Altitude: 1,800 m to 2,800 m
Rainfall: 2,000 mm on the eastern and southern side / 1,000 mm on the western side
Temperature: +10°C to +20°C

The dense montane forest is the mountains richest zone that is most of the times covered in clouds. The forest on the eastern and southern side is much thicker due to the higher rainfall. Almost all the water on Mount Kilimanjaro originates in this zone. The thick carpet of leaves absorbs most of the rain which then penetrates through the soil and emerges as springs on the lower slopes.

The temperatures during the day are warm with a high humidity. However, a rainy night can result in low temperatures. You should definitely have your rain gear close by to protect yourself from a drizzle or sudden shower.

The hike through this part of the mountain is simply spectacular. A large variety of incredible flora incl. ferns, orchids, and moss-covered trees await you. With a little luck you might even encounter some wildlife including monkeys (both blue and black-and-white colobus). Wildlife is plentiful including bushbaby, genet, honey badger, serval, tree-hyrax, but they might be very difficult to spot.

Altitude: 2,800 m to 4,000 m
Rainfall: 1,300 mm on the edges of the forest / 530 mm on the upper edge of this zone
Temperature: Daytime +5°C to +15°C / Night 0°C and below

Once you enter the heather and moorland zone the forest seems to suddenly stop and the vegetation changes to wild flowers, tall grasses, giant heathers and small shrubs. This zone is considered as “high altitude” zone and most trekkers experience the first symptoms of mountain sickness. It is therefore important to spend an extra acclimatization day to adjust to the decreasing oxygen.

Temperatures remain warm, but drop significantly at night. Most rainfalls occur at the forest border and frost can occur above 3,000 m. Once you reach beyond 3,000 m the air becomes much drier with cooler temperatures. Mostly you will have a blue sky with strong sunshine – sunscreen is therefore essential!

Altitude: 4,000 m to 5,000 m
Rainfall: less than 200 mm
Temperature: average temperature around freezing point

The alpine desert zone receives very little rainfall and only robust plants survive in this altitude. Temperatures during the day can be quite high and with its close proximity to the equator, there is a very high level of solar radiation – sunscreen is therefore an absolute must! At night temperatures drop below the freezing point which results in morning frost.

This zone is characterized as “very high altitude” zone and for an ideal acclimatization process an extra day should be added to the itinerary to adjust. Especially our preferred motto of “climb high, sleep low” will assist to reduce the effects of altitude sickness.

Altitude: 5,000 m
Rainfall: less than 100 mm
Temperature: average temperature below freezing point

The final zone is categorized by artic conditions – burning sunshine during the day and below freezing at night. In this altitude the winds are quite strong which make the temperature feel far lower than it is actually is. There is no liquid surface water. Rain is immediately absorbed and the remaining moistures is transformed in snow and ice.

This zone is classified as “extreme altitude”. Oxygen level is roughly half than it was at sea level which results in slow breathing. In addition, you will dehydrate quickly at this altitude and you will need warm layers to keep you core temperature up. We will only spend a very short time at this altitude and descent immediately after reaching Uhuru Peak.