The Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro

Choosing when to climb Kilimanjaro can significantly impact your experience and success rate. While Africa's highest peak can be climbed year-round, certain months offer better conditions, clearer views, and higher chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. Here's everything you need to know about timing your Kilimanjaro climb.

The Two Best Seasons for Climbing Kilimanjaro:

January to March (Dry Season)

• Coldest temperatures but clearest skies

• Lower precipitation

• Fewer crowds than peak season

• Excellent visibility for summit day

• Best for experienced trekkers comfortable with cold

  
  

June to October (Peak Dry Season)

• Warmest and driest conditions

• Most popular climbing period

• Busiest on the mountain (especially August-September)

• Highest success rates

• Best for first-time climbers

Month-by-Month Breakdown:

January

• Weather: Cold and dry with clear skiesTemperature Range: -7°C to 21°C (20°F to 70°F)

• Crowds: Moderate

• Success Rate: High

• January is one of the best months to climb Kilimanjaro. Following the short rains, the mountain is lush and beautiful with minimal precipitation. Mornings are crisp and clear, perfect for summit attempts. The cold temperatures mean you'll need proper winter gear, but the stunning views and quieter trails make it worthwhile.

• Pros: Clear skies, beautiful scenery, fewer crowds than peak season, excellent visibility

• Cons: Very cold, especially at summit, can still catch tail end of short rains early in the month

  
  

February

• Weather: Dry and cold, warmest of the "cold" months

• Temperature Range: -6°C to 22°C (21°F to 72°F)

• Crowds: Moderate

• Success Rate: Very High

• February is arguably the best month to climb Kilimanjaro. The weather is stable, skies are clear, and temperatures are slightly warmer than January. This is considered one of the prime climbing windows with excellent summit success rates.

• Pros: Ideal weather conditions, clear summit views, moderate crowds, high success ratesCons: Still cold at higher altitudes, popular with groups so some routes can be busy

  
  

March

• Weather: Transitioning to long rains, increasingly wet

• Temperature Range: -5°C to 23°C (23°F to 73°F)Crowds: Decreasing as month progresses

• Success Rate: Moderate to High

• Early March can still offer good climbing conditions, but the long rains typically begin mid-to-late month. If you're flexible with dates and don't mind some rain, you can find quieter trails.

• Pros: Fewer climbers, still decent conditions early month

• Cons: Increasing rainfall as month progresses, muddy and slippery trails, reduced visibility

April

• Weather: Heavy long rains

• Temperature Range: -4°C to 21°C (25°F to 70°F)

• Crowds: Very Low

• Success Rate: Low to Moderate

• April is the wettest month and generally not recommended for climbing. The mountain receives heavy rainfall, trails become muddy and treacherous, and summit attempts are often hampered by poor visibility and snow.

• Pros: Very few climbers, significant discounts from operators, lush green scenery

• Cons: Heavy rain, muddy trails, snow at summit, reduced visibility, lower success rates, challenging conditions

• Our Advice: Avoid April unless you're an experienced mountaineer seeking a challenge and extreme solitude.

May

• Weather: End of long rains, still wet

• Temperature Range: -4°C to 22°C (25°F to 72°F)

• Crowds: Low

• Success Rate: Moderate

• May continues the rainy season, though conditions improve toward the end of the month. Late May can offer a good compromise between weather and crowds as the mountain begins to dry out.

• Pros: Quiet trails, improving conditions later in month, beautiful and green

• Cons: Still rainy, particularly early-mid month, muddy trails, unpredictable weather

June

• Weather: Beginning of dry season, excellent conditions

• Temperature Range: -7°C to 21°C (19°F to 70°F)

• Crowds: Increasing

• Success Rate: High

• June marks the beginning of the peak climbing season. As the long rains end, the trails dry out and conditions become ideal. Crowds start to build but aren't yet at their peak.

• Pros: Excellent weather, dry trails, clear skies, high success rates, beautiful post-rain scenery

• Cons: Cooler temperatures, increasing crowds as month progresses

  
  

July

• Weather: Dry season, excellent climbing conditions

• Temperature Range: -8°C to 20°C (18°F to 68°F)

• Crowds: High

• Success Rate: Very High

• July is peak climbing season with outstanding conditions. The weather is stable, skies are clear, and success rates are among the highest of the year. However, popular routes (especially Machame and Marangu) can feel crowded.

• Pros: Perfect weather conditions, high success rates, excellent visibility, stable conditions

• Cons: Crowded trails, cold temperatures at summit, advance booking essential

• Popular with: School holidays make this busy with families and student groups.

August

• Weather: Peak dry season, best overall conditions

• Temperature Range: -9°C to 21°C (16°F to 70°F)

• Crowds: Very High (busiest month)

• Success Rate: Very High

• August offers the most reliable weather conditions and highest success rates, but it's also the busiest month on the mountain. If you don't mind crowds and book well in advance, this is an excellent time to climb.

• Pros: Best weather of the year, highest success rates, clear summit views, stable conditions

• Cons: Very crowded (especially Machame route), cold at altitude, book 6-12 months ahead

• Insider Tip: Consider the Rongai or Northern Circuit routes to avoid crowds.

September

• Weather: End of peak dry season, still excellent

• Temperature Range: -7°C to 22°C (19°F to 72°F)

• Crowds: High

• Success Rate: Very High

• September maintains excellent climbing conditions with slightly fewer crowds than August. This is a sweet spot for many climbers - great weather without quite the peak season rush.

• Pros: Excellent conditions, high success rates, slightly less crowded than July-August

• Cons: Still busy on popular routes, cold at higher elevations

October

• Weather: End of dry season, increasingly variable

• Temperature Range: -5°C to 23°C (23°F to 73°F)

• Crowds: Moderate, decreasing

• Success Rate: High

• October sees crowds thinning as the short rains approach. Early October still offers great conditions, though weather becomes more unpredictable toward month's end.

• Pros: Good weather (especially early month), decreasing crowds

• Cons: Increasing chance of rain late month, more variable conditions, warming temperatures

November

• Weather: Short rains, wet conditions

• Temperature Range: -4°C to 22°C (25°F to 72°F)

• Crowds: Low

• Success Rate: Moderate

• November experiences the short rains, though they're less intense than the long rains of April-May. Some climbers successfully summit, but conditions can be unpredictable.

• Pros: Quiet trails, shorter rain period than April-May, still possible to summit

• Cons: Rainfall, muddy trails, afternoon storms common, reduced visibility

• Our Take: Late November can work if you're flexible and don't mind some wet conditions.

December

• Weather: Short rains ending, improving conditions

• Temperature Range: -6°C to 22°C (21°F to 72°F)

• Crowds: Increasing (especially late month)

• Success Rate: Moderate to High

• December starts wet but improves significantly, especially after mid-month. The festive period sees increased climbers, with Christmas and New Year summits being particularly popular.

• Pros: Improving weather, festive atmosphere, green scenery, good visibility toward month end

• Cons: Rainy early month, crowded during Christmas/New Year, advance booking essential for holiday period

Key Factors to Consider:

Temperature

Kilimanjaro's temperature varies dramatically by altitude. At the base (1,800m), expect tropical temperatures of 20-27°C. At the summit (5,895m), temperatures range from -20°C to -10°C, especially at night.

The coldest months at summit are January-February and July-August. If you're sensitive to cold, consider climbing in September-October or February-March for slightly milder temperatures.

Rainfall

The two rainy seasons significantly impact climbing conditions:

• Long Rains: Mid-March to May (heaviest in April)

• Short Rains: November to early December (lighter, more unpredictable)

Rain makes trails slippery, creates muddy conditions, and reduces visibility. Success rates drop during rainy seasons.

Crowds

Peak season (July-September) brings the most climbers. If you value solitude, consider:

• January-February (good weather, fewer people)

• Late May or early June (conditions improving, crowds haven't arrived)

• October (good weather, crowds decreasing)

  
  

Success Rates

Success rates are highest during:

• January-March (especially February)

• June-October (especially August-September)

Success rates drop during rainy seasons due to poor conditions, visibility, and increased difficulty.

Your Fitness and Experience

• First-time trekkers: July-September offers most stable conditions

• Experienced mountaineers: January-March provides excellent conditions with fewer crowds

• Those sensitive to cold: September-October or February-March

  
  

Special Considerations:

Full Moon Summits

Many climbers aim to summit during a full moon for natural illumination during the night ascent. This creates a magical experience but also means more crowded summit nights. If interested, plan your climb so summit night coincides with the full moon (typically your 5th-7th night, depending on route).

Combining with Safari

If planning a Kilimanjaro + safari combo:

• July-October: Excellent for both climbing and wildlife (Great Migration in Masai Mara)

• January-February: Great climbing weather plus calving season in Serengeti

• June: Good for both, with improving climbing conditions and start of migration

  
  

Physical Preparation Time

Regardless of when you climb, allow 3-6 months for proper training and acclimatization preparation. Book your climb first, then structure your training around your departure date.

Route Selection and Timing:

Different routes have different exposure to weather:

More Protected Routes (Better for Wetter Months):

• Rongai (northern side, drier)

• Marangu (hut accommodation)

More Exposed Routes (Best for Dry Season):

• Lemosho

• Machame

• Northern Circuit

  
  

Our Top Recommendations:

Best Overall: January-February & July-September

These months offer optimal conditions with high success rates. February and August-September are particularly excellent.

Best for Avoiding Crowds: Late June & Early October

You'll catch the tail ends of dry season with fewer climbers and still-excellent conditions.

Best for Experienced Climbers Seeking Challenge: April-May

If you want the mountain to yourself and don't mind tough conditions, the rainy season offers solitude.

Best for Clear Summit Views: January-February & August

These months typically offer the clearest skies and most spectacular summit sunrise views.

How to Decide:

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What's your priority? Weather, crowds, or wildlife viewing?

2. How flexible are you? Can you adjust dates if weather looks poor?

3. What's your cold tolerance? Willing to face -20°C at summit?

4. Are you combining with safari? Wildlife viewing seasons may influence timing.

5. How far in advance can you book? Peak season requires 6-12 months advance booking.

   
   

Final Advice

The "best" time to climb Kilimanjaro depends on your priorities and circumstances. For most first-time climbers, we recommend:

First Choice: July-September (especially August) for most reliable conditions

Second Choice: January-February for excellent weather with fewer crowds

Whatever month you choose, proper preparation, adequate acclimatisation time (choose 7-8 day routes over 5-6 days), and a reputable operator matter far more than perfect timing.

Ready to Climb Kilimanjaro?

At Summit Wild, we've guided hundreds of climbers to the Roof of Africa across all seasons. We'll help you choose the perfect time based on your priorities, combine your climb with unforgettable safari experiences, and ensure you're fully prepared for this bucket-list adventure.