In the Republic of Congo, an African country crossed by the Equator, the climate is equatorial (hot and humid all year round, with no dry season) in the north, and tropical (hot and humid, with a dry and a rainy season) in the center and south.
In the north (see Ouésso, Impfondo), temperatures are stable during the year, however, they slightly decrease in July and August. Here are the average temperatures of Ouésso, located in the north, at 350 metres (1,150 ft) of altitude.

However, in the north there are two more rainy periods, due to the passages of the sun at its zenith, and two periods which are relatively dry, December to February and June to August; in addition, the more we go to the north, the more evident is the first (the one that goes from December to February), because we are moving away from the equator and entering the area where the rainfall regime is typical of the Northern Hemisphere (ie with a dry winter). The result is that rainfall in the north is better distributed, so it is covered by the forest, while the central and southern areas are covered by savanna.
Here is the average precipitation in Ouesso.

In the north the sun does not shine very often, however it can be seen a little more often in the hotter period, from January to May, and less often in the cooler period, in July and August.

In the centre and south, in the tropical region, the dry season, which corresponds to the winter of the southern hemisphere, runs from June to August in the centre, from June to September in the south, and from mid-May to mid-October on the coast. The rainfall amount ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 millimetres (60 to 79 inches) per year in the north, while in the south it decreases towards the coast (see Pointe Noire), where it descends to 1,200 mm (47 in).
Here is the average precipitation in Pointe Noire.

In fact, in the winter months the sea is cooled by the cold Benguela Current, which almost completely inhibits raincloud formation for a longer period than elsewhere in the country; on the other hand, this current generates fogs and low clouds, which reduce sunshine. Here are the sunshine hours at Pointe Noire.

In inland areas, temperatures are high throughout the year, and the air is hot and muggy: the daily average ranges from 25 °C (77 °F) in January, to 26 °C (79 °F) in February and March, to 24 °C (75 °F) in July and August, while nights can be a bit cool from June to August in the hills of the Plateaux Department, around 16/17 °C (61/63 °F).
On the coast, the temperature becomes a little cool during the day from June to September, when highs hover around 25 °C (77 °F), while at night they remain quite high, around 18/20 °C (64/68 °F), due to the mitigating effect of the sea, as we can see from the averages of Pointe Noire.

In the capital, Brazzaville, which is situated at 320 metres (1,050 feet) above sea level, in the south-east, along the Congo River, which gives its name to the country, daytime temperatures are about 30 °C (86 °F) from September to January, they go up to 31/32 °C (88/90 °F) from February to April, and then they drop to around 27/28 °C (81/82 °F) from June to August. Here are the average temperatures.

In Brazzaville too, the sun does not shine very often, and there is not even a big difference between the different periods of the year, however the sunniest months are March and April, while the least sunny are July and August.

In Brazzaville, rainfall amounts to 1,350 mm (53 in) per year, with two maxima in Aprile and November, while it hardly ever rains from June to September. Here is the average precipitation.

North of Brazzaville, on the Koukouya Plateau, it rains more than in the capital, around 1,800/2,000 mm (70/80 in) per year, with two maxima in March-April and October-November.
As we have seen, the amount of sunshine is never excellent throughout Congo, and it does not get better in the cooler and drier season, on the contrary it slightly worsens, when even in the interior the sky is often cloudy, while in the period from October to April, between the rain showers the sun comes out.



For swimming, the sea is warm from October to May, while it gets a little cool, but still acceptable, in July and August, when it drops to 22 °C (72 °F).

When to go

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The best time to visit the Republic of Congo runs from June to August, being the coolest and the driest, except in the north where it rains even during this period; however, even though it's not too hot, moisture is high and the sky is cloudy even in the centre and south, where it's the dry season; remember that nights can be cool on the plateau, and even on the coast it can get a little cool, at least for swimming, also considering the lack of sunshine.
In August, at the end of the dry season, the animals of the savanna gather in the few remaining waterholes or along rivers, therefore they are easier to spot.

What to pack

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All year round, light clothes, of natural fibres, a light sweatshirt for the evening, umbrella or light raincoat for showers during the rainy season. From June to September, you can add a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket, especially in the south and along the coast.