Climatic Zones
Kilimanjaro has 4 distinct climate zones that trekkers will journey through on their way to the summit and each has its own features, flora and fauna.
Rainforest 800-2800m: Drenched in heavy rains, this section remains lush and green year round. Colobus and Blue monkeys, the odd mongoose and lots of birds and insects can be found amongst the giant ferns, vines, juniper, fig and olive trees to name a few. On northern and western sides of the park you may even be able to spot elephant and buffalo tracks! There are lots of endemic flowers too for you to look out for including violets, orchids and the famous Impatiens Kilimanjari!
Heather and Moorland 2800-400m: Known as the low alpine zone, you emerge from the forest into sparse vegetation. It can feel extremely fresh compared to the humidity of the forest, with temperatures getting down to 0C at times. Heather and shrubs blanket the ground and everything is much shorter due to this harsh environment. There are a few flowers to spot, but the most prominent feature are the Giant Lobelias, that grew like stubby palm trees! Unfortunately the only animals you are likely to see here are scampering striped mice and a few crows all foraging scraps of food dropped by passing trekkers!
Alpine Desert 4000-5000m: A fairly inhospitable place, there is not much life in the desert apart from some tussock grasses and a few small flowers. It is brown, dusty and dry. With little to no shelter from the elements, intense radiation plagues the day and at night temperatures plummet to freezing. It is however a great part of the trek, as for the first time Kibo and its summit come in to full view. It is here that we begin to fully comprehend the journey we have embarked upon!
Summit Zone 5000-5895m: From the desert we trek into arctic conditions and where oxygen is nearly half that of sea level. With little to no surface water there is no life apart from lichens which cling desperately to rocks hoping for a few droplets. The sun burns during the day and at night the cold is ferocious. We are now experiencing the fragility of life and so waste no time in our summit quest.
