What is the best time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in African continent is a dream for many mountain climbers in the world. To enjoy the most with the climb, it is good to know the best timing for your trek so that you can have the best experience. You will have to know the mountain's weather patterns and zones, mountain’s altitude, and seasonal variations that have important roles in determining the best time for your climb.

The following is a guide that will help you choose the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro:

Understanding Kilimanjaro's Climate Zones

Mount Kilimanjaro has different climate zones. As you climb the mountain, you will experience different climates from tropical rainforests which is at the base of the mountain, then to the alpine moorland zone, then to the Alpine desert zone and finally to the arctic conditions near the summit. This means that weather can quickly change over the course of your trek. These variations shows that it is very important to select the right season and time for your climb.

When is the best time to climb?

Peak Seasons: January to March and June to October

The most favorable times to climb Kilimanjaro are during the dry seasons. And for Tanzania, the dry seasons are

• January to March: These months offer clearer skies they have warmer temperatures, and also there is a lower chance of heavy rain, and all these conditions make these months as a more comfortable time for beautiful trek.

• June to October: This period coincides with Tanzania's peak safari travel season. This means there is also a stable weather conditions at the mountain and also it means there are more climbers on the different routes that are climbing.

If you climb Mount Kilimanjaro during these times, it increases your chances of reaching the summit safely and enjoying beautiful view as you are climbing the mountain.

Shoulder Seasons: Early March and Late September to October

There are people who do not like to have large crowds when climbing the mountain. And for those who are seeking fewer crowds and still want to experience favorable conditions, they should consider the shoulder seasons. Shoulder seasons falls under:

• Early March: Early March period is still warmer, and at this period there is a reduced traffic of mountain climbers.

• Late September to October: During these months there is a good weather and also there are fewer climbers, especially on less popular routes like Rongai route or Northern Circuit route.

These shoulder seasons can offer a satisfying experience on the mountain.

Off-Peak Seasons: April-May and November-December

Off-peak seasons are the seasons when is a wet season. Climbing during the wet season is absolutely possible, although it is not recommended for most beginner trekkers due to the following:

• Heavy rainfall: On these months, there is an increased chances of rain and snow, which together leads to the way being slippery and challenging to climb the mountain.

• Reduced visibility: At this season, there is a cloud cover and mist, and this directly obscure views and can make navigation to the mountain more difficult.

• Muddy trails: There is an increased precipitation especially on the rainforest zone. The increase precipitation leads to an increased mud on the way.

However, experienced climbers who enjoy solitude and quiet trekking, might consider climbing the mountain on these months, especially on the routes like Rongai, which are less affected by the rains.

Special Considerations: Full Moon Climbs

Climbing Kilimanjaro on a clear, full-moon night will give you an unforgettable experience. The beauty comes when you see the clean glaciers reflect the moonlight in the night. Also the moonlight will also make your last day to summit to be simpler, and sometimes, you won't even need to turn on your headlight.

If you want to experience the full moon climbs, it would be great that you plan your mountain climbing on the dates that coincides with the full moon dates of the year 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Here are the dates for full moon for Kilimanjaro climbing for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Year 2025: January 14th, February 12th, March 14th, April 13th, May 12th, June 11th, July 10th, August 9th, September 7th, October 7th, November 5th and December 5th

Year 2026: January 3rd, February 2nd, March 3rd, April 2nd, May 1st, May 31st, June 30th, July 29th, August 28th, September 26th, October 26th, November 24th and December 24th

Year 2027: January 22nd, February 21st, March 22nd, April 21st, May 20th, June 19th, July 18th, August 17th, September 16th, October 15th, November 14th and December 13th

Note: This information provided here for the full moon dates in 2025, 2026, and 2027 cannot be guaranteed to be accurate. Even though we have put our effort to ensure the accuracy in this moon calendar, users are encouraged to check it for accuracy wit their own contacts (tour operators) before travelling and they are doing so at their own risk.

To align your climb with a full moon, please make sure you are planning your trek to reach the summit on the night of the full moon. This will require very accurate timing and early booking due to limited availability.

Choosing the Right Route

The other thing to consider when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is choosing the route to climb. There routes have different levels of difficulty and they vary with the amount of days that someone will reach at the top of the mountain. There are different routes used in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and they are

1. Marangu Route – “Coca-Cola Route” (5–6 days): This route is the easiest way to use to climb mount Kilimanjaro and it is perfect for beginners.

2. Machame Route – “Whiskey Route” (6–7 days): This route offers beautiful views, but it is more challenging than Marangu route but gives you a better chance at reaching the top.

3. Lemosho Route – Quiet & Scenic (7–8 days): This route is scenic and gives you enough time to get used to the altitude.

4. Rongai Route – The Dry, Quiet One (6–7 days): Rongai route is the most dry route and tends to have fewer people on the trail. It has a gentler climb with a gradual incline, which helps with acclimatization.

5. Northern Circuit – Best Views, Best Success Rate (8–9 days): This is the longest route and it gives your body lots of time to adapt to the altitude.

6. Shira Route – Remote and Rugged (6–7 days): Shira route is recommended and it is great for experienced hikers who’ve done altitude before.

7. Umbwe Route – Steep and Serious (5–6 days): This route is for the real experienced ones. Umbwe route is short and steep. It doesn’t give your body enough time to adjust to the altitude.

Final Thoughts

In general, choosing the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro will depend on time of weather and season, the number of climbers on the mountain someone would like trek with, and specific experiences like full moon climbs. For most trekkers, the dry seasons of January to March and June to October gives the most favorable conditions. However, if climbing alone and enjoying unique experiences are what someone likes, then the shoulder and off-peak seasons might be more suitable.

And final thing to do and remember, regardless of the time and season you choose to climb, ensure that you have a nice and proper preparation, acclimatization, and choose the right route. All these are important for a successful and memorable Mount Kilimanjaro climb. Welcome to the Mount Kilimanjaro.