Travel Advice Kilimanjaro Weather - Best Time To Climb 1st July, 2022

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the tallest mountain in Africa and sits on the border between Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa. The proximity of Kilimanjaro to the equator means that the temperatures at sea level in Tanzania and Kenya are fairly consistent throughout the year and the sun rises and sets at more or less the same time each day all year round.

At 5,895m high, Kilimanjaro is home to its own unique weather system, with a microclimate that changes with altitude and differs wildly to the weather outside of Kilimanjaro National Park.

This blog takes a more in depth look at the weather on Kilimanjaro, her unique topography and climate zones, as well as the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro and Kilimanjaro temperature variances.

The biggest determinant of Kilimanjaro weather is the altitude. The higher you climb, the colder the temperature. It takes around 4-6 days of trekking along most Kilimanjaro routes to reach Uhuru Peak, the Kilimanjaro summit, and during that time you’ll pass through 5 different climate zones which are around 1,000m different in altitude, each with their own unique Kilimanjaro weather system. The higher you climb, the lower the amount of rain and the temperature will also decrease. It has been suggested that the journey from gate to peak is the same as you’d experience if you were travelling from the equator to the Arctic!

Most Kilimanjaro treks begin from the town of Moshi. You’ll likely fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport which receives flights from hubs in East Africa, Europe and the US, before heading to Moshi to stay before you begin your Kilimanjaro climb and potentially afterwards too.

Moshi is approximately 700 – 950m in altitude and sits outside of the national park but is part of the start of the lush, volcanic agricultural zone at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro. The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro will be different when compared with the weather in Moshi because of the altitude, the trade-winds and the precipitation they bring with them.

Standing almost 6,000 metres in height, Kilimanjaro has its own climate zones and the weather for Kilimanjaro, along with the flora and fauna, changes drastically as you ascend the mountain. These climate zones can be separated into 5 distinct areas, and each is wildly different to the last. Passing through the varied landscapes on Kilimanjaro is what makes this trek a wonderfully unique trekking experience and one to remember.

• Altitude – 800 – 1,800 m or 2,600 – 6,000 ft
  
• Average daytime temperature – 20 - 30°C or 68 - 86°F
  
• Average nighttime temperature – 5 - 15°C or 41 - 59°F
  
• Average rainfall – 500 – 1,800 mm or 20 – 70 inches
  

The first and lowest is the cultivated zone. This is where the lush rolling foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro have been farmed using the rich, volcanic soil. Crops grown on the slopes of Kilimanjaro include coffee and bananas which are cultivated higher up, above fields of avocado, papaya and mango trees, maize fields, beans, cardamom and cloves. The landscape will be split into small plantations interspersed with livestock farming. This belt of agricultural activity around the base of Kilimanjaro sustains the local populations here, in addition to jobs provided by the trekking tourism industry.

You’ll most likely be driven through this area on your way to the entry gates to the start of your trekking route. There will be plenty of locals here, working in the fields and harvesting crops.

The weather is much the same as it would be in Moshi, with temperatures ranging from 20-30°C (68 – 86°F) during the day to 5-15°C (41-59°F) at night. Annual rainfall at these altitudes is around 500 – 1,800 millimetres or 20 – 70 inches although there is more rain during the wet season, obviously, and less during the dry months. It also rains more on the south side of Kilimanjaro because of the trade winds coming from the Indian Ocean, bringing the wet weather with them, whereas the north side is protected by the mountain itself.

• Altitude – 1,800 – 2,800 m or 6,000 – 9,200 ft
  
• Average daytime temperature – 20 - 30°C or 68 - 86°F
  
• Average nighttime temperature – 5 - 15°C or 41 - 59°F
  
• Average rainfall – 1,000 – 2,000 mm or 40 – 79 inches
  

Following the cultivation belt on Kilimanjaro is the rainforest zone which extends from around 1,800 metres up to 2,800 metres or 6,000 ft to 9,200 ft. This zone is warm and humid and attracts a fair amount of rain, especially during the wet season. In fact, it can rain up to 2 metres during the year in the rainforest, hence the name. The lush, dense tropical forest here is teeming with plant and wildlife and is perpetually damp and warm during the day. Nighttime temperatures can plummet in the rainforest so having wet weather gear handy will help if you need the toilet during the night. While the average temperatures here are similar to the cultivated zones below, the humidity is much higher making it feel warmer than lower altitudes.

The rainforest zone on Kilimanjaro is where you are most likely to spot animals including blue and colobus monkeys. Trekkers on the quieter Rongai and Lemosho routes may be lucky enough to spot larger animals such as elephant, buffalo or antelope but on all routes, you should see smaller animals and plenty of birdlife.

Visitors to Kilimanjaro National Park are often surprised by the green of the jungle at the start of their trek, instead imagining Kilimanjaro to be hot and dry lower down and cold higher up but not forested to the extent that it is.

• Altitude – 2,800 – 4,000 m or 9,200 – 13,200 ft
  
• Average daytime temperature – 10 - 27°C or 50 - 80°F
  
• Average nighttime temperature – -1 - 15°C or 30 - 60°F
  
• Average rainfall – 550 – 1,300mm or 21 – 50 inches
  

The third climate zone on Kilimanjaro is known as the low alpine area, often referred to as the heath or moorland zone, and extends from 2,800 metres to 4,000 metres, or 9,200 – 13,200 ft. This is a semi-arid grassland zone but should not be overlooked by those passing through. The low alpine zone is dotted with unique and unusual flora and fauna and is truly captivating to walk through. The temperature here will be warmer and drier than the rainforest below but there will still be a large amount of rain here, especially during the wet season. There will also be a bigger contrast here between daytime and nighttime temperatures, which have caused much of the vegetation here to adapt to the dramatic temperature fluctuations.

Low-lying shrubs, giant heather and stunning lobelias cover much of the landscape, amongst which crazy tree senecios sprout up like guardians watching over those passing underneath them. The paths here will be firm and rocky and there will be less wildlife to spot, apart from the occasional rodent or small deer. In contrast to the changes on the ground, the views offered by this moorland appear as if from out of nowhere and all of a sudden you will see the volcanic crater looming above. The views are incredible now that you can see above the vegetation!

• Altitude – 4,000 – 5,000m or 13,200 – 16,500 ft
  
• Average daytime temperature – -12 - 15°C or 10 – 60°F
  
• Average nighttime temperature – -12 – -4 °C or 10 - 40°F
  
• Average rainfall – 250 mm or 10 inches
  

The fourth zone is known as the high alpine zone, or the alpine desert. With an arid desert-like landscape, zone four extends from 4,000 metres to 5,000 metres with average temperatures around the freezing point. Temperatures in the day can actually be quite hot when the sun is shining whilst at night the temperature plummets, so remember to bring warm gear and some sunscreen. Check out our Kilimanjaro packing list for more information.

The low alpine scrub and wacky vegetation gives way to volcanic, rocky terrain here and Kilimanjaro begins to look more like the volcano she is. As rainfall here is low, there is little vegetation and therefore not much wildlife to see. You are now at high altitude, so you’ll find yourself passing into and out of this zone as you acclimatise to the thinner mountain air. Successful acclimatisation to high altitudes depends on plenty of time spent at altitude so your body can adjust and the philosophy of climbing high and sleeping low means you’ll spend the night here before summit night but sleep lower down before then.

• Altitude – above 5,000m or 16,500 ft
  
• Average daytime temperature – -12 - 4°C or 10 – 40°F
  
• Average nighttime temperature – -26 – -7 °C or -15 - 20°F
  
• Average precipitation – 100 mm or 4 inches
  

The highest area on Kilimanjaro is known as the glacial or arctic zone and the temperature is usually below freezing with an average of -6°C/20°F. If you’ve reached here, you’re almost at Kilimanjaro summit – well done! At this point you will usually be feeling the effects of the high altitude, your legs may well be tired and you may have been struggling to sleep, but don’t worry, it’ll all be worth it. Summit day on Kilimanjaro is the hardest part of your trek but definitely the most rewarding.

The area is often covered in snow and the high winds at this altitude make the temperature feel far lower than it is. Glacial silt covers the upper slopes, and a number of glaciers can be seen from the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro was once covered in glaciers, but global warming has reduced many to isolated patches of ice and snow, and others have disappeared completely. At one time there were around 20 different glaciers on Kilimanjaro but now there are only a handful left. The most well-known glacier on Kilimanjaro is the Fürtwangler Glacier, named after Walter Fürtwangler, a German trekker who climbed Kilimanjaro in 1912 as part of the fourth party to conquer her.  

At this height your body is getting half the oxygen it was at ground level, so spending as little time as possible here is imperative. The views from Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, are incredible so don’t forget to stop for a moment and take it all in before beginning your (long!) descent. Kilimanjaro summit weather is beautiful but brutal so make sure you are well wrapped up whilst you are at the peak.

The chart below demonstrates the average monthly temperature across 4 climate zones on Kilimanjaro and shows the difference altitude makes to the weather on Kilimanjaro.

There are four main seasons on Kilimanjaro, and indeed in much of East Africa, and these are the various wet and dry seasons. There are two longer seasons and two shorter seasons, and they are defined by the amount of rainfall experienced during these periods rather than the temperature, although the former has an effect on the latter. As global temperatures rise, the transition between seasons is changing, and there may be more rain during dry periods and longer draughts in between wet seasons. Because Kilimanjaro is so high, the weather surrounding her is majorly affected by the interaction of trade winds and these are what bring the rain, and with it, drops in temperature.

• When - April – May
  
• Average rainfall – 113mm or 4 inches
  

Generally, the wettest period on Kilimanjaro is between April and May. This is because the southeast trade winds hit the mountain at this time of year. By travelling over the Indian Ocean, the winds pick up a great deal of moisture that then condenses and turns into clouds and precipitation as it gets forced up the mountain.

If you have to climb during this period, then we suggest staying away from the southern slopes as this side of the mountain gets the most rain during these months. A good route option would be the Rongai Route as it takes a trail up the northern side of Kilimanjaro and generally gets less rain. Kandoo Adventures don’t operate trips during the wettest months as conditions can be unpredictable and you want to enjoy your Kilimanjaro trek without having to look at your feet the whole time!

• When - June – October
  
• Average rainfall – 14mm or 0.5 inches
  

The driest months on Kilimanjaro are from June through to early November. Anti-trade winds blowing in strongly from the northeast carry almost no moisture and force the southeast winds downwards, keeping the mountain relatively free of precipitation and clouds, especially higher up. The fringe months of June, July, later October and early November still hold the promise of rain albeit far less than during the wet seasons. These months can be quieter on the mountain, especially on the less busy trails, as it can be cheaper to travel to Tanzania during this time.

For these dryer periods we would recommend popular routes like the Machame Route or Lemosho Route for the best trekking conditions and the most breathtaking scenery.

• When - November – December
  
• Average rainfall – 78mm or 3 inches
  

November sees the beginning of the northeast monsoon period which regularly brings light rains to the north side of Kilimanjaro and scattered showers to the south side of the mountain. The rains normally only last 3-4 weeks and by early December they have usually stopped. Kandoo don’t offer Kilimanjaro trips in November, but we do in December as the conditions tend to be better.

• When - January – March
  
• Average rainfall – 73mm or 3 inches
  

December into January, February and March is the short dry season. Temperatures are slightly warmer at the base of Kilimanjaro than June to October but much colder at higher altitudes. As Mount Kilimanjaro is technically in the southern hemisphere, this is summertime in Tanzania and it’s a beautiful time to trek.

Depending on what you’re looking for, both trekking seasons offer different benefits. The January to March season is generally colder and there is a far higher chance of encountering snow on the upper reaches of the mountain. Although the cold can put off some people, the benefit of trekking during this period is that there are generally less people on the mountain which can make for a more relaxing journey. If you encounter rain, it will usually be on the lower slopes, however, above that the skies are generally crystal clear.

The June to October period offers the best weather but also coincides with summer holidays in both Europe and North America and can often get quite busy!

Unless you enjoy the rain April, May and November should be avoided as these are the wettest months and, therefore, not ideal for the trekking populace. The coldest months are between December and May when snowfall is likely.

2.        The average Kilimanjaro peak temperature is 0°C

3.        The temperature on Kilimanjaro can range up to 30°C in difference from base to summit

4.        There is snow on Mt Kilimanjaro and it doesn’t rain at the summit, it snows

5.        The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is June – October

6.        The best month to climb Kilimanjaro is July – in our humble opinion!

7.        There are 5 distinct climate zones on Kilimanjaro