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Ethiopia - Things to Do in Ethiopia in May

Things to Do in Ethiopia in May

May weather, activities, events & insider tips

May Weather in Ethiopia

23°C (73°F) High Temp
11°C (52°F) Low Temp
85 mm (3.3 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

  • Green season landscapes are absolutely stunning - May marks the beginning of the rainy season when the highlands transform from brown to emerald within weeks, making places like the Simien Mountains particularly photogenic with wildflowers blooming and waterfalls at full force
  • Significantly fewer tourists compared to the October-January peak season means you'll have major sites like Lalibela's rock-hewn churches and Axum's stelae fields largely to yourself, with hotel rates typically 20-30% lower than high season
  • Mild temperatures in the highlands (18-23°C or 64-73°F during the day) make hiking and outdoor exploration comfortable without the scorching heat of March-April or the heavy rains of July-August
  • Fresh produce season brings incredible variety to markets and restaurants - mangoes, avocados, and papayas are at their peak, and you'll see locals celebrating the abundance after the dry season scarcity

Considerations

  • Rain becomes increasingly frequent as the month progresses, particularly in the afternoons - expect 10-12 rainy days with showers typically lasting 1-3 hours, which can disrupt outdoor plans and make some rural roads muddy or temporarily impassable
  • The Danakil Depression becomes dangerously hot and humid in May (regularly hitting 45°C or 113°F) with increased risk of flash flooding, making this normally popular destination inadvisable until October
  • Some remote trekking routes in the Bale Mountains and Simien Mountains start becoming slippery and more challenging, though main trails remain accessible with proper footwear

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Best Activities in May

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches Exploration

May is actually ideal for visiting Lalibela before the heavy July-August rains make the unpaved paths around the churches muddy. The morning light is particularly beautiful for photography, and with fewer tour groups you can spend contemplative time in each church. Temperatures hover around 20°C (68°F) making the uphill walks between church clusters comfortable. The surrounding countryside is green and beautiful after the first rains.

Booking Tip: Book guides through your hotel or guesthouse the evening before for 800-1,200 birr per day. Entry tickets cost 1,000 birr for foreigners and must be purchased at the ticket office near Beta Medhane Alem. Allow a full day minimum, ideally two days to see all three clusters without rushing. Morning visits from 7-11am offer the best light and coolest temperatures.

Simien Mountains Day Hikes and Trekking

The landscape transforms dramatically in May as the first rains bring out wildflowers and the endemic Gelada baboons are highly active in the lush grasslands. Multi-day treks are still very manageable before the heavy rains of July, and you'll encounter almost no other trekkers. Afternoon clouds can roll in around 2-3pm, so start early. Temperatures range from 5°C (41°F) at night to 18°C (64°F) during the day at higher elevations.

Booking Tip: Arrange treks through the park office in Debark - mandatory scout fees are 200 birr per day, guides cost 350-500 birr per day depending on route difficulty. Book at least 3-4 days ahead if doing multi-day treks to arrange mules and camping equipment. Day hikes to Sankaber or Jinbar Waterfall can be arranged same-day or next-day. See current tour options in the booking section below for organized multi-day packages.

Addis Ababa Cultural and Market Tours

May is perfect for exploring Addis as the city sits at 2,400 m (7,874 ft) with pleasant 18-23°C (64-73°F) temperatures. The massive Merkato market is in full swing with fresh produce everywhere, and the National Museum and Ethnological Museum are comfortable indoor options during afternoon showers. Saturday mornings at Shiro Meda market offer the best traditional textile shopping when locals come to buy and sell.

Booking Tip: Walking tours of the city center typically cost 1,500-2,500 birr for a half-day with a licensed guide. The National Museum entry is 100 birr and worth at least 2 hours. For Merkato, either hire a guide for 800-1,200 birr or go with someone who knows the area well - it's genuinely easy to get disoriented in Africa's largest open-air market. Reference the booking widget below for current guided tour options.

Rift Valley Lakes Birdwatching and Boat Trips

The Rift Valley lakes (Ziway, Langano, Awasa, Chamo) are spectacular in May as migratory birds are still present and the lakeshores are green. Lake Chamo boat trips offer excellent hippo and crocodile viewing, while Lake Awasa's fish market in the early morning attracts hundreds of marabou storks and pelicans. Temperatures are warm but not oppressive, typically 25-28°C (77-82°F), perfect for boat trips and lakeside walks.

Booking Tip: Boat trips on Lake Chamo cost 1,200-1,800 birr for a 2-3 hour excursion through hotels in Arba Minch. Lake Awasa boat trips are cheaper at 600-900 birr for an hour. Early morning departures around 6-7am offer the best wildlife viewing and cooler temperatures. Most hotels in these areas can arrange boats same-day or next-day. Check the booking section below for multi-day Rift Valley packages.

Harar Old Town Walking and Coffee Ceremony Experiences

Harar is manageable in May before the heavy rains, and the famous hyena feeding happens nightly regardless of weather. The walled old town with its 82 mosques and colorful markets is best explored on foot in the morning when temperatures are around 20°C (68°F). The afternoon rains actually add atmosphere to the narrow alleyways. This is also excellent timing for coffee ceremonies as May marks the beginning of the coffee harvest season in surrounding areas.

Booking Tip: Local guides at the main gates charge 300-500 birr for 2-3 hours. The hyena feeding costs 200-300 birr per person and happens around 7pm just outside the old town walls. Coffee ceremonies are offered by many guesthouses for 150-250 birr per person or you might be invited to join a family ceremony if you're staying in a traditional house. Allow 2-3 days to properly explore Harar and the surrounding region.

Tigray Rock-Hewn Churches Climbing Tours

May offers ideal conditions for the physically demanding church climbs in Tigray - the weather is warm but not scorching, and the landscape is beginning to green up. Churches like Abuna Yemata Guh require genuine rock climbing and are much more pleasant before the intense heat of June. The views from these cliff-face churches across the greening valleys are extraordinary. You'll need good fitness and a head for heights.

Booking Tip: Arrange through hotels in Mekele or Hawzen for 1,500-2,500 birr per day including guide and driver. Entry fees for each church cluster range from 200-400 birr. The climbs to churches like Abuna Yemata Guh take 3-4 hours round trip and should only be attempted in dry morning conditions. Book at least 2-3 days ahead to arrange proper guides familiar with the climbing routes. See current organized tours in the booking section below.

May Events & Festivals

May 5

Ethiopian Patriots Victory Day

May 5th commemorates the liberation from Italian occupation in 1941. You'll see parades and celebrations in Addis Ababa, particularly around Meyazia 27 Square. It's a genuine national holiday with schools and many businesses closed, giving you insight into Ethiopian patriotism and history. Expect crowds at monuments and museums related to the resistance.

Late May

Early Coffee Harvest Season

While the main coffee harvest runs June-September, May marks the beginning in some lower-altitude regions. Coffee ceremonies become even more significant, and you might see early picking in areas around Harar and parts of Sidamo. Markets start featuring fresh coffee cherries, and the roasting ceremonies take on special importance as families celebrate the new crop.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket with hood - afternoon showers in May typically last 1-3 hours and can be heavy, but temperatures stay warm so you don't need anything insulated
Layering pieces for highland evenings - temperatures drop to 8-11°C (46-52°F) in places like Lalibela and Simien Mountains after sunset, even though days are pleasant
Sturdy waterproof hiking boots if visiting Simien or Bale Mountains - trails become muddy after rain and you'll want ankle support on rocky terrain at 3,000+ m (9,842+ ft) elevation
SPF 50+ sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat - UV index reaches 8-9 at Ethiopia's high altitudes (most destinations are 2,000-3,000 m or 6,562-9,842 ft), and you'll burn quickly even on cloudy days
Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees - essential for church visits and shows respect in this predominantly Orthodox Christian and Muslim country. Long lightweight cotton pants and breathable long-sleeve shirts work well
Quick-dry clothing in natural fabrics - the 70% humidity means clothes take forever to dry, and you'll want breathable cotton or merino wool rather than polyester which becomes uncomfortable
Small daypack with waterproof cover or dry bag - for protecting camera gear and electronics during unexpected afternoon showers while out exploring
Headlamp or flashlight - power cuts are common in smaller towns, and you'll need this for early morning starts or evening hyena feeding in Harar
Water purification tablets or filter bottle - tap water isn't safe to drink, and you'll want to avoid buying dozens of plastic bottles, especially in remote areas where disposal is problematic
Cash in small denominations - ATMs are unreliable outside Addis Ababa, and you'll need birr for guide fees, entry tickets, and daily expenses. Bring USD or EUR to exchange, as credit cards are rarely accepted

Insider Knowledge

Book internal flights well ahead for May 2026 - Ethiopian Airlines often has limited availability on popular routes like Addis-Lalibela or Addis-Axum, and prices increase significantly within 2-3 weeks of travel. Flying saves days of rough bus travel but seats fill up even in shoulder season.
Start outdoor activities by 7-8am to avoid afternoon rains - locals know that May showers typically roll in between 2-4pm, so markets are busiest in the morning and serious hiking happens at dawn. This also gives you better wildlife viewing and photography light.
The Ethiopian calendar is 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar, and the day starts at dawn not midnight - when someone says 2 o'clock, they might mean 8am or 8pm our time. Always clarify whether you're discussing Ethiopian or foreign time to avoid missing tours or buses.
Injera (the spongy sourdough flatbread) takes getting used to, but May is actually a great time to try it as fresh teff harvests mean better quality. If you're struggling with the sour taste, start with firfir (injera mixed with sauce) at breakfast which tends to be milder than lunch/dinner versions.

Avoid These Mistakes

Attempting the Danakil Depression in May - tour operators might still offer trips, but temperatures regularly exceed 45°C (113°F) with high humidity and increased flash flood risk. This is genuinely dangerous and should be saved for November-March when it's merely very hot rather than potentially lethal.
Underestimating how long ground transportation takes - roads are generally decent on main routes, but 200 km (124 miles) can easily take 6-8 hours due to mountain terrain, animal crossings, and road conditions that worsen with May rains. Don't try to pack too many destinations into a short trip.
Skipping travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking - most destinations in Ethiopia are above 2,000 m (6,562 ft), and treks in Simien or Bale go much higher. Standard policies often exclude altitude-related issues above 2,500 m (8,202 ft), and medical evacuation from remote areas is expensive.

Explore Activities in Ethiopia

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April

Travel guide for April

June

Travel guide for June

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Ethiopia

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