Fullmoon Kilimanjaro Trekking.
Info: Summiting Kilimanjaro on a cloudless full moon night is without a doubt an unforgettable experience. The once-in-a-lifetime view of the glaciers glittering in the moonlight is absolutely stunning. Planning your climb to coincide with a full moon is the ultimate enhancement to an already epic journey.
While it is not necessary to summit on the exact full moon date to take advantage of the beautiful moonlight along your climb, a 7-day trek should begin 5 days prior to the full moon date.
What is a full moon?
The full moon occurs when the earth is located directly between the sun and the moon, causing the moon to be completely illuminated (it looks completely round and bright). A Kilimanjaro full moon happens about every 29 days
Importance of Kilimanjaro full moon dates
Don’t miss the experience of a lifetime, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro during a full moon, seeing the glaciers glittering in the moonlight… simply stunning! Many climbers choose the full moon to coincide with their Kilimanjaro climb as when there are clear skies the bright full moon gives them enhanced visibility. It is a very popular time to climb and gets booked up early, see below for full moon dates.
Why is the Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climb so popular?
You’ll be accompanied and guided in your night-time trek by the bright light of the full moon. It illuminates your six-hour journey up to Uhuru Peak, making the glaciers glitter and the rolling clouds below you glow. The moonlight also makes the earth beneath your feet glisten.
Practical reason for climbing during a full moon is that its brightness (when paired with a clear sky) improves visibility throughout your Kilimanjaro trek, especially during your summit attempt.
Climbing Kilimanjaro during a full moon offers you magnificent night views of Kibo from most of the overnight
Suggestions
If you want to avoid the crowds, plan your summit for a day before or after the full moon. That way you still get the moon, without the crowds of people.
The only negative side of trekking under a full moon is that the stars are obscured by the brightness. If you’re a passionate star gazer then you would be best to trek under a new moon when the whole of Kilimanjaro lies under a blanket of beautiful stars.
In order to summit on a full moon date, you’ll need to time your climb right. This means that if you are trekking a 7 day route you should depart 5 day prior to the full moon and if you are trekking a 6 day route you should depart 4 days before the full moon.
Kilimanjaro full moon dates and new moon dates for 2023 and 2024 as shown in the table:
| Month | Year 2023 | Year 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28th | 17th |
| Febuary | 27th | 16th |
| March | 28th | 18th |
| April | 27th | 16th |
| May | 26th | 15th |
| June | 24th | 14th |
| July | 24th | 13th |
| August | 22nd | 11th |
| September | 21st | 10th |
| October | 20th | 9th |
| November | 19th | 8th |
| December | 19th | 7th |
