The Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro

Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro

nIt is possible to trek Kilimanjaro all-year-round. However, certain months are branded by colder weather, more rain and possibly loads of snow on the summit.nnIn this article we provide a momentary summary on the two trekking seasons that are the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.n

Best Time to Trek Kilimanjaro

nWinds and Kilimanjaro WeathernnKilimanjaro’s weather is profoundly prejudiced by the interface of trade winds with the structure of the mountain.nnThe South-east trade winds travelling over the Indian Ocean carry loads of wetness. When they hit Kilimanjaro, around March, then are forced upwards where they abbreviate, form clouds and precipitation. This means March through to May is the wettest season on Kilimanjaro. The southern slopes are specific vulnerable to rain during this time in the year.nnIf you are confined to a trekking date in April or May we suggest you consider the Rongai route, which departs from the Northern end of Kilimanjaro and is generally drier than the southern route choices during these months.nnAnti-trade winds from the North-east carry very little wetness but blow powerfully. The strength of these winds which last from April through to October keep the South-east trade winds below them, hence these months are usually dry and cloud cover and rain is usually limited to the lower slopes.n

Best Trekking Months

nThere are two distinct trekking periods which establish the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. They are January-March and June-October.nnJanuary-March is usually colder than June-October and there is a higher probability of encountering snow on the summit. For some this might be seen as a negative, but the benefits of a January-March trek is that the slopes are often quieter at this time of the year.nnThe June-October trekking season coincides with the summer holidays in Europe and N.America and hence certain routes are often quite busy.nnMarch, April and November are the wettest months on Kilimanjaro, and not ideal of trekking.nnSnow fall and cold temperatures are common during December-May.nnThe chart below shows average snowfall in cm on the summit of Kilimanjaron

Altitude and Climate Zones

nAnother factor that is important to reflect is the variation in weather circumstances as you ascend Kilimanjaro.nnThere are four distinct climatic zones on Kilimanjaro.nnThe rainforest zone (~800m-3,000m) is warm and moist. Rain is common in the zone, chiefly during the wet season and temperatures average around 12-15 degrees Celsius at 2,870m.nnThe second zone is often called the low alpine area (~3,000m-4,200m) and is a semi-arid zone where average temperatures range between 5-10 degrees Celsius at 3,630m.nnThe high alpine zone (4,200m-5,000) is desert-like. Here temperatures average around the freezing point at 4,970m, andnnAt the summit in the glacial zone (above 5,000m) temperatures average around -6 degrees Celsius.nnThough the summit temperature doesn’t sound too cold, wind chill is a major factor. You are almost guaranteed relatively high winds.nnMoreover, the effects of cold temperatures at high altitude are more pronounced as your body expends more effort trying to get your skin and vital organs well-oxygenated in an oxygen depleted environment.nnThis results in vasoconstriction near the extremities (like your hands, feet and nose) and means that you will feel the cold a lot more at high altitude. In other words -6 degrees Celsius can feel like -20!