We tend to have a notion of African continent being a dry and arid landscape. The pictures of Saharan cactus and camels come to our mind when thinking about Africa. However, it's not just the hot, humid and arid landscape that forms Africa. Like any other continent, it has a diverse climate even though much of Africa falls under equatorial region and the subsequent climatic conditions are largely attributed to that fact.
It may surprise many travellers, but snowfall does occur in parts of Africa. In fact, the continent includes both ski areas and glaciated mountain zones. That contrast is part of what makes African geography so easy to underestimate.
Let's take a look at some of the countries in Africa that receive snowfall:
Lesotho
It's a country in Southern Africa and the coldest country in all of Africa. Perhaps, its elevation lies entirely above 1000 meters above sea level. Since it lies in the Southern hemisphere, its winter sets during the summer of Northern hemisphere and average temperature in June is recorded at around 0°C.
Morocco
It is a North African country, and parts of it receive snow from December to February. That pattern is most visible in the higher elevations rather than across the country as a whole. Altitude is what changes the expectation here.
South Africa
It is not less relevant to see snow in South Africa as well. Places like Matroosberg, which is just 2 hours drive from Cape Town in the Western Cape, receives plenty of snowfall in winter. Also, the rocky Cedarberg landscape in the Western Cape turns into a beautiful fairytale land.
Algeria
You will have to see it to believe it, but snow does fall in Algeria. In the higher regions snow falls on a regular basis during the winter and subzero temperatures are not uncommon either. In some places you can actually go on winter sports. Few people know this is a possibility in Algeria. In some cases the area north of the Lesser Atlas gets snow as a result of which snow can be found along the coast. However, this is a very rare and very special sight.
Tanzania
Even though much of Tanzania is associated with warmer and drier landscapes, snow can still be seen in its highest mountain zones. Mount Kilimanjaro is the best-known example and remains one of the country's major travel goals. It is a useful reminder that elevation can outweigh regional stereotypes.
Other places like the Ruwenzori Mountains on the border between Uganda and the DRC also hold snow for long periods of the year. These ranges show that African snowfall is not a one-mountain exception. The continent's highest elevations have much more climatic variety than many people expect.