What's on in Moshi (Kilimanjaro), Tanzania through the year

Peak crowds — Christmas and New Year peak, December–January long break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Christmas and New Year peak (18 Dec – 5 Jan), Second climbing window (20 Dec – 10 Mar (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Festival

  Kilimanjaro Marathon

  22 MarSporting eventCrowdedBook early

  A road marathon out of the town stadium with the mountain in front of you for most of it, plus a half and a fun run. A few thousand entrants, and Moshi's rooms go early for that weekend. Source ↗

Still on: Second climbing window (20 Dec – 10 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Kilimanjaro Marathon, April short break in Tanzania

• Season

  The long rains

  20 Mar – 31 May · usuallyMonsoonRisk

  The rains effectively shut the mountain: the forest sections of Machame and Umbwe turn to mud, summit nights come in cloud, and the operators still running trips price them to move.

Still on: Kilimanjaro Marathon (22 Mar), Second climbing window (20 Dec – 10 Mar (usually))

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, April short break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: The long rains (20 Mar – 31 May (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: The long rains (20 Mar – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, Main climbing season

• Season

  Main climbing season

  15 Jun – 15 Oct · usuallyTrail seasonCrowdedBook early

  The dependable window. Cold and clear on the summit nights, the Machame and Marangu gates busy from dawn, and every guesthouse in town turning over trekkers on a five-day cycle.

Peak crowds — Main climbing season, Mid-year break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Main climbing season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Main climbing season, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Chagga coffee harvest

  1 Aug – 30 Nov · usually

  The smallholdings on the lower slopes above Moshi pick from about August, and the co-operative walks around Machame and Marangu are worth doing then rather than the rest of the year.

Still on: Main climbing season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Main climbing season, September short break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Main climbing season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Chagga coffee harvest (1 Aug – 30 Nov (usually))

Busy — Main climbing season, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Main climbing season (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Chagga coffee harvest (1 Aug – 30 Nov (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  The short rains

  1 Nov – 15 Dec · usuallyMonsoon

  Three or four weeks of afternoon rain over the lower forest. The mountain stays climbable and the routes are as empty as they ever get, which is the only argument for it.

Still on: Chagga coffee harvest (1 Aug – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — Christmas and New Year peak, December–January long break in Tanzania

• Holiday

  Christmas and New Year peak

  18 Dec – 5 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The fortnight around Christmas and New Year is the busiest and dearest stretch of the dry spell between the rains. Hotels, lodges and climbs book out months ahead, and many add festive supplements or minimum stays. Source ↗

• Season

  Second climbing window

  20 Dec – 10 Mar · usuallyTrail seasonBook early

  Warmer, with the best chance of snow on the crater rim and short showers on the lower routes. Christmas and New Year on the summit are booked out well in advance.

Still on: The short rains (1 Nov – 15 Dec (usually))