When is the best time to climb Mount Kenya?

The two best windows are January-February (long dry season: clear skies, stable conditions, excellent summit views) and July-October (short dry season: the most popular trekking period with clear mornings and good summit conditions). August and September are the most consistently good months overall.

How cold does it get on Mount Kenya?

Temperatures drop significantly with altitude. At Shipton's Camp (4,200 m), nights in dry season reach -3°C to -8°C. Austrian Hut (4,790 m) can drop to -5°C to -12°C. At Point Lenana summit (4,985 m), night temperatures range from -8°C to -15°C with wind chill making it feel significantly colder. A sleeping bag rated to -10°C is essential.

Does it snow on Mount Kenya?

Snow falls occasionally at higher elevations, particularly at Austrian Hut (4,790 m) and above. The summit glaciers are permanent but have significantly receded due to climate change. Snow on the trail is more common in the short dry season (July-October) and can make the summit push harder. Point Lenana does not require crampons under normal conditions.

Which Mount Kenya route is best in the rainy season?

If you must trek in the rainy season, Sirimon is the best option: the northern slopes lie in a partial rain shadow. Avoid Naro Moru in the long rains (March-June) as the vertical bog becomes treacherous. The Chogoria eastern approach receives significantly more rainfall and is hardest in wet conditions.

Planning guide

Best Time to Climb Mount Kenya - Weather Guide

Q: What months should I avoid climbing Mount Kenya?

Avoid March-June (long rains): daily rain is common, the moorland becomes saturated, the Naro Moru vertical bog is at its worst, and summit views are frequently obscured by cloud. November-December (short rains) are workable but unpredictable, especially on the drier northern Sirimon approach.

Mount Kenya straddles the equator, giving it a unique climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. Timing your trek correctly makes the difference between clear summit views and navigating through cloud and mud.

The four seasons at a glance

Best

Long Dry Season

January - February

Clear skies, minimal rainfall, excellent visibility to the summit glaciers. Cold at night (below -5°C at Shipton's Camp) but stable. The best window for photography and confident summit attempts. January-February is the peak dry season on the northern slopes and ideal for Sirimon.

Avoid

Long Rains

March - June

The wettest period of the year. Daily rain is common, particularly on the eastern Chogoria side. The moorland becomes saturated, the Naro Moru vertical bog is at its worst, and summit views are frequently obscured by cloud. Trekking is possible but significantly harder and less rewarding.

Best

Short Dry Season

July - October

The second dry window and the most popular trekking period. July-October sees clear mornings with afternoon cloud building - typically clearing again by evening. Summit mornings are usually clear. August and September are the most consistently good months. Slightly busier on Sirimon than January-February.

Caution

Short Rains

November - December

Shorter and less predictable than the long rains. Some years November brings heavy rain; in others, it is relatively dry. December can be good once the short rains end. Not our first recommendation but workable, especially on the drier northern Sirimon and Timau approaches.

Temperature by altitude

Location	Altitude	Day (dry season)	Night (dry season)
Nanyuki (trailhead town)	1,952 m	22-28°C	10-14°C
Sirimon / Naro Moru Gate	2,650 m	15-22°C	5-10°C
Old Moses Camp	3,300 m	12-18°C	2-6°C
Mackinder's / Shipton's Camp	4,200 m	8-14°C	-3 to -8°C
Austrian Hut	4,790 m	4-10°C	-5 to -12°C
Point Lenana (summit)	4,985 m	0-8°C	-8 to -15°C

Temperatures are approximate averages for dry-season conditions. Wind chill can make it feel significantly colder above 4,000 m. Wind gusts of 30-50 km/h are common at the summit.

What the rain seasons mean for each route

Sirimon & Timau

The most rain-sheltered approaches. The northern slopes lie in a partial rain shadow from the Aberdare Range. Even in the short rains, Sirimon is often manageable. January-February and July-October are excellent; November-December are acceptable; March-June are the only months we would caution against without strong reason.

Chogoria

The eastern slopes receive significantly more rainfall than the northern side. Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson are at their most dramatic after rain - vivid greens and full waterfalls - but the trail becomes genuinely slippery. The long rains (March-June) make Chogoria significantly harder. Stick to January-February and August-October for Chogoria.

Naro Moru

The vertical bog is challenging in all conditions. In the long rains it becomes genuinely treacherous and we advise against Naro Moru from March to June entirely. The route is at its best in January-February and July-September.

Burguret

The dense western forest means lower sections are always humid. The upper moorland follows the Sirimon pattern - drier than Chogoria. Best in January-February and August-September.

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