Some climbers prefer to summit during a full moon.
Summiting Kilimanjaro on a cloudless full moon night is without a doubt an unforgettable experience. The glaciers glittering in the moonlight are absolutely stunning. For obvious reasons the moonlight will also make the final night climb on your summit night easier and most of the time it will be unnecessary to even switch on your head lamp. Planning your summit attempt to coincide with the full moon dates can enhance your whole trek up the mountain and offer you some magnificent night views of Kibo from most of the overnight camps.
To summit during a full moon, a 7-day climb should start 5 days prior to the full moon date. It is not necessary to summit on the exact full moon date to take advantage of moonlight. Reaching the summit on the day before or day after is just as good.
For those who favor a less crowded climb, avoid the full moon completely as these dates attract many climbers. Another method of escaping crowds is to choose an “off” day of departure. Most climbers will begin their climbs on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
