Things to Do in Ivory Coast in August

Surprisingly, August is one of Abidjan's more comfortable months. The city sits in a brief meteorological lull between its two rainy seasons: the heavy rains of May, June have eased, and the second rainy season doesn't kick in until October, November. Expect daytime temperatures of 25, 28 °C (77, 82 °F), high humidity, and occasional short showers. But far fewer prolonged downpours than you'd get in May. The sea breeze off the Atlantic keeps things tolerable, and beach days are possible.

It depends heavily on where you're going. Abidjan and the southern coast are in a relative dry spell and well manageable in August. The north, including Korhogo and the savanna regions around Comoe National Park, is in central its single annual rainy season, meaning red-dirt roads can become impassable and some bush camps close entirely. If you're sticking to the coast and the commercial capital, August is underrated. If you're chasing safari-style wildlife, wait until November or later.

Northern Ivory Coast, Korhogo, Ferkessédougou, and the Comoe basin, sits in its peak rainy season in August, receiving the bulk of its annual rainfall between June and September. Expect heavy afternoon downpours, temperatures around 27, 32 °C (81, 90 °F), and dramatically green but sometimes flooded landscapes. Paved roads are generally fine. But laterite tracks to villages and park lodges can become rutted. Always check road conditions locally before setting out and consider a 4WD.

Pack light, breathable fabrics, linen or technical travel shirts beat cotton in high humidity. A compact travel umbrella or a packable rain jacket is worth its weight, even in Abidjan. Reef-safe sunscreen is essential for coastal days, mosquito repellent (DEET-based) is non-negotiable year-round, and sturdy sandals or waterproof shoes will handle the occasional puddle far better than trainers. If you're heading north, add a pair of lightweight hiking trousers that dry quickly.

August is quieter on the formal festival calendar than months like April or December, but Abidjan's nightlife and music scene, centred on the Plateau and Marcory districts, runs year-round and rarely needs an excuse. Local cultural associations in Man (western highlands) and smaller towns often hold community celebrations tied to harvest cycles in August. Ask at your hotel or the local mairie for what's on. Confirm specific dates on arrival, as scheduling in the region is frequently adjusted.

Ivory Coast doesn't receive mass international tourism, so 'crowded' is relative, you won't encounter queues or inflated prices the way you might in European beach destinations. That said, August coincides with the Ivorian school holiday period and attracts diaspora visitors returning for summer, so popular spots like Grand-Bassam's colonial waterfront and Assinie's resort strip are livelier than usual. Book accommodation in Grand-Bassam and Assinie two to three weeks in advance if you're visiting on a weekend.

August is good for Abidjan city life: tour the Plateau business district, visit the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d'Ivoire, eat grilled fish and attiéké at a maquis in Treichville, and day-trip to Grand-Bassam UNESCO World Heritage colonial town, just 40 km east. On the coast, Assinie's lagoon and Jacqueville's wide beaches are relaxed and green. Skip Comoe National Park this month unless you have a local guide who knows current road conditions.

Yes, malaria is present year-round throughout Ivory Coast, and August's warm, humid conditions keep mosquito activity elevated even in Abidjan. Consult a travel medicine clinic at least four weeks before departure. Most prescribe atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) or doxycycline. Pair medication with a DEET repellent, long sleeves at dusk, and an insecticide-treated bed net, outside air-conditioned hotels. The disease is entirely preventable with consistent precautions.

The Atlantic off Abidjan hovers around 24, 26 °C (75, 79 °F) in August, warm enough for comfortable swimming. However, the Gulf of Guinea coast is known for strong undertows and rip currents, and lifeguards are rarely posted outside resort beaches. Stick to the protected lagoon side at Grand-Bassam or the resort beaches at Assinie (which have calmer, monitored swimming areas) rather than open Atlantic-facing stretches unless you are a confident ocean swimmer.