Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro can technically be climbed year-round, but two dry-season windows give the best combination of clear weather and firm trails.

Late June to October is the most popular climbing season — cooler, generally dry, and good visibility, coinciding with the Northern Hemisphere summer holidays. It's also the busiest time on the mountain.

Late December to mid-March is a second dry window, often quieter on the mountain than the June–October season, with generally clear skies though colder nighttime temperatures near the summit.

The two rainy periods — April to early June, and November — bring muddier trails and reduced visibility on lower slopes, though some experienced climbers deliberately choose these quieter months, and the upper mountain is largely unaffected by rain regardless of season (see our Kilimanjaro weather guide for why).

Interested in timing your climb to a full moon specifically? See our Kilimanjaro full moon climbs page. Ready to pick dates? Browse our Kilimanjaro packages.