Best time to climb Kilimanjaro
The best time to summit is at sunrise. If you get the chance to sleep at the rim of the crater for dawn, you can actually see the curvature of the earth.![]()
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is between July and September, pleasantly warm in the day with low rainfall. Trails are more crowded (less so in September) but it’s migratory season for wildlife, so great for adding on a safari afterwards. However Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year-round - even the short rainy seasons (March through to May, and November and December) don’t inhibit trekking, and brief showers can be refreshing on the trail. January to early March is another popular time. It still gets chilly in the mornings and evenings (Uhuru Peak’s nighttime temps are between -7 to -29°C), but that’s the case whatever time of year you go.
Kilimanjaro, month by month
Our Kilimanjaro Holidays
Lemosho trek up Kilimanjaro
Strenuous route up Africa's highest peak
From
£3585 to £4285
12 days
inc UK flights
Tanzania holiday, Kilimanjaro trek, safari & beach
Machame route, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Zanzibar
From
£6950 to £9000
21 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Climb and Tanzania Safari
Lemosho route + Tanzania's stunning National Parks
From
£3789 to £3899
13 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
From
£2349 to £2449
9 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Lemosho trek and safari in Tanzania
Challenging trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
From
£4474 to £5285
15 days
inc UK flights
Kilimanjaro climb Lemosho route
Awesome 10-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Lemosho Route
From
£2599 to £2699
10 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
14
24
47
FEB
14
25
42
MAR
15
25
119
APR
15
23
327
MAY
14
22
174
JUN
12
22
41
JUL
10
22
31
AUG
11
22
21
SEP
12
24
20
OCT
14
24
41
NOV
15
23
88
DEC
14
23
63
Our top Kilimanjaro Holiday
Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
From
£2349 to £2449
9 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 3 Dec, 19 Dec
2023: 2 Jan, 7 Jan, 14 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 25 Feb, 4 Mar, 18 Mar, 10 Jun, 17 Jun, 24 Jun, 1 Jul, 22 Jul, 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 24 Sep, 30 Sep, 7 Oct, 14 Oct, 2 Dec, 9 Dec, 19 Dec, 22 Dec
2022: 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 3 Dec, 19 Dec
2023: 2 Jan, 7 Jan, 14 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 18 Feb, 25 Feb, 4 Mar, 18 Mar, 10 Jun, 17 Jun, 24 Jun, 1 Jul, 22 Jul, 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 24 Sep, 30 Sep, 7 Oct, 14 Oct, 2 Dec, 9 Dec, 19 Dec, 22 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Kilimanjaro or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Responsible Travel recommends
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus:
“I think that one of the best times for trekking Kilimanjaro is late September, as the crowds have gone home so the routes are quieter. The Serengeti is still in Great Migration season too, and so packed with wildlife but not so many people.”
“I think that one of the best times for trekking Kilimanjaro is late September, as the crowds have gone home so the routes are quieter. The Serengeti is still in Great Migration season too, and so packed with wildlife but not so many people.”
More about Kilimanjaro
As our beginner’s guide to climbing Kilimanjaro reveals, summiting the highest mountain in Africa is an extraordinary achievement, but it doesn’t require extraordinary abilities.
We highly recommend the Lemosho Route for reaching Kilimanjaro's summit. It's longer, which means it's pricier - but it gives you more days to acclimatise, so success rates are high.
Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route takes six to seven days to complete, and involves a fairly gentle ascent from the north. It's a great option if you want to avoid steep climbs, as well as other climbers.
The Machame Route is a seven day trek through varied landscapes, from jungle to heather-covered moors and glacial peaks - but Kilimanjaro’s most popular trail isn’t the easiest.
Many climbers opt for the five-day Marangu Route, the first established route for trekking Kilimanjaro. It’s the only one with huts, rather than tents, but it's often underestimated.
There are seven established routes for trekking Kilimanjaro and, while many climbers just opt for the most popular Marangu, Machame and Lemosho routes, each has their pros and cons.
Kilimanjaro may not be top of your list of family-friendly trips but, while this climb may be challenging, it’s perfectly doable for active children who love the outdoors.
Africa’s highest mountain is a popular but pretty challenging trek, only an estimated 65% of people make it to the top. If you're wondering “am I fit enough to climb Kilimanjaro?”, read on.
We've chatted to our holiday company experts and asked them for their top Kilimanjaro climbing advice - covering everything from safety on the mountain to what to pack.
Porters' rights are one of the biggest issues when it comes to Kilimanjaro responsible tourism. Read on to find out how to ensure they are protected, and in the best shape to help you up the mountain.
