Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro

When is the Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Located in northeastern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in the continent of Africa and highest freestanding mountain in the world at 5,895m. This epic peak attracts trekkers of all experience levels looking to take on the challenge of reaching Kilimanjaro summit from far and wide.

While Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is open all year round, conditions differ throughout the year so you may wish to spend some time contemplating the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. Fortunately, the weather on Kilimanjaro is fairly predictable, with distinct dry seasons and rainy seasons.

Here, we provide a complete breakdown of the Kilimanjaro climbing seasons including the best time for climbing Kilimanjaro, times to avoid and other factors to consider allowing you the best possible chance of success. The Kandoo Adventures team have a summit success rate of over 95% on all our trips, one of the highest in the industry, because we factor in acclimatisation days into all our trips, ensuring the best possible chance of success.

We recommend climbing Kilimanjaro on one of our Kilimanjaro routes during the warmest and driest time of the year, from June to October and December to March. In fact, we only run trips to Kilimanjaro during these ‘high’ seasons to ensure the safety of all our group members, the best chance of summit success, clear views from the top and a more enjoyable experience all round. For our advice on when to climb Kilimanjaro, keep reading!

Kilimanjaro, Season by Season

December to March

The period between mid-December and March is one of the best times of year for climbing Kilimanjaro on one of Kandoo Adventures trips to Kilimanjaro and you can expect to share the mountain with other like-minded trekkers. While this season is considered a ‘high season’, its often quieter on the slopes than the main climbing season of June to October and offers optimal climbing conditions, one of the highest summit success rates and spectacular views along the trail.

The weather on Kilimanjaro during this period is usually dry with clear skies that make for great views with the addition of a good chance of snow over 14,000ft, making for some epic photo opportunities. The temperature will be cold and there is a higher chance of snow at this time of year, so it’s important to make sure you have the necessary trekking gear. As Kilimanjaro is located close to the equator, temperatures at ground level may be warm but the higher you climb, the colder the conditions get, so layers of clothing are essential.

The Kandoo Adventures team at Kandoo HQ would probably say that December to March is the best time to visit Kilimanjaro, in our humble opinion, for all the reasons outlined above. In particular, the best month to climb Kilimanjaro is January. Theweather is warm and dry and there are a lot less hikers on the trail. Also, booking an adventure for the month after Christmas gives you something to look forward to in what can be a miserable month in the northern hemisphere.

April to May

The long rainy season starts at the end of March and continues through to early June. April to May sees long rains, increasing the chance of mishap. Trails are sure to be muddy, visibility might be reduced by the cloud cover and only the Machame Route and Marangu Route gates will be open. We do not recommend climbing Kilimanjaro during this time as it is likely to be much less enjoyable and the chance of successfully summiting is reduced due to these conditions.

Some tour operators do offer discounted prices during the rainy seasons and the lack of crowds could enable you to better appreciate the mountain's beauty – the highly popular Machame Route could be close to empty. But hiking for six or seven hours a day in the rain is the opposite of fun and risky if the weather is severe, and studies have demonstrated that people are more likely to give up.

The experts at Kandoo Adventures don’t offer trips to Kilimanjaro during these months and for good reason. Safety is a priority here at Kandoo and the weather conditions typical of this ‘off’ season lead to worsened trail conditions and increased danger. We would strongly sugges that this is not the best time for Kilimanjaro exploration.

June to October

The period between June and October is also considered a ‘high’ season and is one of the best times of year to climb Kilimanjaro. From June to October, the weather on Kilimanjaro will be dry. During this period, June to August is very cold but the sun comes out in September, there is little chance of rain and the trekking routes to Kilimanjaro summit, or Uhuru Peak, are generally free of snow. July and August are normally busy, and October is quieter but there might be low-lying cloud cover obstructing the views.

In terms of crowds, September is very busy, but if a quieter trekking route is a priority for you, taking a less popular route such as the Rongai Route or Lemosho Route may be preferable. The landscape of the Rongai route is flatter, drier and arguably easier, as evidenced by the high success rate experienced by those who climb Kilimanjaro but the landscape of Lemosho is particularly spectacular.

The team at Kandoo Adventures enjoy taking groups out to climb Kilimanjaro during this season and boast a 95% success rate on every one of our expeditions. For a high chance of success and a pleasant journey to boot, we would suggest that this is the best season to climb Kilimanjaro.

November

November is the short rainy season. As with April to May, we do not recommend climbing Kilimanjaro at this time as trails will be muddy and only the Machame Route and Marangu Route gates will be open, although the absence of crowds and presence of snow cover might make up for it. Kandoo don’t offer trips to Kilimanjaro during November because of the dangerous conditions caused by the weather typical of this time of year and as with all our trips, safety is our main concern.

Put off your Kili climb by around 8 weeks or so and you will definitely thank us for it!

Climbing Kilimanjaro During a Full Moon

Climbing Kilimanjaro during a full moon is popular among visitors as the glaciers are lit up by the bright moon, making the views from the summit particularly beautiful. No matter the Kilimanjaro route you choose, you will actually start your ascent to the Kilimanjaro summit around midnight on summit day. Planning your climb to coincide with a full moon is the ultimate enhancement to an already epic journey but you will have to book well in advance as these dates are very popular with visitors. Speak to the experienced team at Kandoo to find out more.

A practical reason for climbing during a full moon is that the brightness of the moon illuminates your journey, improving visibility which is especially useful during your summit attempt. You will also be greeted with magnificent night views of Kibo, the highest volcanic peak on Kilimanjaro, from most of the overnight camps. While most climbers tackle the summit by the light of their headlamps, those who book their Kilimanjaro climb during a full moon experience illumination from the moon (if it is a clear sky of course) which makes this awesome Kilimanjaro hike truly unforgettable.

Best Time to Add a Tanzania Safari Trip Extension

Most safari areas in Tanzania enjoy warm days and cool evenings year-round. The best time to visit Tanzania for a safari to spot wildlife is during the dry season from late June to October which conveniently aligns with one of the best times to climb Kilimanjaro. This is because the vegetation is dry during this period, making it much easier to spot game, as opposed to when the rains make the landscapes lush, green and easier for the wildlife to hide in.

After climbing Kilimanjaro, there are many amazing game viewing opportunities to be had visiting three of Tanzania’s best safari parks. With Kandoo Adventures trips to Kilimanjaro and Tanzania safari extension packages, explore Tanzania’s incredible Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park and go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in search of the elusive Big 5.

For the best possible Kilimanjaro trip, book your Kilimanjaro climbs and your African wildlife safari for June, July, August or September.

Travelling to Kilimanjaro

If you’re planning on embarking on a trip to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, you’ll need to consider how to get there. To climb Kilimanjaro, trekkers are usually required to organise their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We’d highly recommend flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport rather than the next closest, Arusha Airport (ARK) for better transportation to Kilimanjaro. Situated southwest of Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro Airport is located between Arusha and Moshi. Moshi is a 45-minute drive away from the airport and most trekkers will spend the night here before continuing to the mountain. For more information and alternative routes, check out our handy blog on how to get to Kilimanjaro and speak to the travel experts at Kandoo Adventures.

Best Times to climb kilimanjaro at a glance

Best months to climb Kilimanjaro

January, February, June, July, August, September, October, December

Kilimanjaro rainy season

There are two main wet seasons on Kilimanjaro. Mid march to early June is the main wet season and the conditions on the mountain can be unsafe which is why we do not operate trips during these months. November is referred to as the short wet and you'll find a wetter Kilimanjaro during this month. The best time to of year to climb mt Kilimanjaro are the months listed above.

Conditions to consider when deciding when to climb Kilimanjaro

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is either January to March or June to October. Both climbing seaons avoid dangerous conditions and give a better chance of summit success. There are a number of factors to take into consideration when deciding the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro.

Weather - during the dry season there still might be the odd shower but generally conditions are drier and brighter, offering a better trekking experience all round. The weather on Kilimanjaro can make a real difference to your experience so pick a time of year that will give you the best chance of success for your climb.

Temperature - apart from the rainy seasons on Kilimanjaro, there are not the same seasons here along the equator that we expect to see elsewhere. Temperatures are within a similar range all year round and the sun rises and sets within an hour of variance all year round. The temperature at the base of the mountain will be much warmer than on the summit, so making sure you are wearing lots of layers and have appropriate kit with you will ensure you are comfortable as the temperature decreases the higher you go.

Crowds - the peak season during July and August can be busy on the mountain as it is school holidays but September can also be busy after the kids have gone back to school and flight prices have reduced accordingly. To get the best of the weather and escape the crowds, consider October, January and February as some of the best months to climb Kilimanjaro.

Scenery - for cooler, drier months to climb Kilimanjaro consider June to October. During this time there will be less cloud coverage offering the best chance of catching those incredible views across northern Africa. Outside of this there may be snow on the mountain, which is beautiful in itself but can mean cloudy conditions which restrict the chances of the best views. For those wanting the best chance of sublime scenery, we would recommend July, August, September or October as the best time to visit Kilimanjaro.

So when will you climb Kilimanjaro???

Hopefully this has proven useful helping you decide when the best time to hike Kilimanjaro is. Check out our full range of Kilimanjaro treks below and start planning your next adventure with Kandoo, the travel experts.

Explore Our Kilimanjaro Treks