Best Time to Visit Jos

November to February: dry and sunny

This is the best stretch, and you'll feel why the moment you step outside. Days are warm and bright, and the air is dry. Nights are cool, with January and December lows around 13°C. Jos sits high on a plateau, so evenings can feel chilly if you're used to Lagos or Abuja.

From December to February you'll often get the harmattan, a dry wind off the Sahara. It brings dust and a hazy sky, so views from places like the Shere Hills can look washed out. It's still the best time for the Jos Wildlife Park and the Jos Museum, and for walking around the odd rock formations that dot the plateau.

Expect this to be the busy season. Christmas and New Year bring Nigerians home or on holiday, so rooms fill up and prices rise. If you hate crowds, aim for November or late January.

March to May: heat, then storms

March and April are the hottest months, with highs of 33°C. March is still fairly dry, but the first big storms arrive in April. By May it rains on 20 days, and afternoons turn heavy and humid.

This is a so-so time for a trip. You can still see the city, but plan outdoor things for the morning. Hiking on rocky ground gets slippery fast once the rain sets in.

June to September: green and very wet

August is the wettest in terms of rain days, with rain on 29 days and barely any sun. July is close behind. It's also the coolest time, with highs of 24°C to 26°C. The hills turn green, and farms around Jos are at their best. But roads get muddy and cloud hangs low.

This is low season. You'll find quiet guesthouses and easy bookings. Travelling with kids or wanting beach-style sunshine? Skip it. If you like cool, moody weather and don't mind a wet jacket, it can be pleasant.

October: a good in-between

October is a hidden bonus. Rain drops to 71 mm, skies clear up, and the hills are still green. Our score rates it Excellent. Pick it if you want greenery without the downpours of August, and without the December crowds.