The cold and crispy weather will come in a blink of an eye. Traveling somewhere warm and pleasant is a great choice if the cold usually bothers you. Then, look no further than Africa. The continent gets a big bite of sunlight, covering 300 days a year. Find yourself spotting wild animals in a golden savanna, voyaging through rainforests, or basking in the sun on a powdery beach. Are you already looking forward to it? Here are the 10 best destinations to spend winter in Africa!
Winter in Africa Destinations – Summary
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Botswana
- Morocco
- Egypt
- Namibia
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
- Bazaruto Archipelago
- Kenya
South Africa
Flawless beaches, spectacular wildlife, and lavish cities – South Africa offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Long hours of sunshine make South Africa a perfect country to spend winter in Africa. Metropolitan cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg invite you to visit their historical centers or dance the night away in trendy nightclubs. Alternatively, if you prefer natural scenes, hit Table Mountain’s hiking trail or go whale-watching on the country’s coastline.
Furthermore, a trip to South Africa won’t be complete with the wildlife. Head to Kruger National Park and greet wild species like lions, gazelles, and elephants. The cold weather makes them excited to go out!
Weather: Wet season with frequent rainfalls and temperatures hovering around 25-28°C
Things to Do in South Africa in Winter: Visiting museums and cultural centers in Johannesburg, hiking the Table Mountain, wine-tasting in Cape Winelands, safari trip in Kruger National Park, and go whale-watching.
Tanzania
This East African country will blow your mind with its outstanding nature. Mount Kilimanjaro stands elegantly, majestic animals call the savannah home, and the glimmering Indian Ocean kisses the powdery shores. Tanzania beckons nature enthusiasts for an unforgettable adventure. However, it has become an ideal destination for every traveler who wants to escape the cold during winter.
Long days of sunshine and lush landscapes have become Tanzania’s blessing during winter. Find yourself going on a safari trip in Serengeti National Park or hitting the beaches of Zanzibar. In a nutshell, it is one of the best places to spend winter in Africa.
Weather: Wet season with frequent rainfalls and temperatures hovering around 25-28°C
Things to Do in Tanzania in Winter: Safari trip in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, wildlife-watching in Lake Manyara National Park, signing up for the Nyama Choma BBQ Festival, learning about history in Stone Town, and going for a beach vacation in Zanzibar
Botswana
Do you want more wild experiences while spending winter in Africa? Then, head to Botswana. Home to the biologically diverse Okavango Delta, the country is a nature lovers’ paradise. While winter approaches the Northern Hemisphere, Botswana welcomes pleasant weather and great phenomena. Wild and exotic birds flock to the Okavango Delta, making bird-watching a must-have in your itinerary.
Besides that, Botswana is excited about its own Great Migration. In December, thousands of zebra move from the floodplains of Chobe and head towards Nxai Pan. So, make sure to put this on your bucket list!
Weather: Wet season with frequent rainfall. Temperatures hovering around 32°C
Things to Do in Botswana in Winter: Going for an aquatic safari and bird-watching in the Okavango Delta, paying a visit to the San Bushmen tribe, and see the zebra migration at Nxai Pan National Park
Morocco
Trade winter with a luscious experience of immersing yourself in fantastic bazaars and beautiful riads. Winter blows in the Northern Hemisphere, but Morocco stays sunny. Besides that, winter marks the beginning of the off-season. Stroll around the medinas of Marrakesh and see majestic mosques in Casablanca with little to no crowds. That said, Morocco is one of the best places to spend winter in Africa.
Fleeing from the cold in Morocco can be as simple as visiting the Instagram-perfect Chefchaouen or seeing the tanneries in Fez. Alternatively, spend winter differently by staying in tents at Erg Chebbi Dunes. Moreover, stay tuned for jubilant festivals like the Tan Tan Music Festival and Almond Blossom Festival by the end and beginning of the year.
Weather: Cool temperatures hovering around 20°C with mostly sunny days. Temperatures can drop as low as 11°C
Things to Do in Morocco in Winter: Exploring the medinas and night markets of Marrakesh, staying in an artistic riad, trying Moroccan coffee, exploring historical places in Casablanca, hiking the snowy Atlas Mountains, and celebrating Berber New Year.
Egypt
Escape the gloomy winter to the land of the Pharaohs. Golden deserts, majestic temples made out of sandstones, and untouched shores welcome you for an adventure. The mild weather makes it perfect to discover a realm where time stood still.
Visiting Egypt would only be complete with the Pyramid of Giza. Roam around the world-renowned monument, which keeps legacy and mystery. Moreover, head to the Valley of the Kings and spot a collection of mummies. Alternatively, travel to Hurghada and Dahab to enjoy a relaxing beach vacation. Therefore, Egypt is one of the best places to spend winter in Africa.
Weather: Mild weather with cool temperatures hovering around 9-14°C and occasional rainfalls.
Things to Do in Egypt in Winter Seeing the Pyramid of Giza, learning about history in Luxor, visiting the Valley of the Kings, diving or snorkeling at Sharm El Sheikh, and going beach-hopping in Dahab
Namibia
Are you looking for an anti-mainstream way to spend the winter? Then, head to Namibia. Covering an area of 2,000 kilometers, the Namib Desert has become Africa’s hidden treasure. Traveling to Namibia would make you feel like you are voyaging through planet Mars. The arid weather and reddish sand surely create an otherworldly scene.
Spend most of your time exploring the activities in the Namib Desert. You can go sandboarding, hop on a jeep, cycle through the desert, or camp under the stars. Moreover, you can spot one of the most beautiful places on earth. The blend of plain and striking colors of the Deadvlei clay pan will leave you stunned.
Weather: Wet season (November – April) with occasional rainfalls and temperatures hovering around 30°C.
Things to Do in Namibia in Winter Exploring the Namib Desert, taking photos of Deadvlei, going on a safari trip at Etosha National Park, and seeing Sossusvlei.
Seychelles
This small island country fits the description of a perfect winter sun destination. Pearly-white shores fringed with enormous boulders and rainforests, sparkling turquoise waters, and colorful reefs paint the landscape. While Seychelles is not the most affordable African country out there, it is one of the safest. So, spend a warm winter in Africa by booking a ticket to this country!
Seychelles comprises around 100 islands, with Mahe being the most popular. There is no such thing as boredom in Seychelles. You can get your tan on the beach, discover the underwater beauty, or even hiking.
Weather:
Things to Do in Seychelles in Winter: Relax at the famous Anse Source d’Argent beach, watching the sunset at Anse Lanzio, trying Creole cuisine, snorkeling, diving, and exploring the small Victoria city.
Mauritius
Africa secretly keeps outstanding beach destinations and Mauritius is a perfect example. Tucked in the Indian Ocean, the island country is blessed with flawless beaches, glimmering sapphire waters, and underwater biodiversity. Therefore, travelers have their eye on Mauritius for a lavish beach vacation. Star-rated resorts, like St. Regis and Four Seasons, line the powdery coastline of Mauritius.
Mauritius is one of the best winter sun destinations in Africa. Enjoy long days of sunshine with warm temperatures that will make you come home with a perfect tan. Soak up the sun on the beautiful beaches and say yes to an array of water sports.
Weather: Summer and wet season – hot afternoons and balmy evenings. Temperatures hovering around 27°C
Things to Do in Mauritius in Winter: Relaxing at the beaches, diving, snorkeling, joining a local Christmas celebration, see Festival Kreole that celebrates Creole culture, kitesurfing, and trying other water sport activities.
These destinations will give you the best experience of spending the winter in Africa. Everything feel twice as fun as you have a group of travel buddies with you. Whether you want to go on a safari trip in Tanzania or wine-tasting in South Africa, traveling in a group makes it safe, exciting, and comfortable.
Wanting to travel but have not find a group yet? Then, check out JoinMyTrip! We have tailor-made group trips to hundreds of destination across the globe. Each trip is hosted by experienced travelers and dedicated locals, ensuring you a safe and authentic experience.
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