Events to consider when planning your backpacking trip around Africa
We embarked on an epic journey across Africa from Cairo to Cape Town over 10 unforgettable months in 2023/24, and it was nothing short of exhilarating! However, our adventure was largely improvised. As a result, we often discovered exciting festivals, events, and optimal safari or trekking seasons a little too late.
If you're planning your own African odyssey and have the luxury of time to plan ahead, this article is your essential guide. Here's our month-by-month list to help you make the most of your journey across this vast and diverse continent. We had the privilege of experiencing some of them, but most are the result of conversation with other travelers, locals and through research.
January
Sahara Desert Festival (Morocco): Celebrates the culture and traditions of the Sahara with music, dance, and camel races near Merzouga.
Fête du Vodoun / Vodoun Festival (Benin): Celebrated in Ouidah, this festival honors the Voodoo religion with rituals, music, and dancing.
Timkat / Ethiopian Epiphany (Ethiopia): A major religious festival commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, with processions, singing, and the reenactment of the baptism.(January 19th or 20th)
Genna (Ethiopian Christmas): January 7th (Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas) is a not to be missed event for example in a unique setting like Lalibela.
Kaapse Klopse (South Africa, January 2nd ): A colorful and lively carnival held in Cape Town featuring parades, music, and dancing, celebrating the New Year.
February
Abu Simbel Sun Festival (Egypt, February 22): the Abu Simbel temples are illuminated by the rising sun, which lights up the inner sanctuary. This event marks the anniversary of the coronation of Ramses II and his birthday, attracting many visitors to witness the phenomenon.
Tan-Tan Moussem, Morocco: This festival, held in Tan-Tan, is a UNESCO-recognized cultural gathering of nomadic tribes. It features camel races, traditional music, dance, and crafts, celebrating the heritage and traditions of the Sahara's nomadic people.
FESPACO (Burkina Faso, late February/early March every two years): Africa's largest film festival showcasing African cinema and talent.
Saint Louis Jazz Festival (Senegal, February/March): One of Africa's most important jazz festivals, featuring international and local artists in the historic town of Saint Louis.
Sauti za Busara (Zanzibar, early February): A major East African music festival celebrating the diverse sounds of the Swahili Coast, with performances by artists from across the region.
The Shella Hat Contest (Kenya, Lamu): A unique and vibrant cultural event that takes place in the village of Shella, located on Lamu Island off the coast of Kenya. This annual contest is part of the Lamu Cultural Festival, a larger celebration of the island's rich cultural heritage, which blends Swahili, Arabic, Indian, and European influences.
Nc'wala Ceremony, Zambia: The Nc'wala festival is the traditional ceremony of the Ngoni people, held at the end of February, at Mtenguleni Village
Up the Creek Music Festival (South Africa, late January/early February): Held near Swellendam, this popular outdoor music festival features local and international artists performing on the banks of the Breede River.
March
Marula Festival (Eswatini): Celebrates the marula tree and its fruit that is used to produce a popular alcoholic beverage called marula beer or buganu. Traditionally, the festival marks the harvesting of the marula fruit and involves various rituals and ceremonies that highlight the cultural heritage of the Swazi people.
April
Fasika (Ethiopian Orthodox Easter): Typically in April. Best locations to witness the celebrations include Lalibela, Axum, and Addis Ababa.
The Harare International Festival of the Arts (Zimbabwe, late April- May) one of Africa's largest international arts festivals.
Festival des Masques et des Arts (Burkina Faso): Festival of masks and arts celebrating traditional culture.
Splashy Fen Music Festival (South Africa): South Africa’s oldest music festival (started by Woodstock legend David Marks), attracts thousands of music fans. Every year droves of eager music-lovers descend on Splashy Fen farm - located in the beautiful rolling hills of the Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal.
AfrikaBurn (South Africa): technically not a music festival, but a burn, or an event contingent upon the 10 principles of Burning Man. One of the most epic events in Africa with lots of music and arts.
May
Cape Town International Jazz Festival (South Africa): Africa's biggest jazz extravaganza, is considered the city's jewel genre event, offering attendees an exclusive window into this eclectic music landscape
Bush Fire Festival (Eswatini): It has grown to become one of Africa's largest and most respected music festivals, attracting both local and international artists and visitors.
Zomba City Festival (Malawi): An annual event that takes place in Zomba, the old capital of Malawi. This festival has been steadily growing since it started both in attendance and popularity.
Sandbox ( Egypt): A 3-day electronic music festival held along the Red Sea. The festival hosts local and international artists and DJs and offers wellness activities such as yoga.
June
Mawazine ( Morocco): With over 2.5 million attendees a year, the Mawazine music festival is the largest festival in Africa — and besides standing out in this regard, it also stands out as it’s free. Yes, free! With stages across the city in Rabat, Morocco, you can watch your favorite artists for free! Yet if you want front row or seating access, you’ll need to purchase a ticket ahead of time.
National Arts Festival (South Africa): This 11 days lasting event is South Africa's longest-running and most diverse arts festival.
Best Time to Track Chimpanzees (Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania): The dry season in Gombe is characterized by lower rainfall and drier weather. This makes hiking and trekking conditions more favorable, with less mud and easier access to trails. From June to October food sources are more concentrated, and chimpanzees tend to remain closer to established trails, making them easier to locate and observe.
July
Wildebeest Migration ( Tanzania and Kenya): July to August is the prime wildlife safari season at Serengeti Mara Camp. These months mark the annual migration of wildebeest across Masai Mara as they make their epic river crossings – an exciting safari experience sure to tick off your bucket list!
The Hollywoodbets Durban July (South Africa): Africa's richest horseracing event! The Hollywoodbets Durban July has been run without interruption every year since Saturday, July 17, 1897
August
Chale Wote festival (Ghana): Ghana's most prominent street art festival, celebrating art, culture, and community in the heart of Accra's historic James Town
Sango Festival (Nigeria): A cultural festival celebrating the Yoruba deity Sango, featuring traditional rituals, music, dance, and cultural displays.
September
Lake of Stars (Malawi): Takes place on a beautiful Lake Malawi for three days of Afropop, electronic, RnB, and jazz.
The Hermanus Whale Festival (South Africa): Occurs annually, from late September to October, when the Southern Right Whales return to the warmer waters of Walker Bay after spending months in the arctic sea. As the whales make their new home just feet away from the shore, festival guests gasp at the surreal sight in front of them.
October
Windhoek Oktoberfest (Namibia): The festival offers a mix of traditional German games and entertainment for all ages.
Cape Town International Kite Festival(South Africa): The festival aims to raise funds and awareness for mental health while providing a colorful and entertaining experience for participants and visitors.
Best Time to Swim with Whale Sharks (Tofo, Mozambique): Generally from October to April. During this period, whale sharks are more abundant in the waters off the coast of Mozambique.
November
Lamu Cultural Festival(Kenya, Lamu): Showcases the cultural heritage of the Swahili people with traditional dances, dhow races, and Swahili cuisine.
Festival au Désert (Mali): A celebration of Tuareg culture and music, featuring traditional music performances, camel races, and cultural activities in the Sahara Desert.
Felabration (Nigeria): Honors the legacy of Nigerian music icon Fela Kuti with concerts, performances, and cultural events celebrating Afrobeat music and activism.
Swimming with whale Sharks (Mafia Island, Tanzania): Best time for whale shark encounters around Mafia Island are November till January. During these months, the water conditions are generally clear, and the chances of spotting whale sharks are higher.
December
International Accra Fashion Week (Ghana): A major event in Ghana's fashion calendar, showcasing the work of African and international designers with runway shows, exhibitions, and fashion workshops.
Mombasa Carnival (Kenya): Kenya's Biggest Festival is a lively carnival celebrating Kenya's coastal culture with parades, traditional dances, music performances, and cultural exhibitions.
Beneath the Baobabs (Kenya): End of year festival (formerly Kilifi New Year) in Kilifi’s baobab forest.
Sources for the images :
Voodoun festival - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images News
Shella Hat Festival - Facebook | Lamu Painters Festival
Marula Festival - https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/news-blogs/marula-festival-a-gift-to-tourism-in-eswatini/
AfrikaBurn - “Tiny Tankwa Tim,” by Pedals for Peace and Roger Titley, 2023 (Photo by Christo Giliomee)
Bushfire Festival - https://www.okayafrica.com/swaziland-the-2012-bushfire-festival/
National Arts Festival - Instagram | nationalartsfestival
Whale Festival - https://arabellacountryestate.co.za/the-2019-hermanus-times-hermanus-whale-festival/
Great migration - https://www.maasaimarakenyapark.com/ information/the-great-wildebeest-migration/
Chale Wote - https://starrfm.com.gh/2022/08/see-photos-chale-wote-2022-wrapped-up-with-refreshing-moments-of-splendour-pomp-pageantry/
Cape Town Kite Festival - https://www.lekkeslaap.co.za/attractions/cape-town-international-kite-festival
Lamu cultural festival - https://discover.hubpages.com/travel/Lamu-Cultural-Festival-And-The-Experience-Of-Medieval-Old-Town
Mombasa carnival - https://www.wildlifekenyasafari.com/mombasa-carnival-celebrations/
