Aptly called “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda is a vibrant and beautiful country. Its location near Congo in the heart of Africa has gifted her with stunning scenery featuring mountains galore. This along with its enticing cultural heritage makes Rwanda an incredible trip for anyone with a desire to explore. It is also a country with a tragic past and offers profound lessons from which to learn.

South Africa is one of the most diverse countries in the world and is host to a multitude of cultures and languages. Visitors to South Africa are afforded opportunities to immerse themselves in the local culture, to get lost in its natural beauty and to fully unwind while sipping a glass of silky smooth red wine from the Cape wine lands.

The continent of Africa is so large, you can fit the landmass of the United States, China, and India and still have room to spare. With 54 countries recognized by the United Nations, it can be difficult to decide which country to visit. Not to mention the wide variety of landscapes that grace the continent from savannas, to tropical forests, to coastlines. To help you narrow down which country or city in Africa you should visit, here are the 15 best places to visit in Africa.

It doesn’t matter how niggling the thought was, or how fleeting it may have been, if you’ve ever considered a trip the Dark Continent then you will have thought about The Big Five. They are the animals that epitomize Africa and consist of the African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, the African lion and the leopard.