Africa is often associated with heat, deserts and tropical landscapes, but snow is a real part of the continent’s geography. It appears on some of Africa’s highest mountains, falls during winter in parts of southern Africa and covers sections of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa.

Some of these places have permanent ice or glaciers, while others experience seasonal snowfall. NASA has documented snow in Morocco and Algeria, and notes that high-elevation areas of Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Lesotho also receive snow.

Here are 10 African places where snow can be found.

1. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 metres above sea level. Its summit is famous for snow and ice despite the mountain being only a few degrees south of the Equator.

The mountain has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Snow and ice remain around the summit, although Kilimanjaro’s glaciers have retreated considerably over the past century.

2. Mount Kenya, Kenya

Mount Kenya rises to 5,199 metres and is Africa’s second-highest mountain.

Its highest peaks have historically supported glaciers, making it one of the continent’s most remarkable places for ice and snow near the Equator. The European Space Agency has documented 11 small glaciers on Mount Kenya and reported significant retreat over time.

3. Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo

The Rwenzori Mountains sit along the Uganda-DRC border and include some of Africa’s highest peaks.

At elevations above 5,000 metres, the range has historically supported glaciers and permanent ice. The mountains are sometimes called the “Mountains of the Moon,” and their high-altitude environment is dramatically different from the warm lowlands surrounding them.

4. Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Morocco’s Atlas Mountains are among Africa’s most accessible snowy mountain regions.

The High Atlas reaches elevations above 4,000 metres, and winter storms regularly bring snow to the higher elevations. Oukaimeden, south of Marrakesh, is also home to one of Africa’s best-known ski areas.

NASA has specifically documented snow across the Atlas region of Morocco and Algeria.

5. Oukaimeden, Morocco

Oukaimeden is one of the places that most clearly challenges the idea that Africa has no winter sports.

Located in Morocco’s High Atlas, the mountain resort receives seasonal snow and has long been associated with skiing. The resort sits at roughly 2,600 metres above sea level, while surrounding peaks rise considerably higher.

Its location makes it possible to see snow in the same country where desert landscapes dominate much of the south and east.

6. Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

The Drakensberg is South Africa’s highest mountain range and regularly receives winter snowfall at higher elevations.

Snow is particularly associated with the mountains around KwaZulu-Natal and the border with Lesotho. The combination of high elevation and southern African winter weather can turn the normally green mountain landscape white.

NASA identifies South Africa among the African countries where natural snow occurs.

7. Lesotho Highlands

Lesotho is one of Africa’s most mountainous countries, and its highlands regularly experience winter snow.

The entire country lies at an elevation of at least about 1,000 metres. Its mountainous terrain creates some of the coldest conditions in southern Africa.

The country is also home to Afriski Mountain Resort in the Maluti Mountains. Associated Press reported in August 2026 that the resort operates during the southern winter and attracts thousands of winter-sports visitors.

8. Thabana Ntlenyana, Lesotho

At 3,482 metres, Thabana Ntlenyana is the highest mountain in southern Africa.

Its elevation makes it particularly susceptible to winter snow. The mountain forms part of the Maloti-Drakensberg highland system, where temperatures can become dramatically colder than in the lowlands.

The landscape can look completely different during winter when snow covers the high peaks.

9. Algeria’s Atlas Mountains

Snow is not restricted to Morocco in North Africa. Algeria’s mountainous regions also receive winter snowfall.

NASA imagery captured a white covering across parts of Algeria and Morocco in December 2016, showing snow appearing against the normally orange and brown landscape of the Sahara region.

Algeria has also had ski areas in mountainous locations including Chréa and Tikjda.

10. Mount Toubkal, Morocco

Mount Toubkal rises to 4,167 metres in Morocco’s High Atlas and is the highest mountain in North Africa.

Its summit and surrounding high-altitude terrain can remain snow-covered during the colder months. Unlike the tropical snowfields of Kilimanjaro, Toubkal receives snow primarily because of its elevation combined with North African winter weather.

Snow in Africa is therefore not an isolated curiosity. It occurs across several distinct geographical zones.