AI-generatedTimbuktu at a glance
- Best time
- Dec – Jan
- Warmest month
- May · 41°
- Sunshine a year
- 3,110 h
- Rain a year
- 95 mm
- Climate
- Hot desert
- Time zone
- UTC+0
- Elevation
- 274 m
Climate in Timbuktu
Timbuktu has a hot desert climate with sunshine almost every day and hardly any rain. May is the warmest month with average highs of 41 °C, while January is the coolest at 28 °C. With around 3,110 hours of sunshine a year, Timbuktu is very sunny; June is the sunniest month with 9.1 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: December – January
Keep in mindPeak heat
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 30°
- Midday, 13:00: about 38°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 37°
- Evening, 20:00: about 31°
- Night, 23:00: about 28°
06:0417:51
Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 05:51–06:33 · evening 17:22–18:05
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:42–05:51 · evening 18:05–18:13
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Timbuktu in October?
In October, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 38 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 31 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 47 min06:04 – 17:51
- UV index
- 10 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 1 daydew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 20 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 28 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 31 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+0Africa/Bamako
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %97 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %100 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
Sunshine hours in Timbuktu
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 8.8 of 11.8 hours of daylight in Timbuktu, 75 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Timbuktu
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 10 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in May (UV 13).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 25 min
- Olive skin
- about 30 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Timbuktu: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Timbuktu has about one rainy day with 3 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Timbuktu
How breezy and how cloudy Timbuktu is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Timbuktu typically peaks at 20 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 28 % of the sky over Timbuktu: mostly sunny, with about 8.8 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Timbuktu
How often the day gets hot in Timbuktu (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Timbuktu has about 31 hot days, with an average daytime high of 38 °C: often hot. Avoid the midday sun, look for shade and drink plenty.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Timbuktu
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
- muggy month (10+ muggy days)
HotOctober: nights around 25°. Hot nights: air conditioning makes sleeping much easier. Muggy on about 1 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (14°), the warmest in June (29°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from March to October; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in February and from November to December. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 67 days a year, mostly from July to September.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 88 | 28° | 14° | 7.8 h | 0 | 0 |
| FebruaryFeb | 69 | 31° | 16° | 7.9 h | 0 | 0 |
| MarchMar | 48 | 36° | 20° | 8.4 h | 0 | 0 |
| AprilApr | 50 | 39° | 23° | 9.0 h | 0 | 0 |
| MayMay | 50 | 41° | 27° | 8.9 h | 1 | 2 |
| JuneJun | 50 | 41° | 29° | 9.1 h | 2 | 4 |
| JulyJul | 48 | 39° | 28° | 8.9 h | 5 | 24 |
| AugustAug | 39 | 37° | 26° | 8.5 h | 9 | 45 |
| SeptemberSep | 48 | 38° | 27° | 8.5 h | 3 | 17 |
| OctoberOct | 49 | 38° | 25° | 8.8 h | 1 | 3 |
| NovemberNov | 55 | 34° | 19° | 8.5 h | 0 | 0 |
| DecemberDec | 80 | 30° | 15° | 7.7 h | 0 | 0 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
16.77° N, 3.01° W · 274 m · Africa/Bamako
Best time to visit Timbuktu
The best time to visit Timbuktu is from December to January. From March to November it can get very hot, with highs of up to 41 °C. Rain is a rarity all year: only 95 mm fall in an average year.
Timbuktu through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Timbuktu in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 36–41 °C by day
- 9 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy days in all
Timbuktu in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 37–41 °C by day
- 9 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days in all
Timbuktu in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 34–38 °C by day
- 9 h of sun a day
- 4 rainy days in all
Timbuktu in winter
Dec – Feb
Good
- 28–31 °C by day
- 8 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Timbuktu for you.
Your best months: December – January
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Timbuktu
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
January has the better holiday weather in Timbuktu: score 88 against 49. In January, days are 10 °C cooler than in October. January has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines an hour less a day in January.
| Month | October | January |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 49 | 88better |
| Day high | 38° | 28° |
| Night low | 25° | 14° |
| Sunshine | 8.8 hbetter | 7.8 h |
| Rainy days | 1 | 0better |
| Rainfall | 3 mm | 0 mm |
| Muggy days | 1 | 0better |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Mar – Nov
Highs of 33 °C or more
Timbuktu month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
88January28° · 8 h
In January, Timbuktu is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in January69February31° · 8 h
In February, Timbuktu is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 18 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in February48March36° · 8 h
In March, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 36 °C, and nights cool down to about 20 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in March50April39° · 9 h
In April, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 39 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in April50May41° · 9 h
In May, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 41 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 27 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 31 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in May50June41° · 9 h
In June, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 41 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 29 °C. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in June48July39° · 9 h
In July, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 39 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 28 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 24 mm. On about 31 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in July39August37° · 9 h
In August, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 37 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 45 mm. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in August48September38° · 9 h
In September, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 38 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 27 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 17 mm in total. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in September49October38° · 9 h
In October, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 38 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 31 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in October55November34° · 9 h
In November, Timbuktu is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in November80December30° · 8 h
In December, Timbuktu is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 13 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu in DecemberTimbuktu compared
Put Timbuktu side by side with another destination.
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Timbuktu vs. Ouagadougou
In October the holiday weather in Timbuktu and Ouagadougou is about equally good (score 49 vs. 47). During the day Ouagadougou is 3 °C cooler than Timbuktu. Ouagadougou gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Timbuktu | Ouagadougou |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 49 | 47 |
| Daytime high | 38° | 35° |
| Sunshine | 9 h | 8 h |
| Rainy days | 1 | 5 |
| Best time | Dec – Jan | Dec – Jan |
Through the year
Mali in October: the best places
In October, Timbuktu ranks 2 of 2 destinations in this country.
- Bamako32°53
- 2TimbuktuThis page38°49
Planning a trip to Timbuktu
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Timbuktu in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Timbuktu has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 84) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 42).
- 49
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 38 °C by day
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 50
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 41 °C by day
- 8.9 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 42
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Fair
- 37 °C by day
- 8.6 h of sun a day
- 7 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 49
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 38 °C by day
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 84
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
ExcellentBest holidays
- 29 °C by day
- 7.8 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 5 h 10 min
- Distance
- 3,860 km
- Time zone
- UTC+0
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Timbuktu
When is the best time to visit Timbuktu?
The best time to visit Timbuktu is from December to January. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Timbuktu?
May is the warmest month, with average highs of 41 °C and nights around 27 °C. January is the coolest month at 28 °C.
When does it rain most in Timbuktu?
Rain is a rarity all year: only 95 mm fall in an average year.
How many hours of sunshine does Timbuktu get?
Timbuktu gets around 3,110 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 9.1 hours a day; in December there are 7.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Timbuktu in?
Timbuktu uses the time zone Africa/Bamako, which matches UTC all year.
How long is the flight from London to Timbuktu?
A nonstop flight from London to Timbuktu takes about 5 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 3,860 km.
Which school holidays are best for Timbuktu?
Timbuktu has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 84) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 42). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 49, May half-term 50, Summer holidays 42, October half-term 49, Christmas holidays 84.
Near Timbuktu
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Timbuktu
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Timbuktu's – good alternatives.