Best time to visit Ethiopia

Hidden within Ethiopia are the most impressive landscapes in the entire African continent. Not just because of the nature of the landscapes themselves, such as the volcanoes and lakes, but because of the incomparable variety of wildlife! For budding photographers, you can capture the best photos if you avoid the summer months, from June to August, as the rainy season may make it challenging to spot animals in the wild. Whether you are professional or amateur, we recommend that you avoid taking a safari in summer if you want to capture the raw, untouched beauty of this country.

If your passion is hiking or trekking, Ethiopia offers you incredible places to enjoy this pursuit, such as the forest trails of the Menagesha or the immense nature of the Simien Mountains National Park. The historic sights of Lalibela or the Tigray region are also well suited for trekking and long walking explorations. You can travel throughout the year to go trekking, although the rains of the summer may dampen your plans. Therefore, it is best to avoid June, July and August because of the frequently wet weather.

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 rains, you are free to discover the local culture without any problems throughout the rest of the year.

Ethiopia is inhabited by different ethnicities and tribes, such as the Nuer and the Anuak, the communities 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 only imagine the cultural diversity throughout the country.

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 also enjoy fewer crowds and quieter sightseeing.