Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro if you want a reduced chance of rain and slightly warmer temperatures is in January, February and the first half of March. April and May bring heavier rains, with a shorter rainy season in November and December - though this shouldn't disrupt the trek too much. June to August see clear skies - but icy temperatures, though this is a great time if you want to catch the wildebeest migration, too.
What is the Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro?
APRIL – MAY
The “big” rainy season starts at the end of March and continues until the middle of May. April marks the beginning of the coldest time of the year in Tanzania. These months are so dank and drizzle that some operators simply do not offer climbs in April/May at all.
JUNE – JULY
The frequency of rain gradually decreases. The weather on Kilimanjaro is fairly dry and clear but the nights are still bitter cold. June is usually quiet, sunny, and, in our opinion, much underrated in terms of climbing. It is an excellent idea to choose June for your adventure because of great weather and almost climbers-free routes.The number of climbers will be increasing as the year progresses. Starting from July the majority of the routes will be quite busy.
AUGUST – OCTOBER
The peak climbing season on Kilimanjaro is on August-September. The weather is particularly good for climbing: the days are clear and somewhat warmer than in June/July. At the same time it may be cloudy in the forest/moorland zone, as well as it may be rainy on the southern routes (Machame and Umbwe). However, once you leave the rain forest behind it will be sunny.
October is another unfairly ignored season: nice weather conditions last into mid-October and the number of climbers drops dramatically, giving you a good chance to enjoy Kilimanjaro treks almost alone. At the end of October, the weather becomes more changeable. As long as you are equipped to withstand the occasional shower, this should not present any major challenges.
NOVEMBER
November is the “small” rainy season. The rainy weather may last into mid-December. The temperatures have dropped and the moisture mist covers the Mount, making your climb more tricky and risky, yet more challenging and exciting. November might not be the best pick in terms of weather, but gives a great opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views of misty-covered Mount with its snow-capped peak, and to make some terrific pictures.
DECEMBER – JANUARY
Christmas and New Year are the second peak climbing season on Kilimanjaro. The climbers traffic is extremely high, although there is a high chance of raining and thick clouding in the lower altitudes of Kilimanjaro.
JANUARY – MARCH
Mid-January to mid-March are very popular among climbers. The weather is perfectly balanced: it is neither too cold, nor too wet. The days are generally dry, though occasional rains may happen. The possibility of rain increases in the second half of March because the “big” wet season advances.
Kilimanjaro Temperature
The temperature on Mount Kilimanjaro correlates with the four distinct climatic zones:
What is the temperature at the summit of Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is virtually on the equator, so the lower slopes are generally hot and dry reaching 25°C during the day. This quickly dips with each ecological zone however, open heathlands, alpine desert and then, at the summit, categorically Arctic. Uhuru Point’s nighttime temps are between -7 to -29°C. Kili has a couple of rainy seasons but not ones that put a stop to the trekking. But they do put a stop to the crowds. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is really when you feel physically and mentally ready to do so.
