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When thinking about Africa, most people envision safaris, beaches, rainforests, and sand dunes. But ski resorts? Surely not many people have them in mind when they talk about the continent. However, if you like to ski and want to experience a new, picturesque environment for the snowy sport, Africa can offer some great options. Here are 5 ski resorts to ski at during your holiday in Africa.

From the Atlas Mountain in Morocco to the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, the continent has several ski gems definitely worth exploring during the winter season. Here are five spots in Africa ski lovers should have on their bucket list.

1. Afriski, Lesotho

Ski Resorts In Africa
Photo credit: Ilya Shishikhin

Located 124 miles from the savannah at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the Kingdom of Lesotho is home to one of only two ski resorts in sub-Saharan Africa. Afriski is a mountain lodge and ski complex that seeks to bring tourism to one of the poorest countries on the continent.

Located in the Maluti Mountains, Afriski offers a great location for skiing, with alpine-style chalets, restaurants, and snow cannons. The resort was founded in 2002, although skiing on these slopes dates back to the 1970s.

The low temperatures of the southern winter guarantee snow in the mountains of Lesotho, which are busy every weekend with hundreds of locals and foreign tourists attracted by the exoticism of skiing in Africa in the months of July and August. Finding in-season accommodation during winter weekends is practically impossible, and it is necessary to book weeks in advance.

2. Oukaimeden, Morocco

Ski Resorts In Africa
Photo credit: Ethan Walsweer

Oukaimeden is the highest ski resort in North Africa. Located in the Atlas Mountains at an altitude of 11,000 feet, the resort is just 31 miles from the popular tourist destination of Marrakesh.

The resort offers impressive views of the Atlas Mountains via a cable car that takes tourists 3,280 feet to the top. Once there, there are 18 tracks, all covered by a thick carpet of snow.

3. Tikjda Ski Resort, Algeria

Ski Resorts In Africa
Photo credit: Valentin B. Kremer

The Djurdjura Mountains of northern Algeria are home to the ski resort of Tikjda. Offering skiing and snowboarding, Tikjda is located in the province of Bouïra, and is very popular among Algerians and tourists alike.

The resort is surrounded by stunning scenery. Those who are not into ski activities can simply enjoy the amazing landscape the mountains offer.

4. Tiffindell Ski Resort, South Africa

Ski Resorts In Africa
Photo credit: Glade Optics

Located in Eastern Cape Town, South Africa, Tiffindell Ski Resort is the only of its kind in the country. Established in 1993, Tiffindell is rated number 19 on CNN’s Top 100 Ski Runs of the World.

Slopes are open to skiers and snowboarders throughout winter (June, July, and August), and when natural snows fail, there are snow makers on hand to ensure the manicured slopes stay functional.

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Tiffindell’s Winter Sports Academy offers skiing classes for beginners, while its snow park offers jumps and trails for professionals. Due to the pandemic, the resort is temporally closed.

5. Ski Egypt Snow Park, Egypt

Ski Resorts In Africa
Photo credit: Samuel Ferrara

Africa’s first and only indoor ski resort,  Ski Egypt is located in Cairo’s Mall of Egypt. Dubbed the North Pole of Egypt, the snow park opened in 2016 to great crowds, and continues to be a haven for ski lovers.

Ski Egypt offers ski lessons and has something fun for the entire family, from real ice caves to rides on the Polar Express train.

Source; Travel Noire

 The continent of Africa is bursting with festivals and music celebrations preserving our heritage and culture. Throughout the whole continent, colourful and vibrant festivals range through musical, religious, cultural and harvest to name just a few. Some of these festivals are popular and attract crowds from around the world, but all offer a distinctive form of celebration that highlights the wide array of African cultures and customs.

If you plan on journeying to the Motherland this year, Here are festivals from various countries around the continent you shouldn’t miss when you visit this magical place.

Bouake Carnival ­– Ivory Coast

Each year in March, natives and tourists join together to enjoy music and eat traditional foods during The Bouake Carnival.  The celebration, held at St. Michael’s Cathedral, is known as a celebration of life and friendship. Tourists and natives join together to enjoy great music, eat traditional foods, explore the cultural markets and join in the well- known street parties and parades. So if you are looking for a hot spot, or maybe even a little culture shock, you should definitely go and check one of West Africa’s largest Carnivals, Bouake Carnival.

Bouake Carnival ­– Ivory Coast

The Festival Of Roses – Morocco

If you plan to be in Morocco in May,  then head to theFestival of Roses held in the small town of Kalaat M’Gounna. The city is known for its beautiful landscape of pink Persian roses, which is why locals celebrate the flowers.  The three-day celebration filled with food, dancing, and singing attracts more than 20,000 people every year! The streets are then covered with a blanket of roses for shows and concerts of Berber groups. You can of course also shop in the souks or even learn how rose water is made. On the last day of the festival, one of the most beautiful women in town will be elected as the Miss Roses of that particular year.

Exciting Cultural Festivals In Africa To Check Out In 2020

Nyege Nyege – Uganda

Nyege Nyege stands for peace, love, and abundant joy, for underground music and musicians in Africa, according to event organizers.

The four-day international music festival aims to showcase “The Pearl of Africa” through music and art.

Festivals In Africa

Zanzibar International Film Festival – Tanzania

Established in 1997, the Zanzibar International Film Festival is East Africa’s largest film and arts festival, exhibiting the latest and best films and promoting films, music, art, and design.

In addition to nine straight days of music and film screenings, attendees have the chance to attend discussion panels and workshops.

An In-depth Look At The Influence Of African Culture On Rio Carnival In Brazil

Cultural Festivals In Africa

Cape Town International Jazz Festival – South Africa

Affectionately referred to as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the largest music event in sub-Saharan Africa. The festival is famous for its star-studded line up of local and international artists.

Exciting Cultural Festivals In Africa

 

Poetically referred to as ‘The Daughter of the Desert’, this is a travel destination to awaken all your senses, from the vibrant colours of the buildings to the fragrances that fill the air throughout the renowned Marrakech souks.

Easily one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Morocco, no trip to Northern Africa is complete without checking out Marrakech. This 1000-year-old city is home to a thriving medina, amazing shopping, and some of the most gorgeous architecture you’ll find anywhere in the world.  Heading to Morocco this year? Here’s the ultimate Marrakech travel guide

Chefchaouen, arguably one of the prettiest towns in Morocco. Featured all over Instagram, the artsy blue-washed village feels as if you’ve been transported into a new world the minute you arrive.

Nicknamed “The Blue Pearl,” the village was founded in 1471 by Jews and Moors who were fleeing from Spain. There are many different theories as to why it’s blue. Some say it was painted by the Jews who settled there after escaping Europe in the 1930s, while others say it keeps the mosquitos away.

Solo travel is one of the most rewarding adventures a person can have in their life. We are already excited for you!

Solo travel in Africa is an incredibly rewarding and awesome experience, but it’s always a bit daunting when you are travelling to a new place or a new country and especially to a new continent by yourself . So when you start to plan your trip to Africa, the first question you’ll probably ask is where should I go?