Where to go in January
January is peak season for escaping the northern winter: warm, dry days in the tropics and the southern hemisphere, and the best time of year to plan the rest of your travels.
Places are ranked by their typical weather in January (comfortable daily highs and little rain) and by traveler ratings. Public holidays are listed with each place, as museums, shops and offices may be closed and popular places can be busy on them. Climate data from Meteostat.
28 places have good weather in January in Africa, showing the top 24.
Lalibela
4.58
Rock-hewn churches and pilgrimage site
Table Mountain
4.55
Flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town, known for its stunning views and rich biodiversity.
Namib Desert
4.53
Ancient desert with towering orange dunes, rich in history and unique natural wonders.
Marrakech
4.38
Historic city known for its medina markets (Djemaa el-Fna) and Islamic architecture.
Rock Churches of Tigray
4.06
Ancient churches carved into Tigray's rugged cliffs, embodying centuries of faith and Ethiopian history.
Simien Mountains
4.4
Dramatic mountain ecosystem
Aksum
3.75
Ancient capital with mysterious obelisks, rich in history and enigma, and site of the legendary Ark of the Covenant.
Bahir Dar
3.65
Lake monasteries and Blue Nile Falls
Chinguetti
3.6
Historic Saharan city, guardian of medieval Islamic manuscripts and timeless architecture.
Lake Natron
4.38
Red lake with flamingo colonies offering striking natural beauty and unique ecosystems, central to local Maasai culture. Home to the rare Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano.
Taroudant
3.5
Red-walled market town, a historic and cultural gem offering an authentic Moroccan experience.
Volubilis
3.86
Roman ruins in countryside
Kairouan
3.8
A historic Islamic city with rich cultural heritage, renowned for its ancient mosques and vibrant traditions.
Leptis Magna
3.95
Roman city ruins on coast.
Gondar
3.81
City of medieval castles, Gondar is a historical gem with a rich cultural tapestry, set amidst the stunning landscapes of Ethiopia.
Atlas Mountains
4.42
Mountain range featuring ancient kasbah trading routes including Dades Valley gorges as well as fortified mud-brick cities of Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate's film studios and historic caravan stops like Telouet Palace
Ghadames
4.03
Ancient desert trading town known as the 'Pearl of the Desert,' rich in history, culture, and unique architecture.
Chefchaouen
4.05
Blue-painted mountain town with Moroccan charm.
Masai Mara
4.75
Safari reserve known for great migration, rich wildlife, and Maasai cultural heritage.
Essaouira
4.03
Fortified coastal town with sea walls, a vibrant history, and a multicultural artistic flair.
Suakin
2.78
Ottoman coral building port with a rich historical legacy on Sudan's Red Sea coast.
Île de Gorée
4.03
Historic slave trade island, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting on a dark past through memorials and cultural festivals.
Timbuktu
3.54
Ancient center of Islamic learning, historically renowned for its role in scholarship and trade across Africa.
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Knysna Heads
4.22
Dramatic coastal cliff formations marking the entrance to Knysna Lagoon, rich in natural beauty and maritime history.