WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE ON KILIMANJARO?

Kilimanjaro's weather is largely dictated by it's geological feature of being a lone free standing mountain. The weather on Kilimanjaro can range from below freezing to hot and humid based on the season and altitude. Season to season temperature changes tend to be minor and more largely driven by time of day. Kilimanjaro is also made up of five major ecological climate zones, starting from subtropical and ending with "arctic", each zone with it's own weather condition. Then you throw in not one, but two monsoon seasons and just about every type of weather condition is possible.

SUMMIT WEATHER

Your ultimate goal is Kilimanjaro's summit at 19,491 ft. (5,895-m) above sea level. You may have a warm first day in Moshi but due to the high elevation, but due to the high elevation it's cold on the summit. See below. The temperature ranges around 21°F (-6°C) which means no rain, and the wind is generally light. But all you feel is the feeling of wonderment of reaching the highest point in Africa, and rising to the challenge of your lifetime.

WIND PATTERNS

Seasonal weather in Tanzania is largely driven by the shifting – north and south - of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a convergence of the Trade Winds of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. This belt of very low pressure fluctuates, creating Tanzania's two wet seasons. See below for the south winds in January and February, then the north winds in March, April and May.

KILIMANJARO TEMPERATURE RANGE

When you arrive in Tanzania for your climb you spend your first two nights in the town of Moshi at the base of Kilimanjaro. Here there are two rainy seasons – mid-March to May, and November to mid-January, when it is typically hot, humid and cloudy. Throughout the year temperatures stay in the range of 61°F (16°C) to 91°F (33°C) and at the summit the average is 21°F (-6°C).

KILIMANJARO'S WEATHER BY MONTH

Climbing Kilimanjaro is always exciting, but some months present more challenges when it comes to the weather. Choosing the appropriate time to climb is just one of many factors to consider when planning your trip. Here’s some information to help you decide when to climb.

January & February

From January to March, the average temperature on Kilimanjaro is 78°F (25.6°C) and rainfall is low. While not the driest season it's definitely dry enough for a very enjoyable climb. Plus, the cloudless skies make for amazing views.

The Rain In April

The rainiest part of the season begins in April when the temperature drops slightly. This is typically one of the least popular times to climb because the mud and wet rocks make climbing much more challenging. The upside is that there are far fewer people on the mountain.

May To August

May continues in April’s rainy footsteps, but it's a little dryer. The average temperature will be around 72°F (22.2°C). As June approaches the temperature and minimal rain is ideal for climbing. In fact, July and August are the least drizzly months of the year on Kilimanjaro, making it perfect for photography and exploring the slopes. However, the nights are still a bit cold.

September

September is an ideal month for climbing Kilimanjaro which makes this one of the busiest months on the mountain. The average temperature is around 71°F (21°C). It’s also the driest month which is another reason it's a favorite month to climb.

October, November, December

Weather conditions during these months have a comfortable average temperature of 76°F (24.4°C) with rain slowly increasing in frequency with partly cloudy skies.