How Cold Is It Climbing Kilimanjaro?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Kilimanjaro Weather on the summit

At the summit, Uhuru Point, the night time temperatures can range

between 20 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius)

. Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's great height, the mountain creates it's own weather.

Why is it so cold at the top of Kilimanjaro?


Due to its proximity to the equator

, Mount Kilimanjaro does not experience wide changes from season to season. Instead, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are determined more so by the altitude and time of day.

What is the temperature at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro?

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.

Which is harder to climb Kilimanjaro or Everest?

Most people agree that

Kilimanjaro is harder than Everest Base Camp

. While there are aspects of the Everest Base Camp trek that are harder than Kilimanjaro, the general feeling is that Kilimanjaro is the harder of the two treks. The main reason for this is summit night – it's a biggie.

How cold is Kilimanjaro in July?

The average minimum temperature (usually the minimum temperature is noted during the night) in Mount Kilimanjaro in July is

9.0°C (48.2°F)

. July is a dry month with an average of 20mm (0.8in) rain. This makes it the driest month of the year. The average maximum daytime temperature lies around 20.0°C (68°F).

How cold is Kilimanjaro in December?

Average Jan Dec High 90°F 88°F Temp. 78°F 77°F
Low


67°F


67°F

Can you climb Kilimanjaro in December?


Climbing in December is actually a good time to go

.

The rainy season begins around mid-March and typically extends well into May and the other rainy Season is November. During this time, conditions can be wet, stormy and muddy on Kilimanjaro, particularly along it's southern face.

How many days on average does it rain in June on Mount Kilimanjaro?

The average sliding

31-day

rainfall during June at Kilimanjaro International Airport is decreasing, starting the month at 1.0 inches, when it rarely exceeds 2.2 inches or falls below 0.1 inches, and ending the month at 0.1 inches, when it rarely exceeds 0.3 inches.

Is there always snow on Kilimanjaro?

Ever since records began,

snows have come and gone each year on Kilimanjaro

, falling in the four months of the wet season and melting away during the rest of the year. The far more important indicator of changing weather is the health of the icefields at its summit.

How many miles is it to walk up Kilimanjaro?

The number of miles to hike Mount Kilimanjaro varies according to the route you pick. Umbwe is the shortest route, but also the steepest. It measures

23 miles

(37 kilometers). The longest route is the Northern Circuit, coming in at 56 miles (90 kilometers).

How fit do you need to be to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?

You want to be in

good physical shape

to climb Kilimanjaro, but there's no need to be super-fit. This is a trek, not a climb after all, and if you can run for 30 minutes two to three times a week, and enjoy an all day hike at weekends, you should be fine. That said, many people do underestimate Kili.

Does it rain on Kilimanjaro?

The Kilimanjaro has

two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year

. In the period February-May the Kilimanjaro receives a lot of precipitation, especially in April. Because of the wind direction the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro receive considerably more precipitation than the northern ones.

What age can you climb Kilimanjaro?

The minimum age for climbing Kilimanjaro is

10 years old

. However, it is possible to get approval for exceptions from Kilimanjaro National Park.

Is Serengeti near Kilimanjaro?

Where to start? For one thing,

Kilimanjaro doesn't rise above the Serengeti

. You can't even see it from the Serengeti, unless you get in a hot air balloon and take a telescope: they're about 250 kilometres from each other. Kilimanjaro rises above the Tsavo national park.

Is Kilimanjaro worth?

Kilimanjaro is an achievement many hikers, athletes, and nature lovers have set their eyes on. But towering 19,341 feet, with a nearly 50% fail rate, reaching the peak takes a hefty amount of work against significant odds.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is absolutely worth it

.

Can you walk up Kilimanjaro?

Mt. Kilimanjaro is a popular climb because Kili requires no special expertise or mountaineering equipment. In fact, it is not a climb, it's a hike.

You can walk all the way to the top

.

What time of year is best to climb Kilimanjaro?

Guidebooks suggest climbing Kilimanjaro in

January-February or August-September

, when warmer temperatures and clear skies are most likely. But these are also the most crowded months. Climbing in March or October, just before each of two rainy seasons, is the best hedge to avoid both crowds and foul weather.

Can beginners climb Kilimanjaro?

As we mentioned before,

Kilimanjaro is suitable for beginners

; they do very well. The best advice is for everyone to arrive in great shape. Don't underestimate the climb because you know someone did it who you believe was not fit.

What is the coldest temperature in Mount Kilimanjaro?

At the Kilimanjaro Summit, Uhuru Peak, which lies in the arctic zone the night temperatures can drop down to

-20 degrees Fahrenheit

( -29 degrees Celsius). Therefore, we strongly recommend you to always be prepared for wet and cold nights.

How cold is it at the top of Mount Everest?

The weather and climate of Mount Everest is one of extremes. Temperatures at the summit are

never above freezing and during January temperatures can drop as low as -60° C (-76° F)

. Despite the low temperatures the biggest issue faced by climbers are hurricane force winds and wind chill.

Does it snow in Tanzania?

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter In Tanzania


One can expect snow only on the summits of the mountains in the winters in Tanzania

. When is winter in Tanzania? Owing to its proximity to the equator, Tanzania has only two seasons (rainy and dry seasons) unlike the four calendar seasons elsewhere in the world.

How much will it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?

The average cost to climb Kilimanjaro is

$2000 to $6000

, the price varies from cheap, budget operators to large Western travel agents selling outsourced climbs at an inflated price. There are various, unavoidable fixed costs to any tour operator and if a climb seems too cheap, you've got to ask yourself why.

How do you climb Kilimanjaro on a budget?

High park fees and logistical costs mean there is no such thing as a cheap Kilimanjaro climb. The best way to keep down costs is to

form or join a group of four or more like-minded hikers, and to stick to the Marangu Route

, which is more popular and busy than the other options, but also less logistically complicated.

How many days does it take to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?

It takes anywhere from

five to nine days

in order to reach the Mount Kilimanjaro Summit and then descend to the finishing point. The more days spent on Mount Kilimanjaro the more likely you will successfully summit, as you will become more acclimatised to the altitude and will be less fatigued.

How long is the Lemosho route?

The Lemosho route is approximately

70 km/ 42 miles from gate to gate

. It is designed for physically fit people with some hiking experience. However, we have many clients who tackle the route as their first real backpacking experience.

How tall is Kilimanjaro?

19,341′

How much does it snow on Kilimanjaro?

Month Snow amount (week) Snow days (week)
June


3.5 in


2.6 days
July 1.2 in 2.4 days August 1.6 in 2.6 days September 2.8 in 2.9 days
Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.