May · Tanzania
Best time to visit Kilimanjaro in May Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Kilimanjaro in May
Average temperature 17°C, 197 mm of rain, about 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 86% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
May score
6.3/10
Ranked #11 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- 17°C
- Rainfall
- 197 mm
- Humidity
- 86%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 17
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
May in Kilimanjaro scores 6.3/10 for nature and wildlife travel - ranked #11 of 12. Expect around 17°C, 197 mm of rain, and roughly 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain, a snow-topped volcano near Moshi and Arusha in northern Tanzania.
May in Kilimanjaro: mixed conditions, plan around the weather
Temperatures hover around 17°C (62°F) — the kind of month where neither heat nor cold forces the schedule.
197 mm of rain signals a properly wet month, with only about 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine to count on — build indoor options into the schedule.
That is 6.3/10 on the same scale — 11th of 12 months, versus 9.1/10 for the best month here.
Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, October is materially better in Kilimanjaro — 2.8 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Kilimanjaro in May?
- In May, Kilimanjaro averages 17°C, 197 mm of rain, and about 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 6.3/10.
- Is May a good time to visit Kilimanjaro?
- May earns a 6.3/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Kilimanjaro in May?
- Expect about 197 mm of rain in May. Average humidity is 86% and there are about 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Kilimanjaro
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.