The best time to climb Kilimanjaro
There are two dry windows, two wet ones, and a full-moon question that matters more than you'd expect.
January to mid-March
Warmer, quieter and generally clear, with a chance of cloud in the afternoon. Lots of guides love this window: the trails are less busy than in the northern summer, and summit nights are usually a little less brutal.
June to October
The long dry season, and the busiest time, overlapping with the peak safari months. Cold and clear. Want to combine a climb with the migration in the northern Serengeti? This is the window that lets you do both.
April, May and November
The rains, especially in April and May. The forest section gets properly wet and the summit gets more snow. You can still climb, and it's cheaper, but wet kit at altitude is a real problem, not just a discomfort. We'll tell you that honestly instead of selling it to you as a saving.
The full moon
Summit night starts around midnight. Under a full moon you can often walk without a head torch, and the glaciers look extraordinary. It's also the busiest date on the mountain, though, so it's a trade-off, not a free upgrade. It's worth deciding on purpose, not by accident.
The month you choose matters less than the number of days you give it. Altitude is what turns people around, whatever the season.