Best time to climb Kilimanjaro

We recommend climbing Kilimanjaro between January and March, or between mid June and October, to enjoy the best weather conditions.

An important part of anyone’s Kilimanjaro preparation is choosing a time of year to climb the mountain. In fact, the question of when is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is at the very top of our list of climbing Kilimanjaro FAQs that we receive from our family of travellers.

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

While you can climb Kilimanjaro any time of year, some months are just better than others. You want good weather conditions, for instance, but you also want to consider things like crowds and seasonal prices. We aim to help you choose the best time of year for you to climb the mountain by identifying all of the different factors and offering our cumulative expert advice, which is based on many years of trekking Kilimanjaro.

• Kilimanjaro monthly weather overview
• Kilimanjaro’s five climate zones
• Packing for each climate zone
• Full moon summits
• New Year’s Eve Kilimanjaro climb
• Best time to travel to Tanzania

Kilimanjaro monthly weather overview

Tanzania, home to the magnificent Mt Kilimanjaro, is located near the Equator, and so it won’t surprise you to learn that most of the country experiences some very hot. Yet Mt Kilimanjaro itself rises to 5,895 m above sea level, which gives its summit an arctic climate. This means Kilimanjaro trekkers can experience extremes of both heat and cold. But when are you likely to avoid the worth of the heat and the worst of the cold? And furthermore, since some months experience more precipitation than others, when is the best time of year to avoid too much rainfall?

Our monthly overview below can help you to choose the best time to climb Kilimanjaro from a weather perspective.

January to March

January, February and March are great months for climbing Kilimanjaro. For starters, while there’s some rain during this season, it’s not extreme. As you climb higher up the mountain, the weather is generally colder than it is during the other months, which means a higher probability of seeing snow on the summit. Snow on the summit is, of course, very beautiful. That said, trekking in snow doesn’t appeal to everyone, and that combined with the lower temperatures, means these months tend to be quieter than the others. This is great if you’re not too keen on crowds!

If you want a quieter trek but to still enjoy decent weather conditions, consider climbing Kilimanjaro sometime between January and March.

April, May and November

April, May and November are generally speaking the least comfortable months to climb Kilimanjaro in terms of weather. The days can be very hot (as well as humid in the rainforest). Further, these are the wettest months, and you could end up trekking through downpours.

All that said, you can still climb Kilimanjaro at this time, and one perk is that the mountain is less crowded. Further, the Rongai route is the one route up the mountain that isn’t really affected by the rain. This is because it approaches the summit from the north, and the northern side of Kilimanjaro doesn’t experience the rains affecting the rest of the mountain.

April, May and November are arguably the least optimal times to climb Kilimanjaro, as the heat in the lower climate zones can be intense, and there’s lots of rainfall.

June to October

June to October are great hiking months as there’s little rainfall and it’s not so hot during the day. There’s also less cloud coverage at this time, which means you’ll be treated to sprawling views over the African plains!

The only downside, however, to climbing during these months is the crowds. One reason for this is that these months coincide with the summer holidays in Europe and North America. Perhaps consider January to March if you’d like a less crowded climb.

June to October is a great time to climb Kilimanjaro from a weather perspective, as things aren’t too hot, there’s little rain, and the views tend to be magnificent!

December

December is also a good time to climb Kilimanjaro as it’s not too hot or wet near the base of the mountain. But do note that this is the month that sees the most snowfall on the summit. While it can be incredibly beautiful, it does mean you might not have a clear view from the summit over the surrounding landscape.

If you do decide to go during December and are hoping to miss the crowds, we suggest you steer away from the busier routes like the Machame.

Kilimanjaro’s five climate zones

When trying to figure out the best time to be climbing Kilimanjaro, it is helpful to know that on your journey, you will experience 5 distinct climate zones which are affected differently by the 2 different wind patterns that occur in Tanzania. Don’t worry though – you don’t have to be a climatologist to make sure you climb at the right time. Let’s make a start by having a look at each climate zone and what to expect.

Cultivation zone (800 m to 1,800 m)

The foothills of Kilimanjaro exist in the cultivation zone. They benefit from the water that travels down the mountain, and as such are perfect for growing bananas, coffee and potatoes. This area can be very hot during April, May and November, and is far more pleasant between January and March. But you don’t hike this section of the mountain – you drive through it to reach the next zone (the rainforest zone), and start your trek from there. The drive is a pretty one, and you should see many lovely flowers en route.

Rainforest zone (1,000 m to 2,800 m)

Your Kilimanjaro trek starts in the mountain’s rainforest zone. This is one of the most pleasant portions of the climb, as you’re walking along picturesque forest paths, passing moss-covered trees, gnarled trunks, vines, fern fronds and plenty more pretty sights. You should be able to spot blue monkeys and black-and-white colobuses, and hear birdsong and many busy insects.

The forest itself isn’t all of a kind, however. The lower half, whilst pretty, is less diverse than the upper half. The upper half, which starts at around the 2,000 m mark, is dense, old-growth cloud forest and contains over 1,800 species of flowering plants!

“I’m a real nature lover, so the rainforest was probably one of my favourite climate zones to trek through on Kilimanjaro. It was truly beautiful!” Frankie Strong

From January to March and June to October the rainforest usually receives only light rain and cloud coverage. November has the highest level of rainfall, so only come at this time of year if rain, mud and slippery paths don’t faze you.

Afro-alpine moorland zone (2,800 m to 4,000 m)

The Afro-alpine moorland zone (also known as the heath or upland grassland zone) is a fascinating section of the mountain! Here, the forest dissipates and in its place is spotted vegetation, notably consisting of three giants: giant lobelia, giant groundsel, and giant heather. These unusual trees usually take centre stage in everyone’s photographs, as they’re just so striking and surprising. Giant groundsels are also very slow growers, and some are around 200 years old. They are found on Kilimanjaro and nowhere else!

This zone also sees large fields of wildflowers and tufts of tall grasses among the rocks. As to wildlife, keep your eyes open for hyraxes, duikers and even occasionally elands.

In the moorland zone, temperatures can be very hot during the day but then dip below zero once the sun sets. If you want to avoid the worst of the heat, you should climb Kilimanjaro between January to March or June and October.

“When Chris realised I’d forgotten rain gear, he went out and rented some for me before we embarked the next day. This was super helpful as it rained often on our hike.” Alexandre Polise

Alpine desert zone (4,000 m to 5,000 m)

The alpine desert zone is a dry, cold and windy region. The terrain is rocky, harsh and dramatic. If you don’t like extreme cold, then you should consider climbing Kilimanjaro between June and October (summer).

The extreme fluctuation between the heat of the day and the cold of the night in the alpine zone means means there’s little in the way of vegetation and wildlife. Some mosses have adapted to the conditions and grow well, and you can find creatures like spiders and insects.

Trekkers can struggle in the alpine zone as the higher altitude makes breathing that bit harder, and your exposure to the sun is also heightened. Symptoms of altitude sickness regularly start to show up among climbers in this zone.

Arctic zone (5,000 m to 5,895 m)

The word arctic speaks for itself here! The conditions in the top portion of Kilimanjaro are icy cold. Temperatures range from -7 to -25° C. The start of this zone can be quite tricky to climb, as it consists primarily of loose gravel. And then, higher up, there’s ice, which can make your path slippery. But not to worry – take things pole, pole (slowly, slowly), and you’ll be just fine! Besides, with the air being so thin, you’ll find that slowly is all your body allows.

While the wind and temperature are fierce at the summit, the view is so very beautiful, and makes for an incredible reward. Note that the summit is at its very coldest in November and December, so it might be a good idea to avoid these months.

Packing for each climate zone

It’s said that climbing Kilimanjaro is like hiking from the Equator to the North Pole in a matter of just a few days! That’s why it is so important to know what to pack so that you’ll be comfortable and protected no matter what the climate and weather conditions.

In the video below Salo from Follow Alice talks you through the various items you need for climbing Kilimanjaro. We’ve put together a comprehensive Kilimanjaro packing list and suggest you reference this in your Kilimanjaro preparation.

Full moon summits

All Kilimanjaro trekkers start their summit attempt at midnight, but most do so by the light of their headlamps alone. The fortunate few, however, get to hike under the bright light of a full moon.

Kilimanjaro full moon climbs are a special and incredibly beautiful experience. Instead of trekking for hours in darkness, you see the dramatic, nighttime world of the mountain’s summit, something few ever will!

Please chat to us if you’d like to arrange to climb Kilimanjaro during a full moon!

If climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t already enough of an adventure in itself, picture yourself hiking to the summit under the light of the full moon!

2020 full moon schedule

2021 full moon schedule

New Year’s Eve Kilimanjaro climb

Can you imagine a better – or more novel! – way to bring in the new year than from the highest peak in Africa? We invite you to join us for this unique New Year’s Eve idea!

Please leave us your email or phone number below and we’ll be in contact shortly to discuss the trip with you. 😀

“The summit is worth every tough step it takes, and it’s completely breath-taking to be the highest person on the African continent for a little while.” Stephen Hemmings

Best time to travel to Tanzania

If you’re thinking of spending some time in Tanzania either before or after your Kilimanjaro climb, you may also want to consider the best time to be in Tanzania in that regard.

We find the three most popular additions to a Kilimanjaro climb are:

• a Big Five safari in northern Tanzania
• a beach holiday in magical Zanzibar
• day outings near Kilimanjaro

Big Five safari

One of the fantastic things about Kilimanjaro is just how close it is to a handful of the very best safari locations in Africa! We’re talking Serengeti National Park, the incomparable Ngorongoro Crater, and more! We find adding a Tanzania safari onto the end of your Kilimanjaro trip makes for the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime African adventure!

You can experience a phenomenal safari in Tanzania all year round. That said, people generally choose when to go based on what they want to see most, for instance, the infamous river crossings of the Great Wildlife Migration, or the calving season. Others prefer to choose a time based on the weather and scenery, whilst still others want to go whenever they’ll avoid the crowds.

Please take a look at our 8 must-know Serengeti safari tips to determine the best time of year to on safari based on your preferences, watch the video below.

Beaches of Zanzibar

The beautiful islands of Zanzibar are another very popular addition to a Kilimanjaro climb, and we totally understand why! The pristine waters, white sands, spicy foods and historic Stone Town of Zanzibar are so relaxing. They’re the chilled yin to the challenging yang of Kilimanjaro! If you’re keen to add Zanzibar to your Tanzania itinerary, please give us a shout and we’ll happily organise this for you.

Fortunately, one of the best times to visit Zanzibar is the same as it for Kilimanjaro: June to October. These months are cooler and drier, so are good for visitors. December to February are also good months for a Zanzibar trip, as they’re hot and dry. If you head to there between March and May, you’re in for afternoon downpours.

Mini adventures near Kilimanjaro

And finally, many Kilimanjaro trekkers look to optimise their time in the Kilimanjaro region by doing a one or two activities before and/or after their climb. This is a great idea, as there are so many great activities in the Kilimanjaro region. For instance, many folks choose to visit a Maasai village to learn about the distinct Maasai people and their vibrant, proud culture. Others like to visit the nearby Arusha National Park for a game drive or to canoe on the Momela Lakes, while still others like to head to the Kikuletwa Hot Springs for, well … the beauty of chilling in the hot springs! There are many fantastic mini adventures awaiting you in the Kilimanjaro region, as shown in the map below.

As these activities are so near to Mt Kilimanjaro, you don’t have to spend any time researching the weather conditions – they’ll be much the same as the weather at the base of the mountain. Isn’t that handy 🙂