Kilimanjaro - The Best Time for Climbing

Fortunately, Kilimanjaro’s location near the equator means that this area does not have extreme highs or lows in temperatures like North American summers and winters, but there are definitely distinct dry and wet seasons.

Kilimanjaro Weather Month-by-Month

The warmest, driest months make an ideal time to summit. Take it from me, you don’t want to be scaling a mountain in a downpour while carrying a load of equipment. Trekkers also avoid the rainy season due to safety issues. Landslides and interrupted routes can be detrimental to your ascent, and your body will take a beating in the wet onslaught.

Mid-December to March

Mid-December/January through mid-March are the warmest months for your journey, usually with clear skies in the mornings and evenings. It may rain sometimes throughout the day, but showers tend to be brief and warm. If you carry along with some rain gear, you’ll be just fine.

March to June

The end of March to June is the long, rainy season, and isn’t recommended for climbing Kilimanjaro during this time unless you’re a very experienced hiker. Visibility is low; on the upside, you’ll have the mountain almost all to yourself. Plus the trail gets super muddy. Many guides will not even offer to take you on the trek during this time.

June to October

Mid-June to October is when the coldest temperatures hit, so if you enjoy the crisp weather, this may be an ideal time for you. It’s super dry during this time so you don’t have to worry too much about rain. From the middle of June to October is also the busiest season of all for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, particularly on the Marangu and Machame routes, and especially since its summer holidays for North America and Europe.