Best Time to Visit — Horn of Africa & East Africa

Timing your visit to the Horn of Africa and East Africa correctly makes a significant difference to your experience. Here is our destination-by-destination guide to the best travel seasons.

Somaliland

Best: October–April. Temperatures 20–30°C. Roads passable. Avoid June–August (40°C+, hot season).

Djibouti

Best: October–April. Whale sharks: November–February. Avoid May–September (45°C+ heat).

Ethiopia

Best: October–June (dry season). Danakil is tolerable October–February. Avoid July–September (heavy rains).

Eritrea

Best: October–April. Asmara is pleasant year-round at 2,300m elevation.

Socotra Island

Best: October–May. The island is effectively closed June–September due to the Indian Ocean monsoon.

Kenya — Great Migration

River crossings: July–October (Maasai Mara). Calving season: January–February (Serengeti side).

Tanzania

Best: June–October (dry, wildlife concentrates at water). December–March (calving season, green landscape).

Uganda & Rwanda (Gorilla Trekking)

Best: June–August and December–February (drier, less muddy trails). Gorilla trekking is possible year-round.