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

Consider whether Zanzibar, listed under both East Africa and Indian Ocean Africa, is consistently categorised.

Food and Culture

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

Where to Stay and What to Eat

Accommodation reflects the region. In North Africa, riads, traditional courtyard houses in medinas, are a common choice in Moroccan cities, while Egypt offers everything from Nile cruise boats to large coastal resorts. Across East Africa, safari camps range from simple tented sites to lodges with open-air dining, and city hotels cater mostly to business travellers. Southern Africa has a strong tradition of game lodges, private conservancies and self-catering cottages, alongside city hotels in Cape Town and Johannesburg. In West Africa, guesthouses and small hotels dominate, and in Central Africa lodges are often remote and basic compared with those further south.

Food rewards curiosity. In Morocco, tagine, slow-cooked in a conical clay pot, and couscous served on Fridays are common, and mint tea is offered as a form of hospitality. Ethiopia’s injera, a sour flatbread used to scoop up stews, is served communally and is central to the country’s dining. Senegal’s thieboudienne, a rice dish cooked with fish and vegetables, is considered its national dish. In East Africa, nyama choma, grilled meat, and ugali, a maize porridge, appear widely, while the Swahili coast serves coconut-based seafood dishes. Southern African braais, or barbecues, are social occasions, and bobotie, a spiced minced-meat bake, reflects Cape Malay influence.

Eating at local markets and family-run restaurants is usually the most affordable and rewarding option, though it is sensible to follow established food safety practices, such as choosing busy places with high turnover.

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.

Visas, Health and Safety

Visa rules differ greatly from country to country. Some nations allow visitors from many places to obtain a visa on arrival or through an online system, while others require a visa to be arranged in advance through an embassy. Some countries also require that your passport remain valid for a set period beyond your departure date, and a few ask for proof of onward travel. Requirements change, so confirm the rules for your nationality with the relevant embassy or official government website before booking.

Vaccination advice should come from a travel health clinic or your own doctor, who can take your itinerary and medical history into account. Yellow fever certification is required by some countries and for some onward connections, so it is worth checking early. Malaria is present in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and preventive measures and medication should be discussed well before departure. Carry any prescriptions in their original packaging and bring adequate travel insurance that covers evacuation.

Safety varies by region and by the specific area within a country. Petty theft is common in busy cities and markets, so keep valuables discreet and use reputable transport. Some border areas and certain regions have security concerns, and conditions can change. Wildlife can be dangerous, and reserve rules exist for good reason.

The most important step is to check current government travel advice for each country on your route before you leave and again shortly before departure. Sign up for alerts where available, and keep copies of key documents and emergency contacts.

Malaria, Water and Places to Check

Malaria is present across much of sub-Saharan Africa, and the right prophylaxis depends on the country, the season and your medical history. A travel health clinic can recommend a suitable drug and dosing schedule, and this should be arranged several weeks before departure, since some medications need to be started in advance. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves at dusk and sleep under nets where they are provided. Malaria prophylaxis reduces risk but does not remove it, so seek medical care promptly if you develop fever after returning home.

On water, the general rule is to drink only bottled, boiled or properly treated water, and to avoid ice of uncertain origin. Brushing teeth with tap water in many places is best avoided if you have a sensitive stomach. Fresh fruit should be peeled, and salads washed in clean water are a question for your own judgement. Lodges and reputable hotels usually provide safe drinking water, but it is worth asking.

Check current government travel advice for each country on your route before you leave. Some border regions, particularly in the Sahel, parts of the Horn of Africa and certain areas of Central Africa, have security concerns that can change quickly, and some areas are advised against for most travel. Avoid unofficial border crossings and follow local guidance on the ground.

What Things Cost

Costs across Africa vary more widely than most travellers expect, both between countries and within them. A night in a city hotel in Cairo, a guesthouse in rural Senegal and a lodge in the Okavango Delta belong to entirely different markets. Currency movements can also shift prices quickly, so check current rates before you travel.

Budget travel is possible in most countries, with guesthouses, local buses and street food keeping daily spending low. Mid-range travellers typically find good hotels, private transfers and restaurants at moderate prices in major cities and coastal resorts. Luxury levels are where the range is widest: a small lodge within a private conservancy in southern Africa can cost many times more per night than a comparable hotel in a city, and the price often includes guiding, meals and activities.

Safaris are usually the largest single expense. Prices depend on whether you choose a shared group vehicle or a private guide, the reserve, the season and the standard of lodge. Permits for certain parks and wildlife experiences add to the bill, and in some destinations a significant portion of what you pay goes to conservation.

Food is often the most affordable part of a trip, particularly where local markets and simple restaurants are part of daily life. Imported goods, alcohol and tourist-area meals cost considerably more. Transport within countries ranges from very cheap shared minibuses to expensive internal flights, so decide early which you need. Always get quotes in writing and confirm what is included.

Daily Budgets by Travel Style

These ranges are rough guides in US dollars per person per day, excluding international flights. They cover accommodation, food, local transport and modest activities, and they vary by country and season.

• Backpacker: roughly 30 to 60 dollars a day, based on guesthouses, shared minibuses and local meals.
• Mid-range: roughly 100 to 250 dollars a day, covering comfortable hotels, private transfers and restaurant meals in cities and resorts.
• Luxury: from several hundred dollars a day upward, with the highest figures in private conservancies where guiding and meals are included.

A safari is usually the biggest single cost. As an example, a mid-range group safari in a Kenyan or Tanzanian park, shared vehicle and lodge accommodation included, might run from around 300 to 500 dollars per person per day, while a private guided safari at a high-end lodge in Botswana can cost well over 1,000 dollars per person per day. Park entry fees and conservation levies are often billed separately, so ask for a full breakdown.

Always ask whether quotes include park fees, transfers, tips and taxes, and get the total in writing.

Getting There and Getting Around

Most international travellers arrive through a small number of large hubs. In North Africa, Casablanca, Cairo and Tunis are major gateways. In East Africa, Nairobi and Addis Ababa handle heavy intercontinental traffic. In southern Africa, Johannesburg is the main regional hub, and Cape Town serves as a second international entry point. Many West African journeys route through Dakar or Accra. Direct flights from Europe are common to these cities, and flights from North America usually connect through a European or Gulf hub.

Once on the ground, distances are large and road conditions vary. Domestic flights often save days of travel, particularly between safari areas, and small regional airlines serve many reserves and islands. Overland buses connect major cities in several countries, but journey times are long and schedules can be loose. Rail networks are limited and uneven across the continent.

Self-drive is popular in Namibia and South Africa, where road quality is generally good, though gravel roads and long stretches without fuel demand planning. In many other countries, hiring a driver with a vehicle is more practical and often safer. Within safari reserves, travel is usually restricted to approved vehicles and guided transfers.

Between countries, land borders can take considerable time, and some crossings require advance paperwork. Island destinations such as Zanzibar, Mauritius and the Seychelles are reached by air or boat, and inter-island connections are limited, so allow time within your schedule.

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

When to Go: Seasons, Rains and Wildlife

Africa does not have one travel season. Its seasons depend on latitude, altitude and proximity to the sea, so a month that suits one country can be the wrong time in its neighbour. The safest approach is to decide what you want first, then check the calendar for that particular region.

In much of southern and eastern Africa, the dry season runs roughly from around May to October. Grass is shorter, vegetation thins and animals gather around permanent water, which makes wildlife easier to see. The trade-off is cooler nights and, in some reserves, a busier calendar. The wet season, usually November to April, brings lush green landscapes, fewer visitors and some roads that become difficult or impassable, particularly in remote areas.

Wildlife movements follow rainfall rather than the calendar. The great herds of the Serengeti and Masai Mara travel in response to grazing and water, so their location shifts from year to year. If a specific migration crossing is the reason for your trip, treat exact timing as uncertain and build flexibility into your plans.

Coastal destinations often work on different rhythms. The Indian Ocean islands and the Red Sea each have their own calmer and windier periods, and beach weather rarely matches safari weather in the same trip. Cities such as Cape Town and Nairobi can be visited for much of the year, though heavy rain and cold snaps are part of the picture in some months.

In the Sahara and across North Africa, summers are very hot inland, so many travellers prefer spring and autumn for desert trips. Mountain areas such as the Atlas can be cold in winter. Check monthly averages for each specific place rather than assuming a continental pattern.

Seasons at a Glance by Region

Africa’s seasons follow latitude, altitude and distance from the sea, so the table below is a starting point rather than a rule. Check the figures for the specific country and altitude before fixing dates.

Region — dry season — wet season — notes

• Southern Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia): roughly May to October is dry and best for wildlife viewing; November to April is green and wetter, with some lodges and roads closing.
• East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania): the long dry season runs from about June to October, with a shorter dry spell in January and February; the rains come in the long and short wet seasons between them.
• West Africa (Senegal, Ghana): the dry season is broadly November to April, with the wet season and humidity from about May to October.
• North Africa (Morocco, Egypt): spring and autumn suit most travellers; inland desert summers are very hot and mountain areas can be cold in winter.
• Indian Ocean islands (Mauritius, Seychelles, Zanzibar): the drier, cooler months are roughly May to October, with humid, showery weather in the warmer months.

The Great Migration in the Serengeti is typically centred on the calving season in the southern plains from about January to March, with the herds moving north and west through the year and crossing the Mara River mostly from around July to October. Timing shifts with rainfall, so treat these windows as a guide and build flexibility into your plans.

Flying in from Europe and North America

From Europe, the most common routes are direct or one-stop flights into North Africa, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Cape Town. Flights from London, Paris and Frankfurt to Nairobi or Johannesburg typically take roughly eight to eleven hours, and a flight to Cairo or Casablanca is considerably shorter. Schedules change, so check current timetables rather than relying on these figures.

From North America, most journeys connect through a European or Gulf hub, which adds time. Travellers from the east coast often reach Johannesburg, Nairobi or Cairo in a day or more of total travel once connections are included.

Visa requirements depend heavily on nationality and destination. Some countries offer visas on arrival to travellers from many Western nations, while others require an application in advance. Kenya and Rwanda, for example, offer electronic or arrival options to many visitors, but rules change and should be confirmed with the relevant embassy or official government website before you book.

Customs, Dress and Tipping

Greetings matter across the continent. In many countries, a handshake followed by a few words of greeting is expected before any business or question, and skipping this can seem abrupt. In parts of North Africa and East Africa, using the right hand for greetings and giving and receiving things is more polite. Learning a few words of the local language is well received almost everywhere.

Dress is more conservative in religious and rural areas than in tourist resorts. Covering shoulders and knees is a good default in mosques, villages and most of Morocco and Egypt outside beach areas. Women may find that modest clothing reduces unwanted attention. In coastal Swahili towns, similar modesty is appreciated.

Photography requires care. Ask before photographing people, particularly in markets and rural communities, and accept a refusal gracefully. Some sites, including certain military areas, government buildings, airports and religious sites, prohibit photography, and rules inside national parks and on guided walks should be followed. Many guides explicitly ask guests not to photograph people without permission.

Tipping customs vary. In South Africa and parts of East Africa, tipping restaurant staff and safari guides is common and often expected, while in other countries a small amount is appreciated but not mandatory. Check whether a service charge is already included before adding anything.

Planning Your Route and Booking Safaris

Most travellers gain more from fewer destinations than from a long list. A week in one region allows time to settle, while two weeks can cover two regions with a flight between them. Allow extra days for internal travel, since distances are large and road times are longer than maps suggest. Combining a safari with a coastal stay works well because the climates and rhythms are different but the connections are often short by air.

Combine destinations that are geographically close to save travel time. Kenya and Tanzania pair naturally, as do Botswana and Zimbabwe through Victoria Falls, and Morocco with Spain or Portugal by ferry, though schedules should be checked. Avoid planning long overland routes through remote or unstable areas without expert advice.

When booking a safari operator, look for membership of recognised national tourism or safari associations, clear written itineraries and transparent pricing. Ask about guide qualifications, vehicle safety, insurance and how the operator handles cancellations and medical emergencies. Reviews are useful, but check recent ones and be cautious of very low prices, which often signal cut corners. Speaking directly with the operator before paying is always reasonable.