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When To Climb
The Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro is from June to March. These months offer optimal weather conditions, including clear skies, minimal rain, and abundant sunshine, enhancing the Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing experience. But do remember that these weather patterns can shift unexpectedly, regardless of the season.
Technically, Kilimanjaro is accessible year-round. There are different Kilimanjaro Routes that can be used in the Rainy Season that make it more accessible and provide favourable conditions for the climb. Therefore, our trek experts at African Scenic Safaris recommend hiking all year round. Try and avoid the primary rainy seasons, April and May are wise due to potentially hazardous trail conditions.
Facts About Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing
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Climbing Kilimanjaro – A Month By Month Guide
We welcome you to our comprehensive month-by-month guide to Climbing Kilimanjaro. With this guide, our experts aim to equip you with the knowledge necessary to select the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro based on your preferences and abilities. Let’s understand the challenges and rewards that come with each month when setting out to conquer this Tanzanian giant.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In January
January is a fantastic month to undertake a Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing expedition. The weather during this month is generally dry, clear, and warm, thus offering excellent visibility for climbers. Kilimanjaro Temperature January is slightly higher, making it ideal for beginners.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
Hikers who prefer a balance of good weather and fewer crowds. The potential for snow at the summit adds a thrilling bonus.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In February
February is also considered one of the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The weather is mostly warm and dry with less cloud cover. However, hot weather can make camps and paths dry and full of dust, so people who climb should get ready for this.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
trekkers who prefer a serene climb with dry weather conditions and fewer crowds. The potential for snow at the summit is a bonus.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In March
While not typically recognized as the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, March can still provide a unique and rewarding experience for intrepid climbers.The Mount Kilimanjaro Weather this month is unpredictable, with a higher likelihood of rain and snow compared to January or February. This means that the Kilimanjaro Temperature in March is often cooler, and visibility can be reduced due to cloud cover.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
Climbers who don't mind facing the elements and prefer solitude on their journey.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In April
April is the wettest month on Kilimanjaro, making it a challenging time to climb. But, if the clouds are clear, climbers can enjoy some amazing views this month. Experienced climbers who seek adventure often consider April a good time to climb Kilimanjaro. Rongai Route which starts from the northern side of the mountain, is often a great choice to climb Kilimanjaro in the month of April.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
adventurous and experienced climbers who are up for a challenging climb in rainy conditions.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In May
May is traditionally one of the wetter months. Eexperienced hikers might enjoy the challenge of hiking through wet trails in the month of May. However, in recent years, it has been a little drier than normal.Also, Rongai Route Kilimanjaro, the driest route on Mount Kilimanjaro is a great option for climbing in the month of May.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
experienced climbers who don't mind a bit of rain and prefer a less crowded climbing experience.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In June
June marks the start of the dry season, the Best Season to Climb Kilimanjaro. The weather begins to dry up, attracting climbers with the promise of good trekking conditions.On the Mount Kilimanjaro Temperature scale, June might be a bit chillier, especially above 5,000m/16,400 feet, but the views are nothing short of breathtaking.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
climbers who prefer good weather conditions and don't mind the crowds.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In July
July, being part of the dry season, is considered the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro for many climbers. Despite colder temperatures at higher altitudes, the month boasts predominantly dry conditions, providing excellent climbing conditions and mountain views.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
hikers seeking optimal weather conditions for their adventure, undeterred by the potential for larger crowds mainly on popular trails.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In August
August continues to be a busy month on Kilimanjaro with dry conditions. It aligns with summer vacations in the US and Europe, making it one of the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
climbers who are not daunted by more company and prefer optimal weather for their expedition. Experiencing the mountain with less cloud cover is an exciting bonus. Book your Kilimanjaro Climbing Package during the peak season with us for the best trekking experience!
Climbing Kilimanjaro In September
With an ideal setting for hiking adventures, September is often considered the Best Time of Year to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The weather in September is generally warmer, particularly at elevations above 5,000m/ 17,000 feet. This makes climbing enjoyable, despite it being one of the busier times on Kilimanjaro.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
climbers who appreciate a warmer trek and don't mind the company of other mountaineers on the trails. The excellent weather and mesmerizing views make it worth the hustle.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In October
October is a transitional month that sees the start of the short rainy season and the end of the dry season. The trails are not excessively muddy and the weather is comfortably warm which makes it a good setting for Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
climbers who want to enjoy a warm climb with mixed weather and appreciate less crowded trails.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In November
November marks the beginning of the short rainy season. Still, this time has a unique appeal. The weather patterns are less stable, and you can anticipate daily rains, often during the afternoon.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
experienced trekkers who can navigate the wet weather and appreciate the solitude on the less crowded routes.
Climbing Kilimanjaro In December
Mount Kilimanjaro in December presents a warm and inviting climate, making it a sought-after time for enthusiasts seeking the Best Time of Year to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.Even though Kilimanjaro’s Temperature in December is generally warm, climbers should keep in mind that snowfall at the summit can occur at any time, more commonly between November and March.
Key Highlights:
Best For:
Climbers seeking warm and generally dry conditions for their Kilimanjaro climb. The reduced crowd during this time makes it an ideal choice for those desiring a tranquil ascent.
All You Need To Know Before Climbing Kilimanjaro
Before booking the Kilimanjaro Climbing Package, you should understand that achieving this massive feat of climbing the mountain, needs both bravery and information about its changing climatic conditions. Hence, let’s give you the essential information about Kilimanjaro's weather that can help you pick the Best time to Climb Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro Weather: What To Expect
The weather on Kilimanjaro changes a lot, due to its high altitude and its location near the equator. Temperatures can change a lot from the warm bottom to the freezing summit. This is why, trekkers may experience both extreme heat and cold.
Mount Kilimanjaro Weather
Kilimanjaro doesn’t experience the traditional four seasons as other temperate parts of the world. Instead, the mountain cycles around dry seasons and wet seasons, each impacting the terrain differently.
Temperature
The Mount Kilimanjaro Temperature changes as you climb higher and as the seasons change. The summit zone is in an "Arctic" climate, meaning it's below freezing all year round.
The coldest months are usually December to March and June after the rainy season. During these times, you're likely to see snow at the summit. Fewer people visit during these colder months compared to the busy period of July through August.
Understanding the nuances of Mount Kilimanjaro Weather and the Mount Kilimanjaro average temperature for each month will definitely help you pick the Best Month to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Wet & Dry Seasons On Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Climate is divided into two main seasons - wet and dry. The wet season includes long rains from March to May and short rains in November and December. The dry season includes the months from June to October and a shorter dry period from December to mid-March.
Our Kilimanjaro Climbs are mostly scheduled in the dry season.
Short Dry Period
From December to mid-March, the weather is relatively warm, with clear mornings and nights. Although the days might see cloud cover and occasional rain showers.
Long Rains
From late March until early June, the rainy season persists. Climbing during this time is not recommended unless you are a seasoned trekker familiar with similar conditions. Expect wet conditions and possibly low visibility due to thick cloud cover. This time is less crowded though.
Long Dry season
The dry season runs from mid-June to the end of October. During this period, temperatures on the mountain are slightly lower, but conditions are typically drier.
Short Rains
The short rainy season extends from early November to early December. Rainfall usually occurs in the afternoons, but mornings and evenings often have clear skies.
Kilimanjaro Altitude & Climate Zones
Kilimanjaro's weather is also affected by its unique altitude zones. You will pass through four distinct Mount Kilimanjaro Climate Zones as you climb: The Rainforest Zone, Low Alpine Area, High Alpine Area, and Glacial Zone.
These climatic zones bring their unique challenges and conditions, greatly impacting the overall hiking experience and temperature.
The Rainforest Zone (~800m-3,000m)
It is a warm and moist place, with lots of rain, especially in the wet season. Here, at about 2,870m, the average temperature is typically between 12-15°C.
The Low Alpine Area (~3,000m-4,200m)
This zone has less rain and is somewhat dry. And, the average temperature usually stays between 5-10°C at a height of 3,630m.
The High Alpine Zone (4,200m-5,000m)
It resembles a desert landscape with very cold weather. Here, temperatures usually sit around the freezing mark at 4,970m.
The Glacial Zone (above 5000 m)
This zone encapsulates the summit region and is very cold with an average temperature of about -6°C.
Visibility: Cloud, Mist & Fog
Clear visibility can greatly enhance your Kilimanjaro Climbing experience. However, the mountain's altitude and varying climate often result in the presence of clouds, mist, and fog.
These weather elements, while occasionally lending a mysterious charm to the landscape, may significantly obscure the breathtaking vistas that Kilimanjaro offers.
Few Key Considerations:
Snow On Kilimanjaro
Even though Kilimanjaro is near the equator, it can snow at any time of the year at the summit because of its high altitudes. Seeing the snow-capped peaks against the African landscape is a beautiful sight.
But snow can also make the climb more difficult. The best time in Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro if you want to see snow is usually between December to May.
Below is a graph that represents the average snowfall in cm across the different months on the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Summiting During A Full-Moon
Trekking to Uhuru Peak under a full moon's glow is an unforgettable experience. As the lunar light illuminates the mountain's peaks and sprawling glaciers, climbers are treated to an amazing sight.
Many mountaineers purposely align their expedition dates to coincide with the full moon's appearance, which graces the sky once each month. Seasoned hikers often consider summiting during a full moon as the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Why Kilimanjaro Full-Moon Climbs Are Good?
Besides the natural spectacle, Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climbs have a practical advantage too. The moonlight, when paired with a cloudless sky, enhances the visibility during the climb, which can be especially useful during the final push to the summit.
Crowds: Number Of Climbers On Kilimanjaro
More and more people are choosing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, especially when the Mount Kilimanjaro weather is good, from mid-December to March and from mid-June to October. This makes the mountain busy.
Among the four Kilimanjaro Routes that we offer, the Machame Route is usually the busiest. But you can choose quieter routes like the Northern Circuits, Rongai, or Lemosho if you want fewer people around.
The table below shows the crowd distribution across different months on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our trek experts at African Scenic Safaris have considered all the factors and given their verdict on recommended and non-recommended months to go to Kilimanjaro. Take a look and find your Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro!
Kilimanjaro Routes & Weather
Trail conditions on Kilimanjaro significantly shape your travel schedule, playing a pivotal role in determining the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Let's explore each trail, understanding how their unique offerings vary across different seasons.
Typically, the Machame Route and Lemosho Route situated on the western side are the recommended routes for Climbing Kilimanjaro during the dry season. The rainy season can render these routes quite challenging due to significant rainfall, resulting in a less-than-pleasant camping experience.
On the contrary, the Rongai Route is a suitable choice for the wet season. This trail is located on the mountain’s northern side and is less exposed to rainfall compared to the western routes. This makes Rongai Route a more manageable option during rainier months.
Approaching Kilimanjaro from the northern side, the Northern Circuit Route is one of the longest paths and provides a high acclimatization rate. Also, because of its length and difficulty, the Northern Circuit Route sees fewer climbers and can be a good choice for those seeking a more solitary climb experience.
For more comprehensive information about all the climbing routes, read the Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes comparison.
Choose The Right Time For Your Kilimanjaro Climb
In the adventure of Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, choosing the Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro is as crucial as your preparedness for the trek. The joy of scaling the 'Roof of Africa' is a constant, regardless of the month. African Scenic Safaris is dedicated to accompanying you on this journey, guaranteeing a successful and memorable climb. So, no more waiting; it's time to seize the opportunity and scale to the majestic heights of Kilimanjaro