Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure — and choosing the right time of year dramatically improves your comfort, safety, and summit success rate. Although Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, some months offer far better weather, visibility, and trail conditions than others.
This guide gives you a month-by-month breakdown, covering:
✔ Weather
✔ Temperature
✔ Crowd levels
✔ Trail conditions
✔ Wildlife visibility
✔ Summit success rate
✔ Best months overall
⭐ The 2 Best Seasons to Climb Kilimanjaro
🌤️ 1. January to March (Short Dry Season)
Ideal for: Clear skies + cooler summit temperatures
Temperature: Mild
Skies: Clear
Crowds: Medium
Success Rate: High
These months offer excellent weather, fewer climbers than summer, and great visibility.
☀️ 2. June to October (Long Dry Season)
Ideal for: Perfect weather + highest success rates
Temperature: Warm days, cool nights
Crowds: High
Success Rate: Very High
Visibility: Excellent
This is the most popular time to climb Kilimanjaro due to stable weather and dry trails.
🌧️ Months to Avoid (Rainy Seasons)
Two rainy seasons make climbing more difficult:
❌ April & May — Long Rains
Heavy daily rain
Muddy trails
Cloudy skies
Low visibility
Very difficult conditions
❌ November — Short Rains
Light but frequent rain
Wet and slippery terrain
Although some experienced trekkers still climb in November for fewer crowds, April–May are not recommended.
📅 Month-by-Month Breakdown
January
⭐ Excellent month
Warm, clear days
Occasional short rain
Moderate crowds
Best for: Photography, stable weather
February
⭐ Best month of the year
Clear skies
Perfect for scenic views
High summit success rate
Best for: Amazing summit sunrise
March
🟡 Mixed
Good until mid-March
Rain increases at end
Best for: Low crowds
April
❌ Not recommended
Wettest period
Cloudy & muddy
High slip risk
May
❌ Avoid
Trails waterlogged
Poor visibility
June
⭐ Very good
Dry, cooler
Start of long dry season
Crowds pick up slowly
July
⭐ Excellent
Clear skies
Very dry trail
Higher crowds
August
⭐⭐ Peak month
Best weather overall
Highly stable conditions
Large number of climbers
September
⭐⭐ Outstanding month
Great visibility
Warm weather
One of the best months for summit success
October
⭐ Good
Still dry
Rain increases at end
November
❌ Short rains
Wet
Slippery trails
Cloudy
Good option only if you want zero crowds.
December
🟡 Mixed
Festive season crowd
Weather unstable
Good windows between rains
🏔️ Best Time Based on Climbing Priorities
⭐ Best Overall Months:
January, February, July, August, September
⭐ Best for Photography + Clear Views:
January, February
⭐ Best for Fewer Crowds:
March, June, Early October
⭐ Best Weather + Dry Trails:
July–September
⭐ Not Recommended:
April, May, November
❄️ Kilimanjaro Summit Weather (What to Expect)
| Season | Temperature at Summit |
|---|---|
| Dry season | -6°C to -14°C |
| Rainy season | -2°C to -10°C |
| Night of summit | -10°C to -20°C (wind chill) |
The summit is cold year-round, but conditions become harder in the rainy season.
🎒 How Weather Affects Summit Success Rate
| Months | Success Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–March | High | Best visibility |
| June–Oct | Very High | Stable weather |
| Nov | Medium | Slippery |
| April–May | Low | Harsh conditions |
🧭 Which Route Is Best for Each Season?
Dry Season (Jan–March & June–Oct)
✔ Machame Route
✔ Lemosho Route
✔ Northern Circuit
✔ Rongai Route
Rainy Season
✔ Rongai Route (only recommended option)
It receives less rainfall since it approaches from the northern side.
🌟 Final Recommendation
If you want the best weather + high success rate + best photography, choose:
👉 January – February
👉 July – September
These months offer the most enjoyable and safest experience.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure — and choosing the right time of year dramatically improves your comfort, safety, and summit success rate. Although Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, some months offer far better weather, visibility, and trail conditions than others.
This guide gives you a month-by-month breakdown, covering:
✔ Weather
✔ Temperature
✔ Crowd levels
✔ Trail conditions
✔ Wildlife visibility
✔ Summit success rate
✔ Best months overall
⭐ The 2 Best Seasons to Climb Kilimanjaro
🌤️ 1. January to March (Short Dry Season)
Ideal for: Clear skies + cooler summit temperatures
Temperature: Mild
Skies: Clear
Crowds: Medium
Success Rate: High
These months offer excellent weather, fewer climbers than summer, and great visibility.
☀️ 2. June to October (Long Dry Season)
Ideal for: Perfect weather + highest success rates
Temperature: Warm days, cool nights
Crowds: High
Success Rate: Very High
Visibility: Excellent
This is the most popular time to climb Kilimanjaro due to stable weather and dry trails.
🌧️ Months to Avoid (Rainy Seasons)
Two rainy seasons make climbing more difficult:
❌ April & May — Long Rains
Heavy daily rain
Muddy trails
Cloudy skies
Low visibility
Very difficult conditions
❌ November — Short Rains
Light but frequent rain
Wet and slippery terrain
Although some experienced trekkers still climb in November for fewer crowds, April–May are not recommended.
📅 Month-by-Month Breakdown
January
⭐ Excellent month
Warm, clear days
Occasional short rain
Moderate crowds
Best for: Photography, stable weather
February
⭐ Best month of the year
Clear skies
Perfect for scenic views
High summit success rate
Best for: Amazing summit sunrise
March
🟡 Mixed
Good until mid-March
Rain increases at end
Best for: Low crowds
April
❌ Not recommended
Wettest period
Cloudy & muddy
High slip risk
May
❌ Avoid
Trails waterlogged
Poor visibility
June
⭐ Very good
Dry, cooler
Start of long dry season
Crowds pick up slowly
July
⭐ Excellent
Clear skies
Very dry trail
Higher crowds
August
⭐⭐ Peak month
Best weather overall
Highly stable conditions
Large number of climbers
September
⭐⭐ Outstanding month
Great visibility
Warm weather
One of the best months for summit success
October
⭐ Good
Still dry
Rain increases at end
November
❌ Short rains
Wet
Slippery trails
Cloudy
Good option only if you want zero crowds.
December
🟡 Mixed
Festive season crowd
Weather unstable
Good windows between rains
🏔️ Best Time Based on Climbing Priorities
⭐ Best Overall Months:
January, February, July, August, September
⭐ Best for Photography + Clear Views:
January, February
⭐ Best for Fewer Crowds:
March, June, Early October
⭐ Best Weather + Dry Trails:
July–September
⭐ Not Recommended:
April, May, November
❄️ Kilimanjaro Summit Weather (What to Expect)
| Season | Temperature at Summit |
|---|---|
| Dry season | -6°C to -14°C |
| Rainy season | -2°C to -10°C |
| Night of summit | -10°C to -20°C (wind chill) |
The summit is cold year-round, but conditions become harder in the rainy season.
🎒 How Weather Affects Summit Success Rate
| Months | Success Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–March | High | Best visibility |
| June–Oct | Very High | Stable weather |
| Nov | Medium | Slippery |
| April–May | Low | Harsh conditions |
🧭 Which Route Is Best for Each Season?
Dry Season (Jan–March & June–Oct)
✔ Machame Route
✔ Lemosho Route
✔ Northern Circuit
✔ Rongai Route
Rainy Season
✔ Rongai Route (only recommended option)
It receives less rainfall since it approaches from the northern side.
🌟 Final Recommendation
If you want the best weather + high success rate + best photography, choose:
👉 January – February
👉 July – September
These months offer the most enjoyable and safest experience.
English 
Dutch 
French 
Czech 
Spanish 
German 
Polish 
Italian 
Chinese 
Russian