WHEN TO VISIT

Ethiopia proudly promotes 13 months of sunshine because the Ethiopian calendar, on Julian time, contains 13 months instead of 12 and sunshine is likely at nearly any time of year.  With a temperate climate, Kafa is a great tourist destination year-round however a visit is more advisable during the dry season from October to April.  The fascinating coffee harvest in late October marks the beginning of the dry season and is a perfect time to begin exploring Kafa Biosphere Reserve.

COFFEE HARVEST

The Coffee Harvest, which occurs at the end of October and into November, is a very active time in Kafa Biosphere Reserve.  All of the farmers are preparing, collecting, and drying the celebrated wild coffee.  This is an excellent time to learn about the process and see how it is done first-hand.

    CLIMATE

The rainy season lasts from mid-June until the end of September when 40% of the rainfall in the Biosphere Reserve occurs.  Light rains also fall in March and April but sunshine still emerges behind the rain clouds.  The average temperature remains 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year, though temperatures can range between 12 and 30 degrees Celsius.  Late September presents an optimal time to visit after the rains have turned the forest a lush green and with fewer visitors present.

    FESTIVALS

Two of the most colorful festivals in Ethiopia are Timkat on January 19 and Meskal on September 27.   Two other Christian holidays with large celebrations include Christmas on January 7, and New Year celebrations on September 11.  Eid-al-Fitr, the Muslim festival at the end of Ramadan normally falls in September or October and the Festival of Sacrifice occurs 70 days after that.  The dates for these holidays in Ethiopia differ because of Ethiopia's special calendar, however all dates listed here are in the Gregorian calendar.