Africa is one of the most unrated destinations on earth, characterised by dense forests, misty mountain peaks, vibrant city centres, and game rich savannahs. With spectacular scenery, diverse cultures and friendly people, and incredible wildlife that changes from border to border, it’s time to put some of Africa’s most desirable destinations on the map. Here are the top eight countries to add to your African bucket list:
Togo
View of the Lome beach and neighbourhood from IBIS Hotel
Togo is a country in west Africa along the Gulf of Guinea. Its capital city, Lomé is known as the “Pearl of West Africa” and offers a unique charm with friendly people and picturesque countryside. Togo offers a rare inside look into an authentic African country where women balance fruit baskets on their heads and tribal music emanates from nearby homes. From colourful colonial-style architecture to local markets and spectacular African sunsets, it doesn’t get better than a trip to Lomé. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Lomé, visit Pure Plage.
South Africa
South Africa is a land of contrasts, offering high-rise cosmopolitan cities, kilometres of unspoilt coastline, and vast open savannah home to the Big Five. Spend a few weeks exploring the built-up cities of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg before heading into the bush on a safari escape in Kruger National Park, the private Sabi Sands reserve, or the quieter game reserves of the Eastern Cape. Leisure holidays are just as pleasurable with beautiful coastal towns and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. You can get just about anything out of a holiday in South Africa, whether you prefer roughing it up on a coastline campsite, staying in a five star city hotel, or cozying up in a safari tent or tree house in the middle of the African bush.
Tanzania
Numerous wildebeest photographed after having crossed the river Mara from Serengeti to the Mara.
Tanzania is a country in East Africa, known for the spectacular Serengeti and the Great Migration of wildebeest who stampede through the grassland year by year. It’s about as “African” an experience as you can get: elephants drink along the riverfront, chimpanzees swing through the trees, and crocodiles eye you mischievously from the riverbank. Meet Maasai warriors, learn traditional dance, laze on beautiful beaches, and immerse yourself in Swahili culture. Hike Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest peak in Africa), go on a game drive through the Serengeti, and appreciate the real life scenes of the Lion King on a trip through the Ngorongoro Crater. Staying in Tanzania is as diverse as it gets with everything from backpackers to luxury safari lodges overlooking the open savannah.
Rwanda
Rwanda is one of the few countries where you can enjoy gorilla tracking through misty bamboo forests at the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Known as the “land of a thousand hills”, Rwanda offers an abundance of mountain slopes covered with a network of jungles and rare fauna and flora. Spot the silverback mountain gorilla and unusual birds like the Ruwenzori Turaco in the montane forest of Nyungwe. Accommodation is fairly basic but pricier than neighbouring countries like Tanzania and Uganda. Spend a scenic week around Lake Kivu which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo or stay in Kigali at the famous Hotel des Milles Collines which was featured in the movie Hotel Rwanda.
Mauritius
Sunset on Mauritius
Mauritius is a beautiful volcanic island off the south east coast of Africa. It’s a family friendly and romantic holiday resort known for its powder-white beaches, glistening lagoons, and exuberant coral reefs. Bird-watchers will be in their element in Mauritius (believed to have saved more bird species from going extinct than any other place on earth) so keep an eye out for the pink pigeon and Mauritian kestrel! Other fascinating wildlife includes 100 year old giant tortoises, white dolphin, and several species of whale and shark. While the beautiful beaches call for its fair share of relaxation, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Enjoy a wide range of water sports, including diving, kite surfing, snorkelling, boating, and land-based adventures like hiking, ziplining, and horse riding. Choosing your accommodation will be tough with stunning hotel rooms, villas, and cabanas set on the beach, over the water or within the tropical forest.
Kenya
Flat-topped Acacia trees, forests and palm lined coastline. This is Kenya, one of the most incredible countries in east Africa, home to a plethora of natural scenic beauty and wildlife. It is here that you will find the vast reserve of the Maasai Mara, one of the greatest game reserves on earth – where herds of zebra graze fortuitously alongside lion packs. Bordering the Serengeti plains, you can witness the Great migration of wildebeest between July and October. Accommodation is available in city apartments and villas to luxury safari lodges overlooking the African plains.
Morocco
Fortress in Morocco
Experience the magic of Morocco and explore this vast landscape filled with never-ending desert dunes, open starry skies, coastlines meandering through waterfalls and caves, and the enchanting Atlas Mountains. This vibrant country in North Africa is the largest living medieval Islamic city in the world and offers plenty of new experiences for tourists. It is known for its warm Moroccan culture, spice trading history, hammam spas, desert safaris, shopping souks, camel treks, and more. While the Arabic architecture in Morocco is truly beautiful, the accommodation here is more about authenticity than glamour. You will find everything from camping to hostels, and riads to five star hotels here (but note that five star hotels in Morocco are more like four star hotels elsewhere).
Botswana
Botswana is a scenic country in southern Africa – and one of the most underrated tourist destinations on earth. Operating a low volume, high cost tourist ethic, the country ensures that its wildlife is priority which means that when you’re out exploring the unspoilt game reserves of Botswana, you are unlikely to come across many other people. Enjoy a rare opportunity to stay overnight in an unfenced reserve – those brave enough can fall asleep in a tent surrounded by the sound of hyena calls and lion prowls. Accommodation is also available in safari tents and lodges.
Africa is a melting pot of culture, wildlife and friendly people, just waiting to be explored…
Photo Credits
View of the Lome beach and neighbourhood from IBIS Hotel – Wikimedia Creative Common
Wildebeest – Wikimedia Creative Common
Sunset Mauritius – by matze_ott on flickr – Some Rights Reserved
Fortress in Morocco – pixabay public domain
Guest Author Bio
Lauren Morling
Lauren Morling is a South African travel writer living in London. She enjoys exploring new places, a good frozen margarita, and doing crosswords. Her favourite travel destinations to date are Botswana and Greece and she hopes to visit every continent by the age of 30.