When is good to climb kilimanjaro

As climbing Kilimanjaro becomes more popular, the favorable weather in January through early March, and June through October makes the mountain busier. One of the main downsides that climbers try to avoid when trekking during busy times is the overcrowding of the toilet facilities at campsites. We take care of our climbers by providing you with private toilet tents, used only by our group.

Alternatively, choose one of the routes that has less foot traffic. In the wetter months, we recommend the routes on the northern side of the mountain, which tend to experience less rainfall, and are more sheltered.

For inexperienced hikers, we recommend climbing during the drier months. Less chance of rain means less stress and discomfort, giving you more time to enjoy your surroundings. On the lower slopes, through the forest, the trail can become quite muddy, and higher up slippery, rocky trails can be a challenge.

We take your safety very seriously. Climbing Kilimanjaro guides are highly experienced and have hiked Kilimanjaro in all weathers. We monitor the weather and are flexible enough to be able to alter the daily itinerary during inclement conditions. Getting wet increases your chance of getting extremely cold.

As you ascend, your body is already having to deal with the effects of altitude , and wet clothes can be the difference between a slight chill and hypothermia. We recommend waterproof stuff sacks, such as these. Depending on what you want to do before and after your climb — a Tanzanian safari or a Zanzibar holiday perhaps — or simply when you can get time off work to travel, can inform your decision about when to climb. Picture this: a cloudless midnight sky, illuminated by a full moon. You dress in your summit gear, come out of your tent and see the majesty of the mountain you are about to climb, lit by the moon.

You hardly need your head torch as you ascend. Treks around the full moon can get quite busy, so bear this in mind if crowds are a problem for you. It can be very wet, and visibility may be low due to heavy clouds. The crowds are gone, however. From mid June to the end of October, the mountain is generally a bit colder, but also drier.

The short rainy season spans from the beginning of November to the beginning of December. Afternoon rains are common, but skies are clear in mornings and evenings. Note that the rains are unpredictable and may come early or extend beyond their typical time frames. It is possible to experience mostly dry weather conditions during the rainy season, just as it is possible to have heavy rain during the dry season. Some climbers prefer to summit during a full moon. When the peak of Kilimanjaro and magnificent glaciers are lit up by the full moon, the view is absolutely stunning.

For this reason alone, some climbers schedule their trek to coincide with this celestial event, occuring once a month. However, a practical reason for climbing at these times is that a bright moon along with a clear sky will improve your visibility throughout your climb, and most importantly, during the summit attempt.

Below are full moon dates:. To summit during a full moon, a 7-day climb should start 5 days prior to the full moon date. It is not necessary to summit on the exact full moon date to take advantage of moonlight. A summit on the day before or day after is also beneficial. We offer several group climbs with full moon summits every month during the dry season. Responsible Travel recommends. The Serengeti is still in Great Migration season too, and so packed with wildlife but not so many people.

More about Kilimanjaro. Mt Kilimanjaro, the beginners guide to climbing it. Climbing the highest, free-standing mountain in the world is an extraordinary achievement - but as this climbing Kilimanjaro travel guide reveals - it's one that is not out of reach. Lemosho Route Kilmanjaro trek details. 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.

Rongai Route Kilimanjaro trek details. 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.

Machame Route Kilimanjaro trek details. Marangu Route Kilimanjaro trek details. Many climbers opt for the five-day Marangu Route, the first established route for trekking Kilimanjaro.

What is the best Kilimanjaro route to climb? 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. Climbing Kilimanjaro with kids. Am I fit enough to climb Kilimanjaro? Climbing Kilimanjaro advice. 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.

Kilimanjaro responsible tourism. 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.