Africa

Travel in Africa: Explore 54 Countries, Safaris and Diverse Cultures

Africa contains 54 sovereign countries and some of the world’s most varied travel experiences. The continent stretches from Mediterranean coastlines and Sahara deserts to tropical islands, mountain landscapes, wine regions and wildlife reserves larger than some European countries.

Planning travel in Africa means choosing between very different climates, cultures and travel styles rather than approaching the continent as a single destination. A safari in Botswana, a city break in Morocco and a coastal journey through Mozambique share little except geography.

Before exploring destinations below, start with our cornerstone perspective:

→ The Africa Myth: Why One Continent is Fifty-Four Distinct Journeys
Our long-form guide examines why travel writing often oversimplifies Africa — and why understanding the continent starts with understanding its diversity.

Explore Africa by Region

North Africa

North Africa combines Arab, Berber and Mediterranean influences with some of the continent’s strongest tourism infrastructure. Distances from Europe are relatively short, making countries such as Morocco and Egypt among Africa’s most visited destinations.

Explore:

• Morocco → Imperial cities, Atlas Mountains, Sahara landscapes and Atlantic coastlines
• Egypt → Ancient history, Nile cruises and Red Sea resorts
• Tunisia → Mediterranean beaches and Roman archaeological sites

East Africa

East Africa is home to many of the wildlife landscapes international travellers first imagine when thinking about Africa: the Great Rift Valley, savannas, safari circuits and volcanic mountains. It is also one of the continent’s strongest regions for adventure travel.

Explore:

• Kenya → Safari, coastlines and contemporary urban culture
• Tanzania → Serengeti, Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro
• Ethiopia → Ancient history, coffee culture and highland landscapes
• Rwanda → Conservation-led tourism and mountain gorilla experiences

Southern Africa

Southern Africa increasingly defines premium wildlife travel, combining conservation-focused safaris with luxury lodges, dramatic landscapes and some of Africa’s best-developed tourism infrastructure.

Explore:

• South Africa → Wine regions, coastlines, wildlife and cities
• Namibia → Desert landscapes, road trips and vast open spaces
• Botswana → Luxury safaris and the Okavango Delta
• Zimbabwe → Victoria Falls and emerging adventure travel

West Africa

West Africa remains less explored by international visitors but offers some of the continent’s richest music traditions, cultural history and contemporary creative scenes.

Explore:

• Senegal → Coastal cities, music and cultural heritage
• Ghana → History, beaches and contemporary culture
• Cape Verde → Island landscapes and Atlantic influences

Central Africa

Central Africa contains vast rainforest systems and extraordinary biodiversity. Travel here is generally more specialised but increasingly attracts adventure-focused visitors.

Explore:

• Gabon → Rainforest conservation and wildlife
• Cameroon → Diverse landscapes and cultural regions
• Republic of Congo → Forest ecosystems and ecotourism

Indian Ocean Africa

Several of Africa’s most iconic island destinations sit within the Indian Ocean, combining tropical coastlines with African, Asian and European influences.

Explore:

• Mauritius → Beaches, luxury resorts and multicultural cuisine
• Madagascar → Unique biodiversity and remote landscapes
• Seychelles → Island luxury and marine environments
• Zanzibar → Swahili culture and Indian Ocean coastlines

Africa by Travel Style

Safari Travel

For classic wildlife experiences, start with Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa.

Luxury Travel

Luxury travellers increasingly choose Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Morocco for conservation-led experiences and premium hospitality.

Beach Holidays

Mauritius, Seychelles, Zanzibar and parts of Mozambique offer some of Africa’s strongest coastal escapes.

Food and Culture

Morocco, Ethiopia and Senegal stand out for culinary traditions shaped by centuries of trade and migration.

Adventure Travel

Namibia, Rwanda and Tanzania attract travellers looking for hiking, wildlife and expedition-style experiences.

Where Should First-Time Visitors Start?

The answer depends less on budget and more on what kind of journey you want.

• First Africa trip: South Africa
• Luxury safari: Botswana
• Culture and history: Morocco or Ethiopia
• Wildlife: Kenya or Tanzania
• Remote landscapes: Namibia
• Indian Ocean islands: Mauritius or Zanzibar

For many travellers, South Africa remains the easiest introduction because it combines cities, coastline, safari experiences and strong tourism infrastructure in a single destination.

Featured Africa Reads

• The Africa Myth: Why One Continent is Fifty-Four Distinct Journeys → Our cornerstone guide to understanding Africa beyond assumptions
• Morocco Beyond Marrakech → Why Morocco is more than one city
• South Africa Is Bigger Than Its Headlines → A guide to one of Africa’s most rewarding destinations

Africa Changes Depending on Where You Look

Africa rewards curiosity more than assumptions. The continent’s diversity means there is no single African journey — only dozens of different routes shaped by landscapes, languages, cultures and histories.

The destinations above are starting points. The rest depends on how you choose to travel. with eyes wide open.

More good ideas for the best time of all — your free time