Africa’s Top 10 Countries to Visit

Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most-populated continent, with much more to offer than safaris, beaches, and the pyramids. Its 54 mainland countries and island nations each have their own distinct history, heritage, and culture, which contributes to the allure of traveling throughout Africa.

While its long coastline is lined with beautiful beaches and rugged cliffs, its vast interior is home to everything from mountains and deserts to tropical rainforests and the Nile River. Amazing historical sites, secluded villages, and massive metropolises are scattered throughout these diverse landscapes.

#1 Kenya

For many people, Kenya is the home of safari because it is one of the best places in the world to see wildlife up close and personal. Its endless savannah and arid deserts are teeming with life, with lions, elephants, and buffalo roaming alongside herds of antelope, flamingo flocks, and the occasional black rhino.

Its dramatic landscapes also house some of the continent’s most well-known peoples and cultures, including the Maasai, Kikuyu, and Swahili, each with their own rich languages and traditions. Kenya is home to one of the continent’s most happening cities, its thriving and teeming capital, Nairobi, which stands in stark contrast to their age-old ways of life.

Freshwater lakes and forests line its open plains, and the Great Rift Valley cuts through it from north to south. When combined with the stunning Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya is one of the best countries to visit not only in East Africa, but on the entire continent.

#2 Egypt

Egypt is unlike any other country on Earth, with its ancient monuments and archaeological sites such as the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings. History is on display everywhere you go, with tombs and temples lying alongside intricately carved statues and obelisks from one of the world’s greatest civilizations and cultures.

Egypt is located in the continent’s northeast corner, bordered by the Mediterranean and Red seas, with the Sahara Desert to the south and west. The Nile River, which runs through Egypt, is the country’s life source.

Many visitors come to see the historical monuments or to explore all that Cairo has to offer, but just as many come to enjoy the fantastic Red Sea beaches. With so much history and culture to explore, as well as breathtaking desert and coastal scenery, Egypt truly has something for everyone.

#3 Morocco

Morocco is a magical place to visit, with a stunning array of old cities, medinas, and souks. These are located along the country’s picturesque Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, as well as among the Saharan dunes and High Atlas mountains.

The northwesternmost country on the continent has long drawn different peoples and cultures to its shores, and its rich heritage now incorporates African, Arabic, Berber, and Western influences. This incredible diversity is on display everywhere you go, with Essaouira, Fez, and Marrakech among its most popular tourist destinations.

Aside from exploring the vibrant Djemaa El Fna and the beautiful mountain city of Chefchaouen, visitors can relax on one of the country’s beautiful beaches or venture into the Sahara. Morocco is one of the most spectacular countries to visit in Africa, with so many different sides to it.

#4 South Africa

South Africa, located at the continent’s southernmost tip, is home to some of Africa’s best and most well-managed national parks and game reserves. Kruger National Park is undoubtedly the most well-known and visited of these, with Addo Elephant National Park also a popular draw.

South Africa’s cities are fascinating to visit, as each has its own distinct look, feel, and identity. The country is known as the “Rainbow Nation” due to its multicultural population. While Johannesburg is bustling with activity, Cape Town is more laid-back in nature, overlooking the spectacular Table Mountain and the wonderful wineries of Stellenbosch.

South Africa is a delight to explore, with its towering Drakensburg Mountains, arid Kalahari Desert, and lush Garden Route. To top it all off, its Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines are dotted with breathtaking scenery and beautiful beaches. Many thrill seekers go offshore to dive with great white sharks.

#5 Tanzania

With so much to see and do in Tanzania, it’s difficult to know where to begin. The magnificent Ngorongoro Crater and the world-famous Serengeti, both of which are must-sees if you want to go on safari and see the Big Five, are only found in the country’s north. The snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, can also be found here.

Indeed, this beautiful region of East Africa is endowed with a plethora of different landscapes, each more captivating than the last. Its Indian Ocean coastline, for example, is dotted with beautiful beaches and Dar Es Salaam, the country’s largest and most vibrant city. Just offshore is the magnificent Zanzibar archipelago, which has many beautiful beaches and is a popular tourist destination in its own right.

Tanzania, one of Africa’s most linguistically and culturally diverse countries, is also home to some very important and impressive archaeological sites dating back millennia. Tanzania has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history and nature or culture and wildlife. It is home to three of Africa’s Great Lakes.

#6 Seychelles

Seychelles, located 1,500 kilometers east of mainland Africa, is the continent’s smallest and least populous country. The archipelago is made up of 115 islands, the vast majority of which are uninhabited, and is surrounded by the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean.

While the paradise islands have beautiful beaches, their interiors are mountainous and covered in lush rainforest. Because of their remote location, they are home to a variety of unique fauna and flora, and the majority of them have been designated as nature reserves. Offshore, the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life make Seychelles an unforgettable destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.

On Mahe, the largest of the islands, there are numerous luxury resorts, bars, and restaurants, as well as Victoria, the nation’s capital. You can easily take a boat trip from here to some of the more secluded islands and beaches in the area.

#7 Uganda

Uganda is not only home to the continent’s tallest mountain range and the source of the Nile, but it also borders Africa’s largest lake. While its tourism industry and infrastructure are underdeveloped in comparison to neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, this only adds to the allure of its spectacular landscapes.

Uganda, long overlooked by visitors to the continent due to its turbulent and tragic past, is gradually regaining its title of “Pearl of Africa.” This is due in large part to the fact that it is one of only three countries in the world where mountain gorillas can be seen in the wild. Seeing the majestic creatures up close in the cloud rainforests of the Rwenzori Mountains is an unforgettable experience that must be had while in Uganda.

In addition to trekking through the dense undergrowth, you can go white-water rafting down the Nile or go on safari to see the Big Five. With such beautiful scenery and wildlife to see, it is well worth visiting Uganda now before it becomes even more popular.

#8 Mauritius

While Mauritius takes some getting used to, visitors are always astounded by the incredible beaches, mountains, and waterfalls on display. Its remote location, over 1,000 kilometers east of Madagascar, means it is home to some of the world’s rarest plants and animals.

As a result, trekking through its mountainous interior is a real treat, with flocks of brightly colored birds swirling above the tropical rainforest canopy. You’ll find steep ravines, plunging gorges, and sparkling waterfalls hidden among the dense foliage. Overall, the volcanic landscapes create some of the most picturesque scenes imaginable.

There are idyllic white sand beaches for you to lounge on along the inviting waters of the Indian Ocean, and there is plenty of fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling offshore. Mauritius is also known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, owing to its diverse population and unique cultural heritage. In any of the sleepy, laid-back fishing villages that dot its shores, you can sample some of its brilliant French, Chinese, or East African inspired dishes.

#9 Namibia

Namibia is one of Africa’s most sparsely populated countries, located in the continent’s southwest. This is due to the fact that much of it is made up of arid, desolate landscapes and the harsh Namib Desert. Formerly a German colony, Namibia only gained independence from South Africa in 1990, so some colonial-era architecture can still be found in Windhoek.

The majority of visitors, however, come to see its magnificent national parks, which are home to breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and incredible wildlife. In Etosha National Park, for example, you can see lions, elephants, and black rhinos roaming the Kalahari. Another popular tourist destination is the Skeleton Coast, which has many eerie but strangely beautiful shipwrecks dotted along its dangerous Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Namibia and its incredible national parks are often overlooked in favor of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, but they are hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

#10 Tunisia

Tunisia has long been a popular tourist destination on North Africa’s Mediterranean coast, nestled between Algeria and Libya. Many Europeans come here to relax on its golden sands and swim in the sea because of its fantastic warm weather, inviting beaches, and well-developed tourism industry.

Tunisia is much more than sun, sea, and sand: the country is littered with impressive archaeological sites dating back millennia. This is because it has been ruled by everyone from the Carthaginians, Romans, and Ottomans to the Arabs and, later, the French. The stunning Roman amphitheater in El Jem and the remnants and ruins of Carthage are unquestionably the highlights of its many historical sites.

It also has the Atlas Mountains to explore, as well as the vibrant coastal cities of Sfax, Sousse, and Tunis – its vibrant capital. If all of this isn’t enough, the endless sands of the Sahara beckon with their appealing dunes, troglodyte dwellings, and secluded desert oases.

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