Best time to Climb Kilimanjaro | How many days to climb | Best Route to Climb | Which months are the best to Climb Kilimanjaro
What is the weather on Kilimanjaro?
Tanzania, home to the magnificent Mt Kilimanjaro, is located near the Equator, and so it won’t surprise you to learn that most of the country experiences some very hot months.
Yet Mt Kilimanjaro itself rises to 5,895 m above sea level, which gives its summit an arctic climate. This means Kilimanjaro trekkers can experience extremes of both heat and cold.
But when are you likely to avoid the worst of the heat as well as the worst of the cold? And furthermore, since some months experience more precipitation than others, when is the best time of year for climbing the mountain to avoid slopping around on a saturated path?
Our seasonal overview below can help you to choose the best time to climb Kilimanjaro from a weather perspective.
Best time to Climb Kilimanjaro - Months
January and February are two of the best months to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and therefore also the most popular. They are the warmest months, so you can expect clear, sunny skies in the mornings and evenings, however clouds may appear in the afternoons and you may experience some rain. The conditions of the Kilimanjaro weather in February are similar to those in January, with warm and dry weather prevailing across most of the mountain. During the day, the Kilimanjaro weather February temperatures can be as high as 23°C (73°F) at the base of the mountain, and around 0°C (32°F) at the summit.
The long rainy season starts at the end of March and continues through to early June. We do not recommend climbing Kilimanjaro during this time, as the trails can be very wet, muddy and snowy.
Climbing in the rain is likely to be less enjoyable and means you’ll miss out on the spectacular views and photo opportunities. On the other hand, if you do choose to trek at this time of year, you’ll avoid the crowds on the trails (even the most popular routes can offer solitude, peace and tranquillity) and at the campsites.
What’s more, some people relish the idea of climbing Kilimanjaro when the summit is likely to be snow-capped, as this can add an additional element of challenge (as well as beautiful landscapes) to your mountain trekking adventure.
June sees the transition from the rainy season to the dry season, so this month tends to be much drier than March, April and May. However, you should be prepared for cold temperatures and the skies are typically still cloudy, which means that you won’t necessarily have such impressive views.
From July until the end of October, conditions are generally colder, but much drier than the previous months. Whilst there is a chance of getting rained on throughout the year, particularly as you trek through the rainforest and moorlands, typically precipitation is low and infrequent.
If you remain dry, you’ll be more comfortable and the trek will be a more enjoyable experience overall. Another advantage of climbing during these months is that you’ll have clear and sunny skies, and spectacular views.
The disadvantage of trekking during these months is that the trails can become quite busy, however some people welcome the opportunity to chat with other groups at the campsites. After all, team spirit is essential for pushing yourself to the summit.
Tanzania’s short rainy season starts at the beginning of November and continues until the beginning of December. Afternoon rains are common, but you can expect clear skies in the mornings and evenings. This is not considered an ideal month to trek Mount Kilimanjaro, as conditions can be very wet, muddy and slippery.
The short rainy season often runs into December, however this is still a popular time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
During a full moon, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is particularly beautiful. The glaciers are lit up by the bright moon and the views are absolutely stunning. Another advantage of trekking at this time is that the moonlight will improve your visibility throughout your trek, most importantly during your final ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Although it’s not necessary to reach the summit on the exact full moon date to take advantage of the moonlight, many people wish to reach Uhuru Peak when the moon is at its fullest.
If you do wish to summit on a full moon, a seven-day climb should start five days before the full moon date and an eight-day climb should start six days prior to the full moon date. Book well in advance, as only a limited number of people are allowed on the mountain at any time and these dates are very popular.
If you’re looking for a quieter trek – and a sky full of bright stars – we recommend that you avoid the full moon period altogether.
Other Things to Consider for Your Kilimanjaro Trek
Of course, time of year and weather conditions aren’t the only factor to consider as you start to plan your ascent of Africa’s highest peak. Here are a few more variables you may want to learn more about before you decide the best time to climb Kilimanjaro:
The three most popular Kilimanjaro routes are the Machame Route, the Lemosho Route and the Rongai Route. Each have their advantages and disadvantages:
The Machame Route
The popular Machame Route offers a shorter, but more challenging, trekking duration, as well as stunning scenery on the ascent to Uhuru Peak. Read our full Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Trek itinerary to find out more.
The Lemosho Route
The Lemosho Route is longer, more gradual and also less popular, but certainly not less beautiful, which is why we highly recommend this route for those taking on the Kilimanjaro challenge, especially if you have limited trekking experience. Read our full Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Trek itinerary for details.
The Rongai Route
The remote Rongai Route approaches the summit from the north, on Kenya’s side of Kilimanjaro. Less popular, with options of faster or gradual ascents, you may also be treated to sightings of big game, such as antelope, elephant and buffalo. Contact us directly to enquire about this route.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro may be a feature on many traveller’s bucket list (over 30,000 people climb to the summit every year), but it’s no easy feat and it’s essential that you are prepared.
Here are a few tips to get you started, but for more information on how to get ready for your mountain adventure, we recommend that you read our beginner’s guide to Kilimanjaro trekking.
Fitness Training
Train your strength and stamina as far in advance as you can, with focus on conditioning your legs, preparing your cardiovascular system, muscles and joints.
Altitude Sickness
The most common factor that stops many climbers from reaching the summit is not the fitness required for the hike, but altitude sickness (the inability to acclimatise to the high altitude). This can be brought on by ascending too fast, which is why we recommend the Lemosho route’s more gradual ascent.
Also, keep in mind that the risk of altitude sickness increases if you’re already suffering a cold or the flu, so wait to climb Kilimanjaro once you are fully recovered.
Hiking Gear
Camping equipment and food is provided and carried by the porters, but it is wise to invest in and bring quality hiking gear (clothing, footwear etc.) in order to have the best chance of reaching the top and enjoying the hike – there’s nothing worse than blisters.
One of the main reasons people don’t make it to the top of Kilimanjaro is due to acclimatization problems. Not reserving enough time to adjust to the higher altitude can cause altitude sickness.
Success rates for 7- or 8-day routes increases your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro. This is because it allows less elevation on your trekking days, as well as providing “climb high” and “sleep low” schedules where you climb higher during the day but descend by nightfall. This helps your body better transition to the altitude.
Trekking Kilimanjaro on the Machame, Lemosho, or Marangu routes are good options.
Staying hydrated is critical for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, not only for staving off altitude sickness, but also for making sure your body can handle the physical strain of climbing the mountain.
People become dehydrated more quickly at higher levels of altitude, which can increase the chance risk of headaches, altitude sickness, and fatigue. It’s wise to carry at least 3 liters of water while you hike and to drink one liter at the beginning and end of each day of hiking.
Many water bladders and straws can freeze the closer you get to the summit, so it’s important to have one or 2 liters of backup water in insulated bottles.
There are a few things to consider when you’re choosing which pack to bring for Mt. Kilimanjaro that will make a difference in your comfort as you trek.
- Get the right size.You may be tempted to bring a large backpacking backpack, but you likely will not need it as you’re hiking up with a group of porters who will carry many of the larger items. Instead, pick a daypack that can carry the items you’ll need on the trail such as water, snacks, and extra layers, but that isn’t too bulky. This bag will begin to feel heavier and heavier as your day on the trail wears on.
- Train with your bag.It’s important to train with your bag not only to get used to hiking with a comparable amount of weight. Make sure before you leave for your trek that you’ve done several hikes wearing your backpack with comparable weight to what you’ll experience as you hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. Try to find trails with elevation gain and uneven terrain for a better training experience.
- Ensure the right fit. Training ahead of time with your backpack can also help ensure your backpack is comfortable. This way, if the bag chafes, rubs, or sits at uncomfortable pressure points, you have time to find a different solution before your trek.
Aside from the tips for summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro listed above, a final bonus tip is to make sure you have a great trekking company. While you have control over the snacks you bring, how often you drink water, and having a positive attitude, your trekking company has a huge impact on the amenities, comfort, attitude, and safety along the way.
Kilimanjaro FAQ's & Map
We have put together a short documentary to show you what it’s really like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Find out what it’s really like to summit the roof of Africa at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level. No matter where you are in the planning stages, it’s an extremely useful watch as you:
- Meet the mountain crew who make this magnificent once-in-a-lifetime experience possible.
- Watch the team trek through five unique ecosystems.
- And find out what it really takes to conquer one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
Tanzania has three major international airports:
- Dar es Salaam (DAR)
- Zanzibar (ZNZ)
- Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
The latter is the most convenient for Kilimanjaro, sitting only 42 km away from the mountain town of Moshi and 50 km from Arusha.
In addition to flights to Tanzania, you may consider flights to Nairobi in Kenya, which is only a five-hour shuttle bus ride to Arusha or a one-hour plane ride to JRO. Note, however, that by choosing to fly to Kenya you may need a multiple-entry Kenya visa (if you’re flying out of Kenya, too, for example, and spend longer than a fortnight in Tanzania), which can cost as much as $122. This would reduce or even eliminate any saving you may have made in airfares.
In deciding which flights to book, you should take the full trip into consideration. For example, if you’d like to spend a couple of days in Zanzibar after the climb, it might be best to book one-way tickets from your home to Kilimanjaro Airport for the climb, from there to Zanzibar after the climb, and then from Zanzibar back home.
We recommend arriving one day early (what we refer to as “arrival day”). This will give you time to relax, meet your fellow trekkers, and get a proper briefing before the climb starts. More importantly, if there’s any delay to your flight or your luggage goes AWOL, there’s enough wiggle room so that this delay doesn’t derail your climb. Seriously – this extra day really is a good idea, especially with post-pandemic airlines being in a little bit of a pickle right now.
All that said, we understand that travelling to Kilimanjaro can be a challenge. So we’ll accommodate your arrival time as best we can (for example, if you only arrive late at night the day before the climb starts, we’ll still be there to collect you!).
Yes, most foreigners need a Tanzanian visa to visit the country. US, Canadian, British and most European citizens can simply obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport. The cost is $100 for US passport holders and $50 for others. US citizens do get a longer visa, however.
If you’re a citizen of a different country, please check with your embassy if you can obtain a visa upon arrival – of if you even need one. Certain African nationals, for instance, can enter Tanzania without a visa.
Please also note that you need a passport that’s valid for at least six months after your departure date.
There are no specific vaccine requirements for entry into Tanzania. However, be aware that the Government of Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever.
While it’s not mandatory by any means, we suggest you talk to your doctor about getting the following vaccinations (which are standard in developed countries): Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, yellow fever, tetanus, polio, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and meningococcal meningitis (Africa and Asia).
There are seven different Kilimanjaro routes up the mountain. We recommend the eight-day Lemosho, seven-day Machame and nine-day Northern Circuit routes. These routes offer the best balance of a high success rate and beautiful scenery.
Kilimanjaro requires no technical climbing experience nor climbing equipment. This makes it the most accessible of the Seven Summits in many ways.
Any decently fit person can summit the mountain. That said, for most people, it will be one of the most difficult things they ever do in their lives!
You’ll be provided with locally sourced, healthy and nutritious meals cooked fresh every day by your cook and his assistant.
Our menus have been carefully designed to ensure the food is delicious, easy to digest, and provides plenty of energy. Expect fresh veg, fruits, meat, nuts and snacks along the way, as well as clean water throughout.
The primary carbohydrates of the meals are rice, potatoes and pasta, as well as some meat. Fresh fruit and vegetables accompany every meal. Most meals will also have a selection of hot drinks like instant coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
You may want to bring some supplementary comfort foods, such as candy, gum, chocolate, health bars and powdered energy drinks.
Can you cater for special diets?
Any special requests regarding your menu? No worries. We can accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets as well as gluten-free diets. For those with special diets, please contact us to discuss what we can or cannot do.
This is an outdoor adventure trip in the African wild. There are no showers on the mountain. Warm water will be supplied in a bowl and you will be able to wash your face and hands. For the rest you can bring wet wipes.
At each campsite, we set up a private toilet tent which contains a plastic toilet. There are also simple, hole-in-the-ground public toilets (usually very dirty and not recommended).
If you need to use the bathroom on the trail, you’ll find a spot behind a tree or rock. But you’ll need to have a little baggie for putting used toilet paper in that you then carry to camp and dispose of in a bin.
On the day before the trek (arrival day) and the day after the trek (departure day), we stay in a comfortable lodge in Moshi. It has lovely views as well as lovely rooms and facilities to match.
During the climb, you sleep in three-person, four-season dome-style mountain tents, two people per tent. If you’d like a tent of your own, you’ll need to pay a single-person supplement.
Our tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules where you can store your equipment during the night.
On our Kilimanjaro climbs, we aim to build groups of 6 to 10 fellow travellers, with 12 people usually being the limit. Follow Alice groups are typically made up of sociable people from around the world looking to share an unforgettable adventure with you.
Yes, we love it when solo travellers to sign up for a trip with us! We’ll put you in a group and your fellow travellers will soon become your new friends. There’s little that’s more bonding than being ‘stuck’ with each other for a week on a mountain in Africa!
If you’d like your own tent, you’ll need to pay a single supplement of US$200. Or we’ll try to put you with another person in a tent if you wish and there’s someone available to share with you in your climb group.
Don’t underestimate how tough Kilimanjaro is. Too many people do, and don’t make it to the top!
Depending on your current fitness, we suggest that you start your physical training at least two or three months prior to the climb. Please read How should I train for Kilimanjaro? to learn more.
Remember, the fitter you are, the more enjoyable the whole experience will be for you.
In our detailed Kilimanjaro packing list we identify a variety of mountaineering clothing and gear you need for your climb.
The two most critical pieces of equipment that you might need to buy are:
- hiking boots
- a winter jacket
You might like to learn about bringing the right sort of boots in The best hiking boots for Kilimanjaro.
Most of the other clothing that you need is part of many people’s winter or skiing wardrobe already (like long underwear and a fleece jacket).
When climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need to bring at least two bags:
- One is the backpack that you carry yourself each.
- The second bag is your duffel bag which a porter carries for you.
The backpack, which you can think of as your carry-on luggage, will contain your water and lunch for each day, as well as other items like snacks, rain gear and camera. This backpack should have a capacity of around 30 to 50 litres. You can learn all you need to know on this topic in How to choose a backpack for high-altitude trekking.
Your duffel bag will contain all your other clothing, equipment and toiletries.
It might be a good idea to bring a third, small bag that you can use to store anything you don’t want to take on the mountain. This can be left securely at your hotel.
You should limit your duffel bag to 14 kg (31 lb) when full, as this will ease the burden on the porters.
Baggage should be of the round, squashy type rather than a hard suitcase.
Note that luggage restrictions on domestic flights are often 15 to 20 kg (33 to 44 lb) per person, so be mindful when packing your bags.
For your own backpack that you carry each day, try to keep it under 9 kg (20 lb) for your own benefit.
If you’d like advice on choosing the backpack itself, please read How to choose a backpack for high-altitude trekking.
Your Kilimanjaro guides and porters are your greatest asset on the mountain. Quality guides and porters make for a wonderful time on the mountain, while a mediocre staff can put your life in danger.
Each of our experienced guides is licensed by the Kilimanjaro National Park, trained as a wilderness first responder (WFR), and speaks fluent English.
Typically, each of our groups has one guide per two climbers, and each climber has three porters. Porters carry all gear, tents, cooking supplies and water. You will come to respect these guys greatly by the end of Day 1 of your climb – each porter carries about 20 kg (44 lb) of kit on their back up the mountain!
Our guides are highly experienced to manage altitude sickness, which is the biggest obstacle on the mountain. They also have an intimate knowledge of the network of shortcuts to escort climbers to safety, and they’re trained to react quickly and calmly under any circumstances.
We cover each of the things to consider about Kilimanjaro safety in-depth in How we keep you safe on Kilimanjaro.
Please remember that the purpose of this article is not to scare you, but to keep you well informed. At Follow Alice, our top priority is your safety. We want you to know how to climb Kilimanjaro and how to do it in the safest way possible.
It is safe to climb Kilimanjaro, but only when you are educated on the risks. It’s a challenge, but that’s what it’s all about, right!?
Some climbers may fall short of reaching the summit. But even for those who never reach the top, the climb is almost always still an incredible and rewarding experience.
When one or more people in the group decide (in conjunction with their guide’s advice) they cannot continue on the ascent, they’re escorted to the most convenient campsite and wait for the others to return.
Note that nobody fit and healthy enough to make a go for the summit will be denied the chance because of the condition of another climber! We always have enough guides on every climb to ensure all climbers are accompanied, even if the group must temporarily split up.
There are always deaths on these big mountains. And Kilimanjaro is no different.
The most common cause of death on Kilimanjaro is altitude sickness. This comes about when you to ascend the mountain too quickly, not giving your body enough time to acclimatise. (But more on that just in a just moment …)
That said, Kilimanjaro is a safe climb if you travel with a good tour operator and you follow one of the routes we recommend.
Our local guides and staff are trained to keep you safe and have the ability to treat climbers who become ill or injured. Your health and well-being really are our top priority on every Kilimanjaro climb. If you’d like to know more on this score, please read How we keep you safe on Kilimanjaro.
Altitude sickness arises when your body struggles to adapt quickly enough to the lower intake of oxygen per breath caused by the reduced air pressure of a higher altitude. Often climbers make the mistake of ascending Kilimanjaro too high too quickly.
But don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal to get mild altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro. It’s therefore more than likely that you’ll experience some form of altitude sickness when climbing Kilimanjaro. It’s only when someone develops moderate to severe altitude sickness that you have a real issue on your hands.
Note that age, sex or physical fitness have no effect on your likelihood of getting altitude sickness. And just because you haven’t had it before, doesn’t mean you won’t develop it on another trip.
This is why we always advise clients to take as many precautions against developing altitude sickness as possible.
Tanzania has a moderate risk for malaria. Malaria occurs in all areas below 1,800 m (5,900 ft) and we recommend that you take precautions against malaria prior to the commencement of your trip.
Avoiding altitude sickness is also key. Here are our top tips for avoiding the dreaded altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro:
- Go on all optional acclimatisation hikes before your Kili climb.
- Choose a longer route that gives you more time to acclimatise.
- Walk slowly. Pole, pole, as Tanzanians always say. Slowly, slowly.
- Drink lots of water, as this mitigates the effects of altitude sickness.
- Consider taking a preventative altitude sickness medicine like Diamox. Your doctor will prescribe this.
- Read our blog post The best acclimatisation for climbing Kilimanjaro.
Prevent other possible illnesses by disinfecting your hands every time after you use the bathroom as well as before any meals.
All climbers pay a rescue fee to the Kilimanjaro National Park (included in our package price). If you cannot continue the climb because you get injured or sick, the guides and porters will gladly assist you on the way down.
There is no extra charge for coming down and being taken back to the lodge early, but we will not be able to refund you for the days you missed on the mountain. Moreover, we ask all of our travellers to purchase a special adventure travel insurance that covers any possible medical expenses and evacuation costs – just to be safe!
You can learn more on this topic in How we keep you safe on Kilimanjaro.
As of June 2023, you can connect to the internet up until almost 4,000 m above sea level! And the Government of Tanzania says there will be connectivity all the way to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) by the end of the year.
Whether or not you wish to WhatsApp, Instagram your trip and so on is up to you. For many, the chance to disconnect from the world while on a Kilimanjaro climb is part of the adventure’s appeal.
That said, the new high-speed internet available on the mountain offers certain safety benefits, and we like that those who wish – mountain crew included – can stay in touch with their families when on their climbs if they wish.