Mount Kilimanjaro Weather
What is the Weather on Kilimanjaro?
The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro can vary from very hot to extremely cold within the same day although it does not experience wide temperature changes from season to season. Instead, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more by the altitude and time of day.
At the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 21 to 27 °C and at the summit, Uhuru Peak, the night time temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Like all great mountains, Kilimanjaro creates its own weather which can be extremely variable and difficult to predict. Hikers need to be prepared for warm, sunny conditions, and rain, wind, cold, and even snow.
Even though the best time to climb Kilimanjaro coincides with the “dry” seasons, rain, and snow are possible at any time of the year. As you get higher up, the temperatures can vary dramatically, one moment you can be trekking in baking sunshine, the next you’ll be layering up against a bitter wind.
Standing at 19,341 ft above sea level, Kilimanjaro is big enough to create it’s own weather systems. Being on the equator means the trade winds (sometimes called ‘monsoons’) that move across the ocean, drawing moisture upwards are interrupted by the mountain. This causes the wind to push up towards the summit, cooling as it goes, bringing rain and snow.
Is there snow on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro?
The long rainy season between March and May is a result of the trade winds from the south-east. These southerly winds from the Indian Ocean are laden with moisture, bringing rain to the lower slopes and snow on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro summit. During this season, the southern slopes get the most rainfall.
The ‘short rains’ in November are from a dryer wind coming from the northeast. As it hasn’t traveled across an ocean, the rains are shorter and less intense than during the long rains. Most of the rainfall during this season falls on the more northerly slopes.
Kilimanjaro Temperatures
Mount Kilimanjaro doesn’t experience wide temperature changes from season to season due to it’s proximity to the equator, Instead, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more so by the altitude and what time of day it is. At the base of Mount Kilimanjaro where the the climb starts, the average temperature is around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). From the base when you ascent, the temperatures will decrease as you go through mountain’s 5 ecological zones.
At the Summit of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, which lies in the arctic zone the night temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Therefore, we recommend that you should always be prepared for wet and cold nights so please bring the necessary gear at all times.
Before booking
Preparing for Kilimanjaro
Cultivation Zone:
Altitude: 2,600 to 6,000 ft (800 to 1,800 m)
Precipitation: 20 to 70 in (500 to 1,800 mm)
Surrounding the base of Kilimanjaro is the cultivation zone. Comprising mostly farmland thanks to the fertile volcanic soil, this area gets plenty of annual rainfall. Mostly temperate conditions, you’ll mostly be passing through this region on your way to the trailhead.
Forest Zone:
Altitude: 6,000 to 9,200 ft (1,800 to 2,800 m)
Precipitation: 79 to 40 in (2,000 to 1,000 mm)
We start our climb in the montane forest, a tropical rain forest that serves to absorb most of the moisture coming off the mountain, forming underground streams and springs. Conditions are usually warm and humid, with mists forming under the dense canopy. Thick cloud cover is not uncommon, and it can be muddy underfoot.
Heath/Moorland Zone
Altitude: 9,200 to 13,200 ft (2,800 to 4,000 m)
Precipitation: 51 to 21 in (1,300 to 530 mm)
After hiking through the forest, you’ll emerge from the trees into the Heath and Moorland Zone. The dense tropical forest gives way to tall grasses and giant heathers, and you’ll be more exposed to the wind and rain.
Temperatures can remain warm throughout the day but drop significantly at night. The humidity lessens, the trails are dryer, and generally, it’s a more comfortable hiking experience. Rain tends to be minimal, although it can occur pretty much anywhere on the mountain.
The sun’s rays can be harsh, so you’ll need your sunscreen, and temperatures at night can be bitterly cold.
Alpine/High Desert Zone:
Altitude: 13,200 to 16,500 ft (4,000 to 5,000 m)
Precipitation: 10 in (250 mm)
Climbing higher still, we’ll enter the High Desert Zone, arid, with only small, hardy plants surviving at an altitude where wind speeds continue to increase and there is little rainfall.
Day time temperatures can still be quite warm, but in the evening the mercury drops quickly, with conditions getting much colder. Here, it is not uncommon to be camped well above the clouds, which makes for an enchanting sight on a clear, starlit night.
The views are far-reaching and dramatic, the trails dustier, and the air much thinner.
Arctic Zone:
Altitude: 16,500+ ft (5,000+ m)
Precipitation: 4 in (100 mm)
Above 16,000 ft is the Arctic or Summit Zone. With very little rainfall (most precipitation falls as snow) this barren desert is characterized by huge rocky outcrops, volcanic scree, and glaciers.
Known as “extreme altitude”, this region has approximately 49% of the oxygen at sea level. It’s a bleak, inhospitable place.
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.
WEATHER ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
January and February are typically among the hottest months of the year in Tanzania and fall within one of the country’s two dry seasons. During this period, you can expect plenty of sunshine, with some cloud cover developing, particularly in the afternoons. Mornings and evenings are generally clearer, and the dry conditions mean that the trail is likely to remain firm and dry underfoot.
Would we recommend these months for your Kilimanjaro challenge? Absolutely. The generally favourable weather conditions and low likelihood of rainfall make January and February excellent months for climbing Kilimanjaro. However, these are also among the most popular months for climbing, so you should expect busier trails and higher visitor numbers.
WEATHER ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN MARCH
Although the dry season can sometimes extend into the first half of March, the month generally marks the beginning of Tanzania’s Long Rains. During the latter half of March, weather conditions can be highly unpredictable, ranging from completely dry days to periods of prolonged and heavy rainfall.
Increased rainfall also brings greater cloud cover, meaning the skies are generally less clear than during the dry-season months. Trail conditions can become muddy at certain altitudes, while higher elevations are likely to experience increased levels of snow and ice.
For these reasons, Great Time Experience Adventures does not strongly recommend March as a month for climbing Kilimanjaro. While climbing during this period can offer the advantage of fewer crowds, the increased likelihood of rain and cloud cover may significantly affect your overall experience. As you ascend, the spectacular panoramic views that Kilimanjaro is renowned for may also be obscured by cloudy and unsettled weather conditions.
WEATHER ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN APRIL AND MAY
April and May fall within Tanzania’s Long Rains, which typically continue through to mid-June. These months are generally the wettest period of the year, bringing increased rainfall, persistent cloud cover, and slightly cooler temperatures.
For climbers, these conditions can result in muddy and slippery trails, particularly at lower and mid-level elevations. As you gain altitude, cloud cover may also reduce visibility and limit the spectacular panoramic views that Kilimanjaro is known for.
For these reasons, Great Time Experience Adventures does not strongly recommend April or May for climbing Kilimanjaro. Although climbing during these months offers the advantage of fewer crowds and a quieter experience on the mountain, the increased likelihood of heavy rainfall, wet trail conditions, and reduced visibility can make the climb more challenging and less enjoyable.
WEATHER ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN JUNE AND JULY
From mid-June, Tanzania’s Long Rains come to an end, marking the beginning of the cooler and drier months of the year. During this period, climbers can generally expect clear, sunny skies, dry trails, and very little rainfall, creating favourable conditions for a Kilimanjaro ascent.
With dry weather, good visibility, and comfortable climbing conditions, the period from mid-June onwards offers an excellent opportunity to experience Africa’s highest mountain.
For these reasons, Great Time Experience Adventures highly recommends this period for climbing Kilimanjaro. The combination of favourable weather, dry trails, and clear skies provides ideal conditions for a safe, enjoyable, and memorable mountain experience.
WEATHER ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
Temperatures begin to rise gradually in August, September, and October, which are also among the three driest months of the year. During this period, climbers can generally expect clear, sunny skies, minimal rainfall, and excellent dry trail conditions.
The combination of warm, dry weather, clear skies, and favourable trail conditions makes August, September, and October excellent months for climbing Kilimanjaro. These months are highly recommended by Great Time Experience Adventures for an enjoyable and memorable ascent of Africa’s highest mountain.
WEATHER ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
The Short Rains typically begin in early November and continue into the first part of December. Weather conditions during this period can be unpredictable, with some weeks experiencing significant rainfall while others may remain relatively dry. Although mornings and evenings are often clear, cloud cover can develop during the day, with rainfall frequently occurring in the afternoons. These conditions can lead to wet, muddy, and slippery trails.
For these reasons, Great Time Experience Adventures does not generally recommend November as an ideal month for climbing Kilimanjaro. However, the Short Rains usually come to an end by mid-December, with the dry season beginning around the middle of the month.
From approximately 15 December onwards, climbing conditions become more favourable, with drier weather and improved trail conditions. This period is particularly popular with trekkers who choose to take advantage of the holiday season to undertake their Kilimanjaro adventure.
CONCLUSION
To give you an idea of the temperatures you can expect during your Kilimanjaro climb, temperatures at the base of the mountain typically range between 21°C and 27°C (70°F–81°F). While temperatures at lower elevations do not vary significantly throughout the year, they decrease considerably as you gain altitude.
Kilimanjaro is characterised by five distinct ecological zones, each with its own climate and weather conditions. As you ascend through these zones, temperatures gradually become colder, with conditions at the summit being significantly more extreme than those at the mountain’s base.
At the summit, nighttime temperatures can fall to between -7°C and -29°C (20°F to -20°F). These temperatures are genuinely below freezing, so climbers must be properly prepared for extremely cold nights and harsh conditions at high altitude.
It is also important to remember that weather conditions on Kilimanjaro can be highly unpredictable. Temperatures and conditions can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations, making appropriate clothing and equipment essential for a safe and comfortable climb.