Does Africa get snow?

Yes, Africa does get snow, although it’s not a common occurrence in many parts of the continent due to its mostly tropical climate. Many people are surprised to learn that some parts of Africa do get snow! Since Africa is a huge continent with different climates, whether or not it snows depends on where you are and the time of year. Many people especially in Kenya, places like Limuru often confuse hailstones and snow. Sometimes, you might come across snow where you least expect it, on mountains that are not that high like Mount Meru in Arusha, Tanzania as seen in this video that I took a few months ago. For example on Atlas Mountain in North Africa, it is one of the very few places in Africa where you can actually ski.

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A post shared by Tranquil Kilimanjaro (@tranquilkilimanjaro)

In most African countries, especially in the cities where people live and work, there is little to no snow. However, several countries have high mountains that do get snow regularly. If you want to see snow in Africa, you’ll likely need to head to these mountain ranges.

For example, South Africa and Lesotho get more snow than other African countries because they have higher altitudes. In some cases, even cities in countries like Algeria and Morocco have experienced snow during especially cold winters, although this doesn’t happen every year.

Here are some areas in Africa where you might see snow:

High Mountain Ranges:
- Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania: Despite being near the equator, Kilimanjaro’s summit, at over 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), often has snow and glaciers, although they have been shrinking due to climate change.
- Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia: These mountains can receive significant snowfall during the winter months, and there are even ski resorts in Morocco, like Oukaïmeden.
  
  Skiing in the Atlas Mountains
- Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo: Known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” this range experiences snowfall at its higher elevations.
South Africa:
- Drakensberg Mountains: In South Africa, this range can get quite cold with occasional snow, especially in the winter months (June to August).
- High-lying areas: Places like Sutherland in the Northern Cape, known for being one of the coldest towns in South Africa, can experience snow.
  Snow on the Drakensberg in South Africa
Lesotho:
- Known as the “Kingdom in the Sky,” Lesotho has high elevations, and it’s not unusual for the country to experience snow during its winter, which can be quite severe at times.
  Skiing in Lesotho’s snow
Other Regions:
- Ethiopian Highlands: While less common, some of the higher peaks like the Semien Mountains can see snowfall.
- Kenya: Mount Kenya’s peaks can have snow, particularly in the colder seasons.
Sporadic Snowfall:
- There have been rare instances of snowfall in places not typically associated with cold weather, like the Sahara Desert. Although extremely rare, there have been recorded incidents of snow in parts of the Sahara in northern Africa, like in Algeria in 2018.

Why Some People Don’t Expect Snow in Africa

Snow in Tanzania — Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro

Many people picture Africa as being mostly deserts or hot savannahs, so snow seems unlikely. But even though most of the continent doesn’t get heavy snowfalls, some parts of Africa do experience cold weather, especially in the dry season. This is common in countries closer to the equator.

While Africa may not be a major destination for winter sports like skiing, you may still want to pack warm clothes if you’re visiting during a colder season or heading to high altitudes.

African Countries That Experience Snow

Here are a few countries in Africa where snow is a regular occurrence:

Lesotho: This small country is home to some of the highest peaks in Africa, which makes it easier for snow to fall. Winter in Lesotho lasts from June to August, with temperatures often dropping to around 0°C (32°F).
South Africa: South Africa has a wide variety of landscapes, and during its winter (June to August), snow is common in certain areas, especially in the Drakensberg Mountains. In rare cases, even cities like Johannesburg have seen snow, but this doesn’t happen often.
Morocco: Northern Morocco can get snow, particularly from December to February. The Atlas Mountains are the main areas where snow falls, and temperatures can get as low as -8°C (17.6°F).
Uganda: While most of Uganda is warm, the Rwenzori Mountains in the western part of the country have snow year-round. The peaks of these mountains are covered with snow and glaciers, and some adventurers hike to see them up close.
Tanzania: While many areas in Tanzania get cool enough to require a sweater, the only place where you’ll find snow is on Mount Kilimanjaro. This famous peak, the tallest in Africa, experiences heavy snow at its summit due to its high altitude.

Snow on Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is one of the most well-known places in Africa where you can find snow. The summit of Kilimanjaro can be extremely cold, with freezing temperatures and frequent snowfall. Snow is more common during the dry season, which runs from mid-June to October, although the largest amount of snow usually falls in December.

Because Kilimanjaro is so high, it creates its own weather patterns, which makes it difficult to predict when exactly it will snow. However, climbers often encounter snow as they approach the summit during the dry season. The best months to see snow on Kilimanjaro are June, July, and August.

Final Thoughts: Experiencing Snow in Africa

While Africa is not known for snow in most areas, you can still experience it in a few places, especially in the high mountains. If you’re interested in seeing snow while travelling in Africa, consider planning a trek to places like Mount Kilimanjaro, the Drakensberg Mountains, or the Atlas Mountains.

If you’re looking to experience snow firsthand on Kilimanjaro, you can join group climbs or arrange a private climb to the summit for an unforgettable adventure.