Africa in March: where to go
March is a shoulder-season sweet spot in Africa: often quieter, frequently cheaper, and still warm and dry in the places that matter. Here is where to go across the continent — and why Ghana, mid-independence celebrations, is a joy this month.
The short answer
- March is a shoulder month in much of Africa — fewer crowds and often better value.
- Ghana is warm and firmly in its dry season, with Independence Day on 6 March.
- North Africa warms into a lovely spring, ideal for Morocco and the desert.
- East Africa is still good early in March but the long rains approach late in the month.
- Southern Africa moves into autumn, with pleasant temperatures and thinning bush.
- For guaranteed warmth, culture and beaches, Ghana is a reliable March choice.
At a glance
| Ghana weather | Warm and dry; heat building |
|---|---|
| Ghana event | Independence Day, 6 March |
| North Africa | Pleasant spring; great for Morocco |
| East Africa | Good early; long rains near month's end |
| Southern Africa | Autumn, comfortable and quieter |
| Crowds | Shoulder season — often better value |
What March is like across Africa
March is a transitional month, and that makes it a canny time to travel. In many regions the peak-season crowds have thinned, prices soften, and the weather is still largely favourable. It is a genuine shoulder-season sweet spot — provided you pick the right region, because this is also when the seasons begin to turn in parts of the continent.
Below is a region-by-region guide to help you decide, followed by why Ghana is such a dependable, culture-rich choice in March. The key is knowing where the weather is turning: what works beautifully in North and West Africa can be a gamble further east as the rains approach.
For the wider case for the country, see why visit Ghana and the month-by-month rundown in the best time to visit Ghana. If your heart is set on culture as much as climate, a cultural holiday in Ghana is a fine place to begin.
North and East Africa in March
North Africa is arguably at its best. March brings a mild, blossoming spring to Morocco — perfect for the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, the Atlas foothills, and a desert night under the stars before the fierce summer heat arrives. Days are warm and comfortable, evenings still cool. Egypt is similarly pleasant for the Nile and the ancient sites, sparing you the scorching temperatures of high summer.
East Africa is more of a gamble. Early March can still offer excellent game viewing on dry plains, but the long rains typically build towards the end of the month in Kenya and Tanzania, greening the landscape and scattering wildlife. Zanzibar turns hot and humid ahead of the wet season. If East Africa is on your shortlist, weigh it against Ghana in our West Africa versus East Africa comparison.
Southern Africa in March
Southern Africa eases into autumn. The summer heat softens, the light turns golden, and as the bush begins to dry the game viewing steadily improves in reserves such as Kruger. Cape Town holds onto warm, settled weather well into the month, making it a fine time for the beaches and the winelands with fewer summer crowds.
Namibia, by contrast, is in its greener rainy season, with dramatic skies but occasionally tricky roads, while Victoria Falls thunders at close to full flow after the wet months upstream. It is a rewarding region in March, though flights from the northern hemisphere are long and the choices are more weather-dependent than they first appear.
For sheer ease of travel combined with reliable warmth and culture, many first-time visitors find West Africa the simpler pick this month — which brings us to Ghana.
Ghana in March: warm, dry and full of pride
March is a warm, welcoming month in Ghana. The country remains in its dry season, so rainfall is low and sunshine plentiful, though temperatures are climbing towards the year's warmest and humidity slowly rises as the month goes on. The harmattan haze has cleared, leaving bright coastal days.
Expect warm days on the coast, typically in the low thirties Celsius, cooling a little by the sea, with the north noticeably hotter and drier. A good sun hat, light clothing and plenty of water go a long way.
The calendar highlight is Independence Day on 6 March, when Ghana marks its 1957 freedom — as the first sub-Saharan nation to gain independence — with parades, drumming, schoolchildren marching and nationwide celebration centred on Accra's Black Star Square. It is a proud, colourful time to witness the country's spirit first-hand. Explore what else is on in our Ghana festivals calendar.
Planning your March trip to Ghana
March suits travellers who want warmth and culture without December's festival crowds or prices. It is a strong month for the coast, the Cape Coast castles, Kakum's rainforest and, since the dry season lingers, a walking safari at Mole before the rains green the north. Pack light layers, sun protection and plenty of water as the heat builds.
March also sidesteps the December price spike, so your budget stretches further across lodges, tours and flights, while the country still hums with energy around the Independence holiday. Couples and families alike find it an easygoing, rewarding time to explore.
Prices, flight routes and event details can change, so confirm the latest when booking. A local operator will time your days around Independence events and the dry-season highlights so nothing is missed.
Questions people ask
Is March a good time to visit Africa?
March can be excellent, particularly in North Africa's blossoming spring and Ghana's warm dry season. It is a shoulder month with fewer crowds and often better value, though East Africa's long rains begin to build towards the end of the month.
What is the weather like in Ghana in March?
March is warm, sunny and dry in Ghana, still within the dry season. Temperatures are climbing towards the year's warmest and humidity gradually rises through the month, but the harmattan haze has cleared, leaving bright days along the coast.
What happens in Ghana on 6 March?
6 March is Ghana's Independence Day, marking its 1957 independence as the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain freedom from colonial rule. It is celebrated nationwide with parades, drumming, dancing and a strong sense of national pride.
Is March good for a safari in Africa?
It is mixed. Early March offers good game viewing in East and Southern Africa, but Kenya and Tanzania's long rains typically arrive late in the month. In Ghana, the dry season still favours a walking safari at Mole before the rains reach the north.
Where is warm in Africa in March?
Ghana and the wider West African coast are reliably warm and dry in March, as is Zanzibar, though it grows humid. Southern Africa is pleasantly warm in early autumn, while North Africa enjoys a comfortable spring rather than intense heat.
Is March a cheaper time to travel in Africa?
Often, yes. As a shoulder month between the December peak and the busier drier seasons, March can bring softer prices and fewer crowds in many regions. Confirm current rates when booking, as prices and flight routes change through the year.
What I know about Ghanaian travel comes from doing it: filing passport and visa applications, booking flights and hotels, collecting people from arrivals at two in the morning, and driving the Accra, Tema, Cape Coast and Kumasi runs week after week. Where this guide describes how something works, it is because we have done it.
Rules, fees and timetables in Ghana change. I have deliberately not quoted figures that go stale — where a number matters I name the office to confirm it with. If you spot something out of date, tell me and we will fix it.
Related guides.
Trip planningThe best time to visit Ghana
Ghana's year is organised by rain rather than temperature, so choosing dates is mostly a question of which season suits the trip you have in mind.
Food & cultureGhana's festival calendar
What each of Ghana's major festivals actually involves, roughly when in the year it falls, and why you should never book flights against a date you read online.
Trip planningWhy visit Ghana
Wondering if Ghana is worth it? It's one of Africa's warmest welcomes, packed with history, culture, coast and wildlife — and remarkably easy to travel. Here's why to go.
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