Activated charcoal supported nickel molybdenum carbide (carburized Ni-Mo/AC) catalysts were prepared by wet-impregnation followed by temperature-programmed carburization using 20% $CH_4/H_2$ gas. The effects of pH and initial Ni/Mo mole ratio during wet-impregnation step on the characteristics of the carburized Ni-Mo/AC catalysts were investigated using ICP, XRD, XPS, BET and $CO_2$-TPD techniques, and correlated with the catalytic activity of the carburized Ni-Mo/AC in methane dry reforming reaction. Comparison of the results of methane dry reforming reaction kinetics with the results of characterization of the carburized Ni-Mo/AC catalyst showed that the catalytic activity in methane dry reforming reaction was higher at higher initial Ni/Mo mole ratio or at lower pH(3~natural value). This phenomenon was related to the crystal size of metallic Ni in the carburized Ni-Mo/AC catalyst.