Kilele Climb Tours & Safaris Ltd.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the biggest tourist attraction in Kilimanjaro, bringing in around 30,000 travelers from around the world every year. If you’re looking to join the ranks of the men and women who have reached the Kilimanjaro summit, you’ll first want to gain an idea of how hot and cold it generally is on the mountain. Here, we’ll go over the factors that influence Kilimanjaro Temperature, as well as examine some specific temperature ranges you can expect during your Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Keep reading to find out how to better plan for the intense and volatile Temperatures Of Mount Kilimanjaro!
Kilimanjaro Temperature On The Summit? At the summit, Uhuru Point, the nighttime temperatures can range between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's great height, the mountain creates its own weather.
Why is Mount Kilimanjaro so cold? Due to its proximity to the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro does not experience wide temperature changes from season to season. Instead, the Temperatures On Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more so by the altitude and time of day.
What Influences Temperature on Mount Kilimanjaro? Let’s start off by taking a look at what influences temperature on the mountain. There are two main factors that contribute to Kilimanjaro Temperature: time of year and altitude. We’ll examine each in turn to give you a better idea of what to expect when you go.
The Mount Kilimanjaro Temperature correlates with the four distinct climatic zones:
The rainforest zone (800m-3,000m) is warm and humid. Densely covered with green vegetation this zone temperatures average 12-15 °C (20-25 °C during daytime) at 2,900 m. This is where you are going to spend the first one or two days of your Kilimanjaro Climb, depending on the Kilimanjaro Routes.
The low alpine zone (3,000m-4,200m) is a semi-arid area. The higher you climb – the scarcer the vegetation becomes. Depending on the route, here you will spend one or two days with average temperatures range 5-10 °C (15-20 °C during the daytime) at 3,600 m.
The high alpine zone (4,200m-5,000) is desert-like. You will spend your fourth and fifth day on the Mount here, as well as the final arrangements for summiting will be at those altitudes. Here the temperatures average around the freezing point at 5,000m, but during the daytime, when the sun is shining, it is still quite warm and comfortable.
The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro lies in the glacial zone (above 5,000m) and its temperatures average around -6 °C. However, keep in mind that all summiting attempts usually start at midnight in order to reach the Uhuru Peak by dawn. You will be trekking at night when the temperature can drop to – 20°C. When the harsh gusts of wind are torturing you, you will be likely to feel as if the temperature is below -40 °C. However, it’s totally worth it, because on the top you will see one of the best pictures you have ever witnessed in the light of the uprising sun.
With all this being said, there are some average temperatures that you can expect during your Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Before we get into specifics of temperatures on the mountain, let’s do a monthly breakdown of the average temperatures you can expect in the city of Moshi. Remember that you’ll have to prepare for these temperatures too if you plan on staying in the city any time before or after your Kilimanjaro Climb:
MONTH |
TEMPERATURE (F) |
TEMPERATURE (C) |
January |
78 |
26 |
February |
78 |
26 |
March |
78 |
26 |
April |
76 |
24 |
May |
72 |
22 |
June |
70 |
21 |
July |
69 |
21 |
August |
70 |
21 |
September |
71 |
22 |
October |
75 |
24 |
November |
76 |
24 |
December |
77 |
25 |
As Kilele Climb have shown in this guide, Kilimanjaro Weather can be brutal, fierce, and unpredictable. Of course, it can also be pleasant and enjoyable if you bring along the right gear. Located next to the equator, Kilimanjaro’s steady weather makes it easy enough to prepare for your next trip. Still, you’ll want to be sure that you are on top of the data so that you bring exactly what you need to make your climb a success. In this regard, it’s important that you get specific numbers and information that can help you plan your Kilimanjaro Climb.
In this piece, we’ve gone over the average Kilimanjaro Temperature ranges you can expect on the mountain, as well as examined record highs and lows. We’ve also broken down Kilimanjaro temperature by altitude so that you can get a better picture of conditions on the mountain. By taking into account the information presented here, you’ll be able to beat the odds and reach the top of the mountain without any extra hassle or delay. Knowing all this, make sure to use this Kilimanjaro Climbing Guide as your ultimate reference for preparing for your Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Here we have arranged our top travel advice into sections to help you with every stage of a Kilimanjaro Climb, from research to planning, from packing to traveling adventure smoothly and safely. We even have specific advice for a variety of stages of Kilimanjaro adventure.
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Read about Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Includes route overview, packing tips and how to deal with altitude sickness & many more ... by Kilele Climb, the trusted Kilimanjaro Operator.
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