Trails of Ethiopia

contact
Main Menu

We are one such company that offers the true experience of Ethiopia bringing out its real charm. This is precisely why our organization is named “ Trails of Ethiopia ”. At “ Trails of Ethiopia Tours” we practice a religion called “Tourism”.

(+251) 911171217
(+251) 991151615
(+251) 991201615

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

contact@trailsofethiopia.com

Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Youtube Tripadvisor

© Trails of Ethiopia 2025, All Rights Reserved.

When to Visit Ethiopia

When to Visit Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a large country and different regions have different seasonal characteristics. The extreme north and east has a desert climate, central Ethiopia is milder and southern Ethiopia is more tropical. High season is October to March, although there are great experiences available in the off-season.

When is the best time to go to Ethiopia?

The best time of year to go to Ethiopia is between October and March. During these months, there is less rainfall and the heat is less intense in the extreme north and south. However, Ethiopia’s size means there are plenty of fantastic experiences available from June to September.

Annual Temperature and Rainfall in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a mild climate compared to many East African countries, and this can come as a surprise to many. Despite its equatorial position, Ethiopia is a high altitude region, with much of the country above 2,000 metres. This means temperatures are milder throughout the year, with average day time temperatures of 20°C-25°C throughout the year.

Unlike many of its East Africa neighbours that experience tropical climates, with multiple rainy seasons throughout the year, Ethiopia experiences just one long rainy season from June to early September. During these months, trekking in the highland regions becomes more difficult as some access roads and hiking trails become impassable. However, there is plenty to see and do outside the mountains, and although hiking can be more challenging, it is still perfectly possible to visit the highlands.

The rains actually come a little earlier in the Omo Valley, running from April to May. This means that a trip south can be a great option from June to September while the north experiences the rains.

When to visit Ethiopia

Breakdown by region

The Northern Circuit
Generally speaking, the historic north circuit in Ethiopia comprises the following destinations: Addis Ababa,Bahir Dar, Gonder,Simien Mountains,National Park, Lalibela, Axum,Gheralta Mountains All of these regions are highland areas, and they follow the usual annual weather patterns with a rainy season from June to September, and mild and pleasant temperatures throughout the year. The best time to visit these destinations is between October and March, but you can often get away with much of April and even the beginning of May before the rains really come in. If you want to do the northern circuit during the rainy season, it is perfectly possible, but you should be prepared for rains and cloudier skies, and hiking in the Simien Mountains is more limited. Note that Limalimo Lodge is closed from 15th July to 31st August. The best time to do the northern circuit in Ethiopia is between October and March, but you can usually get away with April and the beginning of May before the rains come. You can learn more about the major travel regions in Ethiopia on our ultimate Ethiopia travel guide page.
The Rift Valley and Bale Mountains
The Rift Valley in Ethiopia is a series of lakes that runs south of Addis, flanked by the Bale Mountains to the east and the Omo Valley to the south. The main rift valley lakes are: Lake Langano, Lakes Abijatta and Shalla, Lake Chamo, Lake Awassa, Lake Ziway The rift valley follows similar seasonality to the northern circuit, with a long rainy season from June to early September. The Bale Mountains to the east of the rift valley are the largest highland region south of Addis Ababa. The rains here are more extreme than in the rift valley, and more similar to what you’ll find in the Simien Mountains in the north of the country. You can learn more on our when to visit the Bale Mountains page. It’s very much the same story in the rift valley and Bale Mountains. Both have a long rainy season from June to early September, but the rains are more pronounced in the Bale Mountains due to the high altitude.
The extreme north and south: Omo Valley and the Danakil Depression
The Omo Valley in the far south of Ethiopia experiences a slightly different climate to the rest of the country. Here, the rains come slightly earlier, kicking off in April and running through to May. From June to September, when the north of the country is experiencing the rains, temperatures are high in the Omo Valley, and it is one of the best times to visit the region. Check out our page on when to visit the Omo Valley for more information. The Danakil Depression is unlike any other region in Ethiopia, and has a completely different climate. It’s one of the most arid, hot, and extreme destinations on the planet. Temperatures here are soaring year-round, averaging around 35°C. In the months of June to September, while the rest of the north is experiencing lower temperatures and more rains, the Danakil is at its hottest – spiking to 40°C+. The rains come earlier in the Omo Valley, running from March to early June. There is a short rainy season in October, but generally any months outside of March to May is fine. In the Danakil, you’ll want to avoid June to September, otherwise you’re good to go.
  • Trails of Ethiopia
Shopping cart close