When choosing the most suitable time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you should consider several factors: the temperature, the views, the density of traffic on the trek, difficulty level, and safety.
However, the overarching factor that impacts all others is the weather. Mount Kilimanjaro lies in an equatorial climatic zone; instead of four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn), the mountain experiences wet and dry seasons only.
The wet seasons are from April-May and November. Similar to other tropical countries, predicting exactly when the rain starts and stops is nearly impossible.
All other months are the “dry season” when most of the days are sunny, but still, it does not mean a 100% guarantee of clear skies.
There are two main climbing seasons: July-August-September and January-February. Many travelers have their summer or Christmas holidays at that time, while the weather conditions for climb Mount Kilimanjaro are perfect.
Rainy seasons scare off the majority of climbers. In April, May, and November the probability of trekking under the drizzle is very high. Rain softens the soil and makes the rocks slippery, turning your climb into a slower and more risky adventure.
However, landscape photographers particularly love the rainy season in Tanzania. More precipitation means more snow on the peak, which makes it possible to shoot the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro.
Moreover, it is the only time when you can avoid the “rush hours” on the routes, and enjoy some privacy walking virgin-snow-covered treks.
