Africa — the original wild
Safari, desert and coast — the continent that recalibrates what travel can be.
Explore 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
Explore more destinations, guides, and travel ideas from across Africa
- Kenya | Africa | Beach Trips | Cultural travel | Nature Travel | Nature Trips | Safari
Kenya beyond safari: why wildlife is only half the story
Discover Kenya beyond safari. An editorial travel guide to Nairobi’s culture, the Swahili coast, Lamu Island, and the volcanic landscapes of the Rift Valley. There is a familiar sequence in how international travel writing introduces East Africa. First comes the wildlife: lions moving through dry grass, elephants crossing against orange skies, and the annual migration…
Namibia: The country that makes crowds feel strange
Namibia is what happens when landscape outweighs population. A Nordic-perspective guide to Sossusvlei, Etosha, the Skeleton Coast and the long desert roads of a country where silence is often the main attraction. Most travel writing treats empty space as something to cross on the way to the destination. Namibia quietly reverses the equation. Here, the…
Morocco beyond Marrakech: a country in four parts
Morocco is more than Marrakech. A Nordic-perspective guide to the four imperial cities, the High Atlas, the Sahara, the Rif mountains and the country’\”s twin coastlines — written for travellers who want the country, not just the postcard.
South Africa is bigger than its headlines
South Africa is the country international travel writing keeps misreading. A Nordic-perspective guide to Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route and Kruger — the country that consistently rewards first-time Africa travellers most.
- Africa | Adventure | Beach Trips | Cultural travel | Nature Travel | Nature Trips | Safari
The Africa Myth: Why One Continent is Fifty-Four Distinct Journeys
Africa is fifty-four sovereign countries, each with its own languages, cuisines, landscapes and travel logic. A Nordic-perspective overview of the continent that’s about to redefine travel for the next decade.
