Africa Travel

Africa is massive. It is diverse. It is incredibly complex.

Many people make the mistake of lumping Africa into a monolith—as if the place didn’t contain 54 individual countries, dozens of ecosystems, and thousands of languages.

When I tell people I spent a year living in Ondangwa Namibia in 2013, I often get the question “what’s Africa like?” It is a loaded question that is impossible to answer. Because the part of Africa I once called home, is vastly different from the corners of the continent that I’ve visited since.

Living in Namibia and traveling around the continent’s southern reaches did little to prepare me for what I would find during my overland journey in West Africa. Likewise, the volcanic Cape Verde Islands have next to nothing in common with the barren deserts of Egypt. Botswana has little to do with Togo. Senegal and Swaziland share little more than the starting letters of their names.  You get the picture.

Still, if you want to go to Africa, your journey will need to start somewhere. You’ll need to narrow down your interests and pick a country or region.

To reach that goal, perhaps this travel guide can be of some help.

Why Travel to Africa?

Africa is a continent that houses a staggering variety of landscapes within its borders. The continent is a wonderland for lovers of vibrant culture, unspoiled nature, and diverse wildlife. Travelers with a sense of adventure will find tons of things to do in Africa—whether interested in touring historical sites, lounging on beaches, traipsing through jungles, visiting remote tribal areas, or participating in adrenaline-pumping sports.

Which Region of Africa Should You Visit?

Africa is huge. It is also relatively difficult to get around. As a result, planning an “Africa trip” usually means limiting itineraries to a particular country or region. Euro-trip-style holidays in Africa are difficult to plan because of long distances, lack of infrastructure, and issues obtaining visas.

So, when planning a trip to Africa, which region should you visit?

In short, it all depends on your interests, your budget constraints, and your prior travel experience.

North Africa

North Africa is culturally and geographically distinct from the rest of the continent. The Sahara Desert—the world’s largest stretch of sand—acts as a barrier between North Africa and the continent’s other regions. As a result, North Africa shares more similarities with the Middle East than it does with the countries that lie to the south of the Sahara.

North Africa is an especially budget-friendly travel destination. The region is far more accessible than other parts of the continent. Guesthouses and local hole-in-the-wall eateries are prolific and cheap. Travel infrastructure is generally quite good, both in terms of local transport and airport connectivity.

For travelers interested in history, architecture, and ancient wonders, the North African countries offer a staggering variety of sites to see. From the whitewashed fairytale city of Sidi Bou Said Tunisia, to desert caravan towns in Morocco, to the temples of Ancient Egypt.

North Africa contains beautiful scenic areas, too. Home to both the sweeping dunes of the Sahara and the delicate chalk spires of the White Desert, it contains some of the most riveting desert scenery on Earth.

West Africa

West Africa is a region often associated with poverty and warfare. Instability, disease outbreaks, and civil wars have plagued many West African countries and hindered travel to the region. As a result, this off-the-beaten-path area of the world remains most suitable for experienced travelers who aren’t afraid to part with the luxuries and comforts of home. The region is hot, sticky, and frustrating. It is corrupt, disorganized, and bureaucratic.

It is also incredibly rewarding.

Travelers willing to give West Africa a chance will find plenty of things to do in the continent’s cultural heart. Traveling through West Africa is an assault to the senses. The region pulses with life. It dances to the beat of djembe drums. Its colorful batiks are like canvases of art.

West Africa does’t have the big name attractions that can be found in other parts of the continent, but the region still hosts a number of noteworthy places to visit. From the voodoo markets in Togo to the ancient palaces in Benin, it is a region full of rich history and hidden gems.

Ghana offers a beginners glance at the West Africa. Deemed ‘Africa for Beginners,’ it is a stable country with comparatively good infrastructure. The people in Ghana are some of the friendliest in Africa, the country is safe (both in terms of political stability and crime), and the food is delicious.

Despite the rampant poverty in West Africa, the region is not particularly budget-friendly, however. Limited tourist infrastructure and exorbitant visa fees make West Africa a surprisingly pricy destination.

Southern Africa

Whereas West Africa is a wonderland for experienced adventurers, Southern Africa offers travelers the opportunity to experience the continent with more comforts. The region offers a little bit of something for everyone. Its infrastructure caters to both budget backpackers and those seeking luxury escapes.

Southern Africa contains many of Africa’s big name highlights. Heavy hitters like Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Kruger National Park call this part of Africa home.

Southern Africa contains some of the continent’s most awe-inspiring scenery, as well as what is arguably its most beautiful city (Cape Town). There’s also rich history in Southern Africa. The Great Zimbabwe ruins near the town of Masvingo are some of the most impressive structures South of the Sahara.

East Africa

From my understanding, East Africa is dripping with places to visit. It is a region with unparalleled wildlife and spectacular coastal scenery. I cannot wait to explore the area myself.

Central Africa

I have not yet traveled to Central Africa. As with East Africa, much of my understanding of the region comes from secondhand experiences. I do know that Central Africa is not an easy destination, however. Challenging visa restrictions, pockets of instability, and limited infrastructure, make it mostly suitable for experienced and intrepid travelers.

Things to See in Africa

I will never pretend to have a definitive and comprehensive Africa travel guide. There is simply no way I could amass a resource that covers the continent’s multitude of places to visit without thousands of other contributing voices.

Still, though I have yet to explore many of the continent’s attractions, I’ve had the fortune of traveling around 16 different countries in Africa—from the wildlife-studded reaches of the Okavango Delta, to the sweeping blood-red sands of Sudan.

Here are ten of the top places to visit in Africa that I can personally vouch for, in no particular order (and, of course, given the limit of my travels, with no definitive authority).

1. The Namib Desert

The Namib Desert is among the world’s most striking examples of desert scenery. At Sossusvlei, the world’s tallest dunes blanket a vast swath of the country’s inhospitable land. The blood-red dunes of Sossusvlei are among the top things to see in Africa and a definite highlight of my travels to date.

2. The Pyramids of Giza

There are few places on Earth that can compare to the Pyramids of Giza. Dating back nearly 6,000 years, the iconic structures have captured the imaginations of travelers and historians for millennia. The ancient pharaonic structures are the oldest and most important cultural relics in Africa, and undoubtedly among the continent’s top attractions.

3. The Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta fans out over the Kalahari desert and brings life to the parched and arid landscape of northern Botswana. The vast floodplains of the area create an ideal habitat for wildlife-viewing. Taking a makoro canoe through the swamplands of the Okavango is an unforgettable African travel experience.

4. Victoria Falls

There are few natural landmarks on Earth that can compare to the grandeur of Victoria Falls. The thundering waterfall is the largest of its kind in the world. It is a hotspot for adrenaline-pumping sports like bungee jumping, and an unmissable highlight for anyone interested in witnessing one of the most powerful forces of nature.

5. The Meroe Pyramids of Sudan

The Meroe Pyramids of Sudan are among Africa’s best-kept secrets. The pyramids are a group of roughly 200 structures that date back more than 2,500 years. Though smaller than the Great Pyramids of Giza and Dashur, the Meroitic pyramids lie beautifully situated among low-lying sand dunes. They are remaining testaments to a civilization that once rivaled that of Ancient Egypt.

And best of all, the awe-inspiring archeological site is almost entirely tourist-free.

6. Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world’s greatest cities. Framed by the towering Table Mountain and surrounded by a truly spectacular stretch of coastline, the city has an unrivaled natural setting. Cape Town is home to a number of historical, natural and cultural attractions that can satisfy even the pickiest of travelers.

7. The Gold Coast of Ghana

For travelers interested in history, there are few African countries that can compare to Ghana. Africa’s Golden Child is a stable and welcoming country with beautiful people and a multitude of places to visit. But it is also a place with a harrowing past that should never be forgotten or repeated. There are 38 slave forts scattered along Ghana’s Gold Coast. These imposing structures tell the stories of the millions of people who were ripped from their homelands and sold into slavery.

8. Santo Antão Island

Santo Antão Island probably won’t make it to the top of most Africa travel lists, which is a true shame. The Cape Verdean island is staggeringly beautiful and incredibly safe. Blessed with miles upon miles of hiking trails and terraced mountainsides that reach toward the sky, it is a true off-the-beaten-path gem that cannot possibly remain a secret for long.

9. Lake Malawi 

Lake Malawi is a laid-back traveler’s paradise. It is a vast body of water that is both serenely beautiful and host to some of the world’s best freshwater snorkeling. When David Livingston first set eyes on Lake Malawi, he named it the Lake of Stars. I can certainly understand why. The lake twinkles under the sun, as if littered with millions of glittering stars. It is magical. Enchanting.

10. The Fes Medina

Morocco’s Fez Medina is an enthralling frenzy of color, sounds, and smells. The Medina is Fes’ old town. It is chaotic and beautiful and utterly bewildering. The blind alleyways of the medina lead to squares with exquisite fountains and streets bursting with the scent of aromatic spices.

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There are a million different things to do in Africa, and this list of ten top places to visit is in no way exhaustive. The continent is wild, rugged, and largely untouched by tourism.

I cannot wait until my next visit.