The dry season runs from July to September and July is usually the first month. Kilimanjaro in August can be dry, it is also cold especially in the early mornings.
There are no guarantees that there will be no rains during this month since it’s a dry season. Kilimanjaro in August, it’s expected to be hot but you should carry some clothes for the rain.
The Kilimanjaro is a tropical rain forest and it can rain any time of the year and day. It has however been noticed that it rains in the afternoons if it ever rains in the dry season and so this gives you chance to plan accordingly but this is also however not conclusive.
The disadvantage of trekking during these months is that the trails can become quite busy; some people welcome the opportunity to chat with other groups on the trail. Team spirit is very important for pushing yourself to the summit.
It’s always advised that you work with a local tour operator to help you determine the best time to travel since they are always on the grown and follow the weather developments.
How to Prepare your Kilimanjaro Hike
Like any other mountain, hiking the Kilimanjaro ranges is a common thing on traveler’s lists and this mountain is even more special as it is the tallest in Africa. There about 30,000 people that hike this mountain every year. This number doesn’t mean that the hike is an easy thing, you will need to have prepared yourself fit to hike this mountain.
Here are some of the things you can consider to prepare yourself for this hiking adventure.
- Fitness Training: You will need to test your strength and see how far you can go. The emphasis is on the legs and how your heart and the cardio system can hold up. Your joints and muscles will be tested.
- Altitude Sickness: The altitude sickness is the most common factor that affects most hikers of the Kilimanjaro. Therefore, you may have the fitness but then suffer altitude sickness. This inability to adapt to high altitude is known as the altitude sickness. This sickness can increase your chance of getting a cold or flu. You will be required to with draw until you feel better as this can affect your health and even cause death.
- Hiking Gear: You will need to prepare camping equipment and food supplies that will be carried by your allocated helpers. Make sure you have quality gear that will be able to with stand all the terrible conditions in the wild. Pay a lot of emphasis on clothes and foot wear.
