What You Need to Know: Kilimanjaro has five climate zones: cultivation up to about 5,900 ft (1,800 m), rainforest from 1,800 to 9,200 ft (2,800 m), heath and moorland from 2,800 to 13,100 ft (4,000 m), alpine desert from 4,000 to 16,400 ft (5,000 m), and the arctic summit above 16,400 ft (5,000 m). Temperatures fall from warm and humid in the forest to well below freezing at night near the summit, so you need layers for all five.
Kilimanjaro's Five Climate Zones at a Glance
Kilimanjaro has five climate zones between the farms at its foot and the summit at 19,341 ft (5,895 m): cultivation, rainforest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and the arctic summit zone. You cross all five in a few days, so you need clothes for every one of them.
The altitudes are approximate and vary a little between the wetter south and the drier north of the mountain.
| Zone | Altitude | What it is like | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultivation | Up to about 5,900 ft (1,800 m) | Farms, villages, coffee and bananas | Light layers |
| Rainforest | About 5,900–9,200 ft (1,800–2,800 m) | Warm, humid, often muddy; monkeys and birds | Light layers, rain jacket, gaiters |
| Heath and moorland | About 9,200–13,100 ft (2,800–4,000 m) | Open, cooler; giant groundsels and lobelias | Fleece, sun protection |
| Alpine desert | About 13,100–16,400 ft (4,000–5,000 m) | Dry, windy, strong sun, freezing nights | Wind layer, warm hat, sunglasses |
| Arctic summit | Above about 16,400 ft (5,000 m) | Below freezing, glaciers and snow, thin air | All your warm layers |
What Is Each Kilimanjaro Climate Zone Like?
Each zone has its own plants, weather and walking conditions, from humid forest on the first day to freezing, thin air on summit night.
Cultivation zone, up to 5,900 ft: the lower slopes
The lower slopes are farmed by the Chagga people: coffee, bananas and maize grow in the rich volcanic soil around villages such as Machame and Marangu. You drive through this zone on the way to the gate rather than walking it. If you have a spare day before or after the climb, a Marangu village day trip or the Materuni waterfalls and coffee tour shows you this side of the mountain.
Rainforest, 5,900–9,200 ft: the first day
The rainforest is the wettest zone and the one with the most wildlife, including blue and colobus monkeys and many birds. Trails on the southern and western routes are often muddy and slippery; the Rongai side is drier and thinner.
- Expect mud: gaiters and poles help
- Look for colobus and blue monkeys
- Warm and humid: start in light layers, with a rain jacket in your daypack
Pace yourself here. It is tempting to walk fast in the thick air of the forest, and that costs you later.
Heath and moorland, 9,200–13,100 ft: days two and three
Above the forest the land opens into heath and moorland, with giant heather, and higher up the strange giant groundsels and lobelias that grow nowhere else but East Africa's high mountains. The views open out: Kibo ahead, and on clear days Mount Meru to the west.
Days are mild and the sun is strong; nights drop to around freezing. This is where most climbers first feel the altitude, usually as a mild headache in the evening.
Alpine desert, 13,100–16,400 ft: the middle days
Above about 13,100 ft (4,000 m) the plants thin out into a stony, dusty alpine desert. It is dry and often windy, the sun is fierce in the day and the nights are below freezing. Lava Tower, Barafu, Kibo Hut and School Hut are all in this zone.
- Sunburn is easy: use high-factor sunscreen and lip balm
- Wind makes it feel colder: keep a windproof layer handy
- Drink plenty, even when you don't feel thirsty
Most of your acclimatization happens here, on climb-high, sleep-low days such as the walk to Lava Tower. Our acclimatization guide explains why.
Arctic summit zone, above 16,400 ft: summit night
The summit zone is above about 16,400 ft (5,000 m), with temperatures well below freezing at night, glaciers and very thin air. You cross it on summit night, mostly in the dark, and reach the crater rim around sunrise. Wind makes it feel much colder.
- Below freezing, colder with wind
- Glaciers and snowfields on and near the crater, much smaller than a century ago
- Wear all your warm layers, gloves and hat
See our packing list for summit-night kit.
Which Days of a Machame or Marangu Climb Cross Each Zone?
On the 7-day Machame route you walk through the rainforest on Day 1, the heath and moorland on Days 2–3 and the alpine desert on Days 3–5, and cross the arctic summit zone on summit night, Day 6; you come back down through the forest on the last day. The 6-day Marangu route crosses the same zones a day sooner.
| Zone | 7-day Machame | 6-day Marangu |
|---|---|---|
| Rainforest | Day 1 and Day 7 | Day 1 and Day 6 |
| Heath and moorland | Days 2–3 | Days 2–3 |
| Alpine desert | Days 3–5 | Day 4 |
| Arctic summit | Day 6, summit night | Day 5, summit night |
Other routes follow the same pattern; see the day-by-day plans on the Kilimanjaro climbing packages pages.
What to Wear in Each Kilimanjaro Climate Zone
Dress in layers you can add or remove quickly, and keep warm clothes in your daypack from day one.
| Zone | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Rainforest | Light pants, a T-shirt and a rain jacket |
| Heath and moorland | Add a fleece; sun hat |
| Alpine desert | Warm layers, gloves, sun protection |
| Arctic summit | Everything: thermal base, fleece, down jacket, hat, thick gloves |
See the packing list.
Which Kilimanjaro Route Gives You the Most Time to Adapt?
Longer routes give you the most time to adapt: the 8-day Lemosho and the 9-day Northern Circuit spend more days in the middle zones, giving your body time to adjust before the cold, thin air of the summit. Every route crosses all five zones.
Common Questions About Kilimanjaro's Climate Zones
How many climate zones does Kilimanjaro have?
Five: cultivation, rainforest, heath and moorland, alpine desert, and the arctic summit.
Which animals can you see on Kilimanjaro?
Mainly in the forest: blue and colobus monkeys and many birds. Larger animals are rarely seen on the climbing routes.
Is there snow on the summit?
Yes. There are glaciers and snowfields on the summit, though they are shrinking, and fresh snow can fall at any time of year.
How cold is the summit of Kilimanjaro?
Well below freezing at night, and colder with wind. Daytime on the crater rim can feel milder in sunshine.
Which zone is the hardest?
The alpine desert and summit zones, because of the altitude, cold and wind.
How cold is it at the summit?
Usually well below freezing at night, colder with wind chill.
The Bottom Line
Five zones in a few days means you need light layers for the forest and full winter kit for the summit. Dress in layers, protect yourself from the sun above the trees, and keep your warmest gear for summit night.
Send us your dates, the number of climbers and your hotel level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.