We value your privacy
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All" you accept this and consent that we share this information with third parties and that your data may be processed in the USA. For more information, please read our .
You can adjust your preferences at any time. If you deny, we will use only the essential cookies and unfortunately, you will not receive any personalised content. To deny, .
- Home
- Inspiration
- Winter sun destinations in Africa: Senegal, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Morocco & Egypt
Our favourite winter sun destinations in Africa
Pirates, we've checked out the best five budget-friendly countries in Africa for your winter-sun holiday. In December, January and February, Africa sees sunny spells tempered with cooling rains that bring lush greenery and plenty of wildlife – a great time to visit!
Whether you're up for a safari adventure or some beach time, we'll show you where to go without breaking the bank. From well-known African destinations like Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Cape Verde to the up-and-coming holiday destination Senegal, we've got deals to back it up that all include flights, luggage AND transfers, so you are sure to save.
Best up-and-coming holiday spot off the beaten track: Senegal
Why you should go
With its pink lake, 350-mile coastline of white-sand beaches, year-round sunshine and the opportunity to go on safaris, you’d think that Senegal would be at the top of the list for holidaymakers; and yet, this West African country is not a very common choice for Brits looking for a beach holiday. However, we're here to tell you why we think it should make your holiday wish list this winter.
The advantages are quite clear. Senegal is a great winter destination with a guarantee of sun and that can be reached a lot faster than the Caribbean or South-East Asia (the total flight time from London is 6 hours). December is the warmest winter month, with highs of 28 degrees and little rain to no rain. January and February are close behind with highs of 26 degrees. There's only an hour time difference from the UK, so no jet lag while on holiday. Plus, the destination itself is very affordable, especially eating out, which means you can easily book a hotel without an all-inclusive basis to get an even cheaper holiday.
Saly
This seaside town is located on the Petite Côte coast in the west of Senegal, about 1.5 hours south of Dakar. Here, you'll find those picture-perfect beaches, high-end hotels and many French restaurants. While you'll find a lot of hotels and French influences, Saly is still heavily infused with African culture. Colourful fishing boats and clothing stalls insure the lively and bold flavours of Senegal's heritage are still represented amidst the hotels.
Pointe Sarene
Those looking for all-inclusive beach holidays should set their sight on Pointe Sarene. Just two hours south of Dakar, this once-upon-a-time sleepy fishing village has, in the last decade, been turned into a luxury holiday destination, with a large collection of 5-star hotels and luxury villas being built along its six-mile-long beachfront.
Pirate Tip 🏴☠️: during your stay in Senegal, we recommend taking a day trip to Dekar, Senegal's lively capital city, which boasts everything from museums and galleries to nightclubs and open-air markets. You'll be able to learn all about Senegal's history.
For the most up-to-date entry requirement into Senegal, please click here.
Not to be missed sights
With six national parks and several wildlife reserves, Senegal is a nature lover's dream. We suggest a visit to the Saloum Delta National Park, which is a nature reserve comprising 440,000 acres of the delta’s saltwater canals and forest-wrapped wetlands that are home to hundreds of species of birds, including flamingos, terns and spoonbills.
Safari seekers should visit the Bandia Animal Reserve, which is a short 20 minutes’ drive from La Somone. Here, you'll be able to spot various African wildlife such as giraffes, rhinos, crocodiles and monkeys. Read all about Senegal's other national parks here.
Last, but not least, take a trip to Lake Retba, Senegal's pink lake. Known to locals as Lac Rose, this lake gets its colour from the bacteria that grows due to the high salt content in the lake. The lake's pink colour is most visible during the dry season, which runs from November to June. The lake is still the country's main source of salt, and if you visit, you will most likely see locals collecting salt from the lake.
Where you should stay
If you’re looking for a luxury beach holiday, then we suggest a stay at the brand-new 5-star Riu Baobab, located in Pointe Sarène. Plus, we've found that winter sun dates through TUI are cheaper than other 3-star packages. That's real value!
Best budget-destination with a guarantee of sun: Tunisia
Why you should go
If you’re looking for a budget-destination that is heavy on sun, Tunisia might just fit the bill. While most holidaymakers visit Tunisia for a beach holiday, this North African country is steeped in history, so those looking for a bit more will be able to visit beautiful mosques and archaeological sites. Adventure seekers can even plan a trip to the adjoining Sahara.
Tunisia benefits from a Mediterranean climate; the winters are mild, and the summers are hot. Even in December, the temp can reach highs of up to 18 degrees and bathing is still possible with water temperatures equally high. The summer months of July and August are pleasant near the sea, with average temperatures around 30 degrees.
Unlike in the neighbouring countries, the political situation in Tunisia is stable. Before leaving, however, you should check the current foreign travel advice for Tunisia.
Pirate tip 🏴☠️: The national currency dinar may neither be imported nor exported, but must be exchanged or withdrawn locally. EC machines and exchange offices are widespread, and all major credit cards are accepted in the hotels.
Monastir and Sousse
Numerous hotel complexes and resorts stretch along the sandy beach between Monastir and Sousse. The Port El Kantaoui district north of Sousse was built 30 years ago specifically for the construction of large hotels. If you want to avoid tourist hotels, you can stay in the city centres. In particular, in the medina of Sousse, there are great hotel options that are within walking distance of the beach.
Hammamet
Hammamet is north of Sousse and is another focus of seaside tourism. Not only is the city itself a popular destination for holidaymakers, but the region around Hammamet is also extremely popular thanks to the beautiful sandy beaches.
Not to be missed
Tunisia's tourist destinations are all along the coast. From there, excursions into the less developed hinterland are possible via local providers. The long sandy beaches near Hammamet and Monastir are particularly popular with tourists.
Favourite holiday destination that has something for everyone: Morocco
Why you should go
Sun-seekers will be happy to know that there’s no short supply in Morocco. The same goes for all-inclusive beachside resorts. If you fancy a beach holiday, you should look south. The Atlantic coast between Essaouira and Agadir is spectacular, the Bay of Agadir is lined with long, wide sandy beaches. However, the country has more to offer than just beach resorts with plenty of sun. What you might not realize is that Morocco as a destination is quite diversified, with plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stunning landscapes to explore, including the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert.
The best time to visit is autumn and spring, when the temperatures are between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Marrakech
It is without a doubt that Marrakech is the queen of all Moroccan cities and an absolute must on any itinerary. The Medina is huge, the markets are a feast for the eyes and there are nightly events on the central Djemaa el-Fna square. In addition to the numerous sights, Marrakech is also an excellent starting point for onward travel to the coast, the High Atlas mountains or the desert areas of the south-east.
Agadir and Taghazout
Those looking for a seaside holiday should head to Agadir, which is home to a variety of modern hotels. Agadir’s wide sandy beach is six-miles long and quite spectacular. A 30-minute drive from Agadir, you’ll find the quieter sands of Taghazout. This fishing village is up-and-coming with surfers who flock to its shores to catch waves. Plenty of sun mixes with a more laid back lifestyle here.
Not to be missed sights
The main attraction of Marrakech is the Djemaa el Fna, the world-famous medieval market. Today, it is a lively place of storytellers, snake charmers and jugglers. In the new town is the Jardin Majorelle, which impresses with its variety of greenery and stunning architecture.
Pirate tip 🏴☠️: The queue for tickets to the Jardin Majorelle can be quite long, so we recommend buying tickets at the YSL museum next door to save time.
The famous souks in Marrakech are worth seeing. Here, you can buy typical souvenirs such as spices, colourful clothes, leather goods and lamps.
Favourite island escape for a fly and flop: Cape Verde
Why you should go
With year-round sun and temps that rarely fall below 20 degrees, Cape Verde is the poster-child for a winter sun destination. In six hours, you can fly directly to Cape Verde, making it a pretty easy to get to destination.
If a fly and flop holiday is what you’re after – which is what we are all about – then head to Sal or Boa Vista. Both of these islands offer long stretches of white-sand beaches, crystal clear water and lavish all-inclusive resorts.
The island of Sal
Cape Verde's most well-known island features extinct volcanoes, white-sand beaches and colourful towns. The city of Santa Maria in the south of the island is the tourist centre with its wide beaches and large hotel complexes. Sal is extremely popular with surfers and kite surfers due to the strong trade winds. Of course, the island's 8 km long beach also draws the crowds of beach goers and holidaymakers.
The island of Boa Vista
Located south of Sal, Boa Vista has also been developed for tourism, but has remained more original than the neighbouring island.
While the capital, Sal Rei, features colonial-style architecture and a relaxed pace of life, most of the hotels are located in the Curralinho district, just north of Santa Monica Beach. The 18-kilometre white-sand beach was named after the famous one in California, though the one in Boa Vista is a lot less crowded!
Pirate Tip 🏴☠️: There are a handful of beachfront RIU resorts – such as the Riu Palace Cabo Verde – which are 24 hour all-inclusive resorts that also include ALL activities, like water sports. You can often find deals under £600 per person for a week, which means you can get a lot of bang for your buck!
Of course, if this sounds like a boring holiday to you, there are more islands to explore. In fact, Cape Verde is made up of ten islands all together. Better yet, you can easily travel between the islands via plane or ferry if you want to experience the flavour of each island. Planes are the quicker and more reliable option, though more expensive.
Animal lovers should keep their eyes peeled on the ocean for dolphins, which can be spotted all year round. March and April are prime whale-watching season for humpbacks, who come closer to the shores to breed. While you can spot them from land, we recommend taking a cruise to get a better look.
Pirate Tip 🏴☠️: Although the summer months are the best travel time for a beach holiday on Cape Verde, the prices are significantly higher and the beaches are typically overcrowded. We recommend booking a holiday during the off-season, especially if you don't just want to sizzle on the beach, but prefer to explore the islands.
Not to be missed sights
While you’re there, you shouldn’t miss out on the fresh seafood and fruit. More adventurous travellers should try their hand at windsurfing or scuba diving, which is on offer from many of the all-inclusive hotels or on one of the many beaches. If you’re staying on Sal, take a day trip to the centre of the island to Pedra de Lume, where they produce salt, thanks to the lakes here that have a high salt quantity, you can float on the water.
Best well-known but not overrated destination: Egypt
Why you should go
If you're a fan of beautiful beaches and historical cultural sights, chances are you've already had a holiday in Egypt.
Egypt's hot desert climate means that it is almost always sunny, and the water temperatures rarely drop below 21 °C. While it can get a little too hot (up to 40 °C) in the summer, winter temps are around 24 °C. And, because it's also one of the countries with the lowest rainfall on earth, Egypt is a great holiday destination for a bit of winter sun.
Pirate Tip 🏴☠️: When shopping in Egypt, bargain and compare prices before buying anything if you want a fair price. This also applies to tours or taxi rides (unless metered).
Not to be missed sights
The Pyramids of Egypt and the Sphinx
If you haven't yet seen them up close, then a visit to The Pyramids of Giza are a must-see! Built between 2620 and 2500 BC on a limestone plateau, it is believed that they served as tombs for Egyptian rulers and are the last remaining of the ancient wonders of the world. The Sphinx of Giza, which stands next to the pyramids, is around 4,500 years old and is a sight in its own right.
Pirate Tip 🏴☠️: If an unobstructed view of the pyramids is what you're after, then we've got a tip for you! Stop into the KFC in Cairo for lunch, and you'll be rewarded with one of the best views in town. Read more about it here.
Giftun Islands
Located just off the coast of Hurghada, approximately 70 to 90 minutes by boat from Hurghada Port, you'll find the Giftun Islands. The islands are a very popular destination for divers and snorkellers, as you can swim in the crystal clear waters and experience the colourful and lively coral reef up close. In between dives, you can relax on the flat sandy beach.
Pirate Tip 🏴☠️: With a bit of luck, you can spot dolphins from the boat (or even while snorkelling).
Ras Mohammed National Park
The national park in Sinai is a real underwater paradise. Exotic fish, impressive and colourful coral reefs and several sunken ships make the park one of the most popular dive sites in the world. For the adventurous traveller, we recommend taking a mountain bike tour or hike through the rocky landscape of the park.
Siwa Oasis
The Siwa Oasis is located in the middle of the desert, embedded in olive trees and date palms. While it doesn't get more remote than this oasis – the long, arduous journey by bus from Cairo is worth it. The freshwater and saltwater lakes are particularly unique and are said to have a healing effect on body and soul.
Where you should stay
Both Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, are popular destinations with HolidayPirates users, and for good reason. While both feature their fair share of 4 and 5-star resorts, Hurghada is known for some of the world's most colourful coral reefs – perfect for divers and snorkellers, alike. Located on the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el Sheikh has a lot to offer, including bustling bazaars, sands dunes perfect for 4 × 4 safaris, warm waters, beautiful beaches and a top-notch nightlife.
Pirate Tip 🏴☠️: Those planning a beach holiday in Egypt should equip themselves with water shoes, because the reef often begins on the shore, and it is easy to injure yourself on the pointed corals.