Skip to main content

6 Kilimanjaro Climate Zones


ON KILIMANJARO YOU ARE GOING TO WALK THROUGH FOUR CLIMATIC ZONES, EACH WITH ITS OWN DISTINCT FAUNA AND FLORA.

Some have analogized the climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro to traveling from the equator to Antarctica in just a few days. Temperatures can vary dramatically given differences in altitudes and times of day. Similarly, precipitation can vary from dry to damp to wet.

Mount Kilimanjaro has six distinct climate zones. Each zone has its own unique weather patterns. In general, each zone is subject to decreasing rainfall and temperature as altitude increases. Let’s take a closer look at the six zones.




ZONE 1 – CULTIVATED AREAS

  • Alt. Range: 2,600 to 6,000 ft (792 to 1,800 m)
  • Temperature Range: Days: 70-90 F / 21-32 C
  • Nights: 40-60 F /4-15 C

Zone 1 is largely used for agriculture. It consists of rich soils that support crops and grasslands. This vegetation replaces the natural bush and lowland forest of the lower elevations.




ZONE 2 – RAIN FOREST (MONTANE FOREST)

  • Alt. Range: 6,000 to 9,200 ft (1,800 to 2,800 m)
  • Temperature Range: Days: 70-90 F / 21-32 C
  • Nights: 40-60 F /4-15 C
Zone 2 consists of a number of different tree species. The branches of the trees interlock to form a canopy. The vegetation below consists mainly of mosses, lichens, ferns, and orchids. Shortly upon entering this zone, climbers will observe a layer of cloud that blankets the forest for most of the day.


ZONE 3 – HEATH

  • Alt. Range: 9,200 to 11,000 ft (2,800 to 3,350 m)
  • Temperature Range: Days: 50-80 F / 10-27 C
  • Nights: 30-60 F /(-1)-15 C
Zone 3 sees lower precipitation which results in sparser vegetation. Despite the lower precipitation, this zone is typically covered by heavy mists. The area itself is marked by rolling meadows, heath plants, and many small wild flowers.

ZONE 4 – MOORLAND

Range: 11,000 to 13,200 ft (3,350 to 4,020 m)
Temperature Range: Days: 40-80 F / 4-27 C
Nights: 30-50 F /(-1)-10 CZone 4 is distinctively much drier than those preceding it. The zone is also marked with a great fluctuation in temperature. Rather warm days are followed by freezing temperatures at night. Climbers through this zone will be treated with the beauty of giant groundsels.

ZONE 5 – ALPINE DESERT

  • Range: 13,200 to 16,500 ft (4,020 to 5,030 m)
  • Temperature: Days: Days: 10-60 F / (-12) -15 C
  • Nights:10-40 F /(-12)-4 C
Zone 5 is rather harsh, dry, and windy. It consists of mostly bare rock and ice. The air is noticeably very thin. Water is scarce, and the zone’s thin soils retain little of what does materialize. A few plants, including lichens and small mosses, have adapted to survive the elements.




ZONE 6 – ARCTIC ZONE (SUMMIT)

  • Range: 16,500 to 19,340 ft (5,030 to 5,895 m)
  • Temperature: Days: 10-40 F / (-12) -4 C
  • Nights:Nights: -15-20 F /(-26)-(-7) C
Zone 6 is characterized by hot sun during the day and freezing cold nights. The oxygen level is about half of that found at sea level. There is very little precipitation. If some does appear, it’s most often snow. The zone is covered with rapidly- disappearing glaciers.

Labels:
Location: Arusha, Tanzania

Popular posts from this blog

Important information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Bantu Pori Journeys Bookings Policy

Kilimanjaro – Tanzania, 6th March 2020 At Bantu Pori Journeys we are attentive to all the recommendations of the WHO (World Health Organization) and the local health authorities regarding the evolution of the coronavirus in Africa. Currently, none of the destinations that we operate are considered risk areas and there is no express travel ban, so, we will continue to operate our trips. However, travellers are our priority and for this reason we have modified our cancellation policy related to COVID-19. If there is an official travel ban or a departure notice from the country where the customer is based, Bantu Pori Journeys will apply the following exceptions to our usual terms and conditions: If a customer with a confirmed booking wish to cancel the trip, the deposit will be kept and can be redeemed during the next 12 months, from the date of the first day of the client's trip. To proceed with the cancellation, must be requested by mail ( office@bantupori.com ), between...
Read more

Witness the Majestic Mara River Crossing: A Must-See Experience

Hello adventurers, I'm Baraka, the founder and trip planner at Bantu Pori Journeys. Today, I want to share with you why the Mara River crossing during the Great Wildebeest Migration is an absolute must-see event, especially between July and October. Here’s an account from our expert safari guides, Danny and Hussein, based on our experiences from last year. The Thrill of the Mara River Crossing From Danny: "Last year, our guests experienced the Mara River crossing firsthand, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Imagine standing on the riverbanks, the air filled with anticipation, as thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather on the opposite side, ready to make their daring plunge. The crossing is a dramatic and chaotic scene, with animals braving strong currents and lurking predators. The sheer determination of these creatures, driven by the instinct to survive, is awe-inspiring." Why July to October? From Hussein: "D...
Read more

Our insider Tips | First Time Travelers To Tanzania ?

First Time Travelers - Our insider know-how will make your first time traveling to Tanzania a stress-free experience. Why Tanzania - Africa? The main attraction of Tanzania is that anyone can find an adventure there. The level of adventure and contact with nature is controlled by the traveler. Adventurers who want to capture life in a back-to-nature setting are always richly rewarded  Many are drawn by the unique, pristine wilderness in which wildlife still abounds in an unspoiled and exciting environment. Safari-goers can choose to view large and spectacular wildlife in comfortable natural surroundings, unique to this fascinating country. Tanzania is also home to the world's largest animal migration - the Great Serengeti Migration - a movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra Tanzania boasts such a tremendous variety of attractions; One of the world's free standing mountain (Mount Kilimanjaro)  The world's largest caldera (Ngorongoro C...
Read more