When many people start planning to climb Africa’s highest peak, the question that initially weighs heaviest on their minds is when to climb Kilimanjaro, and how to choose a time that takes weather patterns and popular periods into account. Read the article below for relevant help in making this essential choice.
Complex Ecological Zones
While planning some kinds of trips, you have the advantage of knowing that many characteristics remain constant in relation to particular seasons. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple to pick a time for this mountaintop trek because Mount Kilimanjaro spans across five ecological zones. Each one has distinctive floral and plant life, plus differences in climates. An environment that begins as a humid rainforest near the mountain’s base soon becomes substantially colder and drier as you progress up the summit.
Better Weather, More Crowds
Because the mountain is situated close to the equator, it’s characterized by wet and dry seasons rather than temperature extremes. Generally, individuals who are trying to figure out when to climb Kilimanjaro discover that September, February, and January usually offer the best weather conditions of the year, and often attract the largest number of people, too.
The Two Rainy Seasons
It’s possible to climb mountain all year round, but people commonly avoid scheduling their treks during the two rainy seasons. The longest of those occurs from the middle of March to the early part of June, whereas the shorter wet season spans from November to a few weeks into December. Be aware that excessive rainfall can cause dangerous terrain changes and also greatly reduce visibility.
The Worth of Knowledgeable Guides
If you’re making plans about when to climb Kilimanjaro and have no choice but to take all or part of your trip during the wettest parts of the year, do so with insight of experienced guides. They’ll be able to alter the proposed route so you spend more time in the northern areas of the mountain, which tend to receive less rain than southern parts.
Before you finalize your decision about when to climb Kilimanjaro, depend on the information above. It’ll help you come to an intelligent conclusion about travel plans.
If you’re not sure when to climb Kilimanjaro, speak to the professionals at Climb Kili. They’ve been successfully guiding trips up Africa’s highest mountain for decades. Visit www.climbkili.com for more info.
