The Kilimanjaro Mountains are made up several types of vegetation zones. There are about five distinct vegetation types on the Kilimanjaro.
Every vegetation type runs about 100 meters. In the range of about 800 to about 1800 meters there will be human settlement and human activity.
Each vegetation zone as unique features that distinguishes them from the rest of the zones.
The Kilimanjaro is such a tedious activity as you can compare it to crossing the equator since you keep moving from cold to hot every now and then just like crossing from the north to southern pole.
The Kilimanjaro stands at about 5,895 meters above sea level. Being the tallest mountain in the Africa gives it characteristic to create its own micro-climates which in turn influence different vegetation zones of these ranges.
Therefore, for every sub climate zone you change, the fauna and fauna will also change.
The Base of the mountain is at an average o about 800 meters above sea level and the summit is at 5,895 meters above sea level and this gap will definitely have segments that have climate and vegetation and animals that differ for the other segment.
There are warm temperatures at the base and the snow at the top of course I’ll give you the freezing the temperature at the summit. Here is one of the Zones of the Kilimanjaro.
Rain-Forest Zone
This zone of the Kilimanjaro is heavily forested like the name suggests. The temperatures are really low especially during the night.
This area is almost always wet and it can rain any time of the day or year.
You are advised to visit Kilimanjaro in the dry season that comes in the months of Mid June to September and December to February but this forest will precipitate any time and therefore prepare for both the heat and rain while you hike the Kilimanjaro.
Some of the animals of the you expect to see are colobus monkeys and Blue monkeys that will be playing the canopy of the forest, of course you will see a lot of forest birds.
There are Antelopes, Buffalos and forest elephants. Among the plant species you expect are figs, olive trees, palms, ferns and orchids.
The most animals be found on the trails of Rongai, Shira and Lemosho. Try the possibility of starting your hike at one of these gates.
- Altitude: 6,000 to 9,200 ft. ASL
- DAY TEMPS: 70s – 90s F
- NIGHT TEMPS: 40s – 60s F
- Precipitation: 79 to 40 inches
