The Beginner’s Guide to Climbing Kilimanjaro

The mountain can be climbed all year round. No matter the time of year you choose to climb Kilimanjaro, you are most likely to encounter snow and freezing temperatures closer to the summit.

If reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro isn’t already at the top of your bucket list, it should be.  This African gem, located in Tanzania, is the highest peak of the entire continent, and climbing to the top of its staggering 19,341-foot-high summit is guaranteed to take your breath away and make your jaw drop.

Can beginners climb Kilimanjaro? Yes and to have the best Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing experience as a beginner, you should be fully aware of the conditions, seasonal climates, costs, and requirements to prepare yourself for this challenge. 

Climbers should consider several factors: the temperature, the views, the density of climbers streaming on the trek, difficulty level, and safety. Mount Kilimanjaro is near the equator. In the tropics, there is no such thing as summer and winter. There are only dry and rainy periods. Or “dry seasons” and “wet seasons.” each season has its advantages. While you can climb Kilimanjaro all year round, it’s generally not recommended to do so in the wet months of April, May, and November.

When considering when to climb to the Roof of Africa, choosing the most suitable time to climb is an important decision. Choose a month that best suits your schedule and goals. The mount Kilimanjaro weather affects your climb and your success chances and you are a lot more likely to reach the summit if the weather on the mountain is good. There are certain times of the year when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is more favorable than others. Bad weather on Kilimanjaro not only makes for a miserable trek and ruins your photos, most importantly it simply makes the climb twice as hard. That said, every season brings its advantages, and with the mountain open year-round for trekking, it’s important to have all the information you need to make it the most memorable experience possible.

There are two main climbing seasons: January-February, where the weather is cooler and the routes are far less crowded; and July-August-September which tends to coincide with the summer holidays for those living in the northern hemisphere. Many travelers have their summer or Christmas holidays at that time, while the weather conditions for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are perfect. The days are warm and pleasant; however, the mountain is much busier during this time. If you are choosing to hike during peak season (June – October) you will need to book your trip well in advance – at least a minimum of 6 months.

Warm, thermal clothing is still required for the evening and at the summit of the mountain which remains arctic-cold year-round.

Contact us on how you can incorporate a wildlife safari itinerary into your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing.