When is the Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?

When choosing the most suitable time for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you should consider several factors: the temperature, the views, the density of traffic on the trek, difficulty level and safety. However, the overarching factor that impacts all others is weather.. Mount Kilimanjaro lies in an equatorial climatic zone; instead of four seasons (winter, spring, summer, autumn), the mountain experiences wet and dry seasons only. Wet seasons are in April-May and November. Similar to other tropical countries, predicting exactly when the rain starts and stops is nearly impossible. All other months are the “dry season”, when most of the days are sunny, but still it does not mean a 100% guarantee of clear skies.

There are two main climbing seasons: July-August-September and January-February. Many travelers have their summer or Christmas holidays at that time, while the weather conditions for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are perfect. 

Rainy seasons scare off the majority of climbers. In April, May and November the probability of trekking under the drizzle is very high. Rain softens the soil and makes the rocks slippery, turning your climb into a slower and more risky adventure. However, landscape photographers particularly love the rainy season in Tanzania. More precipitation means more snow on the peak, which makes it possible to shoot the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro. Moreover, it is the only time when you can avoid the “rush hours” on the routes, and enjoy some privacy walking virgin-snow-covered treks..

We at Ephraim's Guide Safari believe that you can enjoy Mount Kilimanjaro year-round. The difference is in preparation: in September you might need just one set of thermal underwear, Gore-Tex membrane gaiters and boots, two months later in November you should bring three sets of each to make sure that you can continue your climb comfortably in case you get soaked to the skin. Whatever route and season you choose, we at Ephraim's Guide Safari will do our best to make your Kilimanjaro climb the journey of a lifetime!