Addis Ababa in February

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.