When to visit Ethiopia

Ethiopia sits close to the equator, but most of the country is high, so the weather is milder than you might expect. The best time to go depends on where you are heading and what you want to see.

The seasons in brief

The dry season runs from about October to May and is the most popular time to visit. Skies are clear in the highlands, roads are in their best condition and most festivals fall in these months.

The long rains (locally called kiremt) fall from about June to September. The highlands turn green and waterfalls are at their fullest, but roads in some regions can be difficult and views may be hidden by cloud.

There is also a lighter rainy period, the belg rains, in roughly March and April in some areas.

Month by month

October to December: green after the rains, clear skies, cool nights. A very good time for the north.
January to March: the driest and coolest months in the highlands, and the season for the Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) and Epiphany (Timkat) festivals.
April to May: warmer and drier in the lowlands; the belg rains may bring showers.
June to September: rainy in the highlands. A quieter time to travel, with fewer visitors and lush scenery.

Regional notes

The historic north (Lalibela, Gondar, Axum, Bahir Dar): October to March is the most comfortable.
The Simien and Bale Mountains: cold at altitude at any time of year; the dry months give the clearest views.
The Danakil Depression: intensely hot. Go only from November to February, and only with a specialist operator.
The south and the Omo Valley: roads can be difficult after heavy rain; July to September and December to February are commonly recommended.