Africa typically conjures up images of tropical coastlines, sun-drenched savannahs and expansive deserts in the minds of travellers. It is not a continent normally associated with cold winters, freezing temperatures and lots of snow.
Yet plenty of snow can be found to satisfy those looking for a winter landscape on one of the world’s hottest continents. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is Africa’s highest mountain, the summit of which remains frozen year-round. Its iconic snow-capped peak attracts climbers from all around the world, who often must battle altitude sickness and freezing temperatures during their ascents.
Temperatures at the peak can plunge between -15C and -29C, especially during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter months (June to September).
Further south lies the landlocked country of Lesotho – sometimes also know as the Kingdom in the Sky. Here travellers can experience true winter conditions comparable to those in the Alps and even go skiing.
The mountainous kingdom is the only country in the world situated entirely above 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) in elevation. Snow is common in the winter, particularly in the Maluti and Drakensberg Mountains and the mercury can drop to as low as -10C (14 Fahrenheit).
Filmmaker Steven Ndukwu recently visited the country and was blown away by its high altitude.
“I’m standing right now at 3,222 metres above sea level and I think I’m closer to God right now,” he said in a video he shared on his Youtube channel. “This is the highest country in the world and the coldest in Africa.”
Lesotho boasts a ski resort on the 3,222 metre high Mahlasela Pass in the Maluti Mountains.
The Afriski Mountain Resort has one tow lift and one tow rope which provide access to 1.8 kilometres of slopes.
It also has a snow park, a kids’ club, a separate kids’ snow park, a ski school, a ski depot and an equipment rental outlet.
One traveller wrote on Tripadvisor that her visit to the resort had “been awesome”. She continued: “Both young and old enjoyed the fun on the snow. Very cold and wet but good fun – I would recommend that they extend the restaurant, as it is overcrowded. Very good entertainment and a good drive from Clarens in South Africa. Snow experience was exciting.”