Stormy rains or dusty dry, which time of year is best to visit Ethiopia?
Whether you want a trip that’s thrillingly adventurous or calm and relaxing, here come the pros and cons of Ethiopia’s stunning seasons.
In this article I unearth the interesting facts about Ethiopia’s shifting seasons. But I also shed some light on some of the numerous things here to see.
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Ethiopia
Ethiopia is an ancient country whose history can trace back to the origin of humanity. The oldest human fossil, the 3.2 million-year-old skeleton named “Lucy”, was found in Ethiopia.
This incredible country is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering stunning and lush highlands, colorful salt lakes, ancient castle ruins, and so much more.
Many thousands of tourists come to Ethiopia every year to experience the thrill of the Ethiopian adventure. But when is the best time to visit, and why?
Shifting seasons
As with all things, there are pros and cons to be found in the shifting seasons. One can find beautiful green scenery during the whipping rains, but it comes hand-in-hand with muddy side roads, and likewise, one can bask in the dream-like and sunny weather during the dry season, but then have to bear the intensity of the increasing heat.
The truth of the matter is answered by a simple question; what is it that you would like to see the most?
Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, the equivalent in Ethiopia is quite different.
Some sources will claim there to be as many as four seasons, but under a grander scope, one can see two main seasons that dominate the majority of the year – the dry season and the rainy season.
The Dry Season:
From October to May, Ethiopia is found taking on a warmer turn. The climate and the weather shift to increasingly dry and warm sunny days.
The dry season is locally referred to as “Bega”, a time of year when most travelers choose to visit. The dry season is the height of Ethiopia’s tourist season, and it is during the dry season that most travelers would advise others to visit.
The welcoming weather of the dry season is perfect when one wants to escape the cold of western winter, but even travelers from other parts of the world find this season to be the preferred between Ethiopia’s two major seasons.
The heat of the dry season often compels people to use an umbrella just to guard them against the intense sun. But oddly enough, you’ll occasionally experience light showers of rain randomly passing by even through the dry season.
The best attribute of this season is the warm days, the delightfully blue skies and the lively roads. It is a great time to be out shopping, seeing places, visiting resorts, or various hot springs.
It is also the hype of the tourist season, which reflects the variety of people that can be found throughout the country. Wildlife is easier to spot, and the hiking trails are more convenient to trudge.
What might become an issue is if you have plans of walking anywhere during midday. The heat can become nearly unbearable if you don’t plan on stopping for a break or a cup of traditional coffee.
Though most days will be warm and accommodating to those who want to go places, you’ll find that the temperature drops roughly ten degrees in no time as soon as the sunsets. Dressing appropriately might become a hindrance while planning a day-night move. But bringing a jacket in your backpack can solve that issue without much difficulty.
The Rainy Season:
From June to September, the dry climate takes a drastic turn towards tropical rains. Whipping rainfall can often be seen coming down at a nearly horizontal angle, storming through the night but vanishing as morning breaks.
The rainy season is locally referred to as “Kiremt”, and it is a time of year when nature blossoms in Ethiopia, while people become scarce due to the weather changes. It is generally a less desirable time to visit, but many people boldly embark on the Ethiopian adventure despite the minor inconveniences brought by the tropical rains.
Rainfall is the heaviest during this time of year, and thunderstorms are frequently seen lighting up the sky. The rainy season has its form of brilliance, and though many side roads get overly muddy and the streets are often near abandoned while it’s raining, you’ll find that nature shines with vibrance more in the rainy season than during the rest of the year.
This is the time to visit the highlands and nature, to go sightseeing or bird watching. The rainy season is when rivers run with force and trees take to the sky with eagerness to be seen.
One of the highlights of this season is of course the change of nature. But more than that, there are still many tourist attractions which you can enjoy visiting. Castle ruins, museums, parks, and botanical gardens are just a few. And some would even say that many of these places are even lusher during Ethiopia’s season of heavy rainfall.
Even during the peak of the rainy season, it is not uncommon to catch a few good hours of sunlight in the morning before the rains begin once again.
What might present a hindrance to many is probably where roads turn from common dust trails to muddy walkways. The mud is thick and will often get stuck in layers onto your boots, it can become a heavy load to bear, though others might claim it another part of the Ethiopian adventure.
Summary
To conclude this article, I’d say that the dry season is the recommended time to visit, though many tourists still enjoy the humid weather and scenic changes of the rainy season. In either case, Ethiopia is a nation with “13 months of sunshine” and therefore offers visitors a destination that never loses its vibrance and adventurous climate.
Hopefully, you’ll take the chance to visit during both seasons, and then assess it for yourself. It is an experience you certainly will not regret.
Have you ever experienced the Ethiopian seasons? What was your impression of it? And when would you recommend others to visit?
Share your thoughts and comments with us, let us know what you would like to read about, or if you have anything to add.
Feel free to visit the links we’ve listed below for more entertaining articles about Ethiopian holidays to observe, locations to visit, and people to meet.
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Thank you for reading!
