When is the optimum time to climb Kilimanjaro?
Among the lesser known Support Kilimanjaro facts is the fact you can hike the world’s tallest freestanding mountain nearly every time of the entire year. So, how will you decide when to schedule your climb?
A lot of people use 3 key factors to help them book a night out: their schedules, the typical seasonal weather on Kilimanjaro, and the most common crowds. Among these has a larger effect on your likelihood of reaching the summit than others. That’s why we’ll be providing you the intel about all of them which means you can booklet the right schedules for your Kilimanjaro hike.
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Where to find the Best Time to Climbing Kilimanjaro
Just like arranging a normal vacation, you’ll need to routine your Kilimanjaro hike knowing a few facts in advance.
1. Your Schedule WILL NEED probably the most Precedence
You’ll need to take off from work or school for at least 10-12 times in order to complete the Support Kilimanjaro trek up to Uhuru Maximum.
But that’s just climbing and acclimatizing time. That doesn’t consider time for traveling to Tanzania or the extra time you might spend going on a animals safari afterward.
It may not be easy for you, your hiking friend, or your family to understand this much time off at random points during the year.
Typically the most popular times’ people choose to hike Kilimanjaro – predicated on their schedules alone – are:
December: Through the holiday season, many people take off for vacation or holiday, gives them a lot of travel times to get to Tanzania and climb Kilimanjaro. Bonus: Universities are usually out during this time period too.
Early January: When you wish to start the brand new Year with an amazing accomplishment rather than a fresh Year’s resolution, you won’t be by themselves. Many hikers choose this time to hike.
June, July, and August: Those that choose to remain home during the holidays will typically take their vacations in the summer, also when traditional schools in the US, UK, and Canada aren’t in session.
After you find out when you can take time off and omit town, you’ll want to make sure you’re not heading directly into one of both Kilimanjaro rainy seasons.
2. Consider the Seasonal Weather on Kilimanjaro
After you hike Kilimanjaro, you travel through five distinct weather zones, each with their own seasonal weather habits and temperatures:
The Cultivated Area is where you’ll find the most twelve-monthly rainfall.
The Rainforest Area will be warm and humid with an increased possibility of rain through the rainy season and through the weeks on either side of the rainy season.
The Heath and Moorland area is slighter dryer than the first two with daytime temps of up to 100° F (40° C) and nighttime lows below freezing.
The Alpine Zone is similar to, well, a desert. It’s sunny and dry throughout the day and sub-zero chilly at night. Getting up to frost and snow is common through the winter calendar months.
The Arctic Zone, or Ice Cap, at the summit can be icy, snowy, and averages about 20° F (-6° C). Its regular high winds produce a breeze chill that feels well below zero.
The bigger you trek, the harder it is ideal for your body to modify your temperature and keep you warm. Since you ascend to cooler local climate zones, your body works overtime to provide air to your organs when it’s already low on air because of being at thin air.
Since it’s taking the body a lot longer to circulate blood and air to your extremities, your hands, feet, and the tips of your nose and ears will feel extremely cold.
That’s why, if you’re not used to hiking in cool or rainy weather, you’ll want to choose a time when Kilimanjaro’s weather is most favorable (i.e., dry and warm).
Let’s walk through what it’s like to hike Kilimanjaro, month by month:
January – March
Climbing Install Kilimanjaro from January through March is well suited for many newbie hikers. The average heat range on the path is warmer than other times of the entire year, and the rainfall is low and infrequent.
As you methodology March it’s not Kilimanjaro’s driest season, but it provides sunny, cloudless skies to discover the best views atop the Roof of Africa. This year is also the best for seeing accumulated snowfall on the trail, making for even cooler photographs.
May – August
May through August hikes are popular because, even though April’s rainy season can spill over into early on May, it’s generally drier with a comfortable average temperature in the reduced 70s F (or low 20s C).
August is one of the driest calendar months on Kilimanjaro. So, if you’re totally against hiking in the torrential rain, treks held during this month are for you. Plus, since there’s hardly any cloud cover, visibility will be at its highest too.
September – December
Sept through December is peak climbing season because the elements travels from cool to warm and there’s very mild rainfall (aside from the region’s second rainy season in November).
Sept is another of Kilimanjaro’s driest a few months and the common 70°F (21°C) temps make it ideal for climbers unfamiliar with hiking in bad weather.
Apr and November
You can find two rainy seasons on Kilimanjaro: The “long” rainy season ranges from mid-March through April, as the “short” rainy season only lasts during November.
That’s why April and November are the least popular times for a Kilimanjaro hike. Frigid, damp conditions create dirt, which is harder to trek through and the expected precipitation offers an extra layer of damp to your camping situation, as well as snow, and glaciers closer to the summit.
You won’t feel motivated to attain the summit if you’re feeling miserable, chilly, and wet.
Remember, though, that because you booklet a hike beyond this period doesn’t mean you’re assured a dry climb! Expert hikers always expect and prepare for rainwater. With all different climates we mentioned previously, chances are high that you’ll see precipitation at least once on your visit to the summit.
They are just basic guidelines to the elements on Kilimanjaro, but rainy seasons can vary each year. Sometimes they’re preceding with heavy downpours and sometimes they’re late and super mild.
The only positive thing about hiking during a less-than-ideal season is that you’ll just about have the whole mountain to yourself!
3. Take into account the Potential Crowds
Support Kilimanjaro is one of the very most popular holiday destinations in the world. That’s why certain Kilimanjaro hiking routes and times of the entire year are busier and a lot more crowded than others.
Since dry season packs better views, clear, unobstructed skies, and a lot of sunshine to keep you going, they are the most popular times to hike Kilimanjaro.
It’s no surprise that the good weather in June through October brings the most crowds. However, the trails are large and there are always gaps between hiking categories, so you will have plenty of opportunities to take pleasure from yourself in the wild.
But if you’re seeking a personal voyage of enlightenment, we understand that having everything that extra noise might not exactly be your ideal eye-sight of zen-like tranquility.
For a far more secluded dynamics experience, you may want to consider hiking during one of the colder or slightly rainier times. Veteran hikers won’t mind a little damp weather climbing – especially since most of the rainfall happens in the afternoons and the majority of your hiking occurs in the mornings.
You often won’t have to invest that much time in the rain to take pleasure from quiet campsites and peaceful trails.
And if it’s cold enough, that afternoon or night time rain risk turning into a lovely snowy vista you’ll awaken to each day.
For adventurers who appreciate an issue in order have fun with the wonder of snow-capped trails and the opportunity to take stunning images of the mountain in its icy splendor, off-season treks will give you an opportunity that many newbie hikers don’t get.
Just remember that, even though the trails are less crowded, hiking prior to the rainy season is always a bit of the gamble. Because the rainiest a few months are Apr and November, hikes before this time around (i.e., February and March or Oct and Sept) can be a huge payoff, if you prepare correctly.
First, the elements is moderate and the skies are cloud-free (like the quiet prior to the rainy season storms).
Second, many hikers hoping to prevent the rainy times at all costs won’t book during Apr or November or the months that lead into them. Which makes the trails less crowded.
But imagine if you’re performing a Kilimanjaro hike single?
In cases like this, not achieving anyone on the trail can get somewhat lonely. You may want to hike through the top season to be able to meet as much new friends as you can and talk about your adventure (and swap images!).
Ready to Book the Time frame for YOUR VERY BEST Period to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Now that you know a few factors that go into selecting the best time for you to climb Kilimanjaro, it’s period to spouse with a trekking company offering hiking schedules that fit the bill.
Even as mentioned, you’ll want to take into account your personal program, your tolerance for bad weather, how you deal with being out in the freezing for extended periods of time, and how many tourists you’d prefer to bump into on the trails.
A trustworthy hiking clothing will have the knowledge to plan the right times to hike Kilimanjaro safely.
Since Apr and November will be the rainiest calendar months on Kilimanjaro, and not suitable for trekking safely, minimal companies offer treks throughout that time – including Tusker. Be careful of companies desperate to take you the trails at this time as they could be very dangerous.
Apart from those two months, we operate climbs every month from the time, and are happy to say that 90% in our climbers reach Uhuru Peak safe and sound!
