(2023-2024) Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

(2023-2024) Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro is in the months of June to August, December till October. (2023-2024) Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro enables you to hike to the highest point along Mountain Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak) in Tanzania.

Mountain Kilimanjaro can be hiked anytime around the year by all travelers interested in climbing to Africa’s highest point at Uhuru Peak. Climbers are recommended to climb the Mountain in the months of June to August as well as December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October.

Due to the location of Tanzania close to the Equator, the weather can change unexpectedly despite the season. The driest Months are April and November hence no climbing happens during this season.

Month by Month-(2023-2024) Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Mountain Kilimanjaro is annually open to be climbed. Below is the breakdown according to the Months.

• January and February to March

These months are recommended to climb the Mountain as the trails are relatively dry with clear days and good visibility. There are routine showers with opportunities to view snow over 14,000ft hence exceptional when taking numerous photos.

During these months the trails are calm and quieter compared to the peak climbing season in the months of June to September.

If you are a hiker/ climber interested in climbing quietly, you should come to climb during these months.

• March, April and May

These months are very ideal to climb the Mountain especially around early May but as the month continues, the rains begin making the trails muddy hence poor visibility. In late March and May, the weather gets drier.

If you transfer around these seasons, be prepared of wet weather as well as poor visibility. If you are not interested in hiking with many people and are not bothered by uncertain weather conditions, these months are perfect.

• June/ July/ August and September

These Months are appropriate for climbers due to the best weather conditions comprising of some rain drops as well as Europe summer vacation season.

This is the busiest season along the Mountain and you should expect some rainfall as you climb. The Routes are busier during this period more often over full moon.

During this time, you move with huge crowds following the famous Marangu Route and Machame Route.

• October / November

During these two months, the Mountain is quieter with short rains which last for 3-4 weeks. The rains fall in the late afternoon and treks happen along the Rongai route and Northern circuit route.

When you need to avoid crowds and are not affected by weather changes, these months are perfect.

(2023-2024) Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro: Things to consider when climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

1. Weather Conditions

Mountain Kilimanjaro is located near the Equator hence experiences both dry and wet seasons which make you prepare accordingly for changes in the weather conditions before you book to climb the Mountain Tanzania.

During the Best Time to climb the Mountain there are clear skies, spectacular views and sunshine which enhances clear photography.

2. Temperature

Mountain Kilimanjaro Temperatures vary as seasons change due to differ in climatic zones i.e from December to March and June are very cold hence viewing snow at the Mountain is promised. The number of climbers during this period are few compared to the peak months of July through August.

Rain Rainy season at Mountain Kilimanjaro

Mountain Kilimanjaro has two differing wet seasons and these include;

• Long Rainy Season in the months of March through May
• Short Rainy Season in November

 

3. Visibility along the Mountain

Visibility along Mountain Kilimanjaro is affected by the clouds, mist and fog. In the months from Late March to end of May and all November, the visibility along the Mountain is not clear due to fog and mist covering the slopes. This affects clear photography and viewing the vistas.

4. Crowds (Number of climbers along the Mountain)

The Months of March, June and October are the busiest months along the Mountain following the Marangu and Machame Routes. You can also follow the busy routes i.e the Northern Circuits, Rongai or Lemosho Routes.

As you are planning to climb Mountain Kilimanjaro, look out for these busy overcrowded seasons. This is because during these periods, the toilet facilities at campsites are crowded something that is quite not so appropriate.

Alternatively, you can choose to climb the Mountain following routes with less traffic so as to avoid moving in crowds.

Mountain Kilimanjaro Safety & Trail Conditions

Experienced hikers can climb Mountain Kilimanjaro anytime around the year since they can navigate flexibly along the slippery trails and a bit of mud.

For the inexperienced hikers, you should climb the Mountain in the drier months so as to go flexibly along the lower slopes through the forest. Before you climb the Mountain, you should check this out so as to enjoy the Best Mountain Climbing Adventures in Tanzania.

Full Moon (& New Moon) Climbs at Mountain Kilimanjaro

At Mountain Kilimanjaro, hikers can take on Full Moon Hikes which begin at midnight before finishing the hike to the summit at Uhuru Peak. The hikes are done under a cloudless midnight sky, lit by a full moon. While moving under the moonlight, you won’t require having a head torch while on ascent.

The Midnight hikes under full moon begin when on the 7 Days Trek where you start five Days before the date of the full moon. The Nights before and after the actual full moon are very beautiful and exciting to enjoy.

So book the hikes under the full moon to enjoy getting to the Uhuru Peak.

Climatic Zones of Mountain Kilimanjaro

• The lower slopes along Mountain Kilimanjaro are covered with Savannah and Rain Forest hence known to be hot and with rainfall.
• The Lower Alpine zone with heath and moorland is cooler with low Rainfall – precipitation that happen annually.
• The Alpine desert zone comprises of little rainfall amounts with sunshine which occurs daily as well as freezing temperatures at night.
• The Arctic Zone consists of extreme coldness with barely any rainfall but rather snow. Hence, there is little surface water and no need to protect you from the sun.