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.
Mount KILIMANJARO CLIMATIC ZONES, FAUNA AND FLORA.
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.
Range: 6,000 to 9,200 ft (1,800 to 2,800 m)
Temperature Range: Days: 70-90F / 21-32C
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.
Range: 9,200 to 11,000 ft (2,800 to 3,350 m)
Temperature Range: Days: 50-80F / 10-27C
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.
Range: 11,000 to 13,200 ft (3,350 to 4,020 m)
Temperature Range: Days: 40-80F / 4-27C
Nights: 30-50 F /(-1)-10 C
Zone 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.
Range: 13,200 to 16,500 ft (4,020 to 5,030 m)
Temperature: Days: Days: 10-60F / (-12) -15C
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.
Range: 16,500 to 19,340 ft (5,030 to 5,895 m)
Temperature: Days: 10-40F / (-12) -4C
Nights:Nights: -15-20F /(-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.