Best Time to Visit Port Harcourt

December to January: the dry spell

This is the best window, and Dec and Jan tie for it. Days are warm but not crushing, and rain falls on only about five days a month. You'll get the most sun of the year, close to six hours a day.

It's also the Harmattan season in much of Nigeria. That's the dry, dusty wind off the Sahara. Port Harcourt sits close to the coast, so you'll feel it mostly as a hazier sky and slightly drier air. Evenings are pleasant for eating grilled fish or catfish pepper soup at a riverside spot.

December is also when many Nigerians living abroad come home for Christmas. Flights fill up and prices climb, so expect a busy city and heavy traffic around Aba Road and the Trans-Amadi area. If you hate crowds, January is calmer.

February to May: the build-up

February is still fair. It's a bit more humid, and rain shows up on about ten days. Then March flips the switch. Rain falls on most days, and by May it's nearly daily.

These rains often come as hard afternoon downpours. Roads flood quickly, and getting across town can take far longer than planned. If you must come now, keep your plans flexible and book a hotel close to where your meetings are. Business travellers are the main visitors in these months, so hotels aren't packed with tourists.

June to October: the wet heart of the year

This is the rainy season, and it's honest-to-goodness wet. September is the wettest month, with rain on 29 days. October matches it for rainy days. Skies stay grey, with only one to two hours of sun a day, and the air feels thick and sticky.

Boat trips on the creeks around the Niger Delta are less appealing, and outdoor plans often get washed out. On the plus side, the city is quiet, and the greenery is lush. Pack a sturdy umbrella and shoes that can handle puddles.

November: the turning point

Rain eases to 17 days, and the sun starts to return. It's still rated poor, but it's a decent shoulder month. Go if you want to avoid the December rush and can live with the odd shower.

For a first trip, aim for late December or January, and book early for the holiday weeks.