Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro
Month-by-month weather, crowds, costs, and success rates
Month-by-month weather, crowds, costs, and success rates
Everyone who searches "when to climb Kilimanjaro" gets the same vague answer: "dry season is best." Which dry season? How dry? How crowded? What if you can only travel in November?
This guide cuts through the generic advice. We've guided climbers every single month for over 20 years. We know what January summits look like at -25°C. We've summited in April thunderstorms. We've seen September's perfect balance of clear skies and empty trails.
Here's the truth: there is no universally "best" month. It depends on whether you prioritize weather, budget, crowds, or combining your climb with safari. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly which month works for your priorities.
For most climbers: January-March or June-October.
These are Kilimanjaro's two dry seasons. Clear skies, stable weather, minimal rain. Summit success rates hit 85-95% on properly paced 7-8 day routes. You'll deal with cold (especially January-February), but you'll also get the views you came for.
If you want specifics:
But let's go deeper. Month choice affects more than just weather—it changes your entire experience.
Kilimanjaro sits 200 miles south of the equator in Tanzania's northern highlands. It doesn't have traditional seasons like temperate climates. Instead, it follows East Africa's tropical pattern: two dry seasons separated by two rainy seasons.
This is the "short" dry season, sandwiched between the short rains (November-December) and long rains (April-May). Don't let "short" fool you—conditions are excellent.
Weather characteristics:
What this means for your climb: You'll freeze on summit night, but you'll see forever. January-February offer the highest probability of crystal-clear summit photos. Glaciers gleam under intense equatorial sun. Stars at night are spectacular. This is when photographers and experienced cold-weather mountaineers target Kilimanjaro.
Crowds: Moderate. January sees post-holiday traffic taper off. February is quieter. March picks up as Europeans escape late winter.
Who should climb: Anyone comfortable with extreme cold, photographers prioritizing visibility, experienced altitude trekkers.
The "long" dry season. This is Kilimanjaro's main climbing window and most popular period.
Weather characteristics:
What this means for your climb: Reliable conditions without the January deep freeze. You'll still need serious cold-weather gear, but summit night is less punishing. Daytime temperatures in alpine zones are comfortable. This is why July-August attract the masses—weather is dependable.
Crowds: Heavy, especially July-August. September sees crowds thin as schools resume. October starts transitioning to short rains.
Who should climb: First-timers wanting reliable weather, families (summer vacation aligns perfectly), anyone prioritizing summit success over solitude.
Most people don't realize Kilimanjaro offers two completely different dry season experiences. January-March is colder and clearer. June-October is warmer and busier. Both work—you're choosing between extreme cold with perfect visibility versus moderate cold with more company.
Let's break down all 12 months with the data you actually need: weather, temperature ranges, crowd levels, costs, and honest success rate estimates.
Weather: Excellent — peak dry season
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps (2,800-3,500m): 10-20°C day, 0-5°C night
— Mid camps (3,500-4,500m): 5-15°C day, -5 to 0°C night
— High camp (4,600-5,000m): 0-10°C day, -15 to -10°C night
— Summit (5,895m): -10 to -5°C day, -25 to -20°C night
Crowd level: 3/5 — Moderate
Cost level: $$ — Standard pricing
Success rate: 90-95% (8-day routes)
Verdict: Highly recommended
January delivers some of the clearest skies you'll ever see at altitude. The trade-off is brutal cold. We've seen summit nights where everything freezes—water bottles solid, camera batteries dead in minutes. But if you pack properly and embrace the cold, January rewards you with views that July climbers dream about.
Early January sees post-New Year traffic taper. Mid-to-late January is a sweet spot—fewer crowds than peak summer but identical weather quality.
Weather: Excellent — peak dry season
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 10-20°C day, 0-5°C night
— Mid camps: 5-15°C day, -5 to 0°C night
— High camp: 0-10°C day, -15 to -10°C night
— Summit: -10 to -5°C day, -25 to -20°C night
Crowd level: 3/5 — Moderate
Cost level: $$ — Standard pricing
Success rate: 90-95% (8-day routes)
Verdict: Highly recommended
Nearly identical to January. Slightly warmer in the first half, similar conditions overall. February is when serious mountaineers climb—they know the weather is dialed in. If you're combining Kilimanjaro with safari, February is calving season in Serengeti and Ngorongoro—baby wildebeest everywhere.
Weather: Good to variable — early March dry, late March transitions to rains
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 12-22°C day, 2-7°C night
— Mid camps: 7-17°C day, -3 to 2°C night
— High camp: 2-12°C day, -12 to -7°C night
— Summit: -8 to -3°C day, -20 to -15°C night
Crowd level: 3/5 — Moderate
Cost level: $$ — Standard pricing
Success rate: 80-90% (early March), 70-80% (late March)
Verdict: Recommended early month, risky late month
March is the transition month. The first two weeks usually stay dry—excellent conditions. After mid-March, the long rains approach. Some years they arrive March 20, others not until early April. This unpredictability makes late March a gamble.
If you climb March, aim for the first half. You'll get dry season weather with fewer crowds (many people avoid March entirely due to rain fears).
Weather: Wet — heaviest rainfall of the year
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 13-23°C day, 5-10°C night (but soaking wet)
— Mid camps: 8-18°C day, 0-5°C night
— High camp: 3-13°C day, -10 to -5°C night
— Summit: -5 to 0°C day, -15 to -10°C night (often in cloud/snow)
Crowd level: 1/5 — Very light
Cost level: $ — 25-30% discount
Success rate: 60-70% (weather-dependent)
Verdict: Avoid unless budget-constrained or adventurous
April is the wettest month on Kilimanjaro. Afternoon downpours below 4,000m are near-daily. Trails turn to mud rivers. Rain gear becomes your best friend. Above 4,500m, rain turns to snow. Summit attempts often happen in whiteout conditions.
Why anyone climbs in April: Prices drop 25-30%. The mountain is empty—you might see 20 climbers total instead of 200. Some people love the challenge and solitude. If you pack properly (quality waterproof gear is non-negotiable) and choose an 8-day route, April summits are absolutely possible.
Who should go: Adventure travelers who embrace hardship, budget-focused climbers, or those with inflexible work schedules. Not recommended for first-time high-altitude climbers.
Weather: Wet early, improving late
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 13-23°C day, 5-10°C night
— Mid camps: 8-18°C day, 0-5°C night
— High camp: 3-13°C day, -10 to -5°C night
— Summit: -5 to 0°C day, -15 to -10°C night
Crowd level: 1/5 — Very light
Cost level: $ — 20-30% discount
Success rate: 65-75% (improving late month)
Verdict: Late May possible, early May challenging
May is April's slightly better sibling. Early May still sees regular rain. Late May often dries out as the long rains taper off. Some years, late May is excellent—nearly dry with empty trails. Other years, rains persist through the entire month.
If you must climb in May, target the last 10 days. Weather forecasts become more useful closer to your departure—if the rains are ending early, late May can be a hidden gem.
Weather: Excellent — dry season begins
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 10-20°C day, 0-5°C night
— Mid camps: 5-15°C day, -5 to 0°C night
— High camp: 0-10°C day, -13 to -8°C night
— Summit: -8 to -3°C day, -18 to -13°C night
Crowd level: 4/5 — Heavy
Cost level: $$$ — Peak pricing
Success rate: 85-95% (8-day routes)
Verdict: Highly recommended
June marks the start of high season. Rains end, skies clear, and the climbing world shows up. Weather is reliably excellent—dry trails, clear mornings, occasional afternoon clouds that burn off by evening.
June is warmer than January but still requires full winter gear for summit night. Winds pick up slightly compared to the short dry season. Crowds build throughout the month—early June is less busy than late June.
Who should climb: First-timers, families (school's out), anyone wanting predictable conditions without January's extreme cold.
Weather: Excellent — peak dry season
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 8-18°C day, -2 to 3°C night
— Mid camps: 3-13°C day, -7 to -2°C night
— High camp: -2 to 8°C day, -15 to -10°C night
— Summit: -10 to -5°C day, -20 to -15°C night
Crowd level: 5/5 — Very heavy
Cost level: $$$ — Peak pricing
Success rate: 85-95% (8-day routes)
Verdict: Excellent weather, very crowded
July is Kilimanjaro's busiest month. Popular routes see 200+ climbers at any given time. Machame's Barranco Camp can feel like a small village. Summit night on Machame or Marangu is a conga line of headlamps.
The crowds aren't exaggerated. We've guided July climbs where we passed 50+ people on summit night. If you value solitude, July isn't your month. If you want near-guaranteed good weather and don't mind sharing the mountain, July delivers.
Pro tip: Choose less-trafficked routes (Northern Circuit, Rongai) or accept the social atmosphere of Machame/Lemosho.
Weather: Excellent — peak dry season
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 8-18°C day, -2 to 3°C night
— Mid camps: 3-13°C day, -7 to -2°C night
— High camp: -2 to 8°C day, -15 to -10°C night
— Summit: -10 to -5°C day, -20 to -15°C night
Crowd level: 5/5 — Very heavy
Cost level: $$$ — Peak pricing
Success rate: 85-95% (8-day routes)
Verdict: Excellent weather, very crowded
Clone of July. Same weather, same crowds. If you're climbing in August, mentally prepare for a social experience. You'll meet climbers from 15+ countries. Camps are bustling. Some people love this energy. Others find it overwhelming.
August combines perfectly with Tanzania's peak safari season—the Great Migration's dramatic river crossings happen in Serengeti's northern sector.
Weather: Excellent — late dry season
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 10-20°C day, 0-5°C night
— Mid camps: 5-15°C day, -5 to 0°C night
— High camp: 0-10°C day, -13 to -8°C night
— Summit: -8 to -3°C day, -18 to -13°C night
Crowd level: 3/5 — Moderate
Cost level: $$ — Standard pricing (dropping late month)
Success rate: 85-95% (8-day routes)
Verdict: Our favorite month — best balance
September is the Goldilocks month. Still fully dry season—weather is identical to July-August. But schools resume globally, and crowds drop by 60-70%. You get dry season reliability without the circus.
Temperatures are also the least brutal. September summit nights average -15°C instead of January's -25°C or July's -18°C. Still freezing, but less punishing.
After 20+ years guiding, September is our top recommendation for most climbers. It checks every box: great weather, reasonable crowds, excellent success rates, comfortable temperatures (relatively speaking).
Weather: Good to variable — late dry season transitioning
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 12-22°C day, 2-7°C night
— Mid camps: 7-17°C day, -3 to 2°C night
— High camp: 2-12°C day, -10 to -5°C night
— Summit: -5 to 0°C day, -15 to -10°C night
Crowd level: 2/5 — Light
Cost level: $$ — Standard to shoulder pricing
Success rate: 75-85% (variable by timing)
Verdict: Early October great, late October risky
October is March in reverse—a transition month. Early October is typically dry with excellent conditions. After October 20, the short rains often arrive (though less predictably than the April-May long rains).
If you climb October, aim for the first three weeks. You'll enjoy warm temperatures, light crowds, and good weather odds. Late October is a gamble—some years stay dry, others see daily afternoon showers.
October pairs beautifully with safari—October is one of Tanzania's best wildlife months with green landscapes and fewer tourists.
Weather: Variable — short rainy season
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 13-23°C day, 5-10°C night (often wet)
— Mid camps: 8-18°C day, 0-5°C night
— High camp: 3-13°C day, -8 to -3°C night
— Summit: -5 to 0°C day, -13 to -8°C night
Crowd level: 2/5 — Light
Cost level: $ — 15-20% discount
Success rate: 70-80% (route-dependent)
Verdict: Possible with right route and expectations
November brings the "short rains"—less intense and less predictable than April-May. Some years, November is mostly dry with occasional showers. Other years, it rains daily below 3,500m.
The alpine zones (above 4,000m) stay mostly dry even during November rains. You'll deal with mud in lower camps but often clear skies for summit. This makes November more climbable than April.
Route matters in November: Rongai (approaching from the drier north) sees less rain than Machame or Lemosho (exposed to southern weather patterns). If you must climb November, choose Rongai.
Weather: Improving — short rains taper off
Temperature ranges:
— Lower camps: 12-22°C day, 3-8°C night
— Mid camps: 7-17°C day, -2 to 3°C night
— High camp: 2-12°C day, -10 to -5°C night
— Summit: -7 to -2°C day, -17 to -12°C night
Crowd level: 4/5 — Heavy (late month)
Cost level: $$$ — Peak pricing (late month)
Success rate: 75-85% (early Dec), 85-95% (late Dec)
Verdict: Early December risky, late December excellent
December splits into two periods. Early December can still see short rains. After mid-December, conditions rapidly improve—skies clear, trails dry, weather stabilizes.
Late December (Dec 20-31) is excellent. Weather rivals January with warmer temps. The festive season brings an adventurous crowd—people summiting on Christmas, New Year's Eve celebrations at high camp.
Booking note: Late December is extremely popular. Christmas and New Year climbs sell out by June-July. Book 6+ months ahead for holiday slots.
Conventional wisdom says: "Never climb Kilimanjaro in April, May, or November." We've guided during all three months. Here's the honest assessment.
What to expect:
Why people climb anyway:
Should you do it? Only if: (1) Budget is critical and you can't afford dry season pricing, (2) You're an experienced hiker comfortable with difficult conditions, (3) You're mentally prepared to possibly summit in a whiteout, or (4) Your work schedule is inflexible.
If you climb April-May: Choose an 8-day route (Lemosho or Northern Circuit). Pack bombproof waterproof gear. Accept lower summit odds. Consider Diamox. Mentally prepare for hardship.
What to expect:
Why people climb anyway:
Should you do it? November is a middle-ground gamble. Not as reliable as dry months, not as brutal as April. If you're flexible, comfortable with some rain, and want to save money, November works—especially on Rongai route.
You'll read articles claiming "Kilimanjaro is climbable year-round, there's no bad time." Technically true—people summit every month. But there are worse times.
April has a 60-70% success rate. September has a 90-95% success rate. That 25-30 percentage point gap matters. Lower success rates mean more people turning back at 5,000m, spending thousands to not summit.
If you climb rainy season, do it eyes wide open—know you're choosing challenge and budget over reliability.
If budget is your top priority, here's the pricing breakdown:
Cheapest months (25-30% discounts):
Moderate discounts (15-20% off):
Standard pricing:
Peak pricing (no discounts, sometimes premiums):
Example pricing (8-day Lemosho):
That's $600-800 savings if you climb April vs. July. For a couple, that's $1,200-1,600—significant money.
Budget strategy: If you must save money, November is the best compromise. Better weather odds than April-May while still discounted. Choose Rongai route for drier northern approach. Pack excellent rain gear. Go in with the right expectations.
Hate crowds? Here are your options, ranked by solitude level:
Emptiest months (near-private mountain experience):
Light crowds (maybe 30-50 climbers on popular routes):
Moderate crowds (100-150 climbers):
Heavy crowds (200+ climbers):
Strategy for solitude: September offers the best balance—dry season reliability with 60-70% fewer people than July. Late January and early February also work if you tolerate extreme cold.
Route matters too: Northern Circuit and Rongai see far fewer climbers than Machame or Marangu, even during peak months. If solitude matters, choose your route wisely—we compare crowd levels on our route comparison page.
If summiting is your absolute priority, choose months with highest success rates:
Highest success rates (90-95% on 8-day routes):
Very good success rates (85-92%):
Good success rates (75-85%):
Lower success rates (65-75%):
What drives these differences:
Success rates correlate directly with weather stability. Dry months = predictable conditions = higher success. Rainy months = unpredictable weather = more turnarounds.
That said, route length matters as much as month. An 8-day climb in April has better success odds than a 5-day climb in July. Acclimatization time is the single biggest success factor.
If you're taking a shorter route (6 days), choose the driest months (Jan-Feb, July-Sep). If you're taking a longer route (8-9 days), you have more month flexibility.
Not all routes experience weather the same way. Kilimanjaro's weather patterns come predominantly from the south and east—Indian Ocean moisture hits the southern and eastern slopes hardest.
Machame Route (Southern approach):
Lemosho Route (Western approach):
Umbwe Route (Southern approach):
Rongai Route (Northern approach):
Northern Circuit (Northern traverse):
Marangu Route (Southeastern approach):
Bottom line: If you're climbing during marginal months (March, late October, November), choose Rongai or Northern Circuit for drier conditions. If you're climbing peak dry season (Jan-Feb, July-Sep), any route works weather-wise.
Your packing list shifts slightly based on when you climb. Here's what changes:
Critical additions:
Skip or minimize: Rain gear less critical (though still bring it). You won't need it below camps.
Critical additions:
Skip or minimize: You don't need the extreme cold gear of January. Standard alpine clothing works.
Critical additions:
Skip or minimize: You can get by with slightly lighter insulation (sleeping bag can be -5°C rated instead of -15°C).
Strategy: Pack for both scenarios. Bring full rain gear AND full cold gear. You might need either depending on when storms hit.
For comprehensive packing lists by route and season, see our complete packing guide.
There's no single "best" month—it depends on your priorities. For weather: January-February or July-September. For fewer crowds: September or late January. For budget: April-May. For most first-timers, we recommend late June through September—reliable weather with manageable crowds and good success rates.
Yes, people climb successfully during rainy months (April-May, November). Expect muddy trails, afternoon rain below 4,000m, and lower visibility. Success rates drop to 65-75% vs 90%+ in dry season. If you go, choose an 8-day route, pack excellent waterproof gear, and embrace the challenge. The upside: 30% cheaper prices and nearly empty trails.
For July-August peak season: book 6-9 months ahead. For January-February, June, September: 4-6 months. For shoulder months (March, October, November): 2-4 months. Rainy season (April-May): 1-2 months. Popular routes like Lemosho sell out fastest. Last-minute bookings risk limited route availability or no permits at all.
Both are excellent dry months. January: clearer skies, fewer crowds, but much colder (summit temps -20°C to -25°C). July: warmer (summit temps -10°C to -15°C), but crowded with 200+ climbers on popular routes. Choose January if you want solitude and don't mind extreme cold. Choose July if you want reliable weather and don't mind sharing the mountain.
April and May are the wettest months with the lowest success rates (60-70%). Heavy rains, muddy trails, and poor visibility make these the most challenging months. That said, some adventurous climbers prefer them for solitude and budget pricing. November is hit-or-miss—short rains are less intense than April-May, but conditions vary year to year.
Yes. Rongai (northern approach) sees less rain during wet months—better for November climbs. Marangu has hut shelter, offering some protection during rainy months. Machame and Lemosho are fully exposed to weather from the south and west. If climbing during marginal months (March, October, November), Rongai is your best bet. All routes work well in dry season (Jan-Mar, Jun-Oct).
You now have the complete picture: weather patterns, temperature ranges, crowd levels, costs, and success rates for every single month.
Quick decision framework:
Still unsure which month fits your situation? We'll ask a few questions about your experience, priorities, and constraints, then recommend the ideal window for your climb.
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