Mount Kilimanjaro - best times to go!
by The Adventure People on 25th March 2019
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It is possible to summit Mount Kilimanjaro year round, some times are just more or less favourable. Generally speaking, the best time to go is January-February and July - October. Because the mountain is close to the equator, there's no winter and summer per se where one is a lot colder than the other. There's a wet season and dry season however so here we break down month by month to know better what to expect.
January - February
A very popular time to go to Mount Kilimanjaro. The temperature is usually at its highest, but don't expect it to be hot just because you're in Tanzania! The warmest part is the start where the average temp is usually 15 degrees Celcius and at the summit, it dips to around -5.
March - May
This is the time to go if you're not a big fan of crowds. It's the least popular time to go, because it's the wettest time of year, so expect some rainfall and more clouds. It's recommended for more experienced climbers because of the weather.
June - August
Less wet than the prior months but you can still expect a little rain here and there. It's also the time of year with the least amount of clouds which makes for some incredible views. But it's also the coldest time of year where the average warmest temperature is around 7 degrees Celcius and the coldest dips to - 5 again. This is when it starts to get really busy so book far in advance if you can to guarantee your space.
September - October
Slightly warmer than June - August and little to no rainfall. Probably the best time to go along with January - February. There are still big crowds so don't leave your booking to the last minute.
November - December
Still a great time to go. Fewer crowds and slightly warmer temperature but November can again be quite wet. A bit more cloudy than the previous months but also fewer crowds.
Mount Kilimanjaro is an incredible mountain whenever you choose to go and the weather can be unpredictable so you may not experience much rain during the wet season or you might experience a lot during the dry season. Just remember to pack well. We've also made a video on what to pack for a longer trek which you can watch here.
