Places / Kilimanjaro
UV index at Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak), Tanzania
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 metres, and it stands only about 3° south of the equator. Routes climb through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to the glaciers near the summit.
Elevation and your real UV
The forecast on this page covers the general area around Kilimanjaro. Weather models don’t resolve individual peaks and valleys, so treat it as the level of the rainforest gates (roughly 5,900 ft). The WHO says UV rises by 10% to 12% for every 1,000 metres you climb. Using that rule of thumb:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| The rainforest gates | 1,800 m (roughly 5,900 ft) | Baseline |
| Barranco Camp | 3,950 m (about 12,960 ft) | about 22% to 26% more UV |
| Uhuru Peak | 5,895 m (19,341 ft) | about 41% to 49% more UV |
Read the peak UV from the chart above, then adjust it up for where you’ll actually be. There’s a worked example in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
The mountain has two main dry seasons, roughly January to March and June to October, when skies are clearer. But the sun is nearly overhead all year, so UV is very high in any season. The rainforest section is shaded, and everything above it is wide open.
On the trail
Once you leave the forest, there is no shade. The final push to Uhuru Peak usually starts around midnight, reaching the summit at sunrise, followed by a long descent in strong sun. Ice and pale rock add reflection near the top.
Sun protection tips for Kilimanjaro
- You go from rainforest shade to open alpine desert in a day or two. Put full sun protection on before you leave the trees.
- Sunglasses with side protection are essential near the summit and glaciers.
- The summit descent is in bright sun after a night of climbing. Reapply and cover up before you go down.
- Altitude and latitude compound. Expect extreme UV on clear days.
Similar places
Related guides
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- When Is UV Strongest During the Day? Best Times to Hike
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 20, 2026.