Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro

Generally the wettest period on Kilimanjaro is between April and May. This is because the dominant winds come in from the South-east at this time of year. By travelling over the Indian Ocean, the winds pick up a great deal of moisture that then condenses and turns into clouds and precipitation as it gets forced up the mountain and cools.

If you have to climb during this period then we suggest staying away from the southern slopes as this side of the mountain gets the most rain during these months. A good route option would be the Rongai Route as it takes a trail up the northern side of Kilimanjaro and generally gets less rain.

The driest months on Kilimanjaro are from June through to October. Anti-trade winds blowing in strongly from the North-east carry almost no moisture and force the South-east winds downwards, keeping the mountain relatively free of precipitation and clouds, especially higher up. For these dryer periods we would recommend popular routes like the Machame Route or Lemosho Route

November sees the beginning of the North-east monsoon period which regularly brings light rains to the north side of Kilimanjaro.

Best months to climb Kilimanjaro

Taking all these weather factors into account, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro can be separated into two distinct periods: January to March and June to October. Depending on what you’re looking for, both trekking seasons offer different benefits.

The January to March season is generally colder and there is a far higher chance of encountering snow on the upper reaches of the mountain. Although the cold can put off some people, the benefit of trekking during this period is that there are generally less people on the mountain which can make for a more relaxing journey. If you encounter rain it will usually be on the lower slopes, however, above that the skies are generally crystal clear.

The June to October period offers the best weather. Of course, nearly everyone wants to climb when the weather is most likely to be good and this period also coincides with summer holidays in both Europe and North America so if you want the best weather you have to accept that you will be climbing with a lot of other people.  If you want to climb in these peak seasons, consider one of the quieter routes like the Northern Circuit. This route is a little more expensive and takes a couple of days longer but is a great way to avoid the crowded southern routes.

Unless you can cope with rain, April, May and November should be avoided as these are the wettest months and not ideal for trekking. The coldest months are between December and March and snowfall is likely. Climbing is okay in these months but you will need extra warm layers.

Finally, before you decide the best time for you to climb Kilimanjaro you should look at the cost of airfares. These vary a lot during the year and are particularly high during the main European holiday months so if you are looking to save a little money avoid these months.