Kilimanjaro stands a scant 205 miles south of the equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania. Its location on an open plain close to the Indian Ocean, and its great size and height strongly influence the climate, vegetation, animal life and climbing conditions. It is made up of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 19,340 feet (5,895 meters), Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5,149 meters); and Shira 13,000 feet (3,962 meters).

Even though you can climb throughout the year, January, February and September are the best months, with July, August, November and December also being good.

Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on Kilimanjaro. The range begins with the warm, dry plains and average temperatures of 85° F, ascends through a wide belt of wet tropical forest, and passes through zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall, to the summit, where there is permanent ice and below freezing temperatures.

The rainiest period is March to June. The fact that most months of the year have so few rainy days makes it possible to climb in relatively good conditions year-round. During the rainy period of March to May, clouds tend to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and rain at the base. Visibility can be limited by cloud cover even when no rain falls. The temperature at this time of year is relatively warm. The dry season, beginning in late June and lasting through July can be very cold at night, but usually is clear of clouds. August and September are also cool and can have completely clear days, but usually a dripping cloud belt girdles the mountain above the forest and moorland. The summit can be totally clear and the successful climber looks down on a vast sea of clouds with distant mountain peaks poking through like islands.

The shorter rainy period from October to December often has thunderstorms that pass over the mountain, dropping rain as they go. Typically the clouds disappear in the evening, leaving nights and mornings clear with excellent visibility. January and February are usually dry, warm and clear, with brief rain showers that make for good climbing conditions.

Kilimanjaro towers above the Great Rift Valley—possible birthplace of humankind and the site of the Leakey's research in the Olduvai Gorge. This gives Kilimanjaro an awesome mystique. One can imagine the mountain towering above our ancestors, making an early, continual impression on the species. When you walk the mountain, you'll probably encounter some odd, purposeful arrangements of stone. Your guides will claim to not know what they mean. Perhaps they don't.

On Kilimanjaro, some mysteries may never be answered.