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Kilimanjaro · 7 min read

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro, and when not to

The two rainy seasons, the two dry ones, and the full-moon question.

Active Kili Top · Arusha · Updated 3 October 2026
Mount Kilimanjaro with snow on the summit, seen across open savannah
Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is when the mountain is dry, and that happens twice a year. Kilimanjaro sits three degrees south of the equator, so it has no summer and winter in the usual sense. It has two rainy seasons and two dry ones, and the choice of month is mostly a choice between mud and cloud on one hand and company on the trail on the other.

The park is open all year and people reach the summit in every month. But the odds of dry paths and clear views are far better in some months than in others, and the top is below freezing at night in all of them. This is how we rate each month when we plan a climb, and what a full moon does and does not change. For the choice of path, see choosing a route.

The short answer

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is in the two dry seasons: January to early March, and June to October. April and May are the long rains and the months to avoid. November brings the short rains. July, August and the Christmas weeks are the busiest; January, February and September are the best balance.

At a glance: the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, month by month

The seasons shift by a few weeks from year to year. No month is guaranteed dry.
MonthsWeather on the mountainOur view
January and FebruaryDry and clear, with cold nights; February a little warmerAmong the best months, and quieter than August
MarchThe rains build through the monthEarly March is fine; late March is a gamble
April and MayThe long rains: wet trails, cloud, snow high upThe months to avoid
JuneDry again, cold, and quiet early in the monthGood, with warm kit
July and AugustDry and cold; the busiest weeks of the yearReliable weather, crowded camps
September and OctoberDry and clear; October a little warmerAmong the best months
NovemberThe short rains, usually in afternoon burstsWorkable; choose the route with care
DecemberUnsettled early, drier later; holiday weeks busyPossible; book early for Christmas
Next: The dry seasons ↓Contents ↑

The two dry seasons: January to March and June to October

The first dry season runs from January to early March. Mornings are usually clear, cloud builds in the afternoon, and the nights are cold. There is often fresh snow on the upper slopes left by the short rains, which is why photographs from January and February tend to show a whiter summit. February is slightly warmer than January. These weeks are quieter than the middle of the year, and they are our first suggestion to anyone whose dates are free.

The second and longer dry season runs from June to October. June is dry and cold, and quiet in its first weeks, though the forest paths may still be wet from May. July and August have the most dependable weather of the year and the most people: they match the northern summer holidays, and the camps on the southern routes fill up. September and October stay dry, turn a little warmer, and are less busy.

Dry season does not mean warm. Climbs start in rainforest at around 1,800 m and end on a crater rim where the average temperature is about seven degrees below zero, and colder on a windy night. It does not mean guaranteed, either. Rain in the forest on the first afternoon is common in any month, and a storm can cross the mountain in August. Pack waterproofs whatever the calendar says.

Next: April and May ↓Contents ↑

April and May: climbing Kilimanjaro in the long rains

The long rains arrive towards the end of March and last through April and May. On Kilimanjaro that means daily rain in the forest and the moorland, deep mud on the lower paths, cloud that hides the mountain for days and snow on the summit cone. The southern and eastern slopes take the most, because the weather comes in from the Indian Ocean.

You can still climb. The trails are almost empty and some people choose these months for that reason. But be clear about the cost. Wet clothes do not dry at altitude, cold and damp together are harder to manage than cold alone, and the views that make the middle days worthwhile may not appear at all. April and May carry the lowest rating of the year in every one of our plans.

If these are the only months you have, the choice of route matters. The northern side usually receives less rain than the south, so the Rongai Route is the one we suggest first, and the Marangu Route gives you a hut roof every night. No side of the mountain is dry in the long rains. We would not run the steep Umbwe ridge in them at all.

Next: November and December ↓Contents ↑

November and December: the short rains and the holiday weeks

The short rains usually come in November and can run into early December. They are lighter and less settled than the long rains: clear mornings are common, with showers or a storm in the afternoon, and the timing varies a good deal from one year to the next. We rate November as a workable month, not a good one.

A November climb can go well. The mountain is quiet, there is often new snow on Kibo, and prices for flights and hotels are lower. You need full waterproofs, dry bags for everything that must stay dry and a route that suits the weather. Rongai and the Northern Circuit spend their time on the drier northern slopes. Allow a spare day at the end in case the descent is slow.

December divides in two. The first half is often still unsettled. From about the middle of the month the weather tends to improve, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year are among the busiest of the year, with camps as full as in August. If you want a summit at New Year, book well ahead. If you want quiet, wait for the second half of January.

Next: The full-moon question ↓Contents ↑

The Kilimanjaro full-moon climb: what it changes

On most routes you climb to the summit at night, leaving high camp around midnight. Under a full moon the scree, the rim and the glaciers are lit, and on a clear night you can see the slope above you and the plains far below. Many people find that easier on the mind than six hours inside the circle of a head torch. That is the whole benefit, and it is a real one.

A full moon does not make the night warmer, the air thicker or the climb shorter. It does not improve the weather, and cloud can hide it completely. You still carry a head torch and spare batteries. It also draws people: operators schedule departures around full-moon dates, so the high camps and the summit path are busier on those nights. The night before and the night after are nearly as bright.

If you want it, count backwards. On our eight-day Lemosho plan you leave Barafu late on the sixth day and reach the summit on the seventh morning, so you start six days before the full moon; on the seven-day Machame plan, five. Some climbers prefer the opposite. Around the new moon the sky is at its darkest, the stars are at their best and the mountain is quieter. Summit night, hour by hour describes the climb itself.

Next: Choosing your month ↓Contents ↑

How to choose your month: weather, crowds and cold

Start with what you mind most. If it is rain, choose January, February, or July to October. If it is crowds, choose late January, February, early June or September, or take a quieter path such as the Northern Circuit, which few climbers use in any month. If it is cold, favour February or October over June and July, and hire a warmer sleeping bag than you think you need.

Then look at the rest of the trip. Many people add a safari, and the months line up well. June to October is the dry season in the northern parks too, and January and February are the calving weeks in the southern Serengeti. The safari plans for February show what fits after a climb in that month.

Month matters less than time. A climber on an eight-day route in November has better prospects than one on a five-day route in August, because days to acclimatise count for more than a dry path. Choose the longest route your dates allow, then the best month you can manage, and keep a spare day before your flight home. The Kilimanjaro guide covers getting there and where to stay.

Next: Questions ↓Contents ↑

Questions people ask

January, February and September are the best balance of dry weather, clear views and manageable crowds. July and August are just as dry but are the busiest months of the year. October is also good, and slightly warmer. Avoid April and May if you can.

There are two. The long rains run from late March through April and May and are the wettest weeks of the year. The short rains usually come in November and sometimes continue into early December. The southern slopes receive more rain than the northern side.

Yes, the park stays open and the trails are almost empty. Expect daily rain low down, mud, cloud and snow near the top, and fewer views. If you must go then, the Rongai Route on the drier northern side or the Marangu Route with its huts are the better choices.

It makes summit night brighter, which many people find encouraging, and the glaciers look remarkable in moonlight. It does not make the climb warmer, easier or safer, cloud can cover the moon, and the camps are busier around those dates. The nights either side are almost as bright.

Below freezing at night in every month. The average temperature at the summit is about minus seven degrees Celsius, and wind on the crater rim makes it feel much colder before dawn. Bring summit clothing for that whatever month you climb.

In the rainy months of April, May and November, which is the trade-off. In the dry seasons, late January, February, early June and September are quieter than July, August and the Christmas weeks. The northern routes are quieter than the southern ones all year.

Yes. January is in the short dry season, with clear mornings, cold nights and often fresh snow on the summit. The first week is busy with New Year climbers, and the rest of the month is quieter than the middle of the year.

Less than the length of your route does. Bad weather can make the climb harder and colder, but most people who turn back do so because of altitude. Published guidance, including the CDC Yellow Book, is that a slower ascent lowers the risk, so add days before you worry about dates.

Last updated 3 October 2026

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