Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climbs – 2023 to 2024 Dates

Full Moon Dates To Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro (2023-2024)

The dates shown here are the best estimations based on reliable meteorological conditions. If you want to see the full moon while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, call our adventure professionals to help you create the perfect weekend. On all full moon dates, it can get a little crowded, but a day earlier or later won’t change the effect or your experience.

Also, other dates can be found on different Kilimanjaro websites, but the information on all of them is not genuine. The dates shown below are for the actual full moon. When you book your trip with us, we’ll schedule your summit on Kilimanjaro around these dates.

Why is the Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climb so popular?

To begin with, the strong light of the full moon will accompany and assist you on your nighttime trip. It illuminates the glaciers and the rolling clouds below you on your six-hour trip up to Uhuru Peak. The soil beneath your feet gleams in the moonlight. Doesn’t that sound like a fantasy?

Second, ascending during a full moon increases visibility throughout your Kilimanjaro journey, especially during your summit attempt, because its brightness (when combined with a clear sky) improves visibility.

Finally, hiking Kilimanjaro with a full moon provides spectacular night views of Kibo from the majority of the overnight camps. To summarize, a full moon provides the following benefits:

1. Amazingly beautiful views
2. improved visibility during the summit attempt, usually done in total darkness
3. views of Kibo from most camps on Mount Kilimanjaro

As a result, a full moon elevates an already exceptional journey to even greater heights. The full moon is usually regarded as one of the finest times to climb Kilimanjaro during the month. When it comes to climbing, which month is the best?

Find out when is the ideal time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

What exactly is a full moon?

The lunar phase is when the Moon can be viewed fully from Earth is known as a full moon. This happens when the Earth lies squarely between the Sun and the Moon (or, more precisely, when the Sun and Moon’s ecliptic longitudes vary by 180°). As a result of all of this scientific jargon, the Moon looks perfectly round and wonderfully bright in the night sky once a month. The full moon comes every 29 days, giving you 12 chances to see it in a year. This spectacular celestial spectacle is only seen from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro once a month.

What the full moon on Kilimanjaro looks like

If you happen to be traveling to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro during a full moon, you’re in for a treat! When you climb Mount Kilimanjaro under the moon you should take advantage of the natural light it provides.

Hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro by the light of the moon is a unique experience, it does not matter which route you will choose but the experience becomes even better when you choose the more scenic routes like the Lemosho route.

You just see things differently and it’s a quieter, more serene environment on the trails.

Glittering glaciers

One of the key geographic features of Mount Kilimanjaro (and part of what makes it so unique) is its crowns of ice glaciers. Despite the mountain’s close proximity to the Equator, its glaciers have existed for more than 11,000 years, and they used to be more than 100 m (300 feet) deep and extended for 2 km (1.2 miles) from the mountaintop. Due to the effects of global warming and long-term climatic cycles, however, the ice has been thinning from the top down at a very alarming rate. Some scientists estimate that Kilimanjaro’s ice cap will be completely gone by 2050. So if you’re thinking about undertaking this epic climb, do yourself a favour and do it sooner rather than later. The glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro are definitely not something you want to miss!

Full moon dates

The dates for the 2020 full moons are shown below. If you want to see a full moon while climbing Kilimanjaro, talk to us about when you should schedule your trip. Please keep in mind that the dates shown below are best guesses based on reliable weather forecasting sources. Various Kilimanjaro operators’ websites may have different dates. As a result, don’t take this information at face value. We suggest double-checking dates on weather websites like this one.

Why choose to climb Kilimanjaro on full moon dates

The brilliant moonlight will give a stunning view of Kilimanjaro and its surroundings on a full moon night. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro at a full moon will add to the whole feeling of being on top of Africa.
One advantage of hiking under a full moon is that it illuminates your way even in complete darkness. On regular days, trekkers are required to use a headlamp, but on summit night, they are required to do so. However, on a clear night with a full moon, one may get away without needing to use a headlamp. However, we strongly advise you to bring a headlamp because the weather in the Kilimanjaro region is unpredictable. Nonetheless, take your time while deciding the items you’ll need for your packing list.

Most people want to climb Kilimanjaro under a full moon since the night hike to the top is considerably simpler and gratifying. This undoubtedly distinguishes and enhances your journey. Because the stunning glaciers of Kilimanjaro shine up during the full moon, you will be able to see the lovely landscapes of Tanzania.

What is a full moon?

So, what exactly is a full moon? It is a lunar phase when the moon can be viewed totally from the earth, according to a layperson. When the earth is directly between the sun and the moon, this happens. This phenomenon happens every 29 days, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the stunning celestial spectacle from the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The following elements contribute to the popularity of the Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climb:

1. Magnificent Views

During the night summit to Uhuru Peak, the dazzling light of the full moon will accompany and guide you. Your 6-hour ascent will be illuminated by the moonlight, with breathtaking vistas of the dazzling glaciers and rolling clouds below you.

The soil beneath your feet will be glistening with the moon’s beautiful light.

While climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with the full moon, visibility is better at night.

2. A better view of the top during the summit

When the moon’s brightness is combined with a clear sky, visibility will increase during the summit attempt. During the last leap, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to utilize your headlamp to guide you.

3. Kibo’s breathtaking views

Your campsites will provide you with spectacular views of Mt. Kibo. Kibo is the youngest and tallest of Kilimanjaro’s three separate volcanic cones.

Disadvantages of Climbing Kilimanjaro during a Full Moon

Climbing Kilimanjaro during full moon evenings is particularly popular since it provides climbers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience as well as breathtaking vistas of the surrounding area. On full moon evenings, though, it becomes too busy. We recommend avoiding dates near the full moon if you want a less crowded excursion.

Many people plan their trips around the full moon because of the intensity of the beauty of the Kilimanjaro trek. And there will undoubtedly be a large throng, particularly on the major Kilimanjaro routes. Another drawback of climbing Kilimanjaro during a full moon is that the moon’s brightness obscures the stars.

On a full moon night, a dedicated stargazer would be disappointed not to see a single star in the sky. It is preferable for them to walk on the new moon night, when the entire Kilimanjaro is blanketed in a blanket of the lovely starry sky.