Christmas and New Year is peak season in Southern and Eastern Africa. South Africa is in the peak of summer and very busy with domestic tourism. Kenya and Tanzania are not quite as busy but peak pricing does kick in. It really is a fantastic time of year to head to this part of the world, but do book early. One country that seems to buck the trend of hyper inflated prices over Christmas and New Year is Morocco, flight prices tend to be lower than usual for school holiday periods, there is usually reasonable availability outside of the best Marrakech riads and there is plenty of winter sunshine to warm even the coldest heart.

Morocco

Temperatures in Morocco over Christmas and New Year tend to hover around 20 Celsius in Marrakech, the Sahara Desert and on the Coast and 5-10 degrees cooler in the Atlas Mountains, depending on altitude. Night time temperatures tend to cool down quickly so you will need to pack a jumper. It isn’t quite sun bathing temperature, but you would swim in a heated pool. A lovely combination for families is to take a whole riad rental for 3-4 days over Christmas, giving you the run of the place for a family house party with staff! Riad Tzarra works really well to this end. From Marrakech you can then either combine with a trip out to the Desert or to the Atlas Mountains.

Marrakech Family Holiday

Relaxing twin centre Marrrakech family holiday staying in a traditional riad & boutique resort. Includes a day trip out to the Atlas Mountains.

Tailor-made Classic 8 days

From $966 per person

Luxury Morocco Family Holiday

Experience the best of Morocco with a superb riad in Marrakech and Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains

Accommodation + activities Luxury 8 days

From $1,730 per person

Riad Tzarra

Marrakech

Our rating

9/10

Price guide

- Intimate riad
- Heated plunge pool
- Traditional, yet sophisticated
- Lovingly furnished

South Africa

South Africa, and the Cape in particular is in full summer holiday swing over Christmas and New Year. South Africans decamp en-masse to the Coast with a determined party mood. Away from the Coast, things tend to be a little saner and there is no doubt this is a wonderful time to be in South Africa, with fantastic weather, dramatic scenery and incredible wildlife.

Classic Garden Route For Families

Classic Garden Route holiday including our trademark Cape Town experience, Eastern Cape Safari and Coast.

Tailor-made 2 weeks

From $1,816 per person

Luxury KwaZulu Natal Safari & Beach Holiday

Combine superb big five safari at Rhino Ridge Lodge then relax amidst the luxury of Thonga Beach Lodge.

Tailor-made Luxury 9 days

From $2,565 per person

Cape Town, Kruger and Victoria Falls

Experience Cape Town, Kruger and Victoria Falls in this spectacular once in a lifetime tailor-made itinerary.

Tailor-made Luxury 11 days

From $4,390 per person

Safari

What better way to spend Christmas than to be thoroughly spoiled in a stunning wilderness location on safari. It certainly beats another Christmas of TV, wet weather and over indulgence. We’d recommend safari in a homely owner run camp such as Laikipia Wilderness, Ekorian or El Karama followed by some much needed beach time on Zanzibar or the Kenyan Coast.

Laikipia Wilderness Safari & Beach

Combines one of our favourite safari camps in Africa with a barefoot beach lodge on the Kenya Coast.

Tailor-made Classic 9 days

From $3,322 per person

Selous Safari & Zanzibar Beach

Superb safari and beach holiday combining the vast Selous Game Reserve with idyllic Zanzibar Island.

Tailor-made Classic 9 days

From $4,566 per person

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Family Safari & Zanzibar Beach

5 days Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Manyara safari in comfortable lodges & camps plus 5 days in a beautiful barefoot Zanzibar beach lodge

Tailor-made Luxury 12 days

From $4,141 per person