When is the best time to visit Ethiopia

In reality, the best time to travel to Ethiopia is always. You can enjoy this beautiful country throughout the whole year. During the months of June, July and August, the rainy season only affects the Eastern and Western regions. The climate in the rest of the country is always good and perfect for travelling.

Ethiopia map

When to travel to Ethiopia

The advantage of this country is its year-round pleasant temperatures. To give you an idea, it is around 30 degrees. As we said before, the only thing to keep in mind is to avoid the summer months in the eastern and western regions. In the southern regions, the rains come from April to September. The rest of the country is warm and sunny.

The best time to travel in northern Ethiopia

As the north of the country holds most of the treasures of Ethiopia, there is no doubt that it is the most visited region. You can discover this corner of the world all year round, except June, July and August, which is the rainy season.

When to travel to central Ethiopia

If you want to visit the southern regions of the country, it is best to do this between October and March. It is not recommended from April to September as this is the rainy season which lasts a little longer here than in the rest of the country.

Any season is perfect for travelling to the country’s central region, so you don’t need to choose a specific month.

Visiting eastern Ethiopia

If you have planned a visit to the walled city of Harar, or the town of Dire Dawa in eastern Ethiopia, keep in mind to avoid the summer months. The same stands for visits to the National Park of Awash, because you would not be able to see the wild animals as easily in the rainy season. For this reason, we recommend that you travel from September to May, that is, any time of the year except for the summer.

When to visit the east and Addis Ababa

addis ababa

As with the eastern regions of the country, the rainy season here is in the summer, from June to August. If you want to discover this dynamic Ethiopian city, avoid travelling in June, July and August. Take advantage of the trip to discover a rarely-visited region of the country that is full of villages, forests and coffee plantations. It will make your travel somewhat different. 

Apart from the seasons, when planning your journey you should also take into account the reason that brings you to this beautiful African country. Going on a trekking holiday is quite different to going on a photographic safari.

What is the best time to go on a photographic safari in Ethiopia?

Hidden within Ethiopia are the best landscapes in the whole African continent. Not just because of the natural phenomena of the landscapes themselves, such as the volcanoes and lakes, but because of the incomparable variety of fauna. You will get the best photographs if you avoid the summer months, from June to August, as the rainy season may spoil your photographic compositions. Whether you are professional or amateur, we recommend that you avoid the summer if you want to capture all the beauty of this country.

When is the best time to go trekking in Ethiopia?

If your passion is trekking, Ethiopia offers you incredible places, like the forest tracks in the Menagesha. The National Park of the Simien Mountains is another perfect place to walk around, as is Lalibela and the Tigre. You can travel throughout the year to go trekking, except in the summer months. It is best to avoid June, July and August because of the rains.

What are the best months for discovering the local culture?

If you are unsure about when to travel to Ethiopia to discover its culture, you should know that any time of year is perfect. If you avoid the summer months we have already mentioned because of the rains, you are free to discover the local culture without any problems during the rest of the year.

Ethiopia is inhabited by different ethnicities and tribes, such as the Nuer and the Anuak, the towns of Konso, and the nomads of Afar. There are over sixteen different ethnic groups that co-exist in the Omo Valley alone, so you can imagine the cultural diversity throughout the country.

Now you know that the best time to travel to Ethiopia is any month of the year, as long as you avoid the summer. Another point to keep in mind is that the tourist season is from January to March, so prices will rise during this time. You can travel during mid-season, which is from October to December, or in low-season, from April to September. The latter is the best time, as not only are prices lower but you will enjoy a greater sense of tranquillity.

Now you know the best time to travel to Ethiopia, all you need to do is to plan your journey and pack your suitcase. Ethiopia is waiting to offer you all its beauty enveloped in one of the best African climates.

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