Kilimanjaro Weather by Season

One of the two best months. Short dry season in full effect. Stable weather, clear summit views, moderate temperatures.

January sits in the short dry season. It is one of the most reliable months for clear summit views and stable conditions. Nighttime temperatures at summit are cold but manageable with proper equipment. The Rongai Route is particularly recommended in January as it approaches from the north where rainfall is lower.

Second-best month. Stable, dry, good visibility. Final month before the long rains begin.

February is the end of the short dry season and the last month before the long rains typically begin in March. Conditions are excellent and predictable. Summit visibility is at its best. All routes are in good condition. Book early — February is popular.

Transitional month. Long rains typically begin mid-March. Conditions become less predictable. Lower summit success rates.

March marks the start of the long rainy season, though onset varies significantly year to year. If the rains arrive early, trails become muddy and summit visibility decreases. However, March sees fewer climbers than peak months, and some experienced operators consider it workable if the rainy season is delayed.

Peak of long rainy season. Heavy daily rainfall at all altitudes. Muddy, slippery, poor visibility. Highest failure rate of any month.

April is the worst month to climb Kilimanjaro. Rainfall is heavy and consistent — not brief afternoon showers but sustained precipitation. Trails become deeply muddy. Visibility at the summit is poor more often than not. Mount Kilimanjaro Climb does not offer standard climbs during April. If April is your only availability, consider whether delaying 2–3 months would be worth the difference in summit probability.

Still within long rainy season. Conditions similar to April. Ground remains saturated. Wait for June for dry season.

May is the tail end of the long rainy season. Conditions are similar to April. Early May is still solidly in the rainy season. If committed to a May climb, the very end of the month (after the 20th) may offer marginally better conditions. The Rongai Route, which approaches from the drier north, is the only viable option.

Start of the long dry season. Weather stabilising. Fewer crowds than July–August. Good summit conditions.

June marks the beginning of the long dry season. Rainfall drops sharply and conditions become more predictable. June is one of the quieter months — the July–August peak has not yet arrived, meaning fewer climbers on the trails and less competition for campsites.

Long dry season in full effect. Peak season begins. Clear skies, cold summit nights. Trails busier.

July is in the long dry season and marks the beginning of peak climbing season. Weather is excellent — clear skies, minimal rainfall, good summit visibility. The main challenge is the cold: July nights at the summit are among the coldest of the year. Snow is visible on the upper slopes. The mountain is busier, particularly on Machame and Lemosho.

Peak season continues. Similar to July. Afternoon cloud building. Still excellent overall conditions.

August is essentially a continuation of July's excellent conditions. August has a distinctive pattern of afternoon cloud building on the southern slopes — the mountain draws moisture from Indian Ocean evaporation. This rarely affects summit attempts which happen at night. Northern Circuit and Rongai routes are less affected by this pattern.

The single best month to climb Kilimanjaro. Long dry season established. Peak clarity, low rainfall, moderate summit cold.

September is the optimal climbing month. The long dry season has been running for three months — the mountain is fully dried out, trails are firm, and summit visibility is at its most reliable. Rainfall is at its annual minimum. This is when Mount Kilimanjaro Climb' own summit success rate is highest. September combines the best of every season.

Transitional month. Short rains may begin late in the month. Conditions still generally good in early October.

October is a transitional month and the end of the long dry season. In some years, the short rains begin in October — typically in the final week. In other years, dry conditions persist. Early October is still excellent; late October becomes less predictable. Build in a day or two of flexibility in Moshi or Arusha.

Short rainy season begins. Rain increases through month. Lower summit success rates than dry season months.

November is the short rainy season, but it is generally less intense than the long rains of April–May. Rainfall is more intermittent — afternoon and evening showers rather than sustained all-day precipitation. Summit visibility decreases, but the climbs are viable. November is one of the least crowded months.

End of short rainy season. Conditions improve through month. Popular with holiday climbers. Clear Christmas week.

December marks the transition out of the short rainy season. Rainfall decreases through the month, and by the second week, conditions are typically good. Christmas week is popular with international climbers and is one of the best weeks of the year. Nights are not as cold as July–August, which some climbers find more manageable.