APRIL – MAY
The “big” rainy season starts at the end of March and continues until the middle of May. April marks the beginning of the coldest time of the year in Tanzania. These months are so dank and drizzle that some operators simply do not offer climbs in April/May at all.
JUNE – JULY
The frequency of rain gradually decreases. The weather on Kilimanjaro is fairly dry and clear, but the nights are still bitter cold. June is usually quiet, sunny and, in our opinion, much underrated in terms of climbing. It is an excellent idea to choose June for your adventure because of the great weather and almost climber-free routes. The number of climbers will be increasing as the year progresses. Starting from July, the majority of the routes will be quite busy.
AUGUST – OCTOBER
The peak climbing season on Kilimanjaro is in August-September. The weather is particularly good for climbing: the days are clear and somewhat warmer than in June/July. At the same time it may be cloudy in the forest/moorland zone, as well as rainy on the southern routes (Machame and Umbwe). However, once you leave the rainforest behind, it will be sunny.
October is another unfairly ignored season: nice weather conditions last into mid-October, and the number of climbers drops dramatically, giving you a good chance to enjoy Kilimanjaro treks almost alone. At the end of October, the weather becomes more changeable. As long as you are equipped to withstand the occasional shower, this should not present any major challenges.
NOVEMBER
November is the “small” rainy season. The rainy weather may last into mid-December. The temperatures have dropped, and the moisture mist covers the mountain, making your climb more tricky and risky, yet more challenging and exciting. November might not be the best pick in terms of weather, but it gives a great opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views of the misty-covered mountain with its snow-capped peak and to take some terrific pictures.
DECEMBER – JANUARY
Christmas and New Year are the second peak climbing season on Kilimanjaro. The climbers' traffic is extremely high, although there is a high chance of rain and thick clouding in the lower altitudes of Kilimanjaro.
JANUARY – MARCH
Mid-January to mid-March is very popular among climbers. The weather is perfectly balanced: it is neither too cold nor too wet. The days are generally dry, though occasional rains may happen. The possibility of rain increases in the second half of March because the “big” wet season advances.
Kilimanjaro Temperature
The temperature on Mount Kilimanjaro correlates with the four distinct climatic zones:
The rainforest zone (800m-3,000m) is warm and humid. Densely covered with green vegetation, this zone's temperatures average 12-15°C (20-25°C during daytime) at 2,900 m. This is where you are going to spend the first one or two days of your climb, depending on the route.
The low alpine zone (3,000m-4,200m) is a semi-arid area. The higher you climb, the scarcer the vegetation becomes. Depending on the route, here you will spend one or two days with average temperatures ranging from 5 to 10°C (15-20 °C during the daytime) at 3,600 m.
The high alpine zone (4,200 m-5,000 m) is desert-like. You will spend your fourth and fifth day on the mountain here, and the final arrangements for summiting will be at those altitudes. Here the temperatures average around the freezing point at 5,000 m, but during the daytime, when the sun is shining, it is still quite warm and comfortable.
The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro lies in the glacial zone (above 5,000 m), and its temperatures average around -6°C. However, keep in mind that all summiting attempts usually start at midnight in order to reach the Uhuru peak by dawn. You will be trekking at night when the temperature can drop to –20°C. When the harsh gusts of wind are torturing you, you will be likely to feel as if the temperature is below -40°C. However, it’s totally worth it, because on the top you will see one of the best pictures you have ever witnessed in the light of the uprising sun.