Kilimanjaro Weather Forecast, Temperatures: A Complete Guide

The temperature of Mount Kilimanjaro can shift from very hot to very cold in one day yet it does not have large temperature fluctuations from season to season. Rather, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro are more a function of altitude and time of day.

The normal temperature at the foot of the mountain is from 21 to 27 °C while at Uhuru Peak, the peak, nite temperatures can range from 20 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). Kilimanjaro, like all large mountains, generates its own weather, and this can be exceedingly unpredictable and impossible to anticipate. Hikers should be prepared for pleasant sunny conditions, as well as rain, wind, cold and even snow.

While the optimal time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the “dry” seasons, rain and snow can happen at any time of the year. The temperatures can change quickly and dramatically as you climb, one minute you’ll be trekking in a scorching sunshine, the next you’ll be layering up against a harsh wind.

Kilimanjaro is enormous enough to generate its own weather patterns, and at 19,341 feet above sea level. The mountain is on the equator and this means it is blocking the trade winds (also termed ‘monsoons’) that travel across the ocean, pushing precipitation upwards. This forces the wind up to the top, where it cools and produces rain and snow.

Kilimanjaro Temperatures

Mount Kilimanjaro is so close to the equator that it does not have much seasonal variation in temperature. On Mount Kilimanjaro, the temperatures are instead more affected by the altitude and what time of day it is. “Temperatures at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, where the climb begins, are typically 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). As you climb from the base, temperatures will drop as you pass through the 5 natural zones of the mountain.

At the Summit of Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak resides in the arctic zone where the nite temperatures might be between 20 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -29 degrees Celsius). So we do encourage you should always be prepared for wet and cold nites so please pack the essential gear at all times. Learn more about what you will need to pack in your day pack for Kilimanjaro.