The best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro
When you want to climb a mountain, you should really check the weather beforehand and the same goes for Mount Kilimanjaro. When you’re travelling from far away, it’s good to know the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro is.
Kilimanjaro has its best times of the year and seasons with vast differences in expected temperatures, sunshine, clouds, rain and snow on the summit. When the weather is the best, the crowds are also the biggest. At the same time, you may have your own time constraints when you can or cannot climb, and you may want to combine your climb with a safari or other activities in Tanzania. This means that the best season to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is not a one-size-fits-all answer, but depends very much also on your personal preferences.
Dry seasons on Kilimanjaro
The best time to hike Kilimanjaro is during the dry months of January to February and June to October. When you climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you will first and foremost want to stay dry and warm—unless you are a very experienced mountaineer used to harsh weather conditions. This means that you will want to avoid the rainy seasons which usually last from March to May and November to December.
That’s why the dry months of January to February, as well as June to October, are the best seasons to climb Kilimanjaro.
What is the wettest month on Kilimanjaro
The start and end of the wettest month on Kilimanjaro and rainy season vary from year to year. Over the past decades, the weather patterns have been changing and Tanzania has been receiving less rain than it used to. For example, while historically it might have started to rain as early as October, the wettest month on Kilimanjaro didn’t arrive at all in November 2016—devastating news for coffee farmers, but a blessing in disguise for Kilimanjaro climbers.
The shoulder months between the dry and rainy season are a bit of a gamble. You might have perfectly fine weather around Christmas and well into March, and again as early as June and as late as end October. If it better suits your travel schedule, you wish to avoid the crowds, and you come prepared with the right gear—which you should in any case—you have a lot more flexibility.
Warm seasons on Kilimanjaro
Temperatures in Tanzania are warmest towards the beginning and end of the year, and the coldest during the summer months from June to August.
However, Mount Kilimanjaro creates its own weather patterns, and temperatures on the summit are fairly stable throughout the entire year. So the question you need to ask yourself is what you prefer for your vacation in Tanzania when you are not on Mount Kilimanjaro. Are you planning to go on safari? Then you might find the summer months far more pleasant. Are you a sunbather going to Zanzibar? Then you might prefer the warmer months—October or mid-December to mid-March.
Clear skies on Kilimanjaro
When you climb Kilimanjaro, of course, you will want to enjoy the view afar and into the lowlands. However, this is not the only reason why you will want to climb during months when the skies are the clearest. Clouds also attract moisture that seeps into your clothes and makes you feel a lot colder and temper your mood. When clouds draw in and out on Mount Kilimanjaro, the difference feels like night and day.
Clouds are the least at the beginning of the year, and then again from July onwards. With the change in weather patterns, skies may remain clear well into October. This makes January to February and July to October the best time to hike Kilimanjaro, weather-wise.
Avoiding the crowds on Kilimanjaro
The drawback of the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro are the crowds. Of course, everyone wants to climb when the weather is the best. January, February, and July to September are by far the busiest months on Kilimanjaro, in addition to the Christmas and New year holiday season. October might be a reasonable choice when the weather still tends to be good, especially in recent years with the changing weather patterns.
If you like companionship, the crowds during popular months might even be a plus for you. It makes it easier to join a group hike, and you will make new friends along the way. While the camps are busy, the hiking paths are still long enough that you will also find some solitude during the day. You will like tours on the most popular and scenic Lemosho, Machame or Marangu Routes.
If you prefer true wilderness away from the crowds, you can find that even during busy months. We would highly recommend you to consider one of the less popular but equally worthwhile hiking routes: The Northern Circuit or Grand Traverse are our top picks for those seeking authenticity and true wilderness. If time and budget are of the essence, the shorter Rongai Route might be your preferred choice.
Your best season to hike Kilimanjaro
Still not sure what’s right for you? Just leave us a message on our responsible tourism site FairVoyage.com, and we will gladly get back to you soon to assist you with your decision.