Ethiopia in January

Dry and clear; Genna (7 Jan) and Timkat (19 Jan) fill churches and festival towns. Book early.

No other month rates higher than January for Ethiopia in this guide.

• Central highlands · Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, Bale Mountains, and the northern plateaubest weather

  Mild all year at altitude (days 20–25 °C (68–77 °F), cold nights); the big rains (kiremt) run June to September, with short rains around March–April.Mild all year at altitude (days 68–77 °F (20–25 °C), cold nights); the big rains (kiremt) run June to September, with short rains around March–April.

• Rift Valley lakes · Ziway, Langano, Hawassa, Arba Minchbest weather

  Warmer than Addis; two rainy spells in many years (April–May and October).

• South Omo lowlands · Jinka, Turmi, Omorate, Konsohot

  Hot and dusty; April–May and October rains turn tracks to mud and can cut off villages.

• Eastern escarpment · Harar, Dire Dawa, Jijigabest weather

  Harar is mild at about 1,900 m; Dire Dawa below it is hot from May to September.

• Danakil and Afar lowlands · Afar region, Dallol, Erta Ale, Awashfine

  Among the hottest places on earth; in 2026 largely covered by advice against travel.

• Central Ethiopia: Addis Ababa and the Shewa plateau · Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, Tiya, Melka Awashfine

  Highland climate: mild days, cold nights. The main rains run June to September; October to March is the dry window, with clear mornings and afternoon cloud.

• Central Ethiopia: Rift Valley floor · Adama, Sodere, the Awash corridorbest weather

  Hotter and lower than Addis; the wet season is shorter and the heat is the bigger issue — start early.

• Eastern Ethiopia: Harar and the eastern highlands · Harar, Dire Dawa escarpmentbest weather

  Main rains June–September; the short rains (belg) fall March–May. Harar is mild year-round at about 1,900 m; Dire Dawa is hotter and drier.

• Eastern Ethiopia: Lowlands toward Jijiga and the Ogaden · Somali Regionfine

  Hot and dry most of the year; the rains make dirt roads impassable. Not a leisure destination in 2026.

• Northern Ethiopia: Highlands (Gondar, Lalibela, Axum) · Amhara and Tigray plateaus, 1,900–2,500 mdry

  Main rains June to September; October to February is dry with cold nights at altitude. March and April are hot and hazy before the rains.

• Northern Ethiopia: Afar lowlands (Danakil) · Danakil Depression and the eastern lowlandshot

  Among the hottest places on earth; trips run in the cooler months and are still 40 °C (104 °F)+ by day.Among the hottest places on earth; trips run in the cooler months and are still 104 °F (40 °C)+ by day.

• Southern Ethiopia: Rift Valley lakes (Hawassa, Ziway, Arba Minch) · Valley floor, about 1,200–1,700 mbest weather

  Main rains June–September; the 'small rains' can bring afternoon showers in March–May. Warm year-round.

• Southern Ethiopia: Highlands (Bale, Wondo Genet, Konso escarpment) · Above about 1,800 mbest weather

  Cooler and wetter; the Bale Mountains can be cold and misty any month — take a fleece and rain shell.

• Western Ethiopia: Jimma and the coffee belt · Oromia highlands, 1,500–2,000 mfine

  One of the wettest parts of Ethiopia; the main rains run June–September, with showers from April.

• Western Ethiopia: Gambella lowlands · Baro river plain, about 500 mbest weather

  Hot year-round; the wet season floods the park and some roads, roughly June–October.

• Addis Ababa23 °C (73 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 1 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 1 rain days
• Adama28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 5 rain days
• Adigrat22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 1 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 1 rain days
• Adwa20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 2 rain days
• Agaro28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 4 rain days
• Arba Minch28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 5 rain days
• Axum26 °C (79 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 1 rain days
• Bahir Dar29 °C (84 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 1 rain days
• Bishoftu27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 3 rain days
• Dire Dawa30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Gambela30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 5 rain days
• Gondar26 °C (79 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 1 rain days
• Harar28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
• Hawassa29 °C (84 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 2 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 2 rain days
• Hawzien24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 2 rain days
• Jijiga30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Jimma27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain days
• Konso30 °C (86 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 3 rain days
• Lalibela24 °C (75 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 2 rain days
• Mekele23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 2 rain days
• Melka Awash28 °C (82 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 2 rain days
• Shashemene26 °C (79 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 3 rain days
• Sodere28 °C (82 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 3 rain days
• Tiya27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 3 rain days
• Wolaita Sodo28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Wondo Genet27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 4 rain days
• Wukro24 °C (75 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 1 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 1 rain days
• Yabelo28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Ziway24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 2 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)

  7 Jan (8 Jan in some years)

  All-night church services; families travel; many businesses close for a day.

• Timkat (Epiphany) big impact

  19 Jan (20 Jan in some years)

  Three days of processions with the tabots; Gondar and Lalibela are the classic places, but check advice — Addis (Jan Meda) celebrates too.

• Ethiopian Christmas (Genna)

  7 January (6 January in some years) · Addis Ababa

  Overnight services; some restaurants reduce hours.

Crowds · Ethiopia

High

Prices · Ethiopia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ethiopia, side by side.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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Rated best or good this month

• Central highlands

  Best weather of the year (Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, Bale Mountains, and the northern plateau)

• Rift Valley lakes

  Best weather of the year (Ziway, Langano, Hawassa, Arba Minch)

• Eastern escarpment

  Best weather of the year (Harar, Dire Dawa, Jijiga)

• Addis Ababa

  Dry and sunny; Timkat (Epiphany) around 19 Jan brings crowds.

• Adama

  Best months: Oct–Mar

• Adigrat

  Best months: Oct–Mar

• Adwa

  Best months: Oct–Mar

• Agaro

  Best months: Oct–Mar

• Arba Minch

  Best months: Oct–Mar

• Axum

  Best months: Oct–Feb

• Bahir Dar

  Best months: Oct–Mar (dry, clear)

• Bishoftu

  Best months: Oct–May