The 15 Best Places to Visit in Africa
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.
1. Nigeria
With a dense rainforest, savanna and even waterfalls, Nigeria in West Africa hosts a diverse landscape that is not to be missed. At the Lekki Conservation Center, you can walk in the canopy of trees on Africa’s largest canopy walk, experiencing the serene sounds of nature with a gorgeous treetop to match. Yankari Game Reserve offers a beautiful waterfall, natural springs, and a vast savanna. You can also visit the sandy beaches that line the western border to the Atlantic Ocean. There, you will find many beach resorts offering a relaxing getaway. Whether you go high up into the trees or down to the coastline, Nigeria promises a great vacation destination.
2. Senegal
With a pink lake and sandy beaches, Senegal offers a unique experience in West Africa. The pink lake, Lake Retba, is high in saline, which allows the lake to host millions of tiny, safe bacteria that turn reddish pink to photosynthesize and is brightest from November to June. Another amazing, not to be missed attraction is the African Renaissance Monument in Nigeria’s capital city of Dakar. Sitting on top of a large hill and offering great views of the city down below, the monument stands at 160 feet (49 meters) tall. Some of the wildlife you may see on the savanna and wetlands include hippos and flamingos. Whether you come to the capital city or see the pink lake, Senegal offers plenty to do.
3. Zanzibar
Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania, offers crystal blue water flowing onto white sandy beaches. Known for producing spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, this small island still hosts a plethora of activities on its shore. After relaxing on the quiet and beautiful beaches, you can explore the ancient Stone Town, a 15th century palace with an eerie graveyard. Additionally, you can visit the island of Unguja, which hosts one of the rarest primates in Africa, the Zanzibar red colobus. For a unique island experience in Africa, Zanzibar is the place to go.
4. Mozambique
Located in southern Africa, Mozambique borders the Indian ocean with beaches and marine parks. Bazaruto Archipelagos, just off the coast, offers a remote desert island with a marine park and is surrounded by whales, dolphins, and the rare dugong. Some of the northern beaches offer crystal blue water with giant whale sharks and majestic mantra rays swimming by. For those wanting to stay farther on shore, the Niassa Reserve offers various landscapes: forest, savanna, and wetlands, and is also home to the endangered African wild dogs. A vacation to Mozambique offers beachside relaxation with diving and snorkeling around protected coral reefs and unique underwater animal encounters.
5. Uganda
Although landlocked in the middle of Africa, Uganda offers a diverse landscape. Lake Victoria is nestled in the southeastern corner of the country with the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains lining the border to the west. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will find mountain gorillas, which are rarely spotted anywhere else. A 141-foot (43 meter) waterfall graces Murchison Falls National Park and hippos can often be seen in the waters below. Other wild animals you may see roaming Uganda include elephants and lions. Although not on most people’s radar, Uganda is an underrated gem in the heart of Africa.
6. Zambia
Holding half of the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls, Zambia offers many exciting water adventures for the daredevils at heart. You can take legendary African walking safaris through many of the national parks and can canoe in the lower Zambezi River, out paddling the local resident crocodiles. The country also boasts being one of the safest countries in the world to visit, and locals are very friendly and receptive to tourists. From a giant waterfall to out paddling crocodiles, Zambia offers plenty of adventure and fun for any vacation to Africa.
7. Botswana
Known for wildlife and environmental conservation, Botswana offers many exciting animal encounters mixed with beautiful landscapes. The country offers an up-close look at wildlife in mokoros, traditional dug-out canoes. You also will find less tourists visiting Botswana, so you can see more of the natural landscape without the crowds. You can watch the watercolor sunset in the Kalahari Desert, which was formed from a huge lake that dried out. If you visit during winter rain, which may bring green grass with wildlife such as zebras and flamingos or may even flood the area. Botswana is also known for its hyenas, giraffes, and cheetahs. With such diverse wildlife, Botswana offers an up-close once-in-a-lifetime experience.
8. Mauritius
A small island east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a popular luxe vacation spot, with many hotel resorts. Beyond the shore, you will find French colonial architecture, friendly locals, and fresh seafood. Due to the volcanic origins of the island, many rare birds and reptiles call this place home in the small native forest that remains. Additionally, this is where the dodo was discovered, before it was hunted to extinction. Mauritius is the perfect getaway that combines island exploration with a relaxing experience that even offers luxe resorts for the savvier traveler.
9. Namibia
From flowing sand dunes to towering granite mountains, the natural landscape of Namibia offers plenty of area to roam. The natural landscape is very important to Namibia, as the country set up conservation and preservation laws in its constitution. On the sand dunes, sand boarding is a very popular sport, or you can see the dunes from the sky as you fly over in a hot air balloon or as you dive down from skydiving. Rhinos are also frequently spotted in Namibia, and you may just see them out and about as you travel through the country. Namibia’s diverse landscape offers exploration from every corner of its borders.
10. Kenya
On the east coast of Africa, Kenya is home to many rare species of rhinos and offers a unique safari experience. In the Solio Reserve, you will spot around 250 black and white rhinos, which have become rarer and less frequently spotted every year. You can ride horses on a safari to see the many zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles that migrate to and from Tanzania. If you visit Lake Nakuru National Park, you will see over 1 million flamingos that flock the lake every year. The mass amount of wildlife that Kenya supports makes it one of the best safari locations in Africa.
11. Tanzania
Adventure awaits in Tanzania, Africa. From hiking mountains to safaris, Tanzania is an adventurer’s dream. Tanzania hosts Africa’s tallest mount, Mount Kilimanjaro. Tamer than Everest, any somewhat experienced hiker would enjoy climbing to the summit and gazing over the beautiful landscape down below. There are also many safaris to delight any animal lover and if you go in the late summer, you may see 2 million zebras, wildebeest, and gazelle migrating to or from Kenya. Additionally, you can even see the red colored Lake Natron, which gets its unique hue from the salt-loving microorganisms that live there. For an adventure like no other, Tanzania, Africa is the perfect vacation spot.
12. Marrakech, Morocco
One of many historical cities in Morocco, Marrakech stands out with the most exciting town square and marketplace, Jemma el-Fnaa. With plenty of spice vendors, snake charmers, and storytellers, there is never a dull moment in the open-air market. Even at night, dancers and mobile restaurants entertain and feed visitors. Known as the red city, historic red buildings paint the skyline as mosque bells fill the air. Exploring more of the city, you will find beautiful gardens, magnificent palaces, and stunning tombs. Marrakech offers the best vacation in a historic city, with an amazing town square and plenty of historic architecture.
13. Madagascar
Africa’s largest island and the fourth largest in the world, Madagascar offers a beautiful coastline mixed with almost completely untouched landscape. At Isalo National Park, you can find many wild lemurs, which call Madagascar their native home. The island also boasts over 19,000 plant species and over 100 animal species, giving it the title of “megadiverse”, which has been given to only 16 other countries. You can also drive down the Avenue of Baobabs, towering trees with giant trunks but thin, leafy branches. For a natural, biodiverse paradise, nothing can beat Madagascar.
14. Cairo, Egypt
No trip to Africa is complete without a visit to Egypt. Cairo is a perfect vacation destination with plenty to see and do. From the Pyramids of Giza to the Nile River, Cairo is the capital city of Egypt. With a population of over 9 million, Cairo offers amazing city life while more rural and ancient Egypt is only a car or bus ride away. Settled as early as the 4th century, Cairo offers a look into a thriving city scattered with ancient ruins. From the great Sphinx to the modern Cairo Tower, Cairo in Egypt is the perfect getaway in Africa.
15. Cape Town, South Africa
The second largest city in South Africa, Cape Town offers activities for all ages. You can take a safari through the savanna, go wine tasting in vineyards, climb up Table Mountain then take a cable car down, and take in the magnificent beach shore that hosts African penguins during their breeding season. If you are going to only one city in South Africa, Cape Town offers a plethora of things to do on your vacation. For the adventurous, you can hike Table Mountain and take a safari to see the wild animals. For a more relaxing vacation, you can relax on the beach and take a tour of a winery. Cape Town is a must-see city in Africa.
Africa is a vast continent with many exciting countries and cities to visit. From Egypt in the north all the way to South Africa in the south, there are no shortages of countries to visit. Whether you go for the beaches, tropical forests, or savannas, there is never a dull moment. Teeming with many animal and plant species, the wide variety of safaris offered provide many different views of the wildlife and landscape. Whether you hop from one country to the next or spend a week in one place, visiting one or more of these 15 unique countries will provide an experience not replicated anywhere else in the world.