Best Time to Visit Ethiopia
October to February (dry season nationwide, most comfortable for Lalibela, the Simien Mountains and the highlands)
Quick Answer
Best Overall
October to February (dry season nationwide, most comfortable for Lalibela, the Simien Mountains and the highlands)
Peak Season
October–February (driest, most comfortable trekking and sightseeing conditions)
Shoulder Season
March–May
Cheapest Period
June–September (the 'big rains' — heaviest rainfall, especially July-August)
Weather Varies By Region
Ethiopia is large enough that no single "best time" applies everywhere. Here's how the timing changes region by region.
Addis Ababa & the highlands (Lalibela, Simien Mountains)
Oct–Feb (dry season)Ethiopia's 'big rains' fall July-August (Addis Ababa gets close to 290mm in each month); October-February is dry, sunny and the best window for trekking the Simien Mountains and visiting Lalibela's rock-hewn churches.
Danakil Depression
Nov–Feb (coolest, still extreme)One of the hottest, lowest places on Earth, with daytime temperatures that remain punishing even in the 'cool' season — November through February is the least extreme window, but conditions stay severe and a guided expedition is essential.
Omo Valley & the south
Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb (drier stretches)A lower-altitude, hotter region than the highlands, running on a somewhat different dry/wet pattern from Addis Ababa.
Month-by-Month Weather
Catalog Data· Climate normals, see sources below(Verified taxonomy records from the TravelGuidesFinder destination catalog.)Average high/low temperatures and rainfall for Addis Ababa (used here as a representative reference point — see regional notes above for other areas).
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C / 75°F | 9°C / 48°F | 13mm | Peak |
| February | 25°C / 76°F | 10°C / 50°F | 30mm | Shoulder |
| March | 25°C / 77°F | 12°C / 54°F | 60mm | Shoulder |
| April | 25°C / 77°F | 13°C / 55°F | 80mm | Low |
| May | 25°C / 76°F | 13°C / 55°F | 85mm | Low |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | 12°C / 54°F | 140mm | Low |
| July | 21°C / 69°F | 12°C / 54°F | 280mm | Low |
| August | 21°C / 69°F | 12°C / 54°F | 290mm | Low |
| September | 21°C / 71°F | 12°C / 53°F | 150mm | Shoulder |
| October | 23°C / 73°F | 10°C / 51°F | 25mm | Peak |
| November | 23°C / 73°F | 10°C / 49°F | 7mm | Peak |
| December | 23°C / 73°F | 8°C / 47°F | 7mm | Peak |
Season-by-Season Guide
Dry season (Oct–Feb)
Sunny, minimal rain, comfortable highland temperatures (Addis Ababa highs 22-24°C)
Good For
Belg / small rains (Mar–May)
Warming, with increasing but still moderate rainfall
Good For
Kiremt / big rains (Jun–Sep, heaviest Jul–Aug)
The year's wettest stretch (Addis Ababa gets close to 290mm in July and August), roads can become difficult
Good For
Best Time to Visit For...
Lalibela rock-hewn churches
October–FebruaryDry, sunny conditions for exploring these often-exposed, centuries-old carved churches.
Simien Mountains trekking
October–February (also workable March–May)The big rains (June-September) make high-altitude trekking routes far more difficult.
Danakil Depression
November–FebruaryOne of the hottest places on Earth even in its 'cool' season — a guided expedition and serious heat preparation are essential regardless of timing.
Omo Valley cultural visits
June–September and December–FebruaryRuns on a somewhat different dry/wet pattern than the highlands given its lower elevation.
Cheapest Time to Visit
June through September, the big rains, brings the lowest prices — Addis Ababa receives close to 290mm of rain in both July and August, and some highland roads become more difficult.
Busiest Time to Visit
October through February is the busiest and most expensive window, as it combines dry conditions across the highlands, the Danakil Depression's least extreme temperatures, and peak international tourist demand.
Weather vs. Price Trade-off
March offers a reasonable compromise for the highlands — still mostly dry, with fewer crowds and lower prices than the October-February peak, before the rains build through April-May.
How to Get There
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) is the main gateway; Lalibela and the Simien Mountains are reached via domestic flights, and the Danakil Depression requires a dedicated multi-day guided expedition from Mekele.
How Long to Stay
10-12 days covers Lalibela, the Simien Mountains and Addis Ababa. A Danakil Depression expedition typically adds 3-4 days given the remote, demanding logistics involved.
Sample Itineraries
What to Pack, By Season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Ethiopia?
October to February, the dry season, for Lalibela, the Simien Mountains and the highlands generally; November to February specifically for the Danakil Depression's least extreme heat.
Is the Danakil Depression safe to visit?
It's visited via organized, guided expeditions given its extreme remoteness and heat; even in its 'coolest' months (November-February), conditions remain severe and serious preparation is essential.
When are Ethiopia's rainy seasons?
There are two — the lighter 'belg' or small rains (March-May) and the much heavier 'kiremt' or big rains (June-September, peaking in July-August), when Addis Ababa receives close to 290mm of rain in a single month.
Last verified: 2026-09-20 · Climate figures are 30-year averages and will not match any single trip exactly.