Thankfully, travelling opens all of our eyes to these naiveties and makes us appreciate how wonderfully diverse the continent of Africa is. Whether you’re dreaming of white sandy beaches, cosmopolitan cities like Cape Town, Visiting the Atlas Mountains of Morocco or getting up close to the big five on safari , Africa is sure to have a place on your travel bucket list.
The world’s second-largest continent has a lot to offer even the most seasoned of travellers. Take a look at some of the very best countries to visit in Africa this year!
1) Botswana
Botswana is a real jewel of Africa in terms of wildlife and natural land. As a country, it’s committed to wildlife and environmental conservation, making it the ideal country to visit if you’re interested in African wildlife. The Okavango Delta, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park are just a few of the places you can head for a safari. To top it off, Botswana is also famous for its stunning watercolour-style sunsets and the friendly welcoming attitude of its locals towards tourists.
The Okavango Delta, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park are just a few of the places you can head for a safari. To top it off, Botswana is also famous for its stunning watercolour-style sunsets and the friendly welcoming attitude of its locals towards tourists.
2) Malawi
This landlocked country in southern Africa is often forgotten about by us travellers in light of its more popular sisters, Kenya and Tanzania.
Boasting a geographically diverse landscape, from the impressive peaks of Mount Mulanje to the sprawling grasslands of the Nyika Plateau, and not forgetting Lake Malawi, it really is a special place to explore. Whether you come here for the hiking and kayaking or to enjoy some of its rich cultures, Malawi is a country of amazing beauty.
Don’t forget to try a local foody favourite of Nsima, it’s made up from ground up corn that can be served with roasted meats and vegetables.
3). Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
The Mount Kilimanjaro has placed Tanzania for the second time among the countries with exceptional travel attractions in Africa. It is the largest mountain in Africa and one of the best tourist attractions for adventure travel. It offers a dream mountain hiking and its dormant volcanic cones is probably nothing to be so worried about. If you would love to ascend to the highest point in Africa, get ready for mount Kilimanjaro which stands at 19,340 feet (5896m) and will take you 6 days to climb.
4). SAHARA DUNES IN MOROCCO
The Sahara is mostly impassible due to its unfriendly climate and frequent sand storms. Lucky for you, there is an access point to the desert from the northern edge of Morocco in the town of Zagora that is more friendly than others.
From here, take a camel safari into the dunes, camp out for the night, and let the local Saharawi men entertain you with drums and singing around the campfire while gazing at the stars.
5). CAPE TOWN IN SOUTH AFRICA
With Table Mountain, Cape Town is South Africa’s most urban and civilized city. To those that call it home, they call it “Mother City”.
Start your morning with a bit of mountain hiking, hit some surf by early afternoon, feel the pulse of the street markets and then find yourself sipping a glass of wine and having a world-class meal as the sun sets.
6). Seychelles
Seychelles has a reputation as one of the world’s most idyllic places to visit and it’s easy to see why. If you ‘re looking to do more than just lie back and relax on the beach, there’s plenty to explore. Many of its smaller islands have been protected as national parks, showcasing the heritage and beauty of this slice of paradise.
Make sure to visit the unbelievably gorgeous, Curieuse Island and snorkel the beautiful Sainte Anne Marine National Park.
7) Madagascar
Madagascar is Africa’s largest island and with so much to see and do, it can be hard to pinpoint a mere few. Make sure to explore the unbelievably beautiful, Avenue of the Baobabs, Ranomafana National Park and the gorgeous Isalo National Park.
For a little history, make a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage sight of Ambohimanga, a fortified Royal settlement that’s pretty close to the capital. The Malagasy locals are warm and welcoming, the coastline is breathtaking, and to round it off, it’s the only place in the world you can see wild
8) Gambia
Gambia is a beautiful (and relatively small country to visit) when it comes to Africa. Like most of the other countries on this list, Gambia has an abundant wildlife population that’s just too good to miss.
If you visit Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve you can see monkeys, hippos, hyenas, leopards and several species of rare bird. The vibrant capital of Banjul is also great to visit too, with its fascinating National Museum of Gambian history, and the beaches aren’t far away either… in fact, they’re famed in Gambia.
9) Zanzibar
Zanzibar, located in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Tanzania, it is one of the top 10 Africa’s top tourist destinations largely due to the fact that it has got a very fascinating history and unbelievably beautiful beaches. It was one of the regions in Africa where the stone age was highly established and it became a wealthy and advanced region, which consisted of many autonomous merchant cities. Zanzibar was well-known for spices and ivory and part of its history was that it was a major hub during the era of slave trade.
The Stone Town of Zanzibar is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the island’s biggest attractions boasting of lovely traditional houses, narrow alleyways, a Sultan’s palace and many mosques. You’ll enjoy clear, shallow sandbars perfect for wading, turquoise-blue water; and many small, nearly deserted islands.
10. Omo River Region, Ethiopia.
The Omo river region is an area in the Southwestern Ethiopia and home to more than 50 different tribes. If you love African culture, you should pay this place a visit because of its huge cultural heritage. It is still a place in Africa where much of traditional customs and beliefs are very much intact for most of the tribes and this has made it an enchanting tourist attraction for those interested in African culture. The region is quite remote and is hardly accessible by vehicle. The warriors would often sling Kalashnikovs (riffle) slung across their backs. This can be a bit disconcerting but the tribes are friendly and this is often the only western accessory you’ll see them wear.
