Travel ideas · Best places to visit in Africa in October
Best places to visit in Africa in October
Where to go in Africa in October: destinations at their best that month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Top picks for October: Cairo, Marrakech and Casablanca. Cairo averages 30°C (86°F); Marrakech averages 28°C (82°F); Casablanca averages 24°C (75°F). All 6 destinations below list October among their best months or have reliably pleasant weather then.
Key facts
- Destinations
- 6
- Warmest
- Cairo (30°C (86°F))
- Driest
- Cairo (0 rainy days)
Africa
Egypt · 30°C (86°F) · 0 rainy days
Cairo
The Pyramids of Giza, medieval minarets and life on the Nile. Warm and settled; the high season starts and sightseeing becomes comfortable again.
Morocco · 28°C (82°F) · 3 rainy days
Marrakech
Souks, riad courtyards and the High Atlas on the horizon. Warm, sunny and settled — one of the best months for walking the medina and visiting the desert.
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Morocco · 24°C (75°F) · 5 rainy days
Casablanca
An Atlantic seafront mosque, Art Deco boulevards and Morocco's modern pulse. Pleasant temperatures with the first autumn rain.
Morocco · 26°C (79°F) · 6 rainy days
Fes
A car-free medieval medina of madrasas, tanneries and craft souqs. Warm days and cool evenings; one of the best months for the medina and day trips.
South Africa · 25°C (77°F) · 8 rainy days
Johannesburg
Apartheid history, Soweto, gallery districts and the road to Kruger. Jacaranda trees turn streets purple across the northern suburbs and Pretoria; the first summer storms arrive.
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Mauritius · 27°C (81°F) · 5 rainy days
Mauritius
Reef-sheltered lagoons, volcanic peaks, dholl puri and Creole, Indian and French culture. Dry, sunny and warm, one of the most reliable months for weather; busy during European autumn holidays.
Beach, city or budget: October picks by trip type
| Trip type | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Beach trips | Mauritius |
| City breaks | Cairo, Marrakech, Fes, Johannesburg |
| Lower-cost trips | Cairo, Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Johannesburg |
What's on in October
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Casablanca: Casablanca International Marathon (usually October or November)
- Johannesburg: Jacaranda bloom across Johannesburg and Pretoria (usually October to early November)
- Mauritius: Divali — festival of lights (October or November)
Daylight in October
Day length on these trips ranges from about 11.3 hours in Fes to 12.8 hours in Johannesburg (sunrise to sunset on 15 October). Longer days mean more sightseeing time; shorter ones favour museums, food and evenings.
October weather compared
| Destination | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 30°C (86°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 0 | 4/5 |
| Marrakech | 28°C (82°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 | 4/5 |
| Casablanca | 24°C (75°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 5 | 3/5 |
| Fes | 26°C (79°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 6 | 4/5 |
| Johannesburg | 25°C (77°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 8 | 4/5 |
| Mauritius | 27°C (81°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 | 4/5 |
Questions travellers ask
+Where is good to travel in October?
Cairo, Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Johannesburg and Mauritius are all at or near their best in October.