Africa: when and where to go
Africa covers 16 countries in this guide, from northern deserts to southern savannas, so timing depends on where you go. Morocco and Egypt suit cooler months like November and December, while southern and eastern countries such as Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania favour the dry season from May to August. Further west, Cape Verde and Gambia peak between January and May, showing how much conditions shift across the continent.
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Best in Africa in October
Ranked by our month score: temperature, rain, sunshine and sea.
Climate heatmap
Best time to visit Africa
Month score out of 10 for each country. Tap a country for its month-by-month weather.
| Country | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 7.7 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 7.5 | 6.9 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.6 |
| Angola | 7.2 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 8.6 | 9.5 | 9.2 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Cape Verde | 10.0 | 9.8 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.9 | 9.3 | 8.5 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 9.9 |
| Egypt | 9.6 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 8.1 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 7.4 | 9.8 | 9.7 |
| Ethiopia | 9.2 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 7.9 | 8.6 | 9.1 |
| Gambia | 7.3 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 7.2 |
| Ghana | 8.4 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.9 |
| Kenya | 4.7 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 6.0 |
| Lesotho | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.1 | 6.4 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| Madagascar | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.1 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Mauritania | 10.0 | 9.2 | 7.7 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 7.9 | 9.9 |
| Morocco | 7.3 | 7.9 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 8.7 | 6.9 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 9.3 | 9.6 | 8.0 |
| Zambia | 6.4 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 8.1 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 9.8 | 8.9 | 7.1 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 5.1 |
| Zimbabwe | 6.3 | 6.2 | 7.3 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.6 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 5.7 | 5.1 |
Best Good OK Tough weather
Country guides
Countries in Africa
- Algeria Best: Nov, Dec, Oct, Feb
- Angola Best: Jun, Jul, Aug, May
- Cape Verde Best: Jan, Mar, Apr, May
- Egypt Best: Nov, Feb, Mar, Dec
- Ethiopia Best: Jan, Dec, Nov, Feb
- Gambia Best: Apr, May, Mar
- Ghana Best: Jan, Jul, Sep, Feb
- Kenya Best: Dec, Jul
- Lesotho Best: Sep, Oct, Nov
- Madagascar Best: Sep, Jul, Aug, May
- Mauritania Best: Jan, Dec, Feb, Nov
- Morocco Best: Nov, Apr, Oct, Mar
- Zambia Best: Jun, Jul, May, Aug
- Zimbabwe Best: Aug, May, Jun, Jul
FAQ
Travelling in Africa
Where is good to visit in Africa in August?
Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Cape Verde top the list for August. Madagascar and Zimbabwe fall in their dry season, which suits wildlife viewing, while Cape Verde has steady weather year-round thanks to its position in the Atlantic.
Is Egypt good to visit in November?
Yes, November is one of Egypt's best months. It also ranks among the top picks for the whole continent that month, alongside Cape Verde and Morocco, as cooler air replaces the summer heat along the Nile and the coast.
When is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
Cape Verde's best months are January, March, April and May. It also appears as a top African pick in nearly every month of the year, from January through December, making it one of the most consistent year-round destinations in the data.
Which African countries are best to visit in July?
Namibia, Cape Verde and Zambia lead the list for July. Namibia and Zambia are in their dry winter season, good for clear skies and wildlife spotting, while Cape Verde keeps its stable island climate through the month.