Clear skies over snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro

Planning your climb

Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro

You can climb Kilimanjaro all year round, but two dry seasons offer the clearest skies, the safest trails, and the highest chance of reaching the summit. Here’s exactly when to go.

The short answer

Two dry seasons stand above the rest

Kilimanjaro sits close to the equator, so it doesn’t have summer and winter — it has dry seasons and rainy seasons. The dry months bring more stable weather, firmer trails, and clearer summit views, which is why they carry the highest success rates.

Jan – early MarWarm & clear. Excellent conditions, slightly quieter, with a chance of fresh snow near the summit.

Jun – OctDry & reliable. The main climbing season — the most stable weather of the year, and the busiest.

Clear conditions on the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro during the dry season

Month by month

The Kilimanjaro climbing calendar

A quick view of what to expect across the year. Green months are your best bet; blue months are the rains.

Jan

Excellent

Feb

Excellent

Mar

Good (early)

Apr

Long rains

May

Long rains

Jun

Good

Jul

Excellent

Aug

Excellent

Sep

Excellent

Oct

Good

Nov

Short rains

Dec

Good (busy)

Excellent — peak conditions Good — climbable, watch the shoulders Short rains — lighter, afternoon showers Long rains — best avoided

The best windows

A closer look at the two prime seasons

Climbers on clear high slopes of Kilimanjaro in the January to March season

Warm & scenic

January to early March

Clear skies · fewer crowds · colder nights

Often the most beautiful time to climb. Days are warm and skies are typically clear, with a good chance of fresh snow dusting the summit for postcard views. Trails are quieter than the mid-year peak, so it’s ideal if you want strong conditions without the biggest crowds. Aim to summit before the long rains arrive in late March.

Most reliable

June to October

Driest weather · busiest trails · highest success

The main trekking season and the safest bet for stable weather. July, August and September are the driest, coldest and most popular months, so book early. This window also lines up with many climbers’ summer holidays — expect company on the busier routes, and consider a quieter route if solitude matters to you.

Lush green rainforest on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro during the wet season

The rainy seasons

When it rains — and when it’s still doable

Long rains: late March to May. The wettest stretch of the year, with April usually the peak. Trails turn muddy and slippery, cloud hides the views, and summit success drops. For most climbers this is the season to avoid.

Short rains: November. Much lighter than the long rains, usually brief afternoon showers with clear mornings. Some climbers happily go now for empty trails and a green, dramatic landscape — just pack good waterproofs.

If you do climb in the wetter months, the Rongai and Northern Circuit routes on the drier northern side of the mountain are your smartest choice.

Weather & temperature

You climb through five climate zones — and every one is different

No matter which month you choose, Kilimanjaro takes you from tropical warmth at the gate to arctic cold at the summit in just a few days. Season affects rain and crowds far more than it affects the summit cold: the top is freezing year-round, with summit-night temperatures that can plunge well below zero.

That’s why layering matters more than timing. Here’s roughly what each zone feels like:

Cultivation & rainforest (base)20 to 27°C
Heath & moorland5 to 15°C
Alpine desert-1 to 10°C
Arctic summit zone-7 to -29°C

Cold arctic conditions near the summit of Kilimanjaro

A Kilimanjaro camp beneath a bright, star-filled night sky

Timing your summit

Climbing around the full moon

Most climbers reach the summit in the dark, setting off around midnight to stand on Uhuru Peak at sunrise. Timing your climb so that summit night falls on or near a full moon means bright, natural light on the final push — and a glowing glacier that’s hard to forget.

It’s not essential, and full-moon dates are popular, so trails can be busier. But if the view matters to you, it’s worth planning your start date backwards from the full moon. Tell us your travel window and we can line it up.

Good to know

A few things that affect your choice of dates

Crowds vs solitude

July, August and the Christmas holidays are busiest. Want quiet trails? Try late January, early March, or a quieter route in any season.

Route matters as much as month

In wetter months, the drier northern routes (Rongai, Northern Circuit) are the safer choice. In peak season, any route is a good bet.

Festive climbs book out early

Christmas and New Year on the summit are hugely popular. If you want those dates, reserve months ahead to secure your spot.

The bottom line

The best months are January to early March, and June to October

Pick a dry-season month, choose a route that suits the conditions, and give yourself enough days to acclimatize — and you’ll give yourself the best possible chance at the summit. Not sure which window fits your plans?

Plan your climb dates with us