your safety on the mountain.
When to go
It is possible to climb Kilimanjaro all year round but there are definitely more preferable times of year to attempt the climb. Ideally you will want to tackle the mountain during one of the two dry seasons that Tanzania enjoys. These last from mid-December to March and then from July to early October. During the dry spell at the start of the year, the weather is generally dry and warm, while during the middle of the year it tends to be dry but cooler. The hottest months are January, February and September. Be aware that even during the preferred months, the weather is erratic and difficult to predict.
The remaining months of the year fall within the two rainy seasons, when climbing Kilimanjaro is less easy or, indeed, enjoyable. The long rains (masika) last from April to June and the short rains (mvuli) occur in November and early December, when thunderstorms are common. During this time, thick cloud shrouds the mountain and there are heavy downpours on the lower slopes, which can turn to snow higher on the mountain.
Temperatures on Kilimanjaro vary wildly. At the foot of the mountain the temperature can exceed 30°C, while on the summit it can plunge to below −20°C. Wind chill and the moisture in the clouds that swirl around the summits during the day can then make it feel even colder than this. While climbing on Kilimanjaro, groups must always be prepared for cold weather and sudden storms. The high winds can mean that weather changes at very short notice and the exposed nature of the climb means that this can be very unpleasant.
Porters on the Marangu Route between Mandara Huts and Horombo Huts
At the equator, the sun rises and sets at a fairly consistent time throughout the year. Sunrise tends to occur around 6.30am and sunset takes place 12 hours later, at around 6.30pm.
As a consequence of these factors, the ideal months to climb Kilimanjaro are January and February, just after the major rains, as the weather improves and becomes relatively settled and the mountain is freshly covered by snow. Alternatively, tackle the ascent from June to October after the short rains; although the forests are frequently encircled by cloud, the summits are often clear. This second set of dates tends to be the most popular time for people to make an ascent of the mountain as it coincides with European summer holidays; escape the crowds by travelling to the mountain from mid-September until the end of October as numbers begin to dwindle.
| Average monthly temperature and rainfall (Moshi) | |||
| Month | Max temp (°C) | Min temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
| January | 29 | 10 | 60 |
| February | 29 | 10 | 100 |
| March | 27 | 11 | 170 |
| April | 25 | 13 | 370 |
| May | 22 | 11 | 230 |
| June | 21 | 8 | 50 |
| July | 20 | 9 | 20 |
| August | 22 | 8 | 25 |
| September | 24 | 8 | 25 |
| October | 26 | 11 | 40 |
| November | 27 | 10 | 110 |
| December | 28 | 10 | 100 |
Silhouetted figures on Mawenzi ridge watching the sunrise (Rongai Route, Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Huts)
Having plumped on a season in which to make the climb to the summit, it is also worth trying to coordinate your climb with the full moon since the final push to the summit is conducted in the small hours of the morning. Almost all nights on Kilimanjaro are clear so climbing to the crater rim by moonlight makes the night time ascent more enjoyable and potentially even more beautiful. As a rough guide, a full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, at about the time the sun actually becomes visible in the sky. Strong moonlight to illuminate the path during your ascent makes this the ideal time to tackle the last haul to the crater rim, however, the best conditions are probably a couple of days after the full moon as then the moon begins to set about an hour later each day. This means that at around 5.00am the sky is still lit by the moon and the critical section of the climb can be tackled relatively easily.
In order to coordinate your climb with the full moon and make the most of this period, those embarking on a five-day climb should aim to start the trek three days prior to the full moon and those completing the climb in six days should aim to commence their trip four days ahead of the full moon.
As you approach the crater rim, you may also become aware of the morning star, a planet (usually Venus), which becomes visible just before sun rise. The Chagga call this star ‘Ngatunyi’, which means ‘the star that guides nocturnal travellers safely home’.
Mawenzi seen above band of cloud at dusk from Kibo Huts (Rongai Route, Mawenzi Tarn Hut to Kibo Huts)
Pre-departure preparation
Kilimanjaro attracts a great number of trekkers who have never undertaken a multi-day walk, and certainly haven’t contemplated doing so at altitude. The mountain’s environment is regularly underestimated and the result can be fatal. Although many hundreds of people reach the summit without incident, many more don’t make it because they fail to prepare and then ascend too quickly and suffer from altitude sickness. It’s worth noting that Uhuru Peak is several hundred metres higher than Everest Base Camp, yet climbers in the Himalayas typically take at least two weeks to reach this height on Everest.
Getting to the top of Kilimanjaro demands mental preparation as well as physical fitness. Embarking on an ascent that will take several days and will culminate at almost 6000m is a very different proposition to a walking trip based in one place or predominantly at a single elevation. With a central base, you are able to choose whether or when to go walking. As a member of an organised group on a multi-day ascent, you will have a schedule to maintain and will be expected to walk day after day, rain or shine, whether you fancy it or not. There are few opportunities to escape if you begin to falter, other than to stop and descend.
Path across the barren, hostile Saddle towards Kibo Huts (Marangu Route)
The most efficient way to get fit for climbing Kilimanjaro is to trek up
