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When to go · Ethiopia

Ethiopia, month by month

The best months for Ethiopia: Jan, Feb, Dec. Months to avoid: Jul, Aug.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGreatDry and clear; Genna (7 Jan) and Timkat (19 Jan) fill churches and festival towns. Book early.Central highlands: best weather · Rift Valley lakes: best weather · South Omo lowlands: hotCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGreatDry, warm days; good for the south and Bale.Central highlands: best weather · Rift Valley lakes: best weather · South Omo lowlands: hotCrowds: Medium
  3. MarchGoodStill mostly dry; Adwa Day (2 Mar); short rains can start late in the month.Central highlands: best weather · Rift Valley lakes: fine · South Omo lowlands: hotCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilMixedShort rains in the south; Fasika (Orthodox Easter) usually falls in April or early May after a long fast.Central highlands: fine · Rift Valley lakes: rainy · South Omo lowlands: rainyCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  5. MayMixedHot in the lowlands, rain in the Omo; quiet and cheap in the highlands.Central highlands: fine · Rift Valley lakes: rainy · South Omo lowlands: rainyCrowds: Low · 7 festivals or holidays
  6. JuneMixedKiremt rains start in the highlands; roads get slower.Central highlands: rainy · Rift Valley lakes: fine · South Omo lowlands: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  7. JulyAvoidHeaviest highland rain: muddy roads, cloud on the mountains, flight delays.Central highlands: rainy · Rift Valley lakes: fine · South Omo lowlands: fineCrowds: Low
  8. AugustAvoidStill wet across the highlands; only the east and Omo stay workable.Central highlands: rainy · Rift Valley lakes: fine · South Omo lowlands: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  9. SeptemberMixedRain tails off; Enkutatash (11 Sep) and Meskel (27 Sep) bonfires. Green hills, yellow meskel daisies.Central highlands: rainy · Rift Valley lakes: fine · South Omo lowlands: fineCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
  10. OctoberGoodStart of the dry season; Irreecha (Oromo thanksgiving) in Bishoftu and Addis early in the month.Central highlands: fine · Rift Valley lakes: rainy · South Omo lowlands: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  11. NovemberGoodDry, green and clear; one of the best months overall.Central highlands: best weather · Rift Valley lakes: fine · South Omo lowlands: fineCrowds: Medium
  12. DecemberGreatDry season peak; Christmas–New Year holiday flights fill up.Central highlands: best weather · Rift Valley lakes: best weather · South Omo lowlands: hotCrowds: High

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Central highlandsAddis Ababa, Bishoftu, Bale Mountains, and the northern plateauBestBestBestOKOKWetWetWetWetOKBestBest
Rift Valley lakesZiway, Langano, Hawassa, Arba MinchBestBestOKWetWetOKOKOKOKWetOKBest
South Omo lowlandsJinka, Turmi, Omorate, KonsoHotHotHotWetWetOKOKOKOKWetOKHot
Eastern escarpmentHarar, Dire Dawa, JijigaBestBestOKOKHotHotHotHotOKOKBestBest
Danakil and Afar lowlandsAfar region, Dallol, Erta Ale, AwashOKOKHotHotHotHotHotHotHotHotOKOK