The 7 Best African Destinations for Winter Sun

Escaping the cold and bitter winter weather in Europe is a non-negotiable for some people, and every year they flock to somewhere warm and sunny for a couple of weeks of bliss in the sunshine in the middle of winter. If this sounds like something you would like to do, and if you fancy checking out somewhere more exotic, then these African destinations could be just the place for you. These are the best African destinations for winter sun.

What Are The Best African Winter Sun Holiday Destinations?

1. Sharm El Sheikh – Egypt

One of the most popular winter sun resorts in the world, Sharm El Sheikh, on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and bordering the glorious waters of the Red Sea, is a sun lover’s paradise.

Easily reachable from Africa, Asia and Europe within a short flight, Sharm El Sheikh is a favourite destination of many holidaymakers, and especially in the winter months.

While the temperatures in the summer regularly exceed 40℃, which many people find uncomfortably hot, during the winter months, the temperatures rarely exceed 30℃, which is still more than warm enough to top up your tan and escape the cold winters of northern Europe.

In addition, the Red Sea stays at around 25℃ throughout the winter, and with next to no rain – a few millimetres at most if you visit in early December – Sharm El Sheikh is a great place for a beach holiday in the winter months.

2. Zanzibar – Tanzania

The island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa, is another great place to visit for winter sun.

From mid-December to mid-March, Zanzibar experiences its dry season, with long days and cooler nights, and temperatures sitting at around 30℃ – ten times warmer than many areas in northern Europe experience during the same time period.

In addition to a classic beach holiday, Zanzibar is a great place to go swimming, snorkelling and even scuba diving, where you can swim with a multitude of tropical fish in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

While it can still rain in Zanzibar during the winter, it generally comes in short, powerful bursts during the afternoon, and because it is so hot, the ground dries up again in next to no time. 

This is a great opportunity for you to step inside a local beach bar, enjoy an ice-cold beer, and by the time you’ve finished it, the sun is back out again. Bliss!

3. Grand Bay – Mauritius 

An island nation off the southeast coast of mainland Africa, Mauritius is a picture-perfect tropical paradise – and a superb place for some winter sun.

Warm temperatures throughout the day – usually around 30℃ – are accompanied by warm nights, but fear not – Grand Bay is home to numerous luxury resorts, all equipped with air conditioning, making your stay a comfortable and relaxing one.

Diving and snorkelling around the colourful coral reefs and relaxing on the golden sand beaches are two of the best ways to spend your time in the Mauritian winter sun, but if you’re looking for some more exhilarating activities to do, there are plenty of jungle trails that are suitable for hiking.

Mauritius is home to lush mountains and stunning waterfalls, making it a true tropical island paradise – and the occasional brief rainfall shower if you visit in December is a welcome, cooling relief from the blazing sunshine.

4. Cape Town – South Africa

Africa’s most southerly city, Cape Town, is a great place for winter sun if you want guaranteed dry weather, great beaches and easy access to the bush.

December marks the start of the dry season in South Africa, and in Cape Town, this means long days spent at the beach or heading out to the bush on a safari.

Cape Town is known for its excellent surfing conditions, attracting thousands of people from across the globe in its summer months (Cape Town’s summer starts in December, as it is in the Southern Hemisphere), which makes it a popular place to visit for Northern Hemisphere winter sun – so make sure that you book your accommodation in advance as this is peak tourist season.

The Cape’s beaches are also packed with golden sands and lined with restaurants and bars, and while swimming is permitted, you should always be vigilant when in the water, as it is home to one of the world’s largest populations of great white sharks.

5. Nairobi – Kenya

One of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations, the Kenyan capital is an excellent place to base yourself for some winter sun in East Africa.

With daytime temperatures generally hovering around 25℃, it’s comfortable for most people to be out and about on safari or exploring the city without it being unbearably hot.

In addition, while some rain can be expected in December, January marks the middle of the dry season in Kenya, so if you want guaranteed warm, dry weather, visiting anywhere from January to March is your best bet.

Nairobi is a great place to base yourself for going out on safaris and into the Masai Mara Reserve, as it is only a few hours away from this world-famous National Park. There you can join a safari and see some of Africa’s most iconic animals, including the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant), who call the Masai Mara home.

This is a far better way to spend a winter break than sitting at home in the cold and wet, that’s for sure!

6. Agadir – Morocco

Sitting on the edge of the Sahara Desert, it’s no surprise that one of Morocco’s most southerly cities is a great place for some winter sun.

While Marrakech and Casablanca may be more popular cities to visit, they can often experience colder temperatures during the winter months, whereas daytime temperatures in Agadir are typically around 23℃.

There is a lot to do in Agadir during the winter months, which offer much more reasonable temperatures than the summer months, where the temperature regularly exceeds 40℃.

Some activities include hiring dune buggies and exploring the nearby desert, trips to the coast, exploring the famous Souk El Had market, or the Sous Massa National Park, which includes a wide range of wildlife from ostriches, gazelles and the critically-endangered Northern Bald Ibis.

Agadir is a great place for winter sun in Africa if you prefer a cultural holiday to a beach holiday.

7. Kotu – The Gambia

Having seen a surge in popularity over the last few years, The Gambia – sandwiched inside Senegal with a 50km stretch of beach on the coast of West Africa – is quickly becoming one of the go-to destinations for winter sun in Africa.

The coastal town of Kotu is one of the most popular destinations in the country to visit. Packed with luxury resorts, with a focus on all-inclusive beach holidays, this is an excellent place to visit if you just want to sit in the sun, relax and be treated like royalty for a week or so.

It is not unusual for temperatures in Kotu in winter to reach 31℃ in the day, while the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the coast are usually around 21℃, making it a perfect place for relaxing on the beach and then swimming or snorkelling when it gets too hot.

If you’re on the hunt for a beach holiday somewhere exotic without spending a fortune on flights, then Kotu is the place to go.

Plus, it has the advantage of being in the same time zone as the UK, so you don’t need to worry about feeling jet-lagged for a few days upon your arrival, while the flight time from most UK airports is around 6 hours.