BEST TIME TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO

What is the ideal time to climb Kilimanjaro?
The best time to conquer Kilimanjaro is during the dry months of December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October. These months boast the most favorable weather conditions, featuring clear skies, breathtaking views, minimal rainfall, and plenty of sunshine.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that weather can be unpredictable, regardless of the season.
You have the freedom to embark on your Kilimanjaro adventure at any time throughout the year, but certain months offer a better experience. We highly recommend choosing the driest months for your Mount Kilimanjaro excursion. On the other hand, we advise against climbing in April and November, as these are the main rainy seasons, which can make the trails more hazardous.
Looking to conquer Kilimanjaro? Wondering which month is perfect for your climb? Let's take a month-by-month look!
Unlike the Himalayas, Kilimanjaro is a mountain that is accessible all year round. However, it's important to be well-prepared for your adventure. Just a heads up, we usually don't organize climbs in April/May and November.
Feel free to choose any other month and get ready for an incredible experience on Africa's majestic peak!

• Climbing Kilimanjaro in January and February to early March

Enjoy the perfect trekking weather! You can expect mostly dry and clear days, offering excellent visibility. Although there might be occasional showers, you also have a good chance of encountering snow at altitudes above 14,000ft, presenting some amazing photo opportunities.

Despite being considered the "high season," it's usually less crowded on the slopes compared to the main climbing season from June to September. This makes it a great choice for those who prefer a good balance between fewer crowds and favorable weather conditions.

This option is ideal for hikers seeking to avoid crowds without compromising on dry weather. Additionally, having snow on the summit adds an extra touch of adventure.

• Climbing Kilimanjaro in March, April and May

Early March can be lovely, but as the month progresses, the rains can start to set in, making for muddy trails, cloudy skies, and poor visibility. In late March and late May, you can get lucky with some dry weather, but it’s a bit hit or miss.

April to early May are the long rains, and not suitable for climbing.

If your schedule dictates that you need to go during the shoulder seasons – late March and late May – you need to be prepared for wet weather, and not be disappointed by poor visibility.

Ideally, you’ll have some trekking experience already and won’t be phased by trickier trail conditions.

Best for: Experienced trekkers who want to avoid crowds, and who don’t mind unpredictable weather. We recommend the routes on the north side of the mountain.

• Climbing Kilimanjaro in June/ July/ August and September

A combination of the best weather and the US and Europe summer vacations means this is the main climbing season and the busiest time on the mountain. July and August are the most popular months, so if you want to try and avoid crowds, opt for June or September, or October if you don’t mind a bit of rain.

Occasional showers are always possible, particularly in the forest, but it’s a predominantly dry time of year. Routes tend to be busier during this period, especially over the full moon.

Best for: Climbers wanting the best weather for their trip, who aren’t deterred by crowds, which are mostly on the Marangu and Machame route.

• Climbing Kilimanjaro in October / November

Short rains usually come in November and last for 3-4 weeks. Often the rain is less persistent than in April-May (the “long rains”) and mostly come in the late afternoon. The mountain is very quiet during this time.

We would recommend the Rongai route or Northern circuit route as the northern side of the mountain is more sheltered and has less overall rainfall.

Best for: Avoiding crowds, experienced trekkers who aren’t put off by wet weather.

When can you climb Kilimanjaro – Important Considerations

Weather Conditions

Kilimanjaro is close to the equator and doesn’t experience the same four seasons as the more temperate parts of the world. Instead, it has rainy seasons and dry seasons, both of which alter the complexion of the mountain.

The best times to climb Kilimanjaro are the months of  January through early-March and  June through October. The clear skies, great views, and sunshine make for spectacular photo-opportunities and comfortable hiking conditions.

Temperature

Temperatures on the mountain vary with the seasons and also within the different climate zones as you climb higher.

The summit zone is considered “Arctic” and temperatures drop well below freezing at all times of the year.

December to March, and June (just after the rains) are usually the coldest, and there’s a good chance you’ll see snow on the summit. This reduces the number of visitors (as compared to July through August which is the busiest time).

Rain Rainy season

There are two distinct wet seasons in the Kilimanjaro area:

• Long rains: End of March through May
• Short rains: November

April and November usually have the highest rainfall, although this can vary.

The rainy season begins around mid-March and typically extends well into May. During this time, conditions can be wet, stormy and muddy on Kilimanjaro, particularly along its southern face.

Even in the dry season, it’s always possible to get some rain. That’s why we always carry good wet-weather gear in our daypacks.

Visibility: clouds, mist, and fog

You didn’t come all this way to trek through cloudy skies and fog. During late March to the end of May, and all of November, the visibility can be poor due to cloud cover. You won’t be seeing the panoramic vistas, and you won’t be getting great photos.

Crowds: Number of climbers on Kilimanjaro

As climbing Kilimanjaro becomes more popular, the favorable weather in January through early March, and June through October makes the mountain busier.

It’s usually the Marangu and Machame routes that suffer from some overcrowding. If you opt for one of the less busy routes, such as the Northern Circuits, Rongai or Lemosho, you’ll still get to enjoy the vistas without too many people.

One of the main downsides that climbers try to avoid when trekking during busy times is the overcrowding of the toilet facilities at campsites. We take care of our climbers by providing you with private toilet tents, used only by our group.

The sense of camaraderie and friendships forged by meeting other climbers more than makes up for it being a bit “busy”. Many of our clients have made lifelong friendships with people they’ve met on the mountain.

What’s the best time to climb Kilimanjaro without the crowds?

If you don’t mind the possibility of getting rained on and are well prepared, the shoulder-seasons just before and after the rains are the quietest time of year.

If you’re looking for solitude, it can be a worthwhile trade-off to risk a bit of wet weather to have the mountain to yourself.

We avoid climbing in the height of the rainy season (April/May and November).

Alternatively, choose one of the routes that has less foot traffic. In the wetter months, we recommend the routes on the northern side of the mountain, which tend to experience less rainfall, and are more sheltered.

Kilimanjaro Safety & Trail Conditions

If you’re an experienced hiker, you might not be concerned with slippery trails and a bit of mud.

For inexperienced hikers, we recommend climbing during the drier months. Less chance of rain means less stress and discomfort, giving you more time to enjoy your surroundings.

On the lower slopes, through the forest, the trail can become quite muddy, and higher up slippery, rocky trails can be a challenge.

We take your safety very seriously. Trust Tours guides are highly experienced and have hiked Kilimanjaro in all weathers. We monitor the weather and are flexible enough to be able to alter the daily itinerary during inclement conditions.

Getting wet increases your chance of getting extremely cold. As you ascend, your body already has to deal with the effects of altitude, and wet clothes can be the difference between a slight chill and hypothermia.

It’s extremely important for your safety and comfort to keep your gear dry, avoid getting soaking wet, and never stay in wet clothes!

You’ll need some very robust wet-weather gear (which we recommend at all times of the year), choose one of the less challenging itineraries, and make sure your gear, both in your daypack and duffel bag, are in waterproof bags.

Note: the Tanzanian government has banned the use of all plastic bags, so please don’t use garbage bags or ziploc bags to store any of your gear. We recommend waterproof stuff sacks.

Ultimately, apart from the really wet months, (April and November) there’s no “bad” time to climb Kili. Nor is there a “perfect” time to climb. Weather conditions on any mountain can be unpredictable – that’s all part of the adventure.

Full Moon (& New Moon) Climbs

Picture this: a cloudless midnight sky, illuminated by a full moon. You dress in your summit gear, come out of your tent and see the majesty of the mountain you are about to climb, lit by the moon. You hardly need your head torch as you ascend.

There’s something magical about climbing Kilimanjaro in the light of a full moon. Treks around the full moon can get quite busy, so bear this in mind if crowds are a problem for you.

You’ll need to start your trek ahead of the full moon date: for a 7-day trek, your start date would be five days before the date of the full moon. But bear in mind that the night before and after the actual full moon will be just as spectacular (and possibly quieter). Kilimanjaro full moon dates

If you find the full moon makes you feel like a wolf and start howling or find it difficult to sleep with the light, schedule your dates around the New Moon. With less light, you get fantastic star-gazing, with the constellations clearly visible.

A Note on the Kilimanjaro Climate Zones

You’ll be trekking through five main Kilimanjaro climate zones, each with unique weather patterns. Some have compared it to walking from the Equator to the North Pole.

• The lower slopes: cultivated/savanna zone and rain forest will normally be hot and humid and experience the most rainfall.
• The heath and moorland/low alpine zone is cooler, with less rainfall – precipitation is mostly fog and mist – and temperatures can drop dramatically at night.
• The alpine desert zone has very little rainfall, with scorching sun during the day, and freezing temperatures at night.
• Arctic Zone – this is the mountain at it’s most inhospitable. Bitterly cold, barely any rainfall – only snow – very little surface water and no protection from the sun.

Summing Up The best time to Climb Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but for your safety and comfort, Trust Tours and Safaris Company Tanzania avoids the long and short rains (April-May and November) and recommends the drier months. We can accommodate you if your schedule only allows you to trek in the shoulder-seasons.