The 7 beautiful African countries where it snows - one becomes a 'winter wonderland'

All too often Africa gets categorised in blanket descriptions. While the continent’s countries share many of the same characteristics, it is also one of the most diverse places on Earth.

The belief that Africa spends the entirety of a year drenched in baking sunshine is inaccurate, as the continent is subjected to weather of all kinds. From rainy seasons to tropical rainforests, there is more to African weather than is often considered. In some parts, especially those far away from the equator and blessed by mountainous terrain, even the arrival of snow is no surprise to those who know the continent well.

South Africa is located closer to the South Pole than it is to Morocco, which speaks to the size of the continent and underlines just how diverse the weather can be throughout.

Winter in the country lasts from June to August, and the Drakensberg Mountains are prone to snowfall.

So prevalent is the snow that visitors are able to enjoy wintery activities such as sledging at the height of winter.

In the north of the continent, the Atlas mountains span across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and are dotted with small Berber villages nestled within canyons, ravines and snow peaks,

Toubkal Mountain, with a peak of 4,167m, is the highest peak in North Africa and is often coated in thick snow and freezing temperatures.

Tanzania is home to the highest mountain in Africa, which often sees heavy snowfall and has temperatures that can fall to arctic levels.

Snow is most common in the mountain range between June and October when the country experiences its dry season, with most of the snow falling in December when temperatures are at their lowest.

Uganda boasts rugged mountain ranges of its own but tends to receive fewer tourists than its more famous neighbours.

The Rwenzori Mountains consist of an extremely cold summit, frequently covered in snow and glaciers throughout the year. Travellers are able to hike to the summit to experience African snow for themselves.

Lesotho can often see temperatures close to or below zero in its mountain ranges which include some of Africa’s tallest peaks. Snow is common throughout the winter months of June to August, with cold temperatures making the area conducive to excessive snowfall throughout the season. TikTok user sothogirldiaries recently went to the country, branding it a "winter wonderland."