Mount Kilimanjaro

Tanzania Travel Guide

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When to go? Seasons, climate, festivities

  • January to March

    The weather in the first few months after the short rainy season is generally warm and dry. Away from the high season so relatively quiet, this is one of our favourite times to climb Kilimanjaro.

  • April to May

    The long rainy season in Tanzania normally occurs in April and May although it has become more unpredictable in recent years. If you don't mind the rain you can have the mountain pretty much to yourself. Due to the poor conditions we do not operate any open group climbs at this time. We can still arrange private climbs in the wet season but we only recommend the Rongai route as the northern side of the peak is a little more protected.

  • June to October

    June to early November are the driest months for your Kilimanjaro climb but particularly during August to October this means the mountain is very busy. The shoulder months of June and July and early November are good compromises if a little rain doesn't deter you.

  • November to December

    The short rainy season normally lasts for 3-4 weeks and starts in early November. Generally rain is less persistent than in the main rainy season of April to May but conditions on the mountain are still poor and very few people will attempt the climb at this time.

Temperatures and climate

Min/max temp (°C) / Average rainfall (mm)

  • Arusha

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Average temp C° min / max
    16° / 28°
    16° / 29°
    17° / 28°
    17° / 25°
    15° / 23°
    13° / 22°
    12° / 22°
    13° / 23°
    14° / 25°
    15° / 27°
    17° / 26°
    17° / 27°
    Average rainfall (mm)
    84
    79
    147
    158
    62
    13
    9
    9
    9
    37
    111
    119

  • Mount Kilimanjaro Summit

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Average temp C° min / max
    -21° / -4°
    -20° / -3°
    -20° / -3°
    -20° / -5°
    -22° / -6°
    -25° / -6°
    -27° / -6°
    -26° / -6°
    -23° / -4°
    -22° / -4°
    -22° / -5°
    -21° / -5°
    Average rainfall (mm)
    35
    50
    119
    350
    236
    38
    25
    15
    14
    25
    63
    53

  • Zanzibar

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Average temp C° min / max
    25° / 29°
    26° / 29°
    24° / 28°
    24° / 27°
    24° / 27°
    23° / 26°
    22° / 26°
    21° / 26°
    22° / 27°
    23° / 27°
    24° / 28°
    25° / 28°
    Average rainfall (mm)
    89
    56
    153
    401
    255
    68
    48
    47
    50
    97
    226
    194

  • Serengeti

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Average temp C° min / max
    18° / 28°
    19° / 29°
    19° / 27°
    19° / 27°
    18° / 28°
    17° / 28°
    16° / 28°
    17° / 28°
    18° / 29°
    19° / 28°
    19° / 27°
    19° / 27°
    Average rainfall (mm)
    104
    99
    143
    163
    69
    26
    7
    32
    65
    112
    147
    150

Holidays and festivities

  • Sauti za Busara Festival

    February
    This 4 day festival is visited by thousands of people from all over the world. Expect a wealth of fantastic local and international music as well as parades and carnivals all over the island of Zanzibar.

  • Swahili Fashion Week

    December
    Held in Dar es Salaam, this is the biggest fashion event in East Africa. Fashion designers from numerous African countries display their latest creations on the catwalk. There are pop up shops, award ceremonies and parties aplenty.

  • Nyama Choma Festival

    March
    Held in Arusha and Dar es Salaam this festival is a celebration of roasted meat. Nyama Choma recipes are passed down through the generations and this is an opportunity to sink your teeth into a whole lot of mouth-watering barbequed meat.

  • The Goat Races

    October
    Goat racing originated in Uganda but has now been embraced by Tanzania also. A charity event to designed to raise money for vulnerable children, anybody can sponsor a goat and place it in a race. There are quirky prizes for the winners.