaro.
According to the temperature and atmospheric pressure, the humidity on different altitudes of Mt. Kilimanjaro varies.
The weather patterns of Kilimanjaro Seasons change according to two major winds, Southeast trade wind, and Northeast trade wind.
On the weather condition, Best Season To climb Kilimanjaro is decided by the hikers.
Climatic Zones on Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Climbing Season highly depends upon the climate of the region or area. Climates of Kilimanjaro are categorized on the different ecological zones of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro climates are Subtropical highland oceanic climate, Tropical savannah climate, Hot semi-arid climate, Humid subtropical climate, Hot-summer Mediterranean climate, and Warm-summer Mediterranean climate.
If you are searching for the Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro, then you must know the impact of the climatic or ecological zone on the trekking months. There are five climatic/ecological zones like Cultivated Areas, Rainforest, Heath and Moorlands, Alpine Desert, and Arctic zones.
Cultivated Area Zone (800m-1800m)
- This region receives the greatest annual rainfall. The average temperature in this area is between 25 – 30 degrees Celsius.
- Full of cultivated land, coffee plantation, bushland, grasslands, and populated human settlements like Chagga villages, it has many rivers formed by melting glaciers from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tropical Rainforest Zone (1800m-2800m)
- In the Rainforest zone, you will face temperatures between 12 to 15 degrees Celsius and high humidity in dense vegetation. There is wildlife in its luscious green forest; the Rainforest zone receives six to seven feet of rain per year.
- To get protection from the constant drizzle, you should carry rain gear such as a rain jacket, hard jacket, waterproof bags, gaiter, and rainy shoes.
- The path in the forest is covered with deep gorges of emerald green blankets with a greenly color of dense vegetation.
Heath and Moorland Zone (2800m-4000m)
- In this zone, the daytime temperature remains 40 degrees Celsius, and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius at the night. The temperature always varies in this zone.
- You will face less rain, gusting winds, giant heathers, wild grasses, and rocky trails
Alpine or Highland Desert Zone (4000m-5000m)
- The day temperature can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature drops below the freezing point during the night. This is the region of “very high altitude” with rocky plains.
- During the night, the bitter cold and direct hit of oceanic wind make it hard to survive in this zone.
Arctic or Summit Zone (5000m-5895m)
- The temperature remains below -6 degrees Celsius in this zone. Known as the summit zone or the home of Uhuru peak, you will meet the glacier walls near Stella point.
- The lower part of the Arctic zone is full of loose dirt and also gravel is known as scree which is very difficult to climb. Because of the screen, it is better to trek in February, June, and July, for the increased humidity.
Best Trekking Months To Choose Kilimanjaro Climbing Season
January to February and July to September is well known as Kilimanjaro Climbing Season. From late December to February month and mid-June to October are the Best Season To Climb Kilimanjaro and also known as the dry season.
The average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius and the average rainfall is 2 inch is in between January to Mid-March.
During these months, the temperature is moderately warm for which it is the Best Season For Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro between late December to mid-March is also the best choice because of less traffic.
Late June to October is the main Kilimanjaro Hiking Season when the trekking is easy. As the days are dry, clear, and warm, this time is the perfect Kilimanjaro Climbing Season.
You will face drier days in addition to short nights between July and September. Overall, Late June to October is the Best Season For Mount Kilimanjaro for the summit.
Yes, You Can Go Any Time!
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is possible throughout the year. In short and heavy seasons, the rains are in the lower slopes especially in cultivated and rainforest zones. Above the altitude of 2300m, you will find no rain.
As in the rainy season, the trial path washes away as well as most of the hikers face difficulties. To overcome these hurdles, you should take a hard jacket, waterproof jacket, rain jacket and trousers, gaiters, and also a small umbrella.
Rongai route is the driest route among all Kilimanjaro Routes. As there is no rain in the northern part of Mt. Kilimanjaro so that you can go for the Rongai route for the summit in any month.
Why Choose Jerry Tanzania Tours?
As a fully registered local Tanzania company, Jerry Tanzania Tours has expertise in trekking and safari. For the trekking, when entering Kilimanjaro national park, it is mandatory for the trekkers to be accompanied by a trusted, experienced, and registered trekking operator.
Our trekking guides as well as other crew members have practical knowledge and experience about the weather and seasons of Mount Kilimanjaro. As all our ground staff are learned, professional, skilled, well trained, and dedicated. They can make your trekking unique and also most enjoyable through their outstanding guidance and excellent service.
With the expertise of Kilimanjaro meteorology, Jerry Tanzania Tours offers excellent guidance for trekking and also the services to make your summit successful in a most suitable and comfortable way.
To know more about our service visit our website @ jerrytanzaniatours.com.