
Besides good physical fitness and a backpack filled with all the right tools, a successful ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro requires climbers to scrutinize the best times to climb and to establish a budget. Mt. Kilimanjaro has two relatively dry periods: January to mid-March and June to October. While climbing during rainy seasons is possible, it is exceedingly more difficult and expensive, as climbers will need to bring extra tools, clothes, and food. Only minor differences separate odds of success during the two dry periods. More snow accumulates from January to March, but days are usually clearer.
Climbers must prepare to budget properly for Mt. Kilimanjaro. The cheapest trip up costs around $1,000, and that’s assuming climbers are able to travel directly to the mountain site, join a group immediately, and negotiate for the cheapest and quickest route. Climbers who want to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the climb should be prepared to pay for accommodations in Tanzania, near the mountain, which includes lodging, food, and public transportation.