Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Seasons and Weather Conditions

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, especially just after the rains have finished and the vegetation is lush and green. East Africa has two rainy seasons, the long rains which normally start at the end of March and last in May, and the short rains which normally occur in October and November.

The rainy seasons are the months when rain can be expected as opposed to the dry seasons where it will be unlikely, but it does not mean that it rains all the time. Naturally conditions on the mountains can become very slippery in the rains and snow can become a problem on some of the routes to the summit.

Dry season months of June to September and December to February can usually be counted as the best months for trekking.

Temperatures

Being only three degrees south of the Equator, it is the altitude which affects the temperature as the trek progresses. Day-time temperatures on the lower parts of the mountain are often pleasantly warm, even hot, although a brief rain shower in the afternoon is always possible. As soon as the sun goes down the air temperature becomes cold and as the trek progresses, on the higher parts of the mountain the temperatures often drop to below freezing. Warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag are essential.

Personal Note:

Last year I a did the summit during the day, which is very unusual. Most climbs do the final day at night. The weather was great on the whole trip, just a little fog, which I really enjoyed. Temps were mild and very pleasant during the day and mildly chilly at night. Getting down into the upper 30′s low 40′s. The summit was clear of snow.

Remedy is Tanzanian, of the Chagga tribe. He was born in northern Tanzania on the 1^st of October, 1971, in Marangu Village at the Southeastern foot of Kilimanjaro. He grew up in Marangu town where he completed his primary education. He completed secondary school in Moshi in 1994, at the Don Bosco Secondary School. He is married and has 3 children, and lives in Marangu Village.

Remedy joined us in 2003, and it quickly became clear that Remedy’s abilities and drive would take him to the top. He trained and certified, and immediately worked as an assistant guide until 2004 when he became a head guide. As a head guide he has climbed the mountain almost 200 times.

Remedy is known and respected on the mountain as a great leader. His scrupulous attention to detail and professional attitude instills in each of our climbers the greatest confidence. He is 100% dedicated to his climbers and his crew, and tirelessly works to pursue perfection.

Remedy has received training from Kilimanjaro Tanzania National Park , (KINAPA), and is a certified KINAPA guide. He has attended several seminars on flora and fauna, and in 2005 he trained and was certified by NOLS as a “Wilderness First-Responder” (WFR) and ”Heartsaver CPR”. He has been recertified in 2007 as a WFR by NOLS. Annually he joins our in-house training for First-Aid and Emergency Procedures, as well as participating in our in-house training with cooks, waiters and campsite crew.