With over 52 countries with diverse cultures, landscapes, and beautiful sceneries, Africa has so much to offer. From diverse cultures to beautiful landscapes, safari experiences, and beach vacations. However, choosing the best countries to visit in Africa can be challenging.
If it’s your first time visiting Africa, you have nothing to worry about. This blog post covers the best countries to visit in Africa in 2024 for the most amazing time possible. From personal experience exploring Africa, I’ve been to most of these countries and can firsthand tell you just how much fun they can be.
This list was made from vigorous, in-depth conversations with expert travel guides, personal travel experiences, and feedback from first-time African visitors like yourself.
10 Best African Countries to Visit
Here are some of the best countries to visit in Africa in 2024 all year round.
Morocco
Morocco is one of Africa’s most popular travel destinations, with over 14.5 million visitors in 2023 alone, making it the most visited country in Africa.
From bustling markets to lively cities like Marrakech, Morocco has one of the most breathtaking experiences for all kinds of travelers. You can explore snowy peaked mountains, visit the sandy beaches of Asilah, or see UNESCO heritage sites all over the country.
Moroccans are quite conversant with tourists, too, so a warm welcome is expected. However, there are a few things about the country. If you’re attempting to navigate all by yourself, you might find that most locals would expect you to tip them for directions and things like that. Also, Morocco, being an Islamic nation, frowns on indecent dressing.
But beyond that, here are some interesting tourist attractions to check out during your trip.
Egypt
So, we all know Egypt. Almost every popular movie with archeological or historical findings mentions Egypt. Even the bible contains stories of Egypt. And now, vacationers visit this country for all it has to offer.
The pyramids of Giza might be one of the most amazing things Egypt has to offer, but it’s definitely not all. From popular museums to historical sites and even a boat cruise on the River Nile, Egypt is home to one of the best vacation experiences you can get in Africa.
Whether you’re looking for historical sites like the pyramids or the Sphinx statue or for natural wonders like enjoying a relaxing time in the white desert or the Red Sea, Egypt covers a lot of ground and impressive things to explore. I can almost not find any fault in a visit there.
Tanzania
Over the years, Tanzania has been gaining more popularity among travelers. Last year alone, more than half of my travel buddies had visited the East African country. Yes, they all had good stories to tell.
Like every African country, Tanzania is famous for its safaris, but that’s not all. UNESCO heritage sites like Stone Town House are historical sites depicting memories of slavery during the colonial era, beautiful beaches, and most importantly, the infamous Zanzibar spices.
If you’re looking for a country to substitute your vacation for the Maldives, Zanzibar, Tanzania, has some of the best places to visit. You could enjoy diving and snorkeling in the emerald green water, swim along with sea turtles, or explore the prison island where you’d see some of the most gigantic sea turtles and the cleanest turquoise water.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe stands out as one of the best travel destinations in Africa due to its remarkable natural beauty and richness of cultural and historical sites. Home to the infamous Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Zimbabwe offers tourists a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Zimbabwe is also a great African safari destination, where you can encounter the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros) in their natural habitat. Another fascinating thing to see in this African country is The Great Zimbabwe Ruins, which offers insight into the previous civilization.
Shona sculptures and Mbira music make you feel the traditional lifestyle of Zimbabweans. Harare and Bulawayo blend modernity and tradition with bustling markets, museums, and galleries that provide insights into contemporary life and cultural evolution.
Mauritius
Mauritius is known for its beautiful beaches and boat cruise experience. But this island country is more than just beautiful beaches. It’s also popular for its national parks and museums. A vacation to Mauritius would most likely feel like a vacation to paradise, where you’d explore the beautiful landscape, snorkel, and dive into emerald-green water.
You could also enjoy intense hikes in popular national parks or a staycation in some of the most beautiful resorts you could ever find.
South Africa
South Africa has numerous tourist attractions for almost all kinds of travelers. From beautiful beaches to exotic cities and famous safaris where you can see the big five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros).
From exotic cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town to national parks like Kruger with some of the most amazing landscapes you could see. You could also explore the historical and cultural sites highlighted by Robben Island and the Apartheid Museum.
Kenya
Kenya is one of the most terrific travel destinations to visit in Africa, especially if you’re looking for a place to enjoy the best African safari experience. A visit to Maasai Mara is always incredible, almost every time of the year. At the right time, between July and October, you can enjoy the incredible view of the Great Migration.
Kenya offers more than just beautiful landscapes and safari experiences. The city of Nairobi is also one of the most beautiful cities, and you can take a beautiful stroll through its streets and experience the perfect combination of modern and traditional culture. If you’ve visited Nairobi before, then you might also stop by Mombasa.
Beyond that are the snow-capped mounts and pristine beaches to look forward to.
Namibia
Namibia is just exquisite. From the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei to the White pan of Deadvlei overlooking blue skies, Namibia offers beautiful sceneries for the most excellent gram-worthy pictures and an unforgettable experience.
Beyond the unnatural beauty of the nation, it is also home to some of the best national parks to experience Africa’s big five. You could visit Etosha Pan, a vast, salt-encrusted lake bed that attracts a variety of animals.
You could also consider checking out Epupa Falls, enjoying yourself in Windeok, and basking in the beautiful cultural sites and museums.
Botswana
Botswana is one of Africa’s renowned travel destinations. From its pristine wilderness areas, including the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and Moremi Game Reserve, you get to experience diverse safari experiences, including bird sightings of some of the rarest species of birds.
Botswana might not have the landscape of Namibia or house one of the world’s seven wonders like Tanzania. Still, it is almost impossible not to enjoy a visit to this country, which has incredible animal sighting opportunities. From Makgadikgadi Pans, where you get to experience one of the most beautiful scenes of bird migrations during the rainy season, you could explore some of the UNESCO heritage sites to learn more about the interesting cultures.
But mostly, Botswana offers a unique cultural experience, with opportunities to engage with indigenous communities like the San people, also known as the Bushmen.
Rwanda
Rwanda is often considered one of the best countries to visit in Africa. Firstly, the country is renowned for its remarkable conservation efforts, particularly in protecting the critically endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. You get the extraordinary opportunity to embark on gorilla trekking expeditions, allowing them to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. This once-in-a-lifetime experience fosters a deep appreciation for wildlife conservation.
Beyond gorilla trekking, visitors can hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke, explore the ancient Nyungwe Forest, and relax along the shores of Lake Kivu, providing ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in Rwanda’s natural beauty.
Conclusion
Africa is undoubtedly blessed with some of the most beautiful landscapes, rare animal species, and diverse cultures. Visiting some of the best countries on this list to visit in Africa only exposes you to an exemplary vacation.
QOTD: Have you been to any of these African countries? What was your experience?