When deciding when is the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you should first ask yourself a few questions. What is my experience/fitness level? What is my budget? What do I want from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? What path do I intend to take? Ultimately, the best time to climb depends on all of these factors and how they relate to weather, safety, and crowds.
July, August, September, January and February are the main climbing seasons. These times coincide with summer and Christmas holidays with ideal climbing weather, but they are not the only options.
Mount Kilimanjaro weather
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in a tropical climate zone, with a high rainy season and a little dry season. However, there is never a 100% guarantee of clear skies. April and May are the “big” rainy season, and November is the “little” rainy season, although it is impossible to predict the start and end dates of the rains with a high degree of certainty.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro in December and January
Christmas and New Year's are during the second busiest climbing season. Traffic is exceptionally high, and rainy weather may persist until mid-December, with the chance of a “white Christmas.” In addition, rain and heavy clouds are likely at low altitudes.
Another problem with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in winter is that it is difficult to do training hikes if you live in the Northern Hemisphere before you arrive.
Trips during shoulder seasons
The shoulder seasons from mid-January to mid-March, June and July are often overlooked. If the weather holds up well, this time of year offers an excellent balance of weather and crowds. Days are generally dry, although occasional rain may occur. The weather is less predictable at the end of March and early June, which is something to keep in mind.
Using a premium guide service when climbing Kilimanjaro is key to taking advantage of the ascents in the shoulder season. You'll need to look for a company that offers full equipment rentals in case the weather changes, with the option to add extra porters to handle unexpected weight.
Trips during rainy seasons
The reason is that the seasons are generally April, May and November. Trekking during the rainy season requires more equipment, and the rain makes everything slower, smoother and more dangerous. However, strong, experienced, and well-equipped climbers will be rewarded with stunning views of the snow-capped peak, reduced crowds, and new trails laid on pristine snow.
Temperatures on Kilimanjaro are rising
The temperature generally drops by five degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 degrees of change in elevation. Additionally, there are more dynamic wind and weather patterns the higher you go up the mountain. The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro is linked to four distinct climate zones. They are as follows:
Rainforest area
The rainforest area (2,500′-10,000′) is warm and humid with dense green vegetation. At 9,500°C, temperatures average 55-60°F (70-75°F during the day). The risk of altitude sickness increases above 8,000 feet, and by the time you reach 10,000 feet, you have 68% of the oxygen available at sea level. You will likely spend the first day or two of your climb in the rainforest area with shorter acclimatization runs to higher altitudes during the day.
Low alpine region
The Low Alpine region (10,000′-14,000′) is a semi-arid region where plants become scarcer the higher you climb. At 12,000°C, the average temperature ranges from 40-50°F (60-70°F during the day). Available oxygen decreases dramatically with altitude, and has been as low as 59% of the oxygen available at sea level at 14,000 feet. These factors are why it is considered a challenge for the top 14ers. You will likely spend several days in this area as you continue to acclimate, so having enough warm clothing, including spare change if you get wet, is crucial.
High Alpine region
The high alpine region (14,000′ – 16,500′) is desert-like, with very little vegetation. The average temperature here hovers around freezing, but the days remain warm while the sun shines. Expect to spend a few days acclimatizing and traversing this area. You'll notice that each successive climate zone has a smaller elevation range, yet you spend similar times in each zone. This is because you naturally travel slower the higher you go, and acclimatization becomes more important.
Glacier area
The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) is located in the glacier zone (at 16,500 feet) with average temperatures of around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The summit thrust begins at midnight when the temperature drops below 0°F and the winds blow strongly. Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, and the sunrise at the summit is well worth it. Although Kilimanjaro's summit lies below the “death zone” at 26,000 feet (too high to sustain human life), some elite tourism companies still have supplemental oxygen available as there is only 40% of the oxygen available at sea level. Up in the air. Roof of Africa.
Roads up to Mount Kilimanjaro
There are six routes up Kilimanjaro to Uhuru Peak (Swahili for freedom). Although it is considered one of the easiest of the Seven Summits, your climbing route is essential and intrinsically linked to the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Ways to climb Kilimanjaro:
- Marangu Road It is the most popular road that becomes crowded during peak season. It's the only route where you stay in huts, making it an excellent rainy season option and relatively inexpensive. This gives you more budget to rent additional equipment for your ascent.
- Masham Road It is the second most popular place due to its beautiful rainforests and easy accessibility. It's an excellent choice for the shoulder season, when you can balance the rain (and mud) with the crowds.
- Limosho Road It has the highest success rate and a smooth, gradual climb, making it a good choice for all seasons.
- drug route It is the only road on the north side. It is relatively uncrowded and does not join another route until the last camp before the summit, making it an excellent choice for peak climbing seasons.
- Ombwa Road It is more challenging than other routes because it follows a steeper path. During the rainy season, this trail becomes particularly strenuous.
- Northern Circle Road It is the longest and most modern route up to Kilimanjaro. It's also the most expensive and least crowded, making it an excellent choice for peak seasons.
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Basic Information | Travel Alteza
Check out our comprehensive YouTube video guide for Altezza! This video gives you the information you need to know about seasons, gear, and a general idea of what the climb will require.
Final thoughts on the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
There is no “best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro” because crowds tend to follow the best weather and vacation conditions. It also depends on your guide service, available training trips, and route choice. We recommend speaking to a reputable guide service and being honest about your experience, conditioning, training, and tolerance for crowds.
They should be able to recommend the best time and route for you. It's also an excellent qualifying conversation to choose a guiding service to climb with on one of the world's best transformative adventures. If they are dismissive, unprofessional, or unresponsive, keep contacting more companies until you find one that suits you.
Written in partnership with Altezza Travel.
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Hello! We are Ed and Jane Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
