Best Time to Visit Gao, Gao, Mali
Gao is at its sunniest and driest in January–December.
The best time to visit Gao for sunny, dry weather is September–June — 10 months of the year fit our sunny profiles at this specific location. The drier stretch runs through October–April; the wetter half falls in May–September. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 23.2°C / 73.8°F in January to 34.9°C / 94.8°F in May, with rainfall from 0 mm / 0 in (January) to 66 mm / 2.6 in (August). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Gao, Gao, Mali's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Gao's climate is broadly hot arid. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.2°C73.8°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Warm |
| February | 25.7°C78.3°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Hot, Sunny & Warm |
| March | 29.5°C85.1°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Hot |
| April | 32.9°C91.2°F | 2 mm0.1″ | Sunny & Hot |
| May | 34.9°C94.8°F | 8 mm0.3″ | Sunny & Hot |
| June | 34°C93.2°F | 18 mm0.7″ | Sunny & Hot |
| September | 31.1°C88°F | 30 mm1.2″ | Sunny & Hot |
| October | 31.4°C88.5°F | 3 mm0.1″ | Sunny & Hot |
| November | 27.6°C81.7°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Hot |
| December | 23.8°C74.8°F | 0 mm0″ | Sunny & Warm |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Gao?
The best time to visit Gao for sunny, dry weather is January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December. At the city itself, the warmest month is May averaging 34.9°C / 94.8°F, and the driest is January with about 0 mm / 0 in of rain. These are point-value climate normals sampled at Gao's coordinates.
When is the rainy season in Gao?
The rainy season at Gao, Gao runs through May–September, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 3 mm / 0.1 in. The wettest single month is August (66 mm / 2.6 in).
What is the driest month in Gao?
The driest month in Gao is January, averaging about 0 mm / 0 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 23.2°C / 73.8°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Gao?
The least comfortable months for travel to Gao — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, July, August, September, November, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 66 mm / 2.6 in in August, and the coldest month averages 23.2°C / 73.8°F.
Is Gao climate different from Mali overall?
Yes, usually. Our Gao figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Mali figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Gao specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.