When Is the Best Time to Take a Cruise Across North Africa?
When planning your Mediterranean cruise along the North African coast, keep in mind changeable weather patterns, which vary significantly from the west to the east.
In general, the best time to take a cruise in the region is during the spring or fall, when temperatures are cooler and there are fewer crowds.
The arid desert climate of the region means the weather is very hot with little rain. While summer (June to August) is ideal for hitting the beaches, the deserts are scorching hot and uncomfortable.
On the other hand, winter (December to February) can be harsh, chilly, and wet. During the shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), the weather is more moderate and welcoming for North Africa cruises and adventures.
Morocco
For many travelers, this is the region’s ideal destination as the weather is pleasant almost year-round. However, the months of March to May and September to November are the best time to visit Morocco. During these shoulder seasons, the country offers moderate weather and fewer tourists than summer or winter. It’s also a great time to hike the Atlas Mountains.
Although summer temperatures can soar past 104°F (40°C), there are still plenty of travelers from the United States and other Western countries around making the most of their summer vacation. The further south you go, getting closer to the Sahara Desert, the hotter it gets.
For some ocean breeze relief from the heat, head to coastal spots like Rabat and Essaouira. Winters are cold and wet, but also prime time for surfing the Atlantic coast.
Algeria and Tunisia
The spring months of March to May are prime for visiting this region, as the landscape is lush and green after the winter rains and the temperatures are warm but not uncomfortable.
While Algeria and Tunisia get very hot and humid during the high summer tourist season, their coastal towns are lively and energetic despite the warm weather.
Milder conditions during this time are the best time to visit ancient Roman ruins, archaeological sites, and beach resorts. Septembercan also be a good option as the summer heat simmers down to more comfortable levels.
Libya
Unlike the other countries in the region, the best visits to Libya are during the cooler months in the fall and winter(from October to March), when the temperatures are less intense. The northern coastline facing the Mediterranean features a milder climate compared to the extreme conditions on the sprawling Sahara Desert, but summers are uncomfortably hot and humid. If you’re planning your North Africa tours, keep in mind that late spring in Libya sees harsh sandstorms blowing in from the south.
Egypt
Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Egypt is around winter (November to February), when travelers can go from stunning Red Sea beaches to the Great Pyramid of Giza without breaking a sweat. However, this is peak season with high rates and little elbow room at tourist spots.
Spring (March to May) and fall (September and October) offer the best of both worlds with moderate temperatures and fewer crowds.
Although summer is best to be avoided given the blistering desert, you can choose to beat the heat by spending your vacation by the coast. This is a good time for a cruise on the Nile River, or scuba diving and snorkeling on the Red Sea.
No matter the season, a cruise traveling through the northern region of Africa is a spectacle worth experiencing. This kind of trip includes visiting the massive sand seas of the Sahara Desert, experiencing underwater gems of the Red Sea, and going to some of the most stunning ancient ruins in the world.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.