The Best African Countries To Visit In Winter

Craving some winter sun? Upgrade a beach break to a savannah safari or desert glamping on one of these thrilling small-group tours.

Winter is an ideal time to visit many countries in Africa, and the perfect opportunity to escape the winter blues in Europe and the US. In December, January and February, Africa sees sunny spells tempered with cooling rains that bring lush greenery and plenty of wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a coastal adventure, a luxury cruise or a classic African safari, these small-group adventures with Culture Trip will whisk you off to the best African countries to visit in winter.

Spring Sale

Morocco, for cities, mountains and deserts in one holiday

There is so much to explore in Morocco. The gateway to Africa is one of the most diverse destinations you could find, but many people visit in summer, when the intense heat restricts them to evening city walks and long days by the pool. The weather in winter is far milder, making it a beautiful winter sun destination without the risk of heat stroke. Our comprehensive 11-day tour of Morocco is truly special at this time of year. Start in Casablanca before heading out to the beautiful blue city of Chefchaouen. You’ll visit ancient Roman ruins and soak up the ancient atmosphere of Fes medina. Then it’s out into the Sahara for a desert glamping experience like no other. After wine tasting, stargazing and a sunrise camel ride, we’ll continue our adventure up into the Atlas Mountains. Visit epic gorges, lunch with a local family and sip sunset cocktails on the mountainside before dropping our altitude in Marrakech. We’ll stop off at the incredible Kasbah Ait-Ben-Haddou en route, before getting introduced to Marrakech with a street food tour of the old city. Follow that up on our last full day with an expert cooking class, followed by an evening spent at a gorgeous candlelit rooftop terrace, the perfect spot to watch the winter buzz of Jemaa el-Fnaa.

From US$2343

Next available from 18th May 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Casablanca, Morocco

ENDS AT

Marrakech, Morocco

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Spring Sale

Egypt, for pleasant weather and bucket-list classics

Egypt is a real sightseeing destination, so you don’t want to spend days walking around, hopping on public transport and standing in direct sunlight during the scorching hot summers. The heat is even more intense here than Morocco, so we recommend visiting in winter for a milder, more pleasant sightseeing experience. Our Ultimate Egypt trip will give you locally guided tours of the most amazing spots in Cairo – from old bookbinding stores to locally famous cafes – as well as a guided visit to the iconic sights of Giza. Then it’s time to head south along the Nile to Luxor, where we’ll visit two ancient temples and embark on a luxurious four-night cruise of the Nile. Sunsets on deck are sumptuous at this time of year, while your daytimes will be spent exploring souks, tombs and temples in comfortable conditions. You’ll even get to go kayaking on the Nile on our last day!

From US$2048

Next available from 26th Sep 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cairo, Egypt

ENDS AT

Aswan, Egypt

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

This is an updated version of an article originally written by Mandi Keighran.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.