Kilimanjaro Climb Full Moon Dates for 2023

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on Full Moon? Hikers usually loathe climbing in the dark as it is cold, and visibility is too weak. And if you are traveling with children, it becomes difficult for them to stay awake during dark hours. Even common people want to ascend tall mountains once in their lifetime, but their desires never get fulfilled under the various climbing requirements. Meanwhile, talking about Mount Kilimanjaro, it is the only mountain of this height that is possible to ascend without any mountaineering technical experience.

Climbing mountain Kilimanjaro is  5,895 meters (19,340 ft.) and the interesting thing is that you climb the mountain without the experience of wearing spikes, belts, and harnesses. But you need to select the right route to climb Kilimanjaro among Lemosho route, Rongai route, Machame route, and others.

However, if you and your travel companion want to climb Kilimanjaro during the full moon, we have presented the dates in the table below. Please note that the full-moon dates are busier than those compared to other times.

Tentative Full Moon Dates To Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro (2022-2023)

As per reputable weather conditions, the dates provided below are the best estimates. If you wish to experience a full moon while you are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, then contact our adventure specialists to plan your trip for a perfect getaway. It can get a little busy on all the full moon dates but a day earlier or later will not make the effect and your experience any less.

Also, you will find different dates over various Kilimanjaro websites, but the information on all sites is not reliable. The dates mentioned below are for the full moon itself. When you contact us for your trip, we will arrange for your summit on Kilimanjaro around these dates.

Why to choose Full Moon Dates for Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb?

On a full moon night, the bright moonlight will provide a spectacular view of Kilimanjaro and its surroundings. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro on any full moon date will enhance the whole experience of being on top of Africa.

A practical reason in trekking under a full moon is that it illuminates your path even in pitch darkness. On normal days, trekkers are forced to wear a head torch on the summit night. However, during the full moon-clear night, one can get away without having to use a head torch. However, we strongly recommend you to carry a head torch because there is no assurance of stable weather around the Kilimanjaro region. Nevertheless, take time while finalizing the things you must include in your packing list for Tanzania travel .

As the night walk to summit is much easier and rewarding, most of the people are eager to climb Kilimanjaro under a full moon. This obviously makes your trek so much distinctive and wonderful. It is because during the full moon the beautiful glaciers of Kilimanjaro brighten up and that will definitely let you behold the picturesque landscapes of Tanzania.

Why is Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climb so popular?

What exactly is a full moon anyway? To a layman, it is a lunar phase when the moon can be seen completely from the earth. And, this occurs when the earth is stationed just in between the sun and the moon. This phenomenon usually occurs after every 29 days and it is one opportunity to witness the beautiful celestial event from the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The popularity of Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climb is mainly due to the following factors:

1. Stunning Views 

The bright light of the full moon will accompany as well as guide you during the night summit to Uhuru Peak. The moonlight will illuminate your 6-hour climb amid the stunning views of the glittering glaciers and the rolling clouds below you. The glorious light of the moon will sparkle the earth beneath your feet.

2. Improved visibility during summit attempt

The brilliance of the moon when paired off with a clear sky will improve the visibility throughout the summit attempt. Most probably, you won’t require to use your head torch to illuminate your way during the final leap.

3. Spectacular views of Kibo

You will get to witness the magnificent views of Mt. Kibo from your campsites. Kibo is the youngest and highest of the three distinct volcanic cones on Kilimanjaro.

Best months to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

The short answer – The best months for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro are January and February! Although Kilimanjaro has a lot to offer its trekkers in all the seasons, but there has to be the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro is situated in the middle of the earth’s equator; therefore, it acquires one of the most diverse weather conditions in the region.

Meanwhile, you could climb Kilimanjaro either from May to October or from December to March too. Kilimanjaro climb during rainy season is possible in April and May while the shorter rainy season is during November. During these rainy seasons (short and long) there are high chances of regular rains causing inconvenience for Kilimanjaro travelers and climbers.

Apart from the two rainy seasons, other seasons are generally dry and clear. Most travelers prefer to climb when it is dry. We also recommend planning your trip to Kilimanjaro during the dry and clear seasons.

Drawbacks of Climbing Kilimanjaro on Full Moon

Climbing Kilimanjaro on full moon nights are very popular as it gives a lifetime experience to climbers with stunning views of the surroundings. However, it gets too crowded on full moon nights. If you prefer a less crowded trek, then we recommend avoiding dates around the full moon.

Because of the intensity of the beauty of the Kilimanjaro climb during full moon, many travelers organize their trip around these dates. And it is very obvious that there will be a huge crowd, especially on the busiest Kilimanjaro routes. Another disadvantage of climbing Kilimanjaro on a full moon is that the stars are covered by the moon’s brightness. A passionate stargazer would really be disappointed not seeing a single star in the sky on the full moon night. For them, it is best to trek during new moon night when the entire Kilimanjaro lies under a blanket of beautiful star-studded sky.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?

There are several routes for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Each route has its own specialty and requires a varying number of days. In general, it takes at least five days to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. However, we always recommend our climbing guests to pick a route and spend at least six days, and more ideally seven or eight days, which proffers a much better chance of reaching the top. For those climbers who have longer days to spare, Kilimanjaro has several more gradual and scenic ascent routes which can be covered in 10 or more days. Choosing the best route to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro will also decide the number of days it will require for you to reach the top.

How hard is it to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?

You need to be well prepared and take up some training if climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is on your bucket-list. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not as easy as it seems to be. When it comes to Kilimanjaro climb difficulty, the major hurdle lies in the high altitudes. Obviously, it leads to higher risks of altitude sickness. Weather is yet another decisive factor, and it is always unpredictable. Health wise, it is best that you attempt when you are most fit, both physically and mentally. Regardless the route you choose; the final summit day is the most challenging day overall.

When is the best time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?

Mt. Kilimanjaro lies very close to the equator, so there is no extreme winter or summer weather in this region. Having said that, it is best to climb the mountain during the warmest and driest months. Although climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is possible throughout the year, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during such a period when the possibility of precipitation is lower. Obviously, the dry seasons are considered the best times in terms of weather.

Which is the best route to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?

Officially, there are six routes to reach to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. What may seem easy to one hiker may be difficult to another. Out of the six routes, choosing the best route to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro totally depends on your ability, personal preference and your physical as well as mental fitness. Many operators blatantly state that a particular route is the best for their personal gains. But, as a matter of fact, each of the six routes has its own advantages as well as shortcomings.

Which route on Mt. Kilimanjaro has the highest summit success rate?

Amongst the six different routes on the Kilimanjaro, the better options for acclimatization as well as easier summit night is best on the Northern Circuit Route. Likewise, in terms of summit success, the other better options are via Lemosho Route, followed by the Machame Route. The number of days varies slightly with the different routes.

Which is the most difficult route on Kilimanjaro on the summit night?

The hardest summit nights, based on the experience shared by our past clients, are on the Rongai Route and the Marangu Route. On these routes, you will reach the crater rim of Kilimanjaro on the north opposite to Uhuru Peak, which is more than 2 hours from the summit.

Likewise, the best routes to climb Kilimanjaro in terms of easy summit nights are the Machame Route and Lemosho Route. On these routes, you will avoid the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Instead, you will reach the crater at Stellar Point, which is less than an hours’ walk from the summit.