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The most convenient way to reach Mount Kilimanjaro is by flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Tanzania. From there, it’s about a 50-minute drive to Moshi, the main gateway for Kilimanjaro climbs. Major international airlines like Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Air France serve this route.

Alternatively, travelers can fly into Dar es Salaam and catch a local flight to Kilimanjaro, though this option may incur extra costs for domestic flights and baggage. For budget travelers, flying into Nairobi, Kenya, then taking a bus to Moshi is possible. However, this involves additional expenses, such as a Kenyan transit visa ($21) and a bus fare (~$45), with a journey time of around seven hours.

Tanzania experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons annually. The short rains fall from early November to late December, followed by the dry season lasting until mid-March. The long rains occur from mid-March to mid-June, after which another dry season begins.

During the rainy seasons, the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro receive significantly less rainfall—about five times less—making routes like Rongai, Northern Circuit, and Marangu preferable for climbs during wetter months, according to data from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority.

Most Kilimanjaro expeditions take 6 to 8 days, which allows for better acclimatization and improves the chance of reaching the summit safely. The shortest climbs are typically around 5 days, but longer itineraries, including options that stay overnight in the crater, can extend to 10 days or more for a more immersive experience.