​Best Time To Visit – Ethiopia

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Ethiopia.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Ethiopia.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Ethiopia.

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Watching wildlife in Ethiopia is not very season dependent. However, July and August are the wettest months and travel over that period isn’t recommended (especially if you intend to do some hiking or camping). Ethiopia’s spectacular scenery is at its best from September to December, when days are sunny, the landscape is green and lush and the sky is free of haze after the rains.


183 Ethiopia Tours
Best Time October to December (Beautiful scenery, little rain)
High Season October to January (Main historical sites and some parks get busy)
Low Season May to September (Few travelers and low-season rates)
Best Weather October to April (Little rainfall, sunny days)
Worst Weather July to August (Wettest months)

May to October Dry Season

  • Days are mostly dry and sunny
  • Scenery is lush from October to December after the rains
  • Conditions are perfect for hiking and camping
  • Best time for bird watching and migratory birds are present
  • Main tourist sites get busy from October to April

November to April Wet Season

  • Scenery is at its best
  • There are many wild flowers in September
  • Many overcast and rainy days in July and August
  • Cold and wet in Bale and Simien Mountains
  • July and August are not recommended for hiking and camping

Wildlife Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

Most of Ethiopia’s parks can be visited throughout the year. You’ll see animals at any time. However, the scenery, which is a huge attraction of the parks, is at its best after the rains from October to December. The higher slopes of Bale and Simien Mountains NP can be very cold and unpleasant in the rains. April and August to October are generally less favorable for Bale Mountains, and the wettest months in the Simiens are July and August.

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183 Ethiopia Tours