Kilimanjaro’s trekking best seasons
The
main trekking seasons on Kilimanjaro correspond with the mountain’s two dry
seasons (an imprecise term, the weather being occasionally inclement during
these periods too) namely January to mid-March and June to
October. Of course you can trek up Kilimanjaro in the rainy season
but not only is there a much higher chance of trekking in the rain, the summits
of Kibo and Mawenzi are likely to be wreathed in thick cloud too. Indeed,
several agencies even suspend their operations in November and December,
deciding that any trek up Kilimanjaro is foolhardy at this time and the rewards
for the trekkers considerably less. Curiously, however, Christmas and New Year,
when the weather is far from perfect, are actually the most popular times for
climbing Kilimanjaro.
Which
is the best season on Kilimanjaro?
The January-to-March trekking season on Kilimanjaro
As
to the relative merits of the two trekking seasons, the differences are small
though significant. The January to March season tends to be (slightly) colder
and there is a much greater chance of snow on the path at this time. The days,
however, are often clearer, with only the occasional brief shower. It is
usually an exceptionally beautiful time to climb and is often a little quieter
than the other peak season of June to October, which coincides with the main
academic holidays in Europe and the West. In this latter season the clouds tend
to hang around the tree-line following the heavy rains of March to May. Once
above this altitude, however, the skies are blue and brilliant and the chance
of precipitation minimal (though still present).
The June-to-October trekking season on Kilimanjaro
Although
the June to October season tends to be busier, this is not necessarily a
disadvantage. For example, if you are travelling independently to Tanzania but
wish, for the sake of companionship or simply to cut down on costs, to join up
with other travellers for your Kilimanjaro trek, then the high visitor numbers
in the June-October peak season will give you the best chance of doing this.
While
if you do crave solitude when you walk, it can still be found on the mountain
during this peak season. The trails are long, so you can always find vast gaps
between trekkers to allow you to walk in peace; some of the routes – Rongai,
for example, or the two trails across the Shira Plateau – almost never have
more than one or two trekking groups on them at any one time, and are often
completely deserted.
And
besides, Kilimanjaro is just so huge that its presence will dwarf your fellow
trekkers to the point where they become, if you wish them to be, quite
unnoticeable.