SeasonMap

Best places to visit in Africa in January

In January, Africa's best-scoring destinations are Sharm El Sheikh (93), Lamu (92) and Marsa Alam (91): 10 of its 50 well-known places are at their seasonal best, mostly in Southern Africa; Indian Ocean averages 70/100.

Each place is scored at its seasonal best — beaches on beach weather, cities on walking weather, ski towns in snow season. Tap any place for the full January breakdown.

← Africa in DecemberAfrica in February →The whole world in January

Classics at their best in Africa in January

The places you already know, in the month the climate agrees with them. 10 of Africa's 50 well-known places are in one of their own top-three months.

  1. 1Sharm El Sheikh, Egyptnice, dry, clean air93tier S
  2. 2Lamu, Kenyasweltering, dry, clean air92tier S
  3. 3Marsa Alam, Egyptnice, dry91tier S
  4. 4Mombasa, Kenyasweltering, dry91tier S
  5. 5Dahab, Egyptnice, dry, clean air90tier S
  6. 6Hurghada, Egyptnice, dry, clean air90tier S
  7. 7Nairobi, Kenyawarm, a little rain90tier S
  8. 8Knysna, South Africawarm, a little rain, clean air89tier A
  9. 9Port Elizabeth, South Africawarm, a little rain, clean air89tier A
  10. 10Swakopmund, Namibiawarm, dry, clean air89tier A
  11. 11Durban, South Africahot, rainy, muggy air88tier A
  12. 12Luxor, Egyptnice, dry88tier A
  13. 13Merzouga, Moroccocool, dry, clean air88tier A
  14. 14El Gouna, Egyptnice, dry, clean air87tier A
  15. 15Hermanus, South Africawarm, dry, clean air87tier A

Under the radar in Africa in January

Less-visited places whose January weather outscores the classics above — the data's own suggestions.

  1. 16Addis Ababa, Ethiopianice, dry95tier S
  2. 17Aswan, Egyptnice, dry94tier S
  3. 18Bahir Dar, Ethiopiawarm, dry94tier S
  4. 19Lalibela, Ethiopianice, dry94tier S
  5. 20Gondar, Ethiopiawarm, dry, clean air93tier S
  6. 21Praia, Cabo Verdewarm, dry93tier S
  7. 22Jamestown, Saint Helenawarm, dry, clean air92tier S
  8. 23Kololi, Gambiahot, dry92tier S
  9. 24Laayoune, Western Saharanice, dry92tier S
  10. 25Malindi, Kenyasweltering, dry, clean air92tier S
  11. 26Watamu, Kenyasweltering, dry, clean air92tier S
  12. 27Boa Vista, Cabo Verdewarm, dry91tier S
  13. 28Diani Beach, Kenyasweltering, dry91tier S
  14. 29Mindelo, Cabo Verdewarm, dry91tier S
  15. 30Jeffreys Bay, South Africawarm, a little rain, clean air90tier S

Every region of Africa in January

The best-known place in each part of Africa this month, even where the month is only fair.