There are on Kilimanjaro several rain gauges, sited along the Marangu route and elsewhere on the mountain. Visitors are asked not to attempt to read the gauges on Kilimanjaro or otherwise tamper with them. In spite of the information about rainfall at various altitudes, there hasn't been much recent study of the causes behind the weather of this mountain. Some of the available observations about wind blow etc. Date from many years ago (Clute 1920 and Geilinger 1936). Klute established that above 4,000 m (13,000 ft approximately) the dry anti-trade A wind blows from the North-East during the period May to October, i.e. above the South-East trades which prevail at this season at lower levels. It has been shown that the higher parts of the South-West slopes of the mountain are in the lee of these North-Eastern anti-trades, and a counter – current is sucked up which deviates the South-East trades into a south-westerly direction and carries them high up the mountains. This phenomenon is obviously very similar to the A" reverse wind pattern” of Mount Kenya.

These South-Western winds bring rain from lower regions, and the moorlands are probably the wettest in the South-Western sector. Usually the South-West current builds up clouds in the morning, but doesn't get higher than 13,000-14,000 ft. Hence one often stands in clear weather on The Saddle, looking down on a sea of cloud to the South.

On some days, however, when the North-Eastern anti-trades are weak, cumulus clouds build up from the South-West to a great height and envelope the summit of Kibo, possibly with snowfalls. In addition these clouds afford protection against the evaporating effects of the sun on the South-Western slopes. Hence the obliquity of the ice-cap on Kibo, the western glaciers are being more extensive.

In the forest belt the South-Eastern slopes are the wettest, with over 60 ins. (1,500 mm.) per year around the altitude of 8,000 ft. In the North and West rainfall does not usually exceed 40 ins. (40 mm.) at the same altitude. The decrease in rainfall over 10,000 ft. seems to be even more marked on Kilimanjaro than on Mountain Kenya. Figures for The Saddle are not very reliable, but precipitation is probably under 10 ins. (250 mm.) here in the most years, and this area can truly be called a desert.


The seasons on Kilimanjaro are almost the same as on Mount Kenya, with slight differences due to its more southerly latitude. Thus the rainy seasons are from early March to the end of May, and from early November to the end of December. The driest months are from August to October, and at this time the chances of finding any snow patches or other sources of water supply are very poor at heights over 13,000 ft. As compensation the climber at this season may well be rewarded with clear skies and extensive views, although he will have to endure bitterly cold temperatures on Kibo to pay for these boons.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *