Destination

Africa Travel Guide

Africa is a world of its own. A lot of travelers may only think of some top destinations like Morocco or South Africa when thinking about the continent, but there are so many different cultures, developed from each country’s history, and natural beauty that you can’t believe until you see it.

I based myself in Cape Town for three years, and I was able to explore new countries throughout the African continent—from the deserts of Morocco to the pyramids of Egypt, from the Kenya bush to Victoria Falls, and especially the beautiful country of South Africa. There’s an adventure waiting for you on the continent of Africa!

Best Time To Visit

Africa is a massive continent with a varied climate, landscape, and wildlife. Choosing the best time to visit depends on your interests and what you’re hoping to see during your vacation.

If you’re planning a safari trip to Africa, visit during the dry season. From May to August, the rains are infrequent, driving the wildlife to nearby waterholes and making it easy to spot elusive creatures like lions and leopards. Read more about the Best Time to Go on Safari in Africa by Month!

Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe all offer incredible safari experiences!

Check out my The Ultimate Africa Travel Bucket List or guide on How to Choose an African Safari to help you start planning your big adventure!

What to Expect

Northern Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara make up the North Africa region. The main language spoken is Arabic, and Islam is the dominant religion. It’s famous for its natural wonders like the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, the Red Sea, and the Atlas Mountains.

Central Africa: The Central Africa region is made up of Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, the DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome, and Principe, and South Sudan. Due to political instability, it’s one of the least visited regions in Africa, and some countries have little to none tourist infrastructure.

Eastern Africa: East Africa is home to some of Africa’s top safari destinations with incredible wildlife sightings. Travel to Kenya or Tanzania to watch the Great Migration that takes place between July and September every year or trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Madagascar, Seychelles, Reunion, and Mauritius are only a short flight from the mainland and are great options for travelers looking for a luxury honeymoon or off-the-grid adventure. Uganda is an amazing place for seeing wildlife and gorilla trekking.

Southern Africa: Southern Africa is one of the most traveled regions in Africa for locals and international visitors. It’s made up of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Some of the most popular destinations include Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Sossusvlei, Kruger National Park, and Chobe National Park.

Western Africa: The easiest country to visit in West Africa is Ghana and is often called “Africa for Beginners”. It boasts varied landscapes, beautiful beaches, excellent surfing conditions and is the best place to learn about the history of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Other popular destinations include Senegal, Gambia, Benin, and Cape Verde.

Malaria and Yellow Fever: In sub-Saharan Africa, Yellow Fever is a real threat. If you don’t have the vaccination certificate, the airline and country can deport you. For Malaria in Africa, different countries have different strains. Your doctor needs to know exactly where you are going to give you the correct medication.