Benin City- When to Go. Benin City (or Edo State, as it is known locally) has two distinct seasons characterized by a wet and dry season, from April to October and from November to March, respectively. While traveling during the dry season is usually a better choice, it is still possible to travel during the rainy season since the weather remains warm all year round. There are, however, some fun surprises in store for people who travel between December and January.

April through October

As mentioned above, Benin City experiences the most rain and humidity from April through October, during its rainy season. Benin City also receives between 59 inches (150 centimeters) and 79 inches (200 centimeters) of rainfall in this period alone. Fortunately, the average temperature in this season is between 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) and 85 degrees F (29 degrees C), so the weather won’t be too cool. July is the rainiest month, averaging 42 inches (107 centimeters) of rain and would most likely be the worst time to travel. Keep in mind that while Benin City’s road system is incredibly functional compared to other African nations in the region, the rainy season means that Benin City is prone to flash flooding and general traffic congestion.

November to March

On the other hand, the dry season (November to March) holds none of the aforementioned risks and is almost always a better time to travel. The average temperature is very similar to the rainy season, with temperatures averaging between 75 degrees F (24 degrees C) and 84 degrees F (28 degrees C). However, the average rainfall is much lower in this season. The average rainfall in these five months is usually no more than 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rains, with December and January holding less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) each. December and January are also the months when Benin City holds its annual Igue festival, an event that celebrates Nigeria’s rich and colorful past. Both the ideal weather and the Igue festival are excellent reasons why December and January are the best months to travel. Still, any time between November and March is still preferable if you can help it.

Overall Expectations

Overall, traveling during the dry season is clearly your best option. If it isn’t feasible to travel then, remember that there will be a significant risk of flooding, especially in areas that have a lower elevation. As long as you are aware of the risks, a little extra rain will not ruin an otherwise fun experience.