If you’re dreaming of climbing Africa’s highest mountain, then this is the article for you.

You really can book your Kilimanjaro trek at any time of the year, even if your vacation or holiday schedule might align with Tanzania’s rainy season. The best time of the year to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is any time – really!

While the dry seasons are generally more popular for summiting Kili, there are certain pluses to choosing the rainy season, too.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro during the rainy season

You may have grown up in a country with four predictable seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall. Tanzania’s weather is somewhat different, but the good news is it is still very predictable!

Tanzania’s seasons are controlled not so much by hot or cold weather, but by tropical monsoon rains. Thus, the seasons are separated into four blocks based on the amount of rain expected during that time:

As you can see, common weather patterns in Tanzania are wet – dry – wet – dry throughout the year. The dry season does not always mean the hot season, however, as July and August are generally the cooler months of the year in Tanzania but there is little to no rain expected during these months.

Kilimanjaro’s slopes see the most climbers during the dry season, as this is generally the most popular time for all visitors to Tanzania. However, there are certainly some advantages to climbing Kilimanjaro during the rainy season – there is even a specific route we recommend – so don’t discount climbing during the rainy season.

Read on to get the full list of pros and cons for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro during the rainy season.

When the rainy season begins on Kilimanjaro

The long rains from the end of March through early June are known as the “warm” rains in Tanzania.

Most days the rains start in the late afternoon or even at night, giving hikers plenty of time to reach the camp. However, most days don’t mean all days – at times it may start pouring from the early morning.

The second rainy season is usually shorter. It starts in late October and usually ends in the middle of December, but sometimes it may begin earlier and last longer. Also, unlike the March-June rains, these are colder, though of course, they aren’t truly cold by most Western standards.

Mount Kilimanjaro, like other mountains, often creates its own weather. This means that despite the predictable weather throughout the rest of Tanzania, climbers may experience showers or light rain at any time of the year while trekking.

If you’re hoping to absolutely avoid rain throughout your Kilimanjaro trek, no one can guarantee that. Even if you climb during the driest months, Mount Kilimanjaro might surprise you by creating unique weather on it’s slopes. However, the chance of rain during the dry season is certainly much lower.

During the rainy season it may not rain ‘on-time’, which means that rains may start or end earlier than predicted. We are talking about weather, after all. Sometimes the rains start in the afternoon, and most of the hiking on Kilimanjaro occurs in the morning, chances are you will have already reached camp before the rain of the day begins.

At the same time it is fair to say that sometimes the rains take much longer than normally expected. For example, in 2020 they finished as late as at the end of January.

And, there may be a few days where Kilimanjaro’s routes will not see a single drop of rain, either.

The emphasis here is that no one can absolutely promise it will or will not rain during your trek, so you’ve got to prepare for it, just in case.

That being said, if you aren’t afraid of getting a little wet and you’re well-prepared with proper waterproof gear, climbing during the rainy season has its unique perks.

The advantages of climbing Kilimanjaro during the rainy season:

Beauty:

• Mount Kilimanjaro is so beautiful and vibrant-green during the rainy season.
• Nature truly comes alive after the rains!
• Because there are fewer climbers on Kilimanjaro, wild animals return to its slopes. In COVID-19 times, when there were zero travellers, we even spotted the wild dogs. Last time time these animals were seen on Kilimanjaro was some fifteen years ago.
• You will see the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro. It is white only during the rainy season – on other months the snow melts, and Uhuru with its surroundings are just rocky.
• If you summit during March-May you’re likely to see more snow than any other time of the year, which really makes for the best photos to show off your amazing feat.

Fewer climbers:

• There are significantly less climbers on Kilimanjaro during the rainy season. For example, at Weltweit Adventures we have 10-20 times less climbers than during the dry months, and there is a real chance for you to be alone on the route.
• If you are dreaming of a secluded experience – rainy season is the best time to have a route to yourself.
• Overnight camps are quiet, calm. You won’t see many other groups – or any at all!

Discounts:

• Weltweit Adventures gives seasonal discounts!
• Save money by booking during the rainy season; use the extra cash to spend a few days in Zanzibar after you’ve completed your climb.

Photography during the rainy season 

Scenic photography during the rainy season is somewhat wayward. Often fog and rain may cloud the views, and you will be able to shoot only close objects.  However, there are moments when the sky becomes clear, and it is exactly when there is a chance to capture  the mind-blowing snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro.