5 Best Places to Visit in Africa on Winter Break (African Summer Vacations)

Where are the best places to visit in Africa for winter break vacations and why are they ideal?

Northern hemisphere winter is cold and long. Daylight savings mean that in the heart of winter - December, and January - the sun sets at around 4:30 in the afternoon. Winter vacation break gives you just enough time to get away and soak up some much-needed sun. These warm, sunny African destinations are ideal for an exotic winter break adventure.

With so much southern hemisphere sunshine (and beach) to choose from, here are 5 of the best places to visit in Africa for winter break (December/January).

1. Tanzania: All-round Best Place to Visit in Africa

Tanzania is one of the best places to visit in Africa for wildlife safaris. With excellent tourist infrastructure, vast expanses, and abundant wildlife, Tanzania has it all. This East African safari gem continues to deliver incredible experiences from the Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater, and Kilimanjaro to the Zanzibar archipelago.

The Southern Serengeti

Looking for a beach-break safari combo? Tanzania offers the classic African safari. The Northern Safari Circuit, which includes the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, offers vast savannah panoramas and spectacular wildlife viewing. These iconic safari destinations alone are enough to make Tanzania the number one African safari destination in 2023.

Add Zanzibar however and Tanzania emerges as the undisputed champion.

In December and January, the wildebeest complete the great migration cycle and begin massing in the southern Serengeti. While the famed wildebeest river-crossing of the Mara happens July through to September, the Ndutu Plains are an excellent place to witness the wildebeest gathering on masse. Stretching from the Ngorongoro conservation area across to the southern Serengeti, seeing the vast African plains flooded with gnus and zebra is spectacular.

Ngorongoro Crater Safari

The Ngorongoro Crater will spoil you for choice. From the crater itself, wildlife, people, and culture to walking safaris and the cradle of humankind, this area is astounding! A comparatively small space (by African standards), the Ngorongoro Crater is a caldera or collapsed volcano. Seeing the Big 5 is practically guaranteed making it a fabulous Big 5 family safari destination. In fact, the crater boasts the highest concentration of lions in Africa!

Remember, the crater is only one part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Because of its small size, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area allows you to choose from a number of other activities too. Visit Olduvai Gorge (the cradle of humankind), the wildebeest on the vast Serengeti plains, or walk with the Masaai for an unforgettable cultural experience.

Zanzibar Island

Best African beaches, exotic spices, mixed Indian Ocean culture and history, and affordable lodges and beach resorts are just a few of the reasons that Tanzania’s Zanzibar Island is so popular.

Zanzibar dove-tails brilliantly with a Big 5 Tanzania safari. Because they are all in the same country, It is easy to combine a Zanzibar beach break with your tour of the southern Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. Snorkelling, diving, island hopping, or just relaxing in a beach lounger, Zanzibar’s chilled vibes and tropical beauty make it an ideal wind-down from your Big 5 Tanzania safari.

2. Kenya: Best Place to Visit in Africa for African Safari & Beach Getaways

Best known for its famous safaris, Kenya has a wealth of wildlife gems to choose from. Tsavo, Amboseli, and Samburu all conjure images of lions, elephants, herds of antelope, and Big 5 safari sightings. The Masai Mara, however, is arguably Kenya’s most famous safari destination. Did you know that Kenya has over 536km of coastline? The combination of safari gems and abundant coastline makes Kenya one of the best places to visit in Africa for a safari and beach getaway.

The Masai Mara

Though the great migration action happens from July through to August, the Masai Mara has plenty to offer. With varied landscapes and warm, welcoming people, this sort of safari destination brims with wildlife all year round. It is not only home to the Big 5 but offers safari vacationers a plethora of other activities to choose from. Take to the air for a hot air balloon ride, get off the beaten track in a 4 x4 safari or walk with Maasai warriors in the African Bush. 

Kenya Beaches: Mombasa and Beyond

Kenyan safaris have always stolen the limelight. As a result, Kenya’s beaches remain relatively undiscovered. From the famous Lamu archipelago and Mombasa’s glitzy resorts to quieter tropical getaways, planning a beach sojourn is well worth it. Whatever you are looking for, be it calm waters and family-friendly escapes or water sports and whale watching, Kenya has a beach for you.

Here is a snapshot of Kenya’s best beach experiences. The Lamu Archipelago is seen as the best place for an authentic Swahili experience while if you are looking for water sports like kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling or diving, and kayaking then head for Diani or Galu beaches. Choose Kikambala with an out-of-the-way local flavour or Kilifi Beach for cool cafes and trendy bars. Special mention goes to Watamu Beach. Watamu Beach boasts impressive coral gardens in the Watamu Marine National Park boasts an incredible array of marine life including whale sharks and manta rays which visit the waters over December and January.  The largest surviving tract of East African coastal forest of Arabuko Sokoke Coastal Forest makes the Watamu experience extra special.

Best December/January Vacation Break

The consensus amongst travel gurus is that December/January is a great Kenyan vacation window. It’s a baby animal bonanza and the predictable and short afternoon showers mean lush tropical vegetation. December/January is low season meaning fewer tourists and a more relaxing winter vacation break.

3. Best City to Visit in Africa: Cape Town in South Africa (Plus the Garden Route)

Cape Town is regularly voted one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Breath-taking scenery, secluded bays, and fashionable beaches, a Cape Town vacation offers almost everything, including fantastic food and action-packed activities or family fun. It is a firm favourite with returning visitors, making it one of the best places to visit in Africa during winter break.

Cape Town

The Mother City nestles in around Table Mountain. From the secluded beaches of Cape Point to Penguins in Simons town, the bohemian chic of Kalk Bay, or the colourful streets of Bo Kaap. There is something for everyone or, enough to keep anyone busy for a lifetime. December and January in Cape Town are high seasons so expect everyone to be out and about in bikinis and broad shorts, ice creams, and seaside restaurants.

If you have done Table Mountain cable car and abseiling and are tired of beaches like Llandudno and Camps Bay and are satisfied with exploring trendy Sea Point and had your fill of the galleries and shopping around the V&A Waterfront, if you have had enough of culture trips from the district six museum or Robben Island and visits to the Cape Flats for some shisa nyama, if the iconic Blouberg bores you and you don’t fancy kite-surfing or kayaking in Cape Town’s sparkling waters… then leave.

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek Festive Diversions

Jump in a car and head an hour up the road to trendy Stellenbosch and breathtaking Franschhoek. These two towns are the heart of the Western Cape Winelands and home to some of the most famous wine farms in the world. There is good food and spectacular scenery around every corner, both are easily accessible from Cape Town and well worth the trip.

The Garden Route of South Africa

The Garden Route stretches roughly from Mossel Bay to Storms River over a distance of about 200km. Road trippers are treated to beautiful scenery from the Klein Karoo to the Tsitsikamma Forests and can choose between charming old towns or bigger cities offering all the mod-cons and adventure activities. Between Mossel Bay and Storms River, you will find some malaria-free reserves perfect for a manageable family safari add-on. Because of the concentration of activities and destinations, every Garden Route vacation can be tailored to your needs.

Cape Town and the Garden Route

Between Cape Town and the Garden Route, you will find a perfect panacea to the dull dreary winter. Bright summer sunshine and natural beauty without parallel, ideal for families, lone travellers, couples, or adventure seekers, Cape Town and the Garden Route make a perfect winter vacation break.

4. Best Place to Visit in Africa for a Desert Break: Namibia

Namibia is vast, arid, hot, and simply magical. The Namib Desert stretches out endlessly towards the horizon. Sunshine and sand in abundance, it is the best alternative safari meets beach break. Northern Namibia offers you a trip to the Etosha Pan, a Skeleton Coast experience, and a visit to the old-world charm (and adventure hub) that is Swakopmund. If you love the heat, then Namibia definitely makes it onto the list of best places to visit in Africa for winter break.

Namibia’s Best Safari: Etosha

Some like it hot. November to April is the summer wet season in Etosha. This is desert rain. Desert rain often never falls for long and the cooling water is a relief to the parched landscape. The big bonus about a December/January Etosha visit is the abundance of baby animals that are born at this time of year. It is also peak season for migratory birds. With an abundance of water and vegetation, the famous elephants and black rhinos are more reclusive, making sightings more memorable.

The Skeleton Coast National Park

Weather-wise, December/January is the perfect time to visit the Skeleton Coast National Park with cooler temperatures and less mist. Known as “the Sands of Hell” by early Portuguese sailors, the Skeleton Coast is a bleak and unforgiving landscape. Stretching from Sandwich Harbour to the Kunene River, the world’s largest ship graveyard is forbidding and captivating. There are a surprising number of desert animals like elephants and lions and a chance to visit the Cape Cross seal colony. The best way to experience the Skeleton Coast National Park is with a 4x4 adventure or, if you fancy something less terrestrial, a light aircraft trip over this rugged region for a birds-eye view is not to be missed.

Swakopmund

Known more for its desert landscapes, Etosha Pan, Kaokoveld, and Damara Land, the European flair of towns like Swakopmund and Luderitz always take tourists by surprise. Swakopmund is Namibia’s largest town. The combination of old colonial architecture set against a desert playground makes Swakopmund a mecca for foreign tourists. Restaurant trips into the sea, 4x4 tours, cultural experiences, desert motorbike tours, and sand all together make Swakopmund a great winter vacation.

5. Best Classic Safaris in Africa: Botswana in December

Adventurous travellers looking for a quieter safari option will love Botswana. Botswana is renowned as not only one of the best safari destinations but also one of the safest safari destinations in Africa. Let’s be honest though, there are no beaches in Botswana. There are however the watery Okavango Delta and boat cruises in Chobe. Because of the heat, it is best to pick your destinations carefully and our December break top safari picks are the Naxi Pan and the Central Kalahari.

The festive season in Botswana means bucket loads of sunshine, afternoon showers, and an explosion of life. Following the rains, December is full of verdant scenery, trees, and plants in full bloom, and the arrival of migratory birds and multitudes of newborn animals, closely followed by predators looking for a meal. All great reasons Botswana rates among the best places to visit in Africa for winter break getaways.

Naxi Pan

During December, over 30,000 zebra and wildebeest migrate to the Naxi Pan from 500km away. This is actually the longest migration in Africa. With the rains, the Naxi Pan springs to life and supports these migrants with sweet and nutritious grass. At the same time, this is the birthing season and there is an abundance of new life. For this reason, predators are numerous making this a great time of year for seeing spotted hyena, leopard, and cheetah action.

The Central Kalahari Desert

This is Botswana’s best-kept secret. December to March is the best time to visit the Central Kalahari Desert for a safari. The rains mean an abundance of life that flocks to the pans and water holes. Visitors are few and the game is abundant, gemsbok, springbok, and wildebeest, with plentiful lion, cheetah, and jackal. The Deception Valley area is particularly good for game viewing, baby animals, and predator action. December is hands down the best time for birding as migratory birds are present in abundance.

Best places to visit in Africa for Winter Vacations (December/January)

These are our top 5 places to visit in Africa for winter break. Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia give you options for a combined African safari and beach break. At the same time, Botswana is decidedly landlocked but makes up for it with low visitor numbers and abundant game viewing... and don't forget some of the best river safaris in Chobe.

Talk to one of our travel consultants about a safari and beach winter break vacation and book yourself some festive sunshine to get you through the tail-end of the northern hemisphere winter.