 Africa's highest peak and one of the most magnificent sights, Kilimanjaro rises through lush rainforests to alpine meadows, finally crossing a barren lunar landscape to the twin summits. At 5895 metres high, the views from Kilimanjaro are spectacular. And the area covering the rainforests is home to animals including eland, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and monkey.
Mount Kilimanjaro is located at the north-eastern tip of Tanzania. Climbing this mountain is an adventurous journey through the mists of an equatorial jungle, reaching snowy peaks and breath-taking summit views. The ascent weaves through forests that vary in altitude, and opens into open moorlands below a rocky, snow-covered plateau. It has 3 volcanic centres, Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi.
Climbing Kilimanjaro can be done any time of the year, but January, February and September are the best months. July, August, November and December are also good months to climb. The rainiest period is March to June, but most months of the year have few rainy days, which makes it possible to climb in relatively good conditions year round. During the rainy period of March to May, clouds tend to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and rain at the base.
The shorter rainy period of October to December often has storms that pass over the mountain, dropping rain as they go. The temperatures at this time of year is relatively warm. The dry season, beginning in late June and through July can be very cold at night, but usually is clear of clouds. August and September are also cool and can have very clear days, but usually a cloud belt clings to the mountain above the forest. The summit can be totally clear and the view is a spectacular sea of clouds with distant mountain peaks poking through like islands.
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