Touba is visited year-round by Mouride pilgrims, but for most outside visitors, timing matters. The city sits in the Sahel, with a dry season running from October to May and a rainy season in summer. The best months to visit are November through March — temperatures are cooler (though still warm by European standards), roads are dry, and the city is at its most accessible.
The Grand Magal falls 48 days after the Islamic New Year, which moves through the Gregorian calendar — check the date before you plan a visit. During Magal, Touba is essentially closed to casual visitors: accommodation is impossible to find, roads are gridlocked for days, and the city functions entirely on its own terms. If you want to witness the Magal, plan well in advance and be prepared for extreme conditions. If you want to visit the mosque and understand the city quietly, avoid Magal entirely.
Ramadan is also a significant period in Touba, with extended prayer sessions and a changed atmosphere in the city.