Home › When to Visit › January
Ethiopia - Things to Do in Ethiopia in January

Things to Do in Ethiopia in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in Ethiopia

23°C (73°F) High Temp
6°C (43°F) Low Temp
13 mm (0.5 inches) Rainfall
45% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

  • Peak dry season means virtually guaranteed sunshine - you'll see maybe 2 rainy days the entire month, and even those are usually brief afternoon sprinkles. This is the most reliable weather window in Ethiopia, which matters enormously when you're planning mountain treks or long drives through the highlands.
  • Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany) happens January 19-20, 2026 - this is THE cultural event of the year. Gondar and Lalibela transform into massive outdoor celebrations with processions, all-night vigils, and thousands of white-clad pilgrims. It's not a tourist show, it's the real deal, and January is literally the only time to experience it.
  • The highland landscapes are absolutely stunning after the rainy season - everything is green, wildflowers cover the Simien Mountains, and the Danakil Depression is actually tolerable temperature-wise (relatively speaking). You get the post-rain beauty without the mud and road closures.
  • Tourist infrastructure is fully operational but crowds are manageable outside Timkat dates. The Christmas rush (Ethiopian Christmas is January 7) clears out by mid-month, so you get good weather, open sites, and reasonable availability if you avoid January 17-22.

Considerations

  • Accommodation and flights spike brutally around Timkat week (January 17-22). Hotels in Gondar and Lalibela triple their rates and book out 6+ months ahead. If Timkat isn't your priority, avoid this week entirely - you'll pay premium prices and fight massive crowds.
  • Mornings in the highlands are genuinely cold - 6°C (43°F) at dawn in Lalibela or the Simien Mountains. Most Ethiopian hotels don't have central heating, and you'll be layering everything you brought until 10am. This catches visitors off guard because they think 'Africa equals hot.'
  • The Danakil Depression, while cooler than other months, still hits 35-40°C (95-104°F) during the day. It's more doable than the 50°C (122°F) summer furnace, but it's still an extreme environment that requires serious physical preparation and isn't suitable for everyone.

Investigate Other Months

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
View Year-Round Climate Guide →

Best Activities in January

Lalibela rock-hewn churches exploration

January's dry weather means the churches are accessible without mud, and the morning light is spectacular for photography. The stone stays cool even midday, making the underground passages comfortable. Timkat week (January 17-22) brings incredible ceremonies but also massive crowds - visit before January 15 or after January 23 for a more contemplative experience. The complex requires 4-6 hours minimum, ideally split across early morning and late afternoon to avoid midday heat and tour group congestion.

Booking Tip: Entry permits are purchased on-site (currently around 50 USD), but hire guides through your hotel or licensed guide associations at the ticket office - typically 400-600 birr for a half-day. Book accommodations 3-4 months ahead for non-Timkat dates, 6+ months for Timkat week. Morning visits (6-9am) offer the best light and smallest crowds.

Simien Mountains trekking

January is the absolute prime trekking season - trails are dry, skies are clear, and the post-rain vegetation is lush with wildflowers. You'll see gelada baboons in huge troops, and on clear days the views extend 50+ km (31+ miles) across the escarpment. Mornings start cold at 6°C (43°F) but warm to comfortable 18-20°C (64-68°F) by midday. Multi-day treks are logistically smooth because there's no rain to wash out roads or trails. The high UV index at 3,000+ m (9,840+ ft) elevation is no joke - you'll burn fast even when it feels cool.

Booking Tip: Park fees and mandatory scout/guide arrangements are handled at park headquarters in Debark. Multi-day treks typically cost 3,000-5,000 birr per person per day including guide, scout, cook, and mule support. Book through Addis-based trekking companies 6-8 weeks ahead to secure good guides and equipment. Day hikes from Debark are possible but the real scenery requires at least 3-4 days. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Danakil Depression expeditions

January is one of only two semi-reasonable months to visit (the other is December) - daytime temps drop to 35-40°C (95-104°F) instead of the summer's life-threatening 50°C (122°F). You'll see Erta Ale's lava lake, the sulfur springs of Dallol, and salt caravans crossing the flats. This is legitimately extreme travel - sleeping on the ground, no facilities, brutal heat even in 'cool' season. But January's weather window makes it actually doable for reasonably fit travelers. The dry season also means better road conditions across the salt flats.

Booking Tip: This requires organized tours - independent travel isn't permitted for security reasons. Tours typically run 3-4 days and cost 25,000-40,000 birr per person depending on group size. Book through established Mekele-based operators at least 4-6 weeks ahead. Tours include armed escorts (mandatory), 4WD vehicles, camping equipment, and guides. Physical fitness is essential - there's no bailout option once you're in the desert.

Gondar castles and Timkat celebrations

The Royal Enclosure's medieval castles are stunning year-round, but January adds the Timkat dimension - Gondar hosts one of Ethiopia's most spectacular Epiphany celebrations on January 19-20. The Fasilides Bath becomes the center of massive baptism ceremonies with thousands of pilgrims. Even outside Timkat dates, January's dry weather makes exploring the castle complex and nearby Debre Birhan Selassie church comfortable - you'll spend 3-4 hours walking between structures. The afternoon warmth (23°C/73°F) is perfect for wandering the grounds.

Booking Tip: Castle complex entry is around 400 birr, purchased on-site. For Timkat week, book hotels by September 2025 or you'll be shut out - rates triple and availability disappears. If attending Timkat ceremonies, stake out viewing spots near Fasilides Bath by 5am on January 19. Hire local guides at the castle entrance (300-500 birr) for historical context that signs don't provide. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Addis Ababa cultural and culinary experiences

January's pleasant weather (warm days, cool evenings) makes Addis comfortable for city exploration. The National Museum, Ethnological Museum, and Holy Trinity Cathedral are all manageable in a day. More interestingly, January is when locals are out enjoying post-Christmas socializing - coffee ceremonies happen everywhere, and restaurants are lively. The city sits at 2,400 m (7,874 ft), so the thin air takes a day to adjust to, but January's moderate temps make acclimatization easier. Use Addis as your bookend days to adjust before heading to higher elevations.

Booking Tip: City tours through hotels or local guides typically cost 1,500-2,500 birr for a full day. For traditional food experiences, ask your hotel to arrange a coffee ceremony and injera meal rather than booking formal 'cultural dinner' tourist packages - you'll pay 500-800 birr and get a more authentic experience. The Mercato (largest open-air market in Africa) is fascinating but overwhelming - go with a guide your first time. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Bale Mountains wildlife tracking

January's dry season concentrates wildlife around water sources, making Ethiopian wolf sightings more reliable on the Sanetti Plateau. The endemic mountain nyala and Menelik's bushbuck are also easier to spot. Morning game drives start brutally cold at 6°C (43°F) at 4,000 m (13,123 ft) elevation, but warm up to comfortable temps by midday. The Harenna Forest on the southern slopes is lush from recent rains but trails are dry enough for proper hiking. This is less visited than Simien but equally spectacular, with better wildlife diversity.

Booking Tip: Park entry fees are around 200 birr plus vehicle fees if driving. Guided wildlife tracking costs 800-1,200 birr per day through park-registered guides. Book accommodations in Dinsho or Goba 2-3 weeks ahead - options are limited. Multi-day itineraries combining the plateau and forest require 3-4 days minimum. The altitude hits harder than Simien for whatever reason, so build in acclimatization time. See current tour options in the booking section below.

January Events & Festivals

January 7

Ethiopian Christmas (Genna)

January 7 marks Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas - a major religious celebration involving church services, traditional foods, and the Genna hockey-like game in rural areas. Addis Ababa and major cities have special church services starting the night of January 6. It's more family-focused than Timkat, so less tourist-oriented, but worth experiencing if you're in the country. Expect some businesses to close January 6-7.

January 19-20

Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany)

January 19-20, 2026 - this is Ethiopia's most important festival, commemorating Jesus's baptism. Lalibela and Gondar host the most famous celebrations, but every town with a church participates. Priests parade ornate tabots (replicas of the Ark of the Covenant) to water sources, followed by all-night vigils and mass baptisms at dawn. Pilgrims wear traditional white shemma robes, and the atmosphere is electric. Gondar's Fasilides Bath ceremony is particularly spectacular. This is genuine religious devotion, not a tourist show - be respectful, dress modestly, and don't push for photos during sacred moments.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Serious layering system - mornings at 6°C (43°F) require fleece or down jacket, but by noon you're stripping down to t-shirts in 23°C (73°F) heat. Pack like you're visiting two different climates, because you basically are.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm with SPF - the UV index hits 9, and at high elevations (most of Ethiopia's attractions are 2,000-4,000 m / 6,562-13,123 ft) you'll burn shockingly fast even when it feels cool. Reapply every 2 hours.
Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support - even non-trekking itineraries involve uneven stone paths at churches and castles. The Lalibela complex alone has steep, worn rock steps that are treacherous in regular sneakers.
Lightweight long pants and shirts with sleeves - both for church visits (required - no shorts or bare shoulders) and for sun protection. Breathable cotton or merino wool works better than synthetics in the dry highland air.
Headlamp or small flashlight - power outages are common even in tourist areas, and early morning church visits in Lalibela start in complete darkness. Phone flashlights drain batteries too fast.
Water purification tablets or Steripen - bottled water is available in cities but scarce on treks. The 13 mm (0.5 inches) of January rain means water sources are flowing but not necessarily safe to drink untreated.
High-altitude medication (Diamox) if you're prone to altitude issues - Addis sits at 2,400 m (7,874 ft), Lalibela at 2,500 m (8,202 ft), and Simien treks go above 4,000 m (13,123 ft). The thin air affects people differently, and there's no shame in chemical assistance.
Dust mask or buff - roads are incredibly dusty in the dry season, and long drives kick up clouds that infiltrate everything. You'll want something to breathe through during bumpy stretches.
Cash in small bills (US dollars and Ethiopian birr) - ATMs are unreliable outside Addis, and many hotels/guides prefer dollars. Bring more cash than you think you need because card payments are rare.
Modest scarf or shawl - essential for women entering churches, but also useful for everyone as a dust barrier, sun protection, or extra warmth layer. The white cotton shemma scarves sold locally work perfectly and cost 200-400 birr.

Insider Knowledge

Ethiopian calendar runs 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar and has 13 months - when booking anything locally, confirm dates using both systems. January 2026 in Western calendar corresponds roughly to Tir in the Ethiopian calendar, but double-check specific dates to avoid showing up on the wrong day.
Fasting seasons deeply affect restaurant menus - Orthodox Christians fast (vegan food only) on Wednesdays and Fridays, plus longer periods. January falls outside major fasting seasons, so you'll find meat dishes available most days. That said, Ethiopian vegan food (lentils, chickpeas, vegetables on injera) is legitimately delicious and worth ordering regardless.
The 'foreigner price' is real and usually non-negotiable at official sites - hotels, park fees, and museums charge tourists significantly more than locals. This isn't a scam you can haggle away, it's official government pricing. Budget accordingly rather than fighting it - your entry fees fund conservation and site maintenance.
Domestic flight schedules change constantly and Ethiopian Airlines sometimes consolidates routes with minimal notice - if your itinerary depends on flying Addis-Lalibela-Gondar-Addis, build in buffer days and reconfirm flights 48 hours ahead. Overland travel is spectacular but time-consuming (Addis to Lalibela is 10-12 hours by road).

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how cold highland mornings get - tourists pack for 'Africa in summer' and freeze at dawn in Lalibela wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Bring actual warm layers, not just a light sweater.
Trying to see everything in 7-10 days - Ethiopia is huge, roads are slow, and attractions are spread across 500+ km (311+ miles). A realistic first trip covers either the Historic Route (Addis-Lalibela-Gondar-Simien) OR the south (Bale Mountains, Rift Valley lakes), not both. Trying to do everything means spending half your trip in vehicles.
Booking Timkat week accommodation too late - by December 2025, Gondar and Lalibela hotels for January 17-22 are completely booked or charging 3x normal rates. If Timkat is your priority, book by September 2025. If it's not, actively avoid this week to save money and hassle.

Explore Activities in Ethiopia

Continue Planning Your Trip

December

Travel guide for December

February

Travel guide for February

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Ethiopia

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.