Africa offers something completely different for Christmas: warm beaches, gorilla encounters, thundering waterfalls, and rich cultural experiences. From Zanzibar's spice-scented streets to Cape Town's vibrant waterfront and Rwanda's misty mountains, these five destinations promise adventure, sunshine, and unforgettable festive memories. Your warm-weather Christmas escape starts here.
December is the month of the peak festive season, and your sign to stress less and enjoy more of what Africa has to offer you. From the beaches of Cape Town, tracking Gorillas in Rwanda, to the thunderous roar of the mighty Victoria Falls in Zambia. Grab your ticket and head out to these 5 destinations for an exciting and warm Christmas.
DESTINATION: TANZANIA – ZANZIBAR & STONE TOWN
Stone Town is an outstanding example of a Swahili coastal trading town, where African, Arab, Indian, and European cultures have fused over more than a millennium. Stone Town is built from coral ragstone and mangrove timber, and it features narrow, winding streets, elaborately carved Zanzibar doors, and grand buildings dating from the 18th to 19th centuries.
WHAT TO DO HERE:
- Historical walking tours: Explore the old slave markets, Old Fort, House of Wonder, St Joseph’s Cathedral, and Christ Church Anglican Cathedral.
- Discover authentic street food: Forodhani night markets serve mouth-watering Zanzibar pizza and Urojo soup.
- Visit Darajani markets: Famous Zanzibar spices, or combine Stone Town with spice farm tours and Prison Island trips for full-day adventures. Savour sunset dhow cruises, browse Tanzanite shops, savour fantastic coffee at rooftop cafes, and follow the heritage trail through this walkable city.
DESTINATION: CAPE TOWN – SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town, the mother city, sits at Africa’s southwestern tip where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The city’s rich cultural tapestry weaves together Cape Malay, Dutch, French, English, and Xhosa influences. Cape Town showcases the stunning Table Mountain, pristine beaches like Clifton and Maiden’s Cove, and the iconic Boulder’s Beach penguin colony.
WHAT TO DO HERE:
- Experience the vibrant V&A Waterfront: South Africa’s top attraction with 10 million annual visitors, featuring live music performances, street buskers, and museums alongside 400 stores and 80 restaurants.
- Explore the colourful Bo-Kaap: with its Georgian-style houses and Cape Malay cuisine.
- Food lovers: Savour fresh seafood at Harbour House and Innovative fusion cuisine at restaurants like Nikkei and FYN.
- The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series (November-April): Brings international and local acts to spectacular botanical garden surroundings beneath Table Mountain. Visit the Crypt Jazz bar, Tjing Tjing rooftop bar, or catch Cape Town Jazz Festival performances.
- Chapman’s Peak Drive: Offers breathtaking coastal views.
- Visit the Cape of Good Hope: The continent’s most southwestern point, and hike Signal Hill.
DESTINATION: RWANDA–KIGALI
Rwanda, known as the “Land of a thousand hills,” features the capital Kigali. A modern and immaculate city that feels safe to walk around, even at night. The compact nature of the country makes it one of the best eco-tourism destinations in Africa.
WHAT TO DO HERE:
- Bird watching: Rwanda offers arguably the best African montane birding anywhere, with 703 bird species, including 29 Albertine Rift Endemics. Nyungwe National Park’s tropical montane rainforests host 322 bird species and 13 primate species. Akagera National Park provides traditional Big Five safari experiences across the savannah, woodland, and wetlands, with 490 bird species recorded.
- Tracking Gorillas: Approximately 1,000 endangered mountain Gorillas roam the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga Massif in the Volcanoes National Park. Twelve habituated gorilla families offer unforgettable encounters, with only 96 tracking permits available daily (Book in advance). Hikes range from 30 minutes to four hours, reaching altitudes between 2,500 m and 4,000 m, with porters available to assist.
DESTINATION: ZAMBIA – LIVINGSTONE
Named after Dr David Livingstone, Livingstone Town was Northern Rhodesia’s capital until 1935, featuring colonial-era Edwardian architecture and the Livingstone Museum. In Livingstone dwells the Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The smoke that thunders,” the world’s greatest sheet of falling water, 1,708 m wide with depths reaching 108m, creating sprays visible from 30-50km away and stunning lunar rainbows during full moons.
WHAT TO DO HERE:
- Bungee jump 111 metres off the Victoria Falls Bridge: One of the world’s highest commercial bungee jumps.
- Cruises: Luxury four-course dinner cruises floating above the falls, or lunch cruises.
- Flight of angels: Experience the helicopter ride (13-25 minutes) over the massive wall of mist with photo opportunities.
- Adventure: Go on game safaris in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, horseback trails, fishing for ferocious tiger fish, steam train rides over the Victoria Falls Bridge, golf on the 18-hole botanical course, and explore bustling craft markets.
DESTINATION: MALAWI – LAKE MALAWI
Lake Malawi, known as the “Calendar Lake” for its measurements (365 miles by 52 miles), is Africa’s third-largest freshwater lake. Lake Malawi National Park is globally important for biodiversity conservation due to its outstanding fish diversity. The property is home to many hundreds of cichlid fish species–nearly all endemic–with over 350 mbuna species found in the park alone. The lake contains 30% of all known cichlid species worldwide, making it comparable to the Galapagos Islands’ finches for studying biological evolution.
WHAT TO DO HERE:
Popular activities include:
- Snorkelling·
- Scuba diving
- Kayaking
- Dhow cruises between islands, making this “Warm Heart of Africa” perfect for combining safari adventures with beachside relaxation.
AND OFF YOU GO!
These tropical-like locations offer a rich history and adventures you will not forget.
