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The best time to visit Tanzania is during late June through October, when the country is at its driest. Of course, different people want different things from their time in this breathtaking East African country, which can make other seasons optimal as well. Some are hoping for optimum game viewing in the world-renowned reserves of the Northern Circuit, while others want good weather for a relaxing break at the beach. Weather is also a critical factor in being able to summit Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru; while many visitors want to be in the right place at the right time to witness the annual Great Migration. Read on to learn more about which season may be right for your visit to Tanzania.
Weather is probably the most important thing to consider when planning your trip. It’s challenging to apply universal rules to a country as large and geographically diverse as Tanzania, but there are basic weather patterns that give a general idea of what you can expect at any given time of year. Tanzania has two rainy seasons—a long one that usually occurs between March and May and a shorter one that takes place in November and December. The most pleasant time of year is the long dry season (June to October) when the weather is generally clear and sunny.1 Temperatures vary greatly depending on elevation, but in the reserves and on the coast, the weather is usually warm even in winter.
This incredible natural spectacle sees the annual migration of almost two million wildebeest and zebra between their grazing grounds in Tanzania and Kenya. While weather usually dictates the best time to go on safari, those that are traveling specifically to see the migration will need to follow slightly different rules. If you want to witness the wildebeest calving season, visit northern parks like the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area between December and March. In April and May, heavy rains make it difficult to follow the herds as they start their long journey northwest, so try to avoid booking a safari at this time. To witness the herds on the move, head to the Western Serengeti in June and July.
If you’re not too worried about catching the migration, then the best time to go on safari (whether you’re headed to the parks in the north or south) is during the long dry season. From June to October, the lack of rain means that animals are forced to congregate at the waterholes, making them much easier to spot. The foliage is less dense, too, which also helps. The weather is generally cooler and less humid (which is a significant plus if you’re planning on spending long hours out in the bush), and the roads are less likely to be made impassable by flooding. From a health perspective, the dry season is a better choice because disease-carrying mosquitoes are also less prevalent.
With that being said, Northern Circuit reserves like Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara usually offer good game-viewing throughout the year (except for Tarangire National Park, which is noticeably better during the long dry season).
Although it’s possible to climb Mount Kilimanjaro all year round, timing is a factor in your chances of a successful summit. There are two optimum climbing periods, both of which coincide with the dry season months of June to October and January to February. At other times of the year, seasonal rains can make the routes slippery and challenging to navigate. January and February are generally warmer than the winter months of June to October (although differences in temperature are minimal this close to the equator). Whatever time of year you decide to climb, make sure to bring cold weather gear, because the top of the mountain is perennially crowned with ice.
These rules also apply to Mount Meru, which is located in the same area as Kilimanjaro.
If you’re headed to the coast for a spot of R&R (or to any of Tanzania’s idyllic Indian Ocean islands), the best time to travel is during either of the dry seasons. The March to May rains are unusually heavy on the coast, making this time of year unreliable for devoted sun worshippers. The storms also disrupt underwater visibility, which can be disappointing for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Spring brings the “long rains” and is considered the low season throughout the country. Many camps will close during these months, but it’s easier to find good deals on lodging, and you won’t see as many other tourists.
Unification Day is celebrated on April 26, marking the day that Zanzibar joined Tanganyika to become the Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Mzalendo Halisi Music Festival takes place in May in northwest Dar es Salaam. It features traditional Tanzanian music by locals.
Migrations begin in the summer as rains subside in May. Most river crossings take place in July. Additionally, the weather is often colder and less humid. This a favorite season, as many other tourists flock to see wildlife.
The Zanzibar International Film Festival is typically held in July.
Mwaka Kogwa Festival is a four-day festival held in July and August. Locals beat each other with banana stalks to settle last year’s arguments.
Bird-watchers can catch migrations beginning in October. Meanwhile, great game drives can be had across the country as the herds spend their time at the Mara River through October. In November and December, wildlife returns to the southern Serengeti.
The coastal town of Bagamoyo hosts the annual Bagamoyo Arts Festival every September. The event features traditional and contemporary music and dance.
Beaches are popular from November through February with visitors from European. Wildebeest calving seasons occur from January through March in the country’s southern plains. You get to see hundreds of calves born each day.
The Sauti za Busara African music festival is held in February.
The Wanyambo Festival takes place in January, featuring lots of traditional music, dance, costumes, and food.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to the low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes. Acute mountain sickness is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes elevation, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Kilimanjaro’s peak is nearly 6000 metres above sea level. At this height, the air pressure (and the amount of oxygen it contains) is less than half that at sea level, and has been said to be comparable to ‘working with only one lung’. AMS can be serious, especially as it can be debilitating, and it generally occurs far from places where medical treatment can be easily administered.
Not everyone suffers from AMS, of course, and it is very difficult to predict who is or is not vulnerable to it. Generally speaking, a fit person is less vulnerable than an unfit person, because their cardiovascular system can operate at low pressures longer without as much strain. Even so, anyone can be vulnerable at altitudes above 3500 metres, no matter their fitness level, if they have not spent some time getting used to the low atmospheric pressures first. Undoubtedly the best way to see how you are going to react to high altitude is to go high and try to do some exercises. For most of us that isn’t an option so a good alternative is to have a session with a specialist altitude training programmer that have equipment that simulates the effects of altitude.
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is an illness caused by exposure to the low air pressure; especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes. There are a number of practical steps that you can take to minimize the chances of having to abandon your climb of Kilimanjaro due to the effects of altitude sickness.
Easier said than done if you live at sea level but if you are able to spend time at high altitude prior to the actual Kilimanjaro climb then this is the very best way to avoid altitude sickness. Climbing Mount Meru prior to Kilimanjaro is also an excellent option.
Start the climb in the best possible health and with an excellent level of physical fitness. If you are fatigued, unwell or stressed you are more likely to suffer from altitude sickness.
You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. Overworking your heart and lungs substantially increases your chance of becoming ill.
Getting up in the middle of the cold night may be an unpleasant thought but altitude dehydrates you and better you hydrate the quicker your body is able to acclimatize.
Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day. As dehydration presents many of the same symptoms as altitude sickness, your chances of being allowed to continue are best if you stay hydrated.
One very common effect of the altitude is a reduced appetite. We offer enticing meals, rich in “good” carbohydrates, carbohydrate foods is the most efficient fuel for optimizing performance at high altitude elevation, speeding up recovery and replenishing muscle glycogen stores for the next day’s activity. A high carbohydrate diet at altitude is recommended as an intervention to alleviate symptoms of AMS (acute mountain sickness)” as it increases ventilation and blood oxygenation. You should eat as much as you can at every meal. This will give you plenty of energy and help you to feel great during climb Kilimanjaro. It keeps warm and sleep well at night.
It is best to gradually climb higher each day, then descend lower to sleep. This lets you gradually become accustomed to lower pressures, and then recover somewhat overnight.
Sleeping well in a tent is a acquired skill. Spend a few nights out in your tent and sleeping bag prior to your climb so that you have your routine nailed and are used to sleeping in a sleeping bag on a hard surface.
Diamox is the prescription name for the generic drug acetazolamide, and though acetazolamide is prescribed for the medical treatment of glaucoma, sleep apnea, epilepsy and hypertension, it’s also used to prevent altitude sickness. The general consensus of the research is that Diamox is helpful in avoiding Acute mountain sickness. We use it when climbing Kilimanjaro. We recommend you to use diamox when you climb and its effects yourself, it is a prescription drug. You should consult with your doctor before taking it.
Relax and think positive. Although not pleasant the vast majority of people suffer only mild altitude sickness. Don’t think that every headache is cerebral oedema and every cough pulmonary oedema as this is unlikely. By relaxing and enjoying the climb you are far more likely to have a trouble free experience.
Most people book their Kilimanjaro climb well ahead, and this is where you can make the first mistake.
There are several climb routes up Kilimanjaro and there is a huge number of operators. A Kilimanjaro climb is expensive, so it’s tempting to look for the cheapest deal.
The cheapest Kilimanjaro climbs are also the shortest. Every day on the mountain will add a few hundred dollars to the price. It is possible to book a five day or even four day climb, and it would be a mistake to do so.
No responsible operator should be offering four day climbs to people who have no previous experience at high altitude trekking and are not acclimatised.
The (admittedly highly unreliable) statistics from the registration books at Mount Kilimanjaro National Park indicate that of all climbers on five day routes, only little over a quarter reach the summit!
All the five day routes offer an opportunity to add an extra day for acclimatization. Do spend the money on that extra day!
If you want to increase your chances of reaching the summit further, consider choosing one of the longer routes.
Altitude sickness and the effects of altitude on your body are a reality and need to be understood. We will try and describe in layman’s terms the basics of altitude sickness, the symptoms, how to treat it and the safety precautions involved when you climb Kilimanjaro. Though the dangers of altitude and the effect altitude has on your body while climbing Kilimanjaro is a reality, do not get discouraged from following your dream to climb Kilimanjaro. It needs to be illustrated to understand and prepare for successful Mount Kilimanjaro summit attempt.
If you remember the basics of biology and anatomy, human blood consists of red blood cells. The primary role of red blood cells amongst other things is to transport oxygen around your body. Now as you climb Kilimanjaro and slowly gain height, the effects of altitude on your body are going to become more apparent. The thinner air results in less oxygen. Air at sea level comprises about 21% oxygen, while the barometric pressure averages about 1 bar (1000 mbar). As altitude increases, the oxygen concentration remains the same but since the pressure falls the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 3,500 meters the barometric pressure is only about 630 mbar (depending on weather conditions), so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order then to supply adequate amounts of oxygen to your body your breathing rate – even while resting – must increase.
Without you even being conscious of the process, your body which likes to keep the balance, recognizes the fact that the oxygen levels are dropping. A secret code that gets sent from the brain gets sent to your neural network initiating your blood-making mechanism to produce more red blood cells. The reason is the current numbers of red blood cells are not sufficient, so your body creates a lot more to increase its chances of getting more oxygen. This process has some apparent side effects.
This extra breathing increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, but not to sea level volumes. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust itself to coping with less oxygen. This process is known as acclimatization. Failure to give your body the opportunity to undergo this process may lead to a condition known as acute mountain sickness or AMS.
Mount Kilimanjaro altitude sickness is classified as entry into the extremely high altitude zone:
1.High – 2,500 – 3,500 meters
2.Very High – 3,500 – 5,500 meters
3.Extremely high – 5,500+ meters.
Acute mountain sickness is common at altitude elevations over 3,000m is common and normal for most people to experience. During the regular acclimatization succession many climbers encounter the mild altitude symptoms and should be considered normal and acceptable. Altitude sickness is dependent upon several reasons; elevation gained with the rate of ascent, and the individual’s susceptibility level.
Mild altitude sickness does not interfere with regular activity, and symptoms generally subside within 2-4 days as the body acclimatizes. Symptoms usually start 12-24 hours during the altitude gain and begin to decrease in sternness about the third day, and they tend to be especially bad at night when respiratory drive is reduced. The mild AMS signs are a headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, disturbed sleep, and a general feeling of malaise. As long as symptoms are mild, and only a nuisance, ascent can continue at a moderate rate.
Altitude sickness is considered to be a neurological problem caused by changes in the central nervous system. It is a very mild form of High Altitude Cerebral Edema. When hiking, it is essential that you communicate any symptoms of altitude sickness immediately to the had guide. The only cure is acclimatization or else descent. Symptoms of mild AMS can be alleviated with Ibuprofen but keep in mind that reducing the symptoms is not curing the problem or treating the cause. If symptoms of mild AMS worsen, the climber may show early signs of moderate acute mountain sickness.
These signs includes severe headache, nausea and vomiting, increasing weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased coordination (ataxia). At this stage only descent can reverse the problem. Although the victim may still be able to walk on their own but normal activity is difficult. Descending even a hundred meters may help and significant change will be seen with a descent of 300-500 meters at the lower altitude within twenty-four hour. When the symptoms have subsided at this point, the person has become acclimatized to that altitude and can begin ascending again.
Most excellent assessment for moderate AMS is to walk heel to toe in a straight line. Just like a sobriety test, a person with ataxia will be unable to walk straight, apparent this is an indication for immediate descent. It is essential that the person descends before the ataxia reaches the point where they can no longer walk on their own. Our staff are trained in rapid evacuation techniques. The group member will be carried to a location of complete safety within hours, from any point on the mountain.
Acute Mountain Sickness is increase in the severity of the aforementioned symptoms, which requires immediate descent to lower altitude of around 1,000 meters.
HAPE and HACE as 2 other severe forms of altitude illness. Both of these happen less frequently, especially to those who are properly acclimatized. When they do occur, it is often because inexperienced people may go too high too fast, or else may go very high and stay there. The lack of oxygen results in leakage of fluid through the capillary walls into either the lungs or the brain.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema results from fluid build-up in the lungs. The fluid in the lungs prevents effective oxygen exchange. As the condition becomes more severe, the level of oxygen in the bloodstream decreases, and this can lead to cyanosis, impaired cerebral function, and death.
Symptoms include:
Confusion, and irrational behavior are signs that insufficient oxygen is reaching the brain. In cases of HAPE, immediate descent to around 1000m altitude is a necessary life-saving measure. Anyone suffering from HAPE must be evacuated to a medical facility for proper follow-up treatment.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema is the result of swelling of brain tissue from fluid leakage.
Symptoms can include:
It generally occurs after a week or more at high altitude. Severe instances can lead to death if not treated quickly. Immediate descent to 1,000m altitude is a necessary life-saving measure. Anyone suffering from HACE must be evacuated to a medical facility for proper follow-up treatment. No specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition can be used to predict susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some get it, and others don’t.
Acclimatization is the process your intelligent body goes through to adapt to the effects of altitude on your body while you climb Kilimanjaro. The human body needs time to adapt. When you climb Kilimanjaro, they best way to adapt to the effects of altitude is to go slowly ‘Pole Pole’ in Swahili language. The best way for your body to adapt to altitude is to move really, really slowly. This allows the intelligent body to adapt to the effects of altitude on Kilimanjaro. We also recommend that climbers drink at least 3 – 4 litres of water a day.
There’s no need to rush or exert your self while acclimatising on Mount Kilimanjaro. You shouldn’t climb higher than 300-500 meters/900-1500 ft per day. That’s not very hard to do and you might be tempted to go farther. But all it will bring you is headache, sleeplessness and possibly mountain illness.
Sometimes we have to push the limits but situations might force us into circumstances that we don’t like. That’s one thing. But to come up with mountain sickness due to impatience and ignorance is sad. It could cost you your life. The most important is rapid descent. Mountain sickness can kill fast!