Planning a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is an exciting adventure, but it’s smart to think about the weather before you go. Knowing what the conditions will be like can make your climb more enjoyable and safer. Kilimanjaro is a massive mountain, standing tall at 19,341 feet above sea level, and its weather can change a lot depending on the time of year and how high you climb. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, picking the right months can make all the difference.
Kilimanjaro sits close to the equator, so you might expect the weather to stay pretty much the same all year round. In some ways, it does—temperatures don’t swing wildly like they do in places far from the equator. But the mountain has its own personality when it comes to weather. Because it’s so tall, it creates its own little climates as you move up through different zones, like forests, moorlands, and icy peaks. These zones mean you could start your day in warm sunshine and end it shivering in cold winds or even snow at the top. Plus, there are dry months and wet months that affect when it’s best to climb.
So, what’s the weather like on Kilimanjaro? Since it’s near the equator, the base of the mountain stays warm most of the time. But as you climb higher, things change fast. The height of the mountain messes with the air, making its own weather patterns. You might feel hot at the bottom, then chilly, windy, or rainy as you go up. At the very top, it can get freezing cold with ice and snow. Each part of the mountain has its own climate, so you need to be ready for anything—sun, rain, wind, or cold.
When you’re deciding when to climb Kilimanjaro, timing is everything. Tanzania has two main seasons: dry and wet. The dry times are usually the best for climbing because you won’t be slogging through mud or dodging rain all day. The wet times, though, can make the trails slippery and less fun. Picking a month that matches the weather you’re comfortable with is a big part of planning your trip.
The mountain’s height is what makes its weather so special. At over 19,000 feet, Kilimanjaro is tall enough to stir up its own winds and clouds. One minute you might be sweating under a bright sun, and the next you’re pulling on a jacket to block a cold breeze. That’s just how it works up there—the mountain has a mind of its own.
The best weather for climbing usually comes during Tanzania’s dry seasons. These are from mid-December to mid-March and early June to mid-October. Mid-December to mid-March is warm and dry, which makes it a favorite time for climbers. Around Christmas, lots of people come because the weather is so nice—warm days and clear skies. From June to mid-October, it’s dry too, but cooler. Both times are great for trekking, though the warm, dry months around the holidays are the busiest.
Then there are the wet seasons: November to December and March to May. These months bring rain, especially on the lower slopes. April and May are the wettest, with heavy showers that can soak you through. November has lighter rain, but it’s still not ideal. The higher you climb, the less rain you’ll see—up near the top, it’s more like snow or just dry, desert-like air. The winds blow from the southeast most of the time, so the north side of the mountain stays drier than the south.
January to March are the warmest months at the base, but above 13,000 feet, it gets extreme—cold and windy, with mist often hiding the views. After a clear morning, clouds roll in around 10:00 a.m. and stick around until night. Rain can pop up even in the dry season, and when the wind kicks up, it’s strong. Kilimanjaro isn’t a technical climb on most routes, so you can tackle it any time, but the wet, cold months are tougher and less pleasant.
For the Lemosho Route specifically, which starts on the western side of the mountain, the weather follows these same patterns. South-facing routes like Lemosho do better in December, January, and February when it’s dry and warm. North-facing routes are nicer in July, August, and September when the dry season keeps the rain away. Nights can get super cold—down to minus 5°C (23°F) at 15,000 feet—but days warm up, sometimes hitting 10°C (50°F) at the higher camps. You’ll want layers to stay comfortable, especially when clouds make it feel chillier than it really is.

What’s the Weather Like on Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro is warm at the bottom because it’s near the equator, but it gets colder and wilder as you climb higher. The mountain makes its own weather because it’s so tall—19,341 feet above sea level! You might start your hike in hot sunshine and then feel freezing winds later. The weather can change fast, with warm days, cold nights, rain, wind, or even icy conditions at the top.
The mountain has different zones, and each one has its own weather. Climbers need to be ready for anything—hot sun, chilly rain, strong winds, or snow at the summit. To pick the best time to climb, you should look at Tanzania’s dry and rainy seasons.
Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro
The best weather for climbing Kilimanjaro happens during Tanzania’s dry seasons. There are two dry times:
Mid-December to Mid-March: It’s dry and warm, making it a great time to climb. This is the busiest season, especially around Christmas, because the weather is perfect.
Early June to Mid-October: It’s dry and cool, another good time to climb. August to October can get busy, but June and July are quieter.
The rainy seasons are:
November to Mid-December: Short rains, not too heavy.
March to May: Long rains, with lots of wet days.
The driest months are August to October, and rainfall gets less as you climb higher. For example, the rainforest at 6,000 feet gets about 2,300 mm of rain a year, but at the top near Kibo Hut (15,190 feet), it’s less than 200 mm—like a desert! Winds usually come from the southeast, so the north side of the mountain stays drier.
January to March are the warmest months, but above 13,000 feet, it gets very cold, especially at night. Mornings might be clear, but by 10:00 AM, thick clouds often cover the top until nighttime.

How Winds Affect the Weather
Winds called trade winds (or monsoon winds) bring rain and snow to Kilimanjaro. Winds from the southeast come off the Indian Ocean and carry lots of water, causing rain on the lower slopes and snow at the top during March to May (the long rainy season). The southern side gets the most rain. Winds from the northeast are drier and bring lighter rain to the north side in November (the short rainy season).