Ready to plan your Tanzania trip?
Our team in Moshi is available to answer questions and put together a tailored itinerary.
Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Guide
Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro can be climbed in every month of the year, but conditions on the mountain vary considerably between seasons. The two dry seasons - January to mid-March, and June to October - give the clearest skies, most stable weather on the upper mountain, and the best summit conditions. The two wet seasons - mid-March to May (long rains) and November to December (short rains) - bring heavier precipitation, lower visibility, and muddier trails on the lower routes, though the mountain is rarely closed entirely.
Kilimanjaro | Tanzania
Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro in detail
January to mid-March: First dry season
The first dry season runs from January to roughly mid-March. Temperatures on the summit are cold but skies are generally clear. This period coincides with the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti, making it an excellent time to combine a Kilimanjaro climb with a safari focused on Ndutu and the southern Serengeti plains. February is consistently the clearest and driest month of this window. Crowd levels are moderate - lower than the July to September peak but higher than the wet season months.
June to October: Second dry season (peak season)
The period from June to October is the main high season for Kilimanjaro, peaking in July, August, and September. This is when summit conditions are most consistently clear and cold rather than wet. It also coincides with the peak of the northern Serengeti migration season, making it the most popular time to combine Kilimanjaro with a safari. Expect higher prices and more climbers on the mountain during this window, particularly on the Machame and Marangu routes.
Mid-March to May: Long rains (avoid if possible)
The long rains from mid-March to May bring the heaviest and most sustained precipitation of the year. The lower forest zone trails become muddy and slippery. Cloud cover on the upper mountain is persistent and summit views are less likely. Prices are lower during this period and the mountain is considerably less crowded - some experienced climbers prefer the solitude and accept the conditions. We advise most first-time climbers to avoid this window.
November to December: Short rains
November brings the short rains - shorter and less intense than the long rains but still wetter and cloudier than the dry seasons. December improves toward the end of the month as the rains ease and Christmas is actually a popular time to climb with clear conditions possible. Prices in November are low; December prices rise again. The short rains are variable from year to year and some years are drier than others.
More Guides
