Cheapest Time to Fly to Africa (and the Most Expensive)
The cheapest time to fly to Africa is often late January–March and select May and September weeks—while June–August, late December–early January, and peak holiday travel dates are usually the priciest.
Flights to Africa can be a crazy mix—some routes price like a bargain, then the same trip jumps by hundreds when peak season hits. The big thing to know is Africa isn’t one “season.” South Africa has opposite seasons from Morocco, and Kenya plays by its own rules with safari demand.
So this guide focuses on the airfare patterns US travelers see most often—plus the windows that tend to bring the best odds of a deal.
Quick Overview
- Cheapest time to fly to Africa: late January–March, May, September, and early December
- Most expensive time to fly to Africa: June–August, late December–early January, and spring break/Easter weeks (varies by year)
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Cheapest Time to Fly to Africa
These periods usually have softer demand and better chances of finding a good fare from the US—especially to big gateways like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cairo, and Casablanca.
Late January to March (post-holiday dip)
Once the holiday rush is over, fares often cool off—this is one of the most dependable stretches for cheaper long-haul flights.
Money-saving tip: Midweek departures: Tuesday–Thursday often price better than weekend-heavy dates.
Heads-up: Spring break creep: some March weeks spike if they overlap US school breaks.
May (shoulder-season value)
May is a strong deal month for a lot of Africa routes—fewer major travel weeks, and airlines often have to “work” a little harder to fill planes.
Money-saving tip: Try multiple gateways: price-check a few arrival cities before locking in your route.
September (post-summer cooldown)
After summer travel fades, pricing often softens again. September can be one of the better “deal + decent weather” months depending on where you’re going.
Money-saving tip: Flexible returns: shifting your return by 1–2 days can change the fare a lot on long-haul trips.
Early December (pre-holiday lull)
Early December can be a great window—often noticeably cheaper than late December, with better availability.
Money-saving tip: Return before mid-December: it helps you avoid the holiday fare spike.
Most Expensive Time to Fly to Africa
Africa tends to get pricey when US peak travel demand stacks on top of popular Africa travel seasons.
June to August (summer peak)
This is the classic expensive stretch for US travelers—especially for Europe-connection routes and popular safari itineraries.
Peak within peak: Late June through late July often runs highest.
Late December to Early January (holiday travel)
Late-December departures and early-January returns are frequently priced at a premium—limited cheap seats, heavy demand.
Peak within peak: The week after Christmas through the first week of January.
Spring break and Easter weeks (varies by year)
Even when a destination isn’t in peak season, airfare can spike hard if your dates line up with major US break travel.
Peak within peak: Friday–Sunday-heavy patterns often cost more than midweek-to-midweek trips.
Want Better Weather Without Peak Flight Prices?
Because Africa is huge, the best “value weather” depends on the region. These windows are often a safe starting point for US travelers:
- North Africa (e.g., Morocco, Egypt): March and November often balance comfort and better airfare odds
- Southern Africa (e.g., South Africa): September and October often bring great conditions without the same summer airfare pressure
- East Africa safaris (e.g., Kenya, Tanzania): May and November can be deal-friendly, but always check your exact safari goals
Tips for Booking Cheap Flights to Africa
Long-haul routes reward early tracking—especially if you’re trying to travel in summer or during holiday season.
- Sign up for Jetsetter Alerts cheap flight alerts—so you can get real-time notifications anytime a deal pops up to Africa.
- Google Flights can alert you if the specific dates you’re watching drop in price—sign up, and they’ll email you if the fare goes down.
Seasonal Airfare Demand for Africa
This is a general guide for US travelers—your exact best month depends on region and events.
| Month | Demand Level | Price Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | High → Medium | High → Medium | Prices ease after New Year |
| Feb | Medium | Medium | Often deal-friendly on many routes |
| Mar | Medium | Medium | Can rise with spring break timing |
| Apr | Medium | Medium | Easter timing can spike some weeks |
| May | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | Often one of the best value months |
| Jun | High | High | Summer demand begins |
| Jul | High | High | Peak summer pricing |
| Aug | High → Medium | High → Medium | Can soften late month |
| Sep | Medium | Medium | Post-summer cooldown (often deal-friendly) |
| Oct | Medium | Medium | Steady demand, solid travel month |
| Nov | Medium | Medium | Early month can be good; Thanksgiving spikes |
| Dec | Medium → Very High | Medium → Very High | Early deals, then holiday surge |
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