Nigeria: When to Go

The best time to visit Nigeria is from December to March when the humidity drops, although the catch is that you may then suffer from the dusty harmattan winds. If a bit of sand in the face doesn't bother you, go in January when you can attend the Sallah celebrations in northern Nigeria followed by the Argungu Fishing Festival on the banks of the Sokoto River in mid-to-late February.

For travel to the south, March to August are the wettest months to visit, and best avoided if possible. As well as the weather, take note of political developments when planning your trip. Although the country is generally calm, local trouble can quickly flare up, so once you're in Nigeria keep an eye on the news and be prepared to change your plans at short notice if necessary.

Weather

Nigeria is bigger than Texas and temperatures are hot country-wide year-round, peaking at about 35°C (95°F) in the spring; the humidity is also constant. Late spring to summer is the hottest part of the year in the north, sometimes topping out at an extreme 45°C (113°F). The mercury drops from October to January at the onset of the dusty harmattan winds. In the north the wet season lasts from May til October, while on the coast and inland there are a couple of wet seasons: a long one from around March to July and a brief reprise during September and October.