When determining the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, numerous aspects should be considered: temperature, views, traffic density on the journey, difficulty level, and safety. However, the overriding factor that influences all others is weather. Mount Kilimanjaro has an equatorial climate, which means that instead of four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn), it only has two: wet and dry. Wet seasons occur between April-May and November. Similar to other tropical countries, forecasting when the rain will start and cease is practically impossible. All other months are considered the “dry season,” with most days being bright; however, this does not ensure clear skies.
The two primary climbing seasons are July-August-September and January-February. Many people take their summer or Christmas vacations around this time, and the weather is ideal for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Rainy seasons deter the bulk of climbers. In April, May, and November, there is a strong likelihood of hiking through drizzle. Rain weakens the soil and makes the rocks slick, making your ascent slower and riskier. However, landscape photographers particularly enjoy Tanzania’s rainy season. More precipitation means more snow on the mountain, allowing for shots of Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped summit. Furthermore, it is the only season when you can avoid the “rush hours” on the routes and enjoy some quiet while hiking pristine snow-covered trails.
What is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
April-May
The “big” rainy season begins at the end of March and lasts until mid-May. Tanzania’s coldest season begins in April. These months see far fewer climbers than the rest of the year, but there is a good probability of hiking in the rain.
June-July
The frequency of rainfall steadily reduces. During these months, the weather on Kilimanjaro is mostly dry and clear, but the evenings remain frigid. June is often tranquil, sunny, and, in our opinion, significantly underappreciated in terms of climbing. June is a fantastic month to go on an adventure due of the great weather and routes that are nearly exclusively for your climbing group. The number of climbers grows throughout the year. Beginning in July, the majority of the routes will be very busy.
The peak climbing season on Kilimanjaro runs from August to September. The weather is ideal for climbing; the days are clear and slightly warmer than in June/July. At the same time, clouds may form in the forest/moorland zone, and rain may fall on the southern routes (Machame and Umbwe). However, as you exit the rainforest, the weather will be sunny.
October is another unfairly overlooked season: great weather lasts until mid-October, and the number of climbers lowers substantially, providing you the opportunity to enjoy Kilimanjaro excursions nearly alone. By the end of October, the weather gets increasingly unpredictable. As long as you are prepared to weather the occasional rain shower, this should not be a huge difficulty.
November marks the “small” rainy season. The rainy weather may linger until mid-December. The temperatures will have fallen, and the mountain will be covered in mist, making your trek significantly trickier and riskier, but also more challenging and exhilarating. November may not be the ideal month for weather, but it does provide an excellent opportunity to experience the stunning vistas of mist-covered Mount Kilimanjaro with its snow-capped top and capture some fantastic photographs.
December – January Christmas and New Year’s is the second busiest climbing season on Kilimanjaro. The traffic is extremely heavy, however there is a good probability of rain and thick clouds at Kilimanjaro’s lower heights.
Climbers are most active between mid-January and mid-March. The weather is wonderfully balanced: neither cold nor damp. The days are normally dry, though occasional rains may occur. The chance of rain increases in the second part of March as the season of “big rains” approaches.
