When to go · Eritrea
Eritrea in August
Mixed month. Rain in Asmara, green hills; avoid the coast.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Eritrea
- Prices
- Medium
- Eritrea
Verdict
Rain in Asmara, green hills; avoid the coast.
Is another month better than August?
August is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- OctoberGoodClear skies in the highlands; the coast begins to cool late in the month.
- NovemberGoodGood everywhere; the best time to add the Dahlak islands.
- DecemberGoodDry and pleasant; Christmas and diaspora visits fill a few flights.
- JanuaryGoodDry and sunny in Asmara, warm and pleasant in Massawa. Genna and Timkat bring church festivals.
Weather in August
- Central highlands · Asmara, Keren, Mendefera, Dekemharerainy
Spring-like days (20–25 °C (68–77 °F)) and cold nights; short rains around April and the main rains in July–August.Spring-like days (68–77 °F (20–25 °C)) and cold nights; short rains around April and the main rains in July–August.
- Red Sea coast · Massawa, Dahlak islands, Assabhot
Rain falls in winter on the coast; from May to September temperatures pass 40 °C (104 °F) with heavy humidity.Rain falls in winter on the coast; from May to September temperatures pass 104 °F (40 °C) with heavy humidity.
- Eastern escarpment · Filfil, Nefasit, Ghindafine
Catches both rains: green and misty in winter when the plateau is dry.
- Western lowlands · Barentu, Agordat, Tesseneyrainy
Hot savannah; near the Sudan border and mostly under advice against travel.
- Asmara22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 17 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 17 rain days
- Keren24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 199 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 199 rain days
- Massawa40 °C (104 °F) / 28 °C (82 °F), 1 rain days104 °F (40 °C) / 82 °F (28 °C), 1 rain days
- Nakfa36 °C (97 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 0 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 0 rain days
- Senafe24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 10 rain days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Eritrea
- Low
- Prices · Eritrea
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Eritrea, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Mixed
Jan: Good (better)
Crowds
Aug: Low
Jan: Low
Prices
Aug: Medium
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
Aug: 0
Jan: 3
August: Rain in Asmara, green hills; avoid the coast.
January: Dry and sunny in Asmara, warm and pleasant in Massawa. Genna and Timkat bring church festivals.
Eritrea: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast