Whilst Europe and North America experience winter some of you might long for the sun and escape from the cold and dreary skies to white sandy beaches and tropical heat. With East Africa being so close to the equator you generally have nice warm sunny weather all year round.

Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar are all very popular escapes, and it is hard to beat the tropical island connotation that Zanzibar lives up to. The mix of history and architecture of Stone Town combined with the tropical beaches and turquoise water has long been a winner with travellers.

Lake Malawi also makes for quite a different beach escape, and the friendly locals will make a nice change from the crowded beaches of the Mediterranean.

Beaches along the coastline anywhere in South Africa are popular with visitors during November, December, January, February and March.  And those further north along KwaZulu Natal all year round, as is the case with Mozambique. With Mozambique being more rural, it is easier to get yourself lost in a local market or bartering for fresh fish from sellers on the beach.

Just imagine watching the sunset from a white sandy beach whilst writing a postcard to your friends back in the cold clutches of winter. Just make sure to bring a fellow traveller to help apply the sun screen :)