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Where to go in Africa in January: dry season, harmattan and the month's festivals
In January, the dry season is in full swing from Senegal to the Gulf of Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire is finally dry. Benin hosts the Vodun Days, and southern Morocco gets more sunshine than in December but freezing nights. The Indian Ocean reaches its peak of rain and cyclones.
Wondering where to go in Africa in January? Head for the West African coast: Senegal, southern Togo and Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire, which has finally shaken off its last rains. Djibouti is still in its cool season, and southern Morocco gets even more sunshine than in December, with nights close to 0 °C.
January has its own appeal: the holiday rush dies down, Benin celebrates the Vodun Days and Algeria marks Yennayer. It also has its drawbacks: the harmattan blows across West Africa, and the Indian Ocean hits its rainfall peak. Here is what changes compared with December, country by country.
January in Africa: what changes after the holidays
This article builds on two guides. Winter sun in Africa compares temperatures from December to March. Where to go in Africa in December covers Christmas, New Year and booking in peak season. Here, we look at what is specific to January.
Peak season ends. According to the news site Bladi.net, Marrakech hotels post their best figures between December 24 and January 2. Leaving after the first days of January means missing that peak. The one notable exception is Ouidah, in Benin, which is in high demand during the Vodun Days.
The dry season is settled across West Africa. December is still a transition month on some coasts. In January, from Dakar to Cotonou, the normals show two rainy days a month at most.
The harmattan arrives. This dry, dust-laden wind from the Sahara blows over almost all of West Africa from December to late March, according to an article by The Conversation republished by Gavi. The sun is out, but the sky can look milky.
The Indian Ocean is at its wettest. In Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles, January is the rainiest month of the year, or close to it.
December or January: the country-by-country comparison
Our winter guide already gives January temperatures. This table takes another angle: how rainfall changes from December to January, the number of rainy days and the month's sunshine. Rainfall and rainy days are 1991-2020 normals, except Djerba (1981-2010). Sunshine comes from older series depending on the station, as listed in each source.
| Place | December rain | January rain | Rainy days in January | January sunshine | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakar | 0.4 mm | 1.2 mm | 0.1 | 245 h | Still dry |
| Ziguinchor | 0.1 mm | 4.9 mm | 1.2 | 251 h | Dry |
| Abidjan | 57.5 mm | 24.6 mm | 1.9 | 209 h | Much drier |
| Lomé | 7.6 mm | 13.3 mm | 1.2 | 222 h | Dry |
| Cotonou | 12.1 mm | 19.4 mm | 2 | 189 h | Dry, hazier sky |
| Djibouti | 15.2 mm | 14.1 mm | 1.3 | 245 h | Stable |
| Agadir | 49 mm | 32 mm | 2.8 | 235 h | Drier |
| Marrakech | 24.2 mm | 25 mm | 3 | 230 h | Stable |
| Ouarzazate | 9.5 mm | 5.5 mm | 1 | 262 h | Very sunny |
| Djerba | 41.3 mm | 27.4 mm | 3.4 | 209 h | Drier, cool |
| Nouakchott | 1 mm | 1 mm | 0.1 | 233 h | Dry |
| Toamasina | 251 mm | 412 mm | 18.5 | 225 h | Much wetter |
| Moroni | 219 mm | 364 mm | 18 | not used | Rainfall peak |
| Mahé | 298 mm | 427 mm | not published | 155 h | Rainfall peak |
What the table shows
Three takeaways. First, Côte d'Ivoire is January's big winner: in Abidjan, rainy days drop from 5.6 in December to 1.9 in January. Second, Agadir, Ouarzazate and Djerba are drier than in December, while Marrakech barely changes. Third, the Indian Ocean flips: Mahé loses about twenty hours of sunshine and Toamasina gains more than 160 mm of rain.
Cotonou stands apart: 189 hours of sunshine in January against 219 in December, even though it barely rains. It is dry, but the sky is less bright. For Moroni, the sunshine series dates from the 1930s to the 1960s, so we left it out.
Where to go in Africa in January: our six picks
Benin and Togo, for the Vodun Days
This is the most January-specific destination. The Vodun Days in Ouidah grow to eight days in 2027, from January 2 to 9: ceremonies, masked processions and concerts by the sea. They are built around the Vodun Festival, set on the second Friday of January: Thursday, January 7, and Friday, January 8, 2027, are public holidays.
The detailed 2027 program had not been published by mid-October 2026, so follow the official Vodun Days website. Our calendar notes that Ouidah is very busy at this time. Book your accommodation early, and plan cash withdrawals and paperwork before the public holidays, when government offices close.
Lomé is about 150 km from Cotonou along the coast road, and our article on the Togo visa at the Benin border explains the crossing. According to our country profile, December to February is the driest and sunniest period in the Togolese capital. For a base in Cotonou, see our guide on where to stay in Cotonou, plus the pages for Benin, Benin entry requirements and Togo entry requirements.
Watch out
According to France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice), northern Benin and northern Togo are advised against: the Pendjari and W parks, part of the Atakora and the Savanes region. Always ask permission before photographing a ceremony or its followers.
Senegal, at its driest of the year
In Dakar, the normal counts 0.1 rainy days in January: in other words, almost never. According to our Senegal profile, malaria is present all year round, slightly less from January to the end of June in the Center-West. Meningitis circulates mainly from February in the center and east, so January comes before that peak. Visas and vaccines are on our Senegal entry requirements page.
Côte d'Ivoire, finally dry
If you are torn between December and January for Abidjan, pick January. Rainfall is more than halved and rainy days fall by almost two thirds. It is a good time for Grand-Bassam and Assinie, Abidjan's beach getaways. See our Côte d'Ivoire page.
Our advice
January suits a trip along the Gulf of Guinea: the Vodun Days in Ouidah early in the month, then Lomé or Abidjan, all in the dry season. Each country has its own entry rules: check them all before you book.
Djibouti, before the cool season ends
Our profile puts the pleasant season from November to April, with mostly clear skies from October to January. January is therefore one of the last months of big blue skies, with 245 hours of sunshine. Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are present all year round.
Southern Morocco, for bright sun and the desert
Ouarzazate gets 262 hours of sunshine in January, more than in December (250 hours). The downside is well known: the cold at night. The January record low at the airport is minus 7 °C. For a night in a desert camp, read our guide Marrakech to Merzouga: how many days, and our Morocco page.
Algeria, for Yennayer
On January 12, Algeria celebrates Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, a public holiday since 2018. January 12, 2027, opens the year 2977 of the Amazigh calendar. Families share a festive meal, often couscous, especially in Kabylie and the Amazigh regions. In the Sahara, a guide and an approved agency are mandatory. The visa is normally applied for at a consulate: see Algeria entry requirements.
Central Africa: a short dry window
January opens a little-known window. According to our profiles, Gabon has a short dry season from mid-December to mid-January, and the Republic of the Congo a short dry season in January. In Cameroon, January is the driest month in Yaoundé and Douala. These countries require yellow fever vaccination, and malaria is present all year round. In the Congo, the northern and southern borders should be avoided. In Cameroon, France Diplomatie rates the North, the Far North and the Northwest red. See our Gabon page before you decide.
January festivals and public holidays
The dates come from our festivals calendar.
| Festival | Country and place | Date in January 2027 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodun Days | Benin, Ouidah | January 2 to 9 | 4th edition, eight days |
| Vodun Festival | Benin, nationwide | January 7 and 8, public holidays | Second Friday of January |
| Yennayer | Algeria, nationwide | January 12, public holiday | Amazigh New Year |
| Thaipoosam Cavadee | Mauritius, Tamil temples | Expected January 22, public holiday | Check the date every year |
| Ogobagna Festival | Mali, Bamako | Late January in 2026 | Mali formally advised against |
| Dary Festival | Chad, N'Djamena | Late December to early January | 2027 dates not announced |
The Dary and Ogobagna festivals are listed for completeness: France Diplomatie formally advises against all travel to Mali and rates all of Chad orange or red.
Harmattan and cold nights: our practical tips
Protecting yourself from the dust
The Conversation article links the harmattan to conditions of the skin and mucous membranes, and the drop in air quality to respiratory infections such as bronchitis or asthma. It also associates the wind with meningitis, which is common in Sahel countries.
Watch out
If you have asthma or sensitive airways, talk to your doctor about the harmattan before you leave. Once there, the authors advise covering your mouth and nose with a scarf and moistening your airways with a saline solution.
As for vaccines, our Togo profile reports frequent meningitis cases: ask your doctor about this vaccine. Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon require a yellow fever certificate. According to the WHO (2016), a single dose protects for life. For malaria, our article on malaria prevention in Africa helps you prepare for your appointment.
Getting ready for the desert cold
The January desert is deceptive: bright sun by day, possible frost at night. Our Mauritania profile points out that in the Sahara, sandstorms and sudden temperature swings call for real preparation.
Our advice
For a desert camp in January, ask the agency whether blankets are provided, and pack a hat, a fleece and a scarf against the sand. Keep a warm layer in your daypack.
The Indian Ocean in the heart of the rainy season
January is the trickiest month for the Indian Ocean. According to France Diplomatie, cyclones can hit Madagascar from January to April, mainly the east coast. Our article on the best time to visit Madagascar details the drier regions.
Mauritius is still tempting for Thaipoosam Cavadee. Our profile notes that a 2 to 3 day lockdown can be ordered during a cyclone: keep water, batteries and food supplies. Seychelles is sheltered from cyclones, but January holds its rainfall record.
Areas to avoid, even in January
Watch out
According to France Diplomatie, all of Burkina Faso, all of Mali and all of Niger are formally advised against, and all of Chad is rated orange or red. January's dry weather changes nothing. Also check your own government's travel advice.
In Mauritania, Nouakchott is dry and sunny in January, but the east and north of the country are advised against. Check your exact route on the official map.
Our advice
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Apply one to two weeks before departure, and for Benin, not during the Vodun Festival public holidays. Check your case on our entry requirements page.
Frequently asked questions
Where to go in Africa in January for the beach?
Senegal, on the Petite Côte or in Casamance, the coast of Togo and Benin, or Côte d'Ivoire, which is much drier than in December. In Benin, however, swimming is advised against all year round because the sea is dangerous.
Is it less crowded in January than in December?
In Marrakech, hotels post their best figures between December 24 and January 2, according to Bladi.net. After that, the pressure eases. The exception is Ouidah during the Vodun Days, where you need to book early.
Does the harmattan spoil a trip?
No, but it can make the sky hazy and irritate your skin and mucous membranes. Pack a scarf for your mouth and nose and a saline solution. If you have asthma, see a doctor before you leave.
Can you go to Mauritius in January?
Yes, it is hot, but it is cyclone and heavy rain season. Keep your plans flexible and take out insurance that covers cancellations.