Climbing Kilimanjaro is possible year-round, but your experience largely depends on the timing. The mountain lies so close to the equator that it doesn’t have four distinct seasons — instead, it alternates between dry and rainy periods. The best windows to aim for are January through early March, and late June through October, when the skies are clearer, the trails drier, and the summit views more reliable. During these months, daytime trekking is more comfortable, the weather is more predictable, and your chances of a successful, scenic ascent are higher. 

Between mid-March and May, you’ll enter the “long rains” — expect muddy trails, poor visibility, and a more challenging climb. November brings “short rains,” which can still disrupt plans, though in some years the rainfall is lighter than during the long rains. Some seasoned trekkers welcome the quiet and solitude of the off-peak months, but it requires extra gear, flexibility, and tolerance for unpredictable weather.

From a traveller’s point of view, when I picture my own Kili climb, I’d lean toward July to early October. That’s when the dry season is in full swing: the mountain is alive with crisp sunlight, nights are cold, and the route’s stages feel more solid underfoot. August and September, in particular, strike a sweet spot—good weather, reasonable daylight, and high chances of reaching the summit.  Or, if I wanted to dodge the biggest crowds, I might aim for January or February — still dry weather, lower altitude snow, and a quieter trail.