Mount Kilimanjaro is a latent volcanic mountain to be visited in Tanzania. But have you gone through the Kilimanjaro Weather & its’ patterns? Mostly the Weather On Kilimanjaro is largely varies by the certain ecological zones. In fact, there are separate climatic zones on different elevations with different vegetation. People who want for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro can familiar with all zones to be successful during h
Before choosing What Is The Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro however it is vital to what time of the year that you climb. Also, the Kilimanjaro Routes are influenced by the weather patterns on the elevation.
KILIMANJARO GEOGRAPHY
It has major ecological zones, with a distance of 3,280 feet (1,000 m) in altitude. Every zone is subject to a consistent decrease in rainfall, temperature, and flora/fauna as the altitude increases.
At 2,667 feet (900 m) above sea level, Moshi is located in the lowest, warmest ecological zone. Due to its closeness to the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro does not familiar with wide temperature changes from season to season.
DIVISION OF TWO SEASONS AS PER KILIMANJARO WEATHER
The Kilimanjaro Weather is divided into two seasons.
- Wet season (rainy)
- Dry season (not rainy)
As Kilimanjaro is situated very near the equator, having every season is not probable. Usually, the away from the equator, it makes chiller winter and summer temperatures. At the equator, it’s hard to distinguish the season because each day the Sunrays hit at about the same angle. The equator receives about 12 hours of sunlight every day.
KILIMANJARO’S FIVE ECOLOGICAL ZONES
Throughout Mount Kilimanjaro’s zones from the bottom to top along with the average annual rainfall, zone characteristics. The present weather is different in each particular zone.
Bush Land/Cultivated Zone, Altitude: 2,600 To 6,000 Ft (800 To 1,800 M)
Natural bush, plains, and lowland forests enclosed the region. This area is rich in fertile volcanic soil which great for agriculture. This is the lowest climate zone with bushland, half-mile or more above sea level.
Cultivated land, grasslands, and populated areas portray this zone. Large wildlife is rarely seen here, having been exclude by farmers’ generations ago.
Rain Forest Zone, Altitude: 6,000 to 9,200 ft (1,800 to 2,800 m)
The rain forest is soaked by six to seven feet of rain per year and rushes with a large ecosystem. At the time of day, warm temperatures and high humidity describe this densely forested climate zone. However, rainy nights can realize low temperatures.
Kilimanjaro Climb follows Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, or Northern Circuit routes. Usually, they are so lucky to encounter wildlife. For example elephant, buffalo, antelope, and an occasional predator drifting through in search of a wayward meal.
Heath/Moorland Zone, Altitude: 9,200 to 13,200 ft (2,800 to 4,000 m)
Moorland is a semi-alpine zone that is considered by heath-like vegetation and rich in wildflowers. As per mountain medicine, the heath zone is in the “high altitude” region.
The humidity and dense forest surroundings initiate to give way to drier air and cooler temperatures. The flora is like smaller shrubs like heather, and the existence of fauna are rare.
Alpine Desert Zone, Altitude: 13,200 to 16,500 ft (4,000 to 5,000 m)
The mountainous desert obtains little water and similarly, light vegetation exists here. The temperature is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At the night, temperatures often fall to well below freezing, a dusting of morning frost on the tents.
This zone is known as the “very high altitude” region. For safe acclimatization, climbers use to spend a few days here.
Arctic Zone, Altitude: 16,500+ ft (5,000+ m)
The ultimate region of the climb Kilimanjaro is the arctic zone. Considered as ice and rock, there is almost no plant or animal life at this altitude. Nights are tremendously cold and windy, and the day’s buffered sun is dominant.
Mountain classifies this zone as “extreme altitude”. Oxygen levels are unevenly half of what they are at sea level which makes breathing slow and difficult.
TRADE AND ANTI-TRADE WINDS
Mount Kilimanjaro has created its own weather as it has a vast and blended ecosystem from bottom to Top Mountain. It has some historical weather patterns for each of Kilimanjaro’s climatic zones. Kilimanjaro’s weather can best be understood by studying the dominant trade and anti-trade winds that pass through the region.
The understanding of dominant trade and anti-dominant trade helps you to understand the Weather On Kilimanjaro…How?
Winds carryout the moisture from the ocean. When these moistures are strike with large existence like a mountain, they lead to cool and condense. It forms clouds and precipitation (rain and snow).
There Weather On Mount Kilimanjaro contains two wind drive patterns.
- The South-east trade winds
- North-east anti-trade winds
South-East Trade Winds
It raised from the Indian Ocean arrive around mid-March and ends in May.
This wind carried out a lot of moisture. They form large rain clouds when they ultimately hit a huge Mount Kilimanjaro and are move upwards.
Mid-March to the end of May, is therefore the wet season on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Northern slopes tend to be rocky from the winds and therefore receive significantly less rain during this period.
North-East Anti-Trade Winds
Anti-trade winds from the North-East arrive in late May and end in early November. It doesn’t carry rain due to loss of moisture well before hammering Kilimanjaro.
They generally blow quite strongly through the valley between Kilimanjaro’s two peaks – Kibo and Mawenzi.
North-East Monsoon
As the strong anti-trade winds force the South-East winds down below the saddle. So during the dry season cloud cover. Some rain is usual at the 3,000-meter mark on the southern slopes. It quickly disappears above this altitude.
North-East Monsoon
The North-East Monsoon comes up nearer to mid-November and ends up in February. These winds have a long journey and don’t have mild moisture which means the season is usually light on rain.
High rain falls on the lower northern slopes of the Mountain. It is a lot lighter than the main wet season carried by the South-east winds in March-May.
The interface of these winds with Mount Kilimanjaro means that there are two main hiking seasons – January-March and June-October.
KILIMANJARO WEATHER WITH MONTHLY GUIDE
The wind from the west is very usual on Kilimanjaro. So, the Rongai route found on the northeast side of the Kilimanjaro is quite drier. Rongai Route is adapt for the rainy season. During the rainy season, the routes on the southwest side of the mountain such as the Machame or Lemosho get muddy.
January to mid-March
It is the warmest period in Kilimanjaro. The days are habitually dry, with few clouds. This probably the most approach season for climbers.
Mid-March to May
The high rain is assumed in this period. It started in the middle of March to the end of May. Almost all operators have closed their services and scheduled during this time.
June to October
This is known as the 2nd climbing season. June- August mention as the winter season however, Kilimanjaro is close to e equator, temperature varies by a few degrees.
Moreover, the months of September and October are the Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro.
November
In November there is very mild rain you can find on the Kilimanjaro. Still, some operators have no service and schedule on the period.
December
The rainy season is basically ending here. As the climate dries, this is probably the 1st month of Kilimanjaro Trek. The Kilimanjaro Weather is usually good during December and continues to be decent as people plan for New Year.
BEST TIME TO BOOK CLIMB AS PER KILIMANJARO WEATHER PATTERNS
If you are a pro traveler and can ignore rain. You will be benefited by booking a private climb however there are very few people on the Kilimanjaro. As the Northern Route has less rainfall so on the north side of the Kilimanjaro Climb can be preferable.
- January-March – Dry season on Kilimanjaro (making it a great time to trek)
- April and May – Wettest months on Kilimanjaro (not perfect for the climbing)
- June-October – Busiest Trekking Season (Find Open Groups To Save Cost)
- November-December – Short Rainy & Cold Month (Trekking is fine if ignore the cold)
CHOOSE THE BEST KILIMANJARO WEATHER PATTERNS FOR CLIMBING
Mount Kilimanjaro is the roof of Africa with an altitude of 19,345 feet above sea level. Since the mountain is situated nearer the Equator, it doesn’t familiar with the huge change of seasons. So Kilimanjaro Weather Patterns is a must to know before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
People always look after the Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro. So we are here to give you an updated Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Guide @Jerry Tanzania Tours (https://jerrytanzaniatours.com/). So knowing the Kilimanjaro Weather conditions on the mountain will smoothen the journey.
