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Best Time to Visit Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a fairly mild climate, with temperatures varying greatly depending on the altitude. Nights can be cold, especially in the highlands, and a warm sweater is something you should have on hand year-round.

Typically, the best time to visit is during the dry season which falls between October and March. Warm and sunny, the post-rain landscapes are lush, green and picturesque with plenty of colourful wildflowers to admire.

This is also wonderful period for hiking in the Simien Mountains and encounters with Ethiopia’s unique wildlife such as the gelada baboon and Walia ibex. The annual Christian celebration, Timkat, takes place around the middle of January and is an incredible event to experience first-hand. November and December are great for those looking to visit the South Omo Valley and the Danakil Depression, with lower temperatures and little to no rainfall.

Travel during the wetter months between April and September is still possible. Though wet and humid, accommodation prices are at their lowest and it’s a good opportunity to explore with fewer tourists around. That said, we would avoid travelling in June and July when the rains are at their most severe.