101 Best Places to Visit in Africa in 2026 (By Country)

Africa has 54 countries, more than 3,000 ethnic groups, and stunning sights like the Sahara’s dunes and the Serengeti’s plains. Many of the best places to visit in Africa are still unknown to most travellers. Egypt’s pyramids, for example, have stood for over 4,500 years, older than most countries today, and that’s just one of many wonders here. Truly, Africa offers some of the world’s richest travel experiences.

Despite its rich history and diversity, Africa is still one of the least visited continents, attracting only a small share of global tourists each year. Many travellers still see Africa through old stereotypes, missing out on its world-class safaris, vibrant cities, beautiful beaches, and UNESCO sites. This guide aims to close that gap by showing what Africa truly offers.

So this article rounds up the 101 best places to visit in Africa, organised by country, so you can plan a trip around whatever you want or like. You’ll get a country-by-country breakdown covering must-see cities, natural wonders, and hidden gems that rarely make it to travel sites.

What Africa Is Best Known For

Most people picture Africa as one place with one climate and one kind of trip. It isn’t. The continent is so large that the United States, China, India, and most of Europe could fit inside it with room to spare. It has deserts, rainforests, savannahs, snow-capped mountains, and long stretches of coastline, sometimes within the same country. 

For instance, Morocco has ski resorts, and Kenya has a glacier on Mount Kenya. Egypt and South Africa sit at opposite ends of the continent and share almost nothing in climate, language, or history.

Africa’s diversity goes beyond geography. Thousands of different languages are spoken across the continent, and each ethnic group has its own customs, food, and history. 

101 Best Places to Visit in Africa by Country

The selections below are grouped by regions and then by country. 

North Africa

1. Marrakesh, Morocco 

Marrakesh is one of the places that is best enjoyed at night. The Jemaa el-Fnaa literally turns into a theater; instead of a town square it is meant to be, with storytellers, food stalls, snake charmers, and a beautiful noise that makes you want to stay in the medina. You need a tour guide for this visit because the lanes can quickly become confusing and you may likely get lost.

2. Fès, Morocco 

Fès holds onto its old workshops, religious schools, and tanneries the way few cities still do. You can smell the dye pits before you see them, and the medina keeps unfolding lane after lane the longer you stay. Give yourself a night or two here, because a rushed day trip barely scratches the surface.

3. Chefchaouen, Morocco 

Every wall, door, and stairwell in Chefchaouen is painted some shade of blue, and nobody fully agrees on why it started. Early morning is when the town feels most like itself, before the day-trippers arrive with their cameras. Stay overnight if you can, since the quiet streets at dawn are half the reason people fall in love with this place.

4. Aït Benhaddou, Morocco 

This fortified clay settlement is on the old caravan route between Marrakesh and the Sahara, and it has been rebuilt by hand for generations. You’ve probably seen it in a film without realising it. If you can, cross the river and climb through the ksar yourself; you will find it intriguing. 

5. Essaouira, Morocco 

Essaouira feels like a breath of fresh air. The ramparts, the fishing harbour, and the Atlantic air are part of the appeal. Pack a thick cloth because the same wind that draws the surfers here can make the beach feel colder than you’d expect.

6. Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, Morocco 

Erg Chebbi’s dunes rise tall enough to swallow the horizon, and Merzouga is where most people head in to see them. Watching the light change over the sand at sunrise is worth the early start. Choose your camp operator carefully and ask how they treat the camels, and pack something warm, because the desert gets properly cold once the sun goes down.

7. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Nowhere else puts the pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the edge of a modern city in the same view. Standing that close to something over 4,500 years old is a strange feeling that photos don’t really capture. Get there early and book tickets through official channels, and decide beforehand if you want to pay extra to go inside one of the pyramids.

8. Luxor, Egypt 

Luxor holds more ancient Egypt than almost anywhere else in the country. Karnak and Luxor temples are on the east bank, and the Valley of the Kings, with its funerary temples, is on the west. Give it two full days if you can.

9. Historic Cairo, Egypt 

Historic Cairo layers Fatimid, Mamluk and Ottoman history through its mosques, gates and medieval streets. Coptic Cairo nearby tells a completely different chapter of the same city’s story. 

10. Aswan and Philae Temple, Egypt 

At Aswan, the Nile shapes almost everything you do here. Take a boat out to Philae Temple, or take a felucca ride and stop in a Nubian village on the river islands. 

11. Abu Simbel, Egypt 

These temple façades were cut apart and rebuilt higher up the cliff during the construction of the Aswan High Dam, one of the great rescue jobs in modern archaeology. Standing in front of the colossal statues makes that story feel real. The drive out is long, so plan for a full day.

12. Hurghada and the Red Sea, Egypt 

After days of temples and dust, Hurghada is where the trip turns into a beach holiday. The reefs here are the reason most people come, with diving and boat trips built around them.

13. Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia 

White walls, blue shutters, and sea views make Sidi Bou Said one of the prettiest hilltop villages on the Gulf of Tunis. It’s built for slow mornings and a coffee with a view, not for rushing through. Pair it with the ruins at nearby Carthage and treat the whole thing as a half-day rather than trying to stretch it further.

Read Also: 25 Best Beaches in Africa You Must See Before You Die

14. El Jem Amphitheatre, Tunisia 

El Jem is one of the largest Roman amphitheatres still standing anywhere. You can walk through the tunnels beneath the arena where gladiators and animals once waited, then climb the seating tiers above. Don’t skip the underground passages.

15. Douz and the Tunisian Sahara, Tunisia 

Douz works as the launch point into Tunisia’s southern desert, with dunes and palm groves close by. It’s a good base if you want a taste of the Sahara without going too far off the map. Don’t visit during the summer months, as the heat can be overwhelming.

16. The Casbah of Algiers, Algeria 

The Casbah climbs from the waterfront through a maze of Ottoman houses, mosques, and stepped alleys. Its condition changes from one block to the next, which is part of what makes wandering through it so absorbing. Bring a local guide, both for context and so you don’t lose your way.

17. Timgad, Algeria 

Timgad still lays out its Roman street grid, arches, theatre, and baths clearly enough that you could sketch a map from memory. Walking through it feels like walking through an actual city that simply emptied out. There’s almost no shade across the site, so come early or come during the cooler months.

18. Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria 

Thousands of prehistoric rock paintings sit among sandstone formations that look sculpted rather than eroded by wind. Very few places on this list feel as remote or as old. Reaching them takes official permits and experienced desert guides, so this is one of the most demanding trips in the whole guide.

19. Ghardaïa and the M’Zab Valley, Algeria 

Ibadi communities built these fortified towns centuries ago, and they still function much as they always have. The earth-toned buildings and desert setting make the M’Zab Valley look almost sculpted into the landscape. Dress modestly and ask before photographing anyone, especially around homes and markets.

20. Chinguetti, Mauritania 

Chinguetti grew as a caravan and scholarship centre on the edge of the Sahara, and it still holds an old mosque and manuscript libraries with real academic weight behind their sand-swept walls. Few places give you this direct a link to centuries of desert learning. Arrange the trip around current security advice and reliable local contacts rather than showing up unplanned.

21. Banc d’Arguin National Park, Mauritania 

You will find some of the largest bird colonies here. Watching thousands of birds move across the shallows is a genuinely rare sight. Getting in is demanding, so sort access out before you even leave Nouakchott or Nouadhibou.

West Africa

22. Lagos, Nigeria 

Lagos has energy that’s hard to describe until you’re in it. Art spaces, markets, music, food, and the Atlantic waterfront are some of the things you will find in this bubbling city.

23. Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Nigeria 

This is one of the best places to visit in Africa, and it’s part of the living Yoruba tradition. Shrines and sculptures line the forest paths beside the Osun River. Walking through the grove feels different once you understand it’s still an active site of worship. Go with a guide who can explain the religious meaning behind what you’re seeing.

24. Idanre Hills, Nigeria 

A long stone staircase climbs toward the remains of an old hilltop settlement above the modern town. The views over the surrounding hills get better with every level you climb. Start early, wear real shoes and carry water, because the climb itself is the whole point of the trip.

25. Obudu Mountain Resort, Nigeria 

Winding roads lead up into the highlands of Cross River State, and the cool air and wide mountain views come as a genuine surprise this close to the coast. It’s one of the few places in Nigeria that feels properly like a mountain escape. 

26. Yankari Game Reserve and Wikki Warm Spring, Nigeria 

A game reserve paired with a naturally warm spring is an unusual combination, and Yankari makes it work. Swimming in Wikki’s clear water after a day of wildlife spotting is a nice way to end things. Wildlife sightings depend on the season, so confirm accommodation, guides and road conditions before you set out.

For 20 more Nigerian destinations, use Plot Insider’s guide to Nigeria’s most stunning places to visit.

27. Accra, Ghana 

Accra brings together contemporary art, food, nightlife, and sites tied to Ghana’s independence movement, all within reach of each other. It’s a city that rewards curiosity more than a fixed itinerary. 

28. Cape Coast Castle, Ghana 

Cape Coast Castle puts you face to face with the history of the transatlantic slave trade. Walking through the dungeons and out through the Door of No Return is not something you forget quickly. 

29. Kakum National Park, Ghana 

A canopy walkway strung high above the rainforest gives Kakum its main appeal, and the view from up there is unlike anything else nearby. Looking down through the treetops changes how you see the whole forest.

30. Mole National Park, Ghana 

Mole is Ghana’s most established savannah park, and both the walking and vehicle safaris here can turn up elephants, antelope and a genuinely wide range of birdlife. Watching an elephant amble past on foot, rather than from a vehicle, is a different kind of experience entirely. Sightings depend on the day, so keep your expectations flexible.

31. Dakar, Senegal 

Dakar has its own music, art, and food identity, as well as the jumping-off point for Gorée Island. The Museum of Black Civilisations and the shoreline neighbourhoods make this city distinct. 

32. Gorée Island, Senegal 

Gorée Island carries heavy history tied to the slave trade and colonial Atlantic trade routes. The House of Slaves gets most of the attention, but the museums, architecture, and residential streets tell more of the story. Set aside enough time to see the island beyond the House of Slaves, because there’s more here than the one stop.

33. Sine-Saloum Delta, Senegal 

Mangroves, waterways, islands, and fishing communities weave together here in a way that’s hard to explain until you’re actually on the water. Watching a pirogue slip through the narrow channels tells you more about the delta than any description could. A locally guided boat trip is the best way to see how people, birds, and the tides actually share this landscape.

34. Sal, Cabo Verde 

Sal makes an easy first stop in Cabo Verde, especially around the beach town of Santa Maria. The salt pans and dry, windswept interior are worth a look beyond the beach itself. Don’t mistake the resort strip for the whole country, because it isn’t representative of Cabo Verde at large.

35. Santo Antão, Cabo Verde 

For hiking through volcanic valleys and mountain villages, this is the island to pick. The terraced green valleys look almost unreal against the dry volcanic rock. Ferry schedules, steep roads, and unpredictable weather shape everything here, so give yourself more time than the map suggests.

36. Ouidah, Benin 

Vodun, the kingdom of Dahomey, and the transatlantic slave trade all converge in this one town. Following the Route of the Slaves down to the coast is a genuinely moving walk when it’s done properly. 

37. Ganvié, Benin 

Homes, transport, and trade all run directly on water in this lakeside settlement. Watching daily life unfold entirely on boats is unlike anything else on this list. Pick a community-aware guide and ask before photographing anyone.

38. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire 

Abidjan sprawls across lagoons and distinct neighbourhoods, and its contemporary culture, food and nightlife are reason enough to come on their own. The lagoon views from parts of the city are genuinely striking. 

39. Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire 

Colonial-era buildings still line the streets of this lived-in coastal town. Walking the old quarter feels like stepping into a different decade entirely. 

40. Kunta Kinteh Island, The Gambia 

This is one of several linked sites along the River Gambia documenting the history of the slave trade. Reaching the island by boat adds weight to the visit in a way that a land route wouldn’t. Choose an operator who treats the subject with care because the historical interpretation is central to the whole experience.

41. Freetown Peninsula, Sierra Leone 

Green hills meet Atlantic beaches along this stretch, River Number Two among them. The coastline here is genuinely among the most beautiful in West Africa. Travel time, road conditions, and seasonal rain will decide how much you actually see in a single day, so plan accordingly.

42. Koutammakou, Togo 

Batammariba communities still live in the tower-like earthen houses that make this place famous. Seeing the takienta houses up close, still lived in, is very different from seeing photos of them. Visit with local guidance and remember these are homes, not abandoned monuments.

43. Fouta Djallon, Guinea 

Highland walks and waterfall trips make this a strong pick if scenery matters more to you than cities. The green hills and waterfalls here rarely make it onto anyone’s radar, which is part of the appeal. Roads move slowly, and facilities are basic, so plan with local help and don’t cram too many stops into one day.

East Africa and the Indian Ocean

44. Nairobi National Park, Kenya 

Free-ranging wildlife grazing with Kenya’s capital skyline rising directly behind it is a combination that barely exists anywhere else on earth. Seeing a giraffe with skyscrapers in the background is the kind of thing you don’t quite believe until you see it. 

45. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya 

Big cats and the seasonal wildebeest migration are what draw people to the Mara. Even outside migration season, the density of wildlife here is hard to match anywhere else in Africa. A river crossing on your exact dates is never guaranteed, so come for the wildlife that’s here year-round rather than betting the whole trip on one moment.

46. Amboseli National Park, Kenya 

Elephant herds crossing open plains with Kilimanjaro rising in the background is the postcard, and Amboseli genuinely delivers it. Watching an elephant walk beneath a mountain that big puts things in perspective. Clear mountain views depend on the weather, but the wetlands and the elephants themselves make the trip worthwhile regardless.

47. Lamu Old Town, Kenya 

Carved wooden doors and coral-stone buildings line Lamu’s narrow streets, preserving centuries of Swahili trading history. Wandering these streets without a fixed plan is honestly the best way to experience the town. 

48. Diani Beach, Kenya 

A long white shoreline and warm water give Diani its reputation, and there’s no shortage of places to eat or stay. It’s an easy beach to fall into a slow rhythm on. Get out of the resort strip at least once, and give the colobus monkeys their space when they pass through the trees.

49. Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya 

Cycling or walking beneath Rift Valley cliffs is not something most Kenyan parks let you do, and Hell’s Gate does. Moving through the park on foot or by bike puts you much closer to the landscape than a vehicle ever could. Gorge access can shift after heavy rain, so check current instructions from the Kenya Wildlife Service before you go.

Plot Insider’s 21 fun places to visit in Nairobi gives more options for time in the capital.

50. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania 

These open plains support one of the largest concentrations of predators and grazing animals anywhere on the planet. Watching the sheer number of animals move across the plains is something photos never quite prepare you for.

51. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania 

Wildlife concentrates densely on the crater floor here, while pastoral communities continue to use the wider conservation area around it. The view from the crater rim, with the whole floor spread out below, is one of the most memorable moments you’ll have in Tanzania. Vehicle traffic on the floor can get heavy, so pick your timing carefully if crowds bother you, but the animals and the view from the rim keep it among the leading tourist attractions in Africa.

52. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania Centuries of Indian 

Ocean trade shows up in Stone Town’s carved doors, mosques, and tightly packed markets. Every carved door here tells a small piece of the town’s trading history if you know to look. A guided walk connects the architecture to histories of commerce, migration, and slavery that a beach-only trip to Zanzibar would otherwise skip entirely.

53. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania 

Nungwi trades the quieter, tidal east coast for easier swimming and livelier evenings. Watching the traditional dhow builders at work here adds something a purely beach-focused stay wouldn’t. Choose it if that trade-off appeals to you, but don’t expect the seclusion some travellers come to Zanzibar looking for.

54. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 

Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and, according to UNESCO, the world’s largest free-standing volcanic mass. Reaching the summit and watching the sunrise from the roof of the continent is the whole reason people put themselves through the climb. Ordinary fitness alone won’t get you up it, so you need proper acclimatisation and a licensed operator.

55. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania 

Baobabs and large elephant herds define most visits here. Seeing elephants gathered beneath centuries-old baobab trees is one of the more striking sights in northern Tanzania. Wildlife gathers near the river during the dry season, and a second day buys you access to the quieter corners most people never see.

56. Nyerere National Park, Tanzania 

Fewer vehicles share the roads here than on Tanzania’s northern circuit, and boat trips give you a completely different angle on the wildlife. Watching animals come down to drink from the water, at eye level, is a different experience than a game drive. Distances are substantial, so check flight schedules and your camp’s exact location before you book anything.

57. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda 

Guided mountain-gorilla tracking through steep, dense forest is the whole reason to come to Bwindi. Being a few metres from a wild gorilla family, in silence, is an experience most people carry with them for years. Permits are limited, and the trek can run several hours, so both fitness and following the viewing rules matter here.

58. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda 

The Nile forces itself through a narrow rock gap here before dropping with real force. Standing near enough to feel the spray from that much water moving at once is a powerful thing to witness. 

59. Jinja and the Upper Nile, Uganda 

Jinja is your base for rafting, kayaking and river activities near the source of the Nile. Rafting through actual whitewater on the river the Nile begins from is a bragging right. 

60. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda 

Mountain-gorilla tracking on the forested Virunga slopes is why people come here. The trek through bamboo forest before you reach the gorillas is beautiful in its own right, even before the main event. 

61. Kigali, Rwanda 

Kigali is not just a place you should drop by at the airport and go straight to the mountains. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is an important historical context, and the city’s galleries, neighbourhoods, and food scene reveal a modern capital that goes well beyond its reputation for tidy streets. 

62. Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda 

Montane rainforest here shelters chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and a genuinely extensive network of walking trails. The canopy walkway above the forest gives you a view over the treetops that few other parks can match.

63. Lalibela, Ethiopia 

These rock-hewn churches were carved straight into the ground, and they’re still active places of worship, not ruins. Watching pilgrims move through the same passages carved centuries ago gives the site a weight that photos can’t capture. 

64. Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia 

High escarpments, demanding treks and gelada monkeys grazing on cliff edges make the Simien Mountains one of Ethiopia’s most dramatic landscapes. Watching a troop of geladas along the edge of a sheer drop is not something you see anywhere else. 

65. Gondar, Ethiopia 

The castles and palaces of Fasil Ghebbi are Gondar’s headline attraction, and they look out of place, almost European, against the surrounding landscape. That contrast is part of what makes the city worth a proper look. 

66. Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar 

These ancient trees look most dramatic at sunrise and sunset, their silhouettes sharp against a changing sky. Very few places to visit in Africa feel as instantly recognisable as this one. It’s still a working public road used by nearby communities, so keep traffic moving and don’t block residents for a photo.

67. Tsingy de Bemaraha, Madagascar 

Sharp limestone pinnacles, ladders, and suspended bridges make this one of the more physically demanding places on the whole list. Moving through the tsingy on foot, surrounded by rock formations that look almost man-made, is unlike anywhere else you’ll visit in Africa. 

68. Nosy Be, Madagascar 

Nosy Be is one of the best places to visit in Africa, with an accessible island base for beaches, diving, and boat trips to smaller nearby islands. The water around the smaller islets nearby is some of the clearest you’ll find in this part of the Indian Ocean. Parts of the main island are already fairly developed, so choose your spot depending on whether you want nightlife or quiet.

69. Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius 

This mountain carries a history of resistance against slavery that matters just as much as its lagoon views. Climbing to the top and looking down at the turquoise water below is genuinely one of the best views in Mauritius. The upper route is steep and exposed, so bring a qualified guide if you don’t already have hiking experience.

70. Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius 

Most beach-focused Mauritius trips skip this, which is a shame, because the forested interior here is worth seeing. The viewpoints over the gorges show a side of the island most visitors never even know exists. Trails range from short viewpoints to longer hikes, and wet conditions can make the roots and slopes properly slippery.

71. La Digue and Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles 

Bicycles are the way to see La Digue, and Anse Source d’Argent is its most photographed stretch of sand. The granite boulders scattered along the shore here look almost sculpted by hand. Tide height changes how the beach actually looks, so check the day’s conditions.

72. Praslin and Vallée de Mai, Seychelles 

Praslin’s beaches are lovely on their own, but Vallée de Mai is what keeps the island from feeling like a resort-only escape. Walking beneath the endemic coco de mer palms, found almost nowhere else on earth, is worth the detour from the beach. 

73. Mahé, Seychelles 

In Mahé, you will find the country’s capital, mountain roads, hiking trails and a long run of beaches on one island. There’s a version of Seychelles here that most visitors never bother to find, past the hotel strip. Get out to the markets, viewpoints, and smaller coves at least once during your stay.

For a coast-focused comparison, see Plot Insider’s guide to the 25 best beaches in Africa.

Central Africa

74. São Tomé Island, São Tomé and Príncipe 

Old cocoa estates, forested peaks and small beaches shape a genuinely quiet island trip here. There’s a slowness to São Tomé that’s hard to find elsewhere on the continent. 

75. Príncipe Island, São Tomé and Príncipe 

Príncipe is further off the map, and some of its beaches need a winding drive or a boat to reach at all. The remoteness is exactly what makes it feel special once you’re there. Flights and rooms are limited, so book early and stay long enough to justify the effort of the transfer.

76. Loango National Park, Gabon 

Lagoons, forest, savannah, and Atlantic coastline are all found inside one protected area here, a mix you won’t find packaged together anywhere else on the continent. Watching elephants walk out onto an open beach, straight from the forest, is something you rarely see described accurately until you witness it. Wildlife viewing is specialised, and the logistics aren’t cheap.

77. Lopé National Park, Gabon 

Rainforest, old savannah, and genuine archaeological evidence of long human occupation come together at Lopé. The mix of forest and open grassland side by side is unusual for Central Africa.

78. Mount Cameroon, Cameroon 

This mountain rises straight up from Buea into a hard climb across volcanic terrain. Reaching the summit and looking down at the coastline below makes the climb feel worth every step. Use registered guides and prepare for sudden weather shifts.

79. Kribi and Lobé Falls, Cameroon 

Atlantic beaches and Lobé Falls are close together near Kribi, and the falls are one of the few anywhere that drop almost directly into the ocean. Watching a waterfall meet the sea like that is a rare enough sight to justify the detour on its own. 

Southern Africa

80. Cape Town and Table Mountain, South Africa 

Cape Town is a complete city break, with Table Mountain and the coast both within easy reach. Looking out over the city and the ocean from the top of the mountain is one of the best views any African city can offer. Conditions on the mountain change fast, so check the weather and the cableway status before you head up.

81. Kruger National Park, South Africa 

Kruger is one of the large parks in Africa to explore by car, self-driving, or with a guide. Spotting the Big Five yourself, from your own vehicle, is a different kind of thrill than doing it from a guided truck. 

82. The Garden Route, South Africa

Forests, lagoons, beaches, and small coastal towns stretch along this part of the southern coast, with the scenery changing almost every time the road bends. One moment you are driving through dense green forest; the next, the road opens towards a lagoon, a wide beach or the sea. It is best experienced as a road trip with a few carefully chosen bases.

83. Boulders Beach, South Africa 

An endangered colony of African penguins nests right beside False Bay here. Watching penguins waddle around on an ordinary beach, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world, never really stops being funny. The boardwalks give you a close but safe view, and you should keep your distance anyway, since these are wild birds and they will bite.

84. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, South Africa 

High escarpments, hiking routes, and important rock-art sites define the Drakensberg. The scale of the cliffs here makes you feel genuinely small in a way few other South African landscapes do. Weather turns quickly at elevation, so pick a trail that matches your fitness, not the one with the best photos online.

85. Johannesburg and Soweto, South Africa 

Museums, neighbourhoods and the history of Soweto give you a far deeper read on modern South Africa than a quick stopover ever could. Hearing that history from someone who actually lived through it changes how the whole city feels afterward. 

86. The Cape Winelands, South Africa 

In Cape Town, you will find Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, with vineyards, mountain scenery, and Cape Dutch architecture. Sitting outside with a glass of wine and mountains on every side is a sight hard to beat.

87. Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, Namibia 

Red dunes rise around the pale, cracked claypan of Deadvlei, creating one of Namibia’s most recognisable landscapes. The stark white ground, deep red sand, and blackened trunks of long-dead trees create such a striking contrast that the scene can look almost staged, yet it is entirely natural. Arrive early, when the temperatures are cooler, and carry plenty of water if you plan to walk any real distance from the road.

88. Etosha National Park, Namibia 

This is one of the best tourist attractions in Africa. A huge salt pan and its surrounding waterholes anchor the wildlife here, especially in the dry season when animals concentrate around what little water is left. Sitting quietly at one waterhole and watching different species take turns to drink is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Namibia. 

89. Sandwich Harbour, Namibia 

Here, immense dunes meet the Atlantic directly south of Walvis Bay. Watching the sand run straight into the sea, with almost no transition between them, is a strange and beautiful sight. The tidal route and soft sand require an experienced, permitted operator, so this is not a drive to attempt in an ordinary rental car.

90. Okavango Delta, Botswana 

Seasonal floodwater spreads through channels, islands and floodplains here, right in the middle of the Kalahari, essentially a delta in the desert. Gliding through the reeds in a mokoro canoe, with barely a sound around you, is one of the calmest experiences you’ll have on safari. Water levels shift by year and month, so ask your camp which activities will actually be running during your dates.

91. Chobe National Park, Botswana 

Elephants and river-based wildlife are what Chobe does best. Come here to watch a herd of elephants cross the river at sunset from a boat at water level, and you will feel heaven on earth.

92. Victoria Falls, Zambia 

Victoria Falls straddles Zambia and Zimbabwe, but this entry covers the Zambian side and the town of Livingstone. Feeling the spray from the falls before you even see them properly is part of the experience. Water volume swings dramatically through the year, and that affects visibility, spray, and seasonal activities like access to Devil’s Pool.

93. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia 

This is one of the best places to visit in Africa, known for guided walking safaris and strong leopard sightings. Tracking wildlife on foot, with an experienced guide reading the ground ahead of you, feels far more immersive than doing it from a vehicle. 

94. Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

The stone walls of a powerful medieval African city and trading centre still stand here, largely intact, without a drop of mortar holding them together. Understanding that this was built entirely by African hands, with no outside influence, reframes a lot of what people assume about the region’s history. Walk the Hill Complex and the Great Enclosure with a guide who can explain both the engineering and the history properly.

95. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe 

Zimbabwe’s largest national park supports big elephant populations alongside predators and other plains wildlife. Watching herds of elephants gather at a waterhole during the dry season is one of the more reliable wildlife spectacles in the country. Waterholes drive most of the dry-season viewing, while the green season brings a completely different look and stronger birdlife.

96. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique 

Dunes, clear channels, and reefs surround this best place to visit in Africa, which is one of the western Indian Ocean’s last remaining dugong populations. Snorkeling in very clear water with a chance of spotting a dugong is rare almost anywhere else in the world, but it is an experience you get here. 

97. Tofo, Mozambique 

Tofo has a relaxed beach-town feel and a genuinely strong diving scene. Swimming alongside a whale shark, if you’re lucky enough to see one, is the kind of experience people plan entire trips around. 

98. Lake Malawi, Malawi 

Beach stays, kayaking, snorkelling, and visits to lakeside communities are all on offer around Lake Malawi’s long shoreline. The lake is so large and calm in places that it’s easy to forget you’re not at the sea. 

99. Kalandula Falls, Angola 

A broad curtain of water spreads across the Lucala River here, in northern Angola. It’s one of the most striking natural sights in the country, and one of the least visited for its size. 

100. Malolotja Nature Reserve, Eswatini 

Highveld grassland, forested gorges, and a network of walking routes fill this reserve in northwestern Eswatini. The gorges here feel far more dramatic than the reserve’s low profile would suggest. It suits hikers best.

101. Semonkong and Maletsunyane Falls, Lesotho 

Semonkong is your launch point for Maletsunyane Falls and for exploring Lesotho’s mountain terrain on foot or horseback. Watching the falls drop into the gorge below, especially after rain, is one of the more dramatic sights in southern Africa. 

If you hold a Nigerian passport, compare entry rules in our guide to the 10 Easiest Countries for Nigerians to Visit.

Conclusion

For a first visit to tourist attractions in Africa with plenty of variety, start with South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, or Egypt. Among the best African countries to visit, these four keep coming up for good reason. Choose Botswana or Tanzania for a safari-led holiday, and consider Mauritius or Seychelles when rest by the sea matters more than anything else.

More experienced travellers may prefer Algeria, Mauritania, Gabon, or São Tomé and Príncipe. These beautiful places in Africa demand more planning, but they also take you beyond the routes that dominate most lists of the best places to visit in Africa.

Once you have a shortlist, cut anything that doesn’t fit your season, budget, or available time.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Places to Visit in Africa

Sources

1. Africa: Physical Geography — National Geographic Society.
2. World Heritage List — UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
3. Kenya Wildlife Service and Tanzania National Parks — official East African park information.
4. South African National Parks and Rwanda Development Board — official park and permit information.
5. IATA Travel Centre — passport, visa and health-document checks by itinerary.