This Is Snow In Africa!

When you think about Africa, the hottest continent on earth, the first picture that will come to your mind is either golden yellow or green. A pale brown lion walking in a golden yellow field, a group of three giraffes feeding on the green savanna trees, five children playing in the dark brown mud, etc.

The last thing you may think about when it comes to Africa is snow. Yet, believe it or not, some places in Africa are as snowy as Toronto could be in November.

Let's find out where does it snow in the land of the Sahara

Ifrane - Morocco

Ifrane is a small city located in the Amazigh Atlas Mountains that stretch through Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. In winter, it snows a lot in the city which holds the record of the lowest temperature ever observed in the continent (23.9 °C / −11.0 °F).

If you drive 12 miles from Ifrane, you will find a small town called Mischliffen. It is a ski resort inside the cedar forest. Moroccans love to name the whole area the Atlas Pearl.

Interesting fact: The words Ifran and Africa both have the same origin, which is the word ifri (ⵉⴼⵔⵉ). Ifri in Tamazight (North African language) means the cave. Ifran is the plural form of ifra. Therefore, Ifran means the caves.

Oukaïmeden - Morocco

Oukaïmeden is a mountain village in the iconic Atlas Mountains, near Toubkal (the highest peak in North Africa). About 50 miles from the famous touristic city Marrakesh.

Oukaïmeden is a ski resort at an altitude of between 8500 and 10500 ft. The area offers six ski lifts, hotels, and ski rental facilities. This Amazigh village is a serene escape for hikers in spring and skaters in winter.

The word oukaïmeden (ⵓⴽⴰⵢⴻⵎⴷⴰⵏ) in Tamazight means the valley of the four winds.

Drakensberg - South Africa

The Drakensberg is the eastern part of the Great Escarpment. It stretches for more than 600 miles through South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. The escape is at an altitude of between 6562 and 11424 ft.

The area is the home of Tiffindell Ski resort located in Eastern Cape province, the only commercial skiing site in South Africa. Thanks to the regular snowfall and the resort's advanced ski-making capability, it is possible for visitors to ski for three months annually.

Western Cape - South Africa

Western Cape is a province on the southwestern coast of South Africa. Traveling to see the Cape snow is an annual must for many South Africans.

The province is home to five main snowy destinations, Klondyke Cherry Farm, Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve, Guinevere Guest Farm, Forgotten Highway Manor, and Mont Rouge.

Afriski - Lesotho

The Afriski Mountain Resort is one of the only two ski resorts in southern Africa. It can host up to 320 intermediate skaters and offer a 3280 ft ski slope.

Besides the winter activities in June and August, Afriski offers many summer activities like hiking and mountain biking.

Mount Kilimanjaro - Tanzania

Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain in the whole world. Snow falls on Kilimanjaro during the two regional rainy seasons, from March to May and November to December.

Azilal - Morocco

Azilal is another Moroccan province in the Atlas Mountains. During winter, visiting some rural villages could lead to severe outcomes. For instance, Ouaouizeght (a rural commune in Azilal) needs alerted helicopters to help people in need. Many mountain roads get cut off by snow. Some people could suffer from starvation and thirstiness.

Winter in Azilal is harsh and fatal. However, expert adventurers could find a real adventure in the ruthless Amazigh mountain villages like Aït Bouguemez Valley, Zaouïat Ahansal, Amsfrane, Tagleft, Anergui, Aït Ouqabli, etc.