Climate & Clothing

Climate

Because of the elevation, temperatures rarely exceed 25 degrees Celsius in the highlands, above 2.500 meters chilly night temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius are common especially between October and February. Some Lodges and campsites in even higher altitudes experience seasoned frost.

In lower altitude areas below 2.000 meters (Dire Dawa, Harar, Lake Tana, Awash National Park, Omo Valley, or the Rift Valley in general) it can get considerably hotter. A more tropical climate reaches day temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius or slightly above and at night temperatures of around 20 degrees. Exceptional from this is Danakil Depression where day peaks can easily reach 50 degrees and nights remain hot with 35 degrees.

Clothing

Pack light clothes for the daytime and a jacket or sweater for the evenings, and a good pair of walking shoes even if you are not going trekking - trails and walkways around historical sites are usually uneven and rocky. There is literally no attraction site in Ethiopia where you can drive in with your car. So be prepared to walk. Trekkers in the Simien, Bale Mountains, or other trekking destinations will need warm and waterproofed clothes. One cultural note: Ethiopians are generally dressed modestly, and visitors should be sensitive about dressing appropriately (no shorts, tank tops, or bareback) especially in places of worship. Shoes must always be taken off before entering churches and mosques.