General Information

Tanzania and Kenya are in the tropics and have a temperate/tropical climate with pleasant temperatures year-round, though different regions vary slightly due to their geographical situations.  South-western Kenya and central Tanzania are on a plateau roughly 1200 metres above sea level, making the climate temperate - days can be hot but nighttimes chilly once the sun has set.  There are no real seasonal changes because of the proximity of the equator (the top of Mt Kenya is within 20km of the equator).  The weather is normally settled with temperatures around 20-25 degrees C in between the 'long rains' from March to May and the 'short rains' from mid-October to early December. 

It can be a good time to travel just after one of the rainy seasons because it brings a vibrant touch of colour to the countryside.  Conversely before the rains come the animals gather around the remaining waterholes, which can make for better game viewing as there is a better concentration of game.

The annual migrations that take place in the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Parks are one of the best spectacles on earth - to see hundreds of thousands of animals moving in search of the rains and lush grass is amazing.  Heading north from the Serengeti to 'the Mara' in July-August, until October when they start to return south, they transform the areas they visit; from being empty plains one day to being full of thousands upon thousands of animals - the noise is deafening!

When on safari it should be noted that mornings can be cool, and a spare top or a light fleece can be needed for the first hour of the day and as the sun goes down in the evening.

The long and short rains affect Mt Kenya, Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro as well, but they rarely last for more than a few hours per day and bring the usually dry and arid flora on the mountain to life.  There is a better chance of snow on the summits during the rainy seasons, though the rains do not generally have as much effect over 3,750m.  If there is increased cloud cover it can be markedly cooler to trek during the rains as there is less direct sunlight, and the true temperature due to the altitude can be felt.  During the rains we do not run any trips, but the rainy seasons are not punctual and can be early, late, or just about non-existent.  A little rain can fall either side of the recognised 'rainy seasons', so waterproof clothing is always a requirement.

Mornings are usually clear on the mountains with the possibility of cloud building in the day as the air warms the surrounding plains and rain forest.  However it is rare for there not to be some direct sunlight during the day.  Care should be taken year-round because harmful UV rays from the sun are more powerful at altitude and can cause sunburn - hats, sunglasses and sun cream are important pieces of equipment.  On the lower slopes, temperatures are the same as the surrounding plains (trousers/shorts and a light top are fine for most of the time), but drop with increasing altitude down to below freezing on the summits and snow can fall at anytime of year.  During the trek up Kili, Mt Kenya and Mt Meru, from about 3,800 metres the temperature drops with the setting sun down to freezing and below overnight.  As a result of the early start on the summit days of all the big peaks, we trek through the coldest part of the night at considerable altitude making it very cold indeed (down to -15) but with the sunrise it warms up dramatically.  Nevertheless ambient temperatures remain below or around freezing - a small patch of shade from the sun is a quick and surprising reminder of this. 

Kilimanjaro is famous for the sparkling glaciers on its summit, but as an effect of global warming these are retreating.  The top of Kibo was covered in an ice cap in the past that came down to 3,000 metres, but now the glaciers are only found on the summit.  Scientific research varies as to when the glaciers will have melted by - some predicts by as early as 2015 to 2020, whereas other research predicts by 2040.  However it is still very cold up there and warm clothing is needed on the summits of the big mountains.  Climbing one of the big East African mountains is like walking (temperature-wise) from the equator to the arctic in a week, starting from the warm plains and climbing to glaciers (in Africa!!) is a unique experience.