Addis Ababa in August
Good time to visit
August offers little relief from the rainy season with continued heavy downpours and high humidity. The low tourist numbers mean great hotel deals, but weather severely limits outdoor exploration options.
Weather
August continues the heavy rains with slightly less intensity than July but still frequent daily downpours. Humidity remains high at 75%, and overcast skies are the norm. Temperatures stay cooler due to persistent cloud cover.
21°C high11°C low24 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$52/day average
August Tips
- •Roads can be flooded or washed out - stick to main routes
- •This is actually great time for indoor cultural experiences
- •Bring quick-dry clothes as nothing stays dry for long
All Months
March through May and September through November offer the best weather — dry days with temperatures around 20°C. The rainy season from June to August turns streets into rivers and makes getting around miserable. But there's a silver lining: everything is green, hotel prices drop, and you'll have attractions to yourself. Ethiopian New Year in September brings celebrations throughout the city. Timkat in January is the biggest religious festival — thousands gather at Jan Meda for Orthodox Epiphany celebrations. December through February can be surprisingly cool at night due to the altitude, so pack layers. Here's what caught me off guard: the sun is intense year-round at this elevation. You'll burn faster than you expect, even on cloudy days.
Addis Ababa Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
8/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
5/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
7/10
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