What months are best to climb Kilimanjaro?
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the dry season. The dry season is the months of January, February, June, July, August, September, October and December.
All of the above mentioned months tend to be the busiest times on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the high season for tourism.
Because Tanzania lies very near the equator, the country does not have four seasons like most other countries. Instead, there are two seasons – wet and dry. The temperature does vary, but the temperature doesn’t have the large swings that most people are accustomed to.
The only times that should be avoided are during Tanzania’s two rainy seasons. The long rainy season is from the beginning of March to the beginning of June and the short rainy season is from November to the beginning of December. Experienced backpackers can climb during the rainy season, just be prepared for wet weather. Normally, the rain comes in the afternoon, after you are to camp. The two routes we recommend during the rainy season are the Marangu route (sleep in huts) and the Rongai route (drier).
Keep in mind, even during the “dry” seasons, climbers may still experience heavy rains. The mountain’s weather is unpredictable. Always be prepared for cold and rain.
