With its untouched natural beauties and safari tours that reveal the wildlife in the region, Africa , one of the favorite destinations of adventure-seeking travelers, is home to impressive countries.
Although it is known for its natural beauties and rich underground resources, this geography, which has gone through difficult times economically due to the influence of colonial life, resists all difficulties and pains with its wonderful spots waiting to be discovered. Here are some of the exquisite countries of the black continent Africa that are worth seeing.
If you want to go to difficult geographies from time to time, not to seas or lakes to get to know the world, and to discover hidden lives, not familiar ones, then your adventurous nature will soon set you on the road.
The African Continent , which has 54 countries with its unique culture, the lifestyles of the ethnic tribes, the architecture remaining from the colonization period in the big cities, the local cuisine, the magnificent fauna and flora of each country, and the thousands of years of history, is the perfect fit for you.
Although it takes extra effort to reach some of these different geographies, the unique nature that will come your way as a result of the effort, the different lifestyles you will experience, and the photo frames in which you fit your holiday memories will turn into a reward for you.
Countries to Visit in Africa
- Kenya – safari paradise on earth
- Tanzania – The Big Five and the gateway to history – Zanzibar
- South Africa – The Modern Face of the African Continent
- Ethiopia – Journey to the Cradle of Humanity
- Djibouti – Calm Giants of the Oceans, Whale Sharks
- Rwanda – Gorillas in the Mist
- Madagascar Island – hometown of the Lemurians
- Angola – All About Black Africa
- Ivory Coast – The Land of Friendly People
- Zambia – Adrenaline Center
- Namibia
- Botswana
Countries to Visit in Africa
1. Kenya – safari paradise on earth
Attracting millions of tourists thanks to the Masai Mara Reserve Region, which hosts the world’s largest nature migration, Kenya is the favorite of those who want to witness natural life. In addition to the Masai Mara, the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Nairobi Museum and the tribes that reflect the country’s culture play a big role in Kenya’s popularity.
Make sure to spare two days for Nairobi, the Paris of Africa, which has its own surprises and contrasts. Feed the giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, and don’t miss the morning show of baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. You will be interested in the history of the railway connecting Mombasa and Uganda at the Nairobi Railway Museum. The National Museum of Nairobi showcases Kenya’s rich cultural heritage with objects and its nature with padals endemic to this land.
National Nairobi Park can easily say “I did a safari too!” as you might say. In Kenya, the safari paradise of the world, the most famous of the parks where you can observe wild animals is the National Masai Mara Reserve. The biannual migration feast of ox-headed wildebeest and zebras between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti makes this reserve famous. Visit one of the villages of the famous Masai Tribe, where they live their traditional life
Located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, where the Muslim population lives, Mombasa bears the traces of the Kingdom of Oman, which once ruled here, and even the Ottoman Empire, which once extended to these places. The endless beaches around Mombasa are waiting for you to relieve your safari fatigue.
More info: Africa Through My Life / Black Pearl Publications
2. Tanzania – The Big Five and the gateway to history – Zanzibar
Tanzania , which has wonderful natural areas such as Serengeti National Park, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest point in Africa, and Magadi Crater, which is famous for its flamingos , also arouses admiration with Zanzibar, a holiday paradise where honeymooners flock.
Tanzania, located in the south of the equator, with a warm climate throughout the year, offers unlimited options for exploration. You have to be quick to see the melting snow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point.
Witness the migration feast of ox-headed antelopes and zebras to Masai Mara in Serengeti National Park , one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Parks, or Ngorongoro National Park , famous for its Magadi Crater Lake , the land of flamingos, or Africa in Lake Manyara Park . Go after s famous Big Five.
Sea holiday addicts, definitely add Zanzibar Island to your itinerary. You can start your tour with Stone Town , the capital city famous for its ornate gates . Hop aboard a local sailing dhow and chase after dolphins. Snorkel or scuba dive on Mnemba Island . You can learn about the characteristics of the island-specific spices on the spice tour you will attend. It is very enjoyable to feed the giant tortoises that live on the tiny Prison Island of Zanzibar. Capturing and photographing the Red Columbus , the inhabitants of the Jozani Forest National Park , still requires special dexterity. You will return from Tanzania with unique memories.
3. South Africa – The Modern Face of the African Continent
The Republic of South Africa , which is one of the frequent addresses of those who want to escape the cold weather of the winter months and fascinates with places such as Cape Town, Sun City, Pilanesberg and Johannesburg ; Famous for its magnificent scenery, Table Mountain awaits you with its lovely penguins living in the western part of Kruger National Park and the Cape of Good Hope.
The modern face of the African Continent, Johannesburg , where you will witness the separation of the rich and the poor with a sharp line, shines in South Africa with its magnificent nature and cosmopolitan city life. Tours are organized to Soweto , Africa’s largest slum, established for miners in the city, whose other name is Joburg, which experienced a great wave of immigration with the discovery of gold mines in its lands in the 19th century .
In this region, you will trace the freedom movements of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. To observe the wild nature of South Africa, the Kruger National Park or the safari parks in Sun City , located near the capital Pretoria , are ideal.
You should add Cape Town , the only city in the world that has a coast to both oceans, to your route. Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years , must be seen. From the top of Table Mountain you can get a panoramic look at the city.
The sounds of the tiny penguins and fur seals living in the bays to the west of the Cape of Good Hope will be mixed with the “click” and “click” sounds of your camera. While sipping one of the delicious South African wines, the product of the warm sun and fertile soil, only good memories will remain from your busy and enjoyable holiday.
4. Ethiopia – Journey to the Cradle of Humanity
Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with a population of over 102 million. Different ethnic groups, religions and languages that stand out in this crowd are among the most important elements that add color and beauty to Ethiopia’s geography. In addition to its rich cultural texture, Ethiopia is also known for its National Museum, where the oldest known fossil of humankind is exhibited.
“Diversity” is the word that best describes Ethiopia because of the surprising diversity in ethnic groups, languages, religions, geography, climate and land cover.
Climb up Entoto Hill at an altitude of 3200 meters and take a look at the capital city of Addis Ababa . You will witness the unique history of Ethiopia at the Addis Ababa National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum . Concrete proof of Charles Darwin’s view that life began in Africa, the replica skeleton of the hominid Lucy is in the National Museum.
On your journey to the Cradle of Humanity, where you will experience that history is still being lived by a group of people, you will visit Aksum , famous for its obelisk tombs, Lalibela , Africa’s Jerusalem, known for its twelve monolithic churches , Blue Nile Waterfall , Lake Tana . Be sure to add the monastery Ura Kidane Mihret and the city of Emperor Fasilidas Gondar .
In the Omo Valley , located in the south of Ethiopia , the traces of Africa can still be traced on the clay lip plates worn by women as a symbol of beauty, the seasonal duels fought with long sticks, the whipping rituals of women, and the “jumping from the bull” ceremonies of boys. Today, Omo Valley is the choice of tourists who want to witness these rituals and feel the ” Africa living in the dreams of the West ” in their bones.
Further information: Journey to the Cradle of Humanity / Capricorn Publications
5. Djibouti – Calm Giants of the Oceans, Whale Sharks
You should go to Djibouti, in the northeast of the Horn of Africa , where the Gulf of Aden meets the Red Sea , between November and February, when whale sharks stop on its shores. While swimming with these calm giant fish that feed only on plankton, you also have the chance to photograph the colorful fish species that have made home the coral reefs of the Red Sea.
The shores of Goubet , whose wild nature is added from blue to emerald green, attract kitesurfing enthusiasts with winds blowing between 15 and 30 knots for 300 days a year. Make sure to add the Abbe and Assal Crater Lakes to your list of things to explore .
You will feel like you are on another planet while walking on the dried up lands of Lake Abbe, famous for its limestone-formed stalagmite fireplaces. You can stop on the shore of Lake Assal, the lowest point of the African Continent, located 155 meters below sea level, to the west of Tadjourah Bay , and photograph the local people trading in salt with their camel caravans, or even swim in the lake, which has a very high salt concentration.
6. Rwanda – Gorillas in the Mist
Rwanda, familiar with the massacre in 1994 and having learned lessons from its past, looks to the future with confidence. To learn about the history of Rwanda , we recommend visiting the Gisozi Genocide Museum , the Second Republic Museum , the Nyamata Memorial Site and the Ntarama Memorial Site in the capital Kigali . The colorful Kimironko Market in Kigali will attract your attention .
It is very pleasant to spend an hour in the same environment with gorillas living in the wild in the fog at an altitude of 2500 – 4000 meters in Kinigi National Volcanic Park , located between the borders of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda . You can choose one of three difficulty levels and go on a gorilla safari.
Even though walking on a steep sloped slippery ground is quite difficult, the minutes you will spend with Silverback and his family will make you forget your tiredness. If you follow the rules and do not make sudden movements and do not speak loudly, the gorillas will continue their daily lives without disturbing their calm. Your photos, in which you immortalize these precious moments, will help revive your memories for a lifetime.
7. Madagascar Island – hometown of the Lemurians
In its streets, people flood and flow; Capital Antananarivo is a lively city, where the vendors knock on your car’s window in congested traffic all the time. Like Shakespeare’s saying “Everywhere in the world is the stage “, Tana is a colorful, almost lively theater stage. You can buy island-specific vanilla at the Tananarive Zoma Market .
The people of the island, who have dark skin, slant eyes, and a beautiful mix of Asian and African races, will remind you of Paul Gauguin ‘s The Tahitian Women . Madagascar, which separated from the African Continent millions of years ago, still has rich fauna and flora. Endemic animals live on the island in Masoala National Park , which is covered with rainforest .
The best example of these are the lemurians with their 33 different species. The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga , which was home to rulers and nobles for 500 years, will attract your attention.
With its Ifaty beaches in the south of the island , Ile Sainte Marie is ideal for diving. How about a walk along the Baobab Road , shaded by 800-year-old baobab trees ? For a sea and sun holiday, you can choose Nosy Be , a small island connected to Madagascar . Isalo National Park is ideal for a quiet holiday in nature .
8. Angola – All About Black Africa
Former Portuguese colony, struggling with civil war until 2002, opened its doors to tourism as it healed its wounds. May – October is the ideal season to explore Angola. When you step outside the capital city of Luanda, you will see quaint fishing villages with makeshift huts and colorful boats.
The peaceful life of the poor people is read from the calmness of their facial expressions. Be sure to attend one of the Sunday rituals. Ladies dressed in their colorful boobs sing and dance to live music during the ritual. The National Bondage Museum showcases the history of slavery.
Saint Miguel Castle , which was founded by the Orthoscians and defended the city for a while, can be visited. Angola Carnival , which is a tiny replica of Rio Carnival, is also very interesting. You can find souvenirs unique to these places in the 14 Kilometer Market .
Angola with its natural parks, the tropical island of Mussulo connected to Luanda by land , the coastline Ilha , the beaches of Cabo Ledo and Santiago famous for wave surfing in the south of Luanda, Ria Longa where you can stay by listening to the sound of nature in its bungalows, has embraced different vegetation and living conditions, It will bind you to itself with its always smiling people.
9. Ivory Coast – The Land of Friendly People
Abidjan, one of the favorite cities of West Africa and the economic capital of the country, has turned into an important sea port with the opening of the Vridi Canal . Be sure to visit the National Museum where traditional handicrafts are exhibited . In the CAVA Market you can find objects specific to Africa.
The boat departing from Treshville will pass under the Charles de Gaule Bridge and head towards Cocody , the city’s most elite district , while the skyscrapers on the edge of the lagoon will make you feel like you are in Manhattan. st. Paul’s Roman Catholic Cathedral ‘s colorful stained glass and interesting architecture are remarkable. Famous for its skyscrapers that shine at sunset , the French-style cafes in Le Plateau are ideal for relieving the tiredness of the day.
Banco National Park is a good example of Africa’s rainforest. Men wringing their laundry in the open-air laundromat on the banks of the Banco River is an unfamiliar sight.
Photograph derelict houses with large verandas and wooden shutters as you wander the streets of Grand Bassam , the first capital of the French colonization era, east of Abidjan . The National Clothing Museum , where tribal life and local clothes are exhibited , is also very interesting. You can relieve the tiredness of the day by swimming in the Atlantic Ocean after a walk on the endless beach.
10. Zambia – Adrenaline Center
Victoria Falls, considered one of the seven wonders of the world and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, may be a reason in itself to go to Zambia . In this country where you will encounter a magnificent nature, you can also participate in adrenaline-filled activities such as bungee jumping and paragliding.
In the capital city of Lusaka, the cleanliness of the streets and the friendliness of the people draw attention. Works, photographs and documents by contemporary Zambian artists at the National Museum of Lusaka shed light on the country’s history. Be sure to visit the museum house where the first President of Zambia, Kaunda, started the independence movement. You will find African souvenirs at the Village Market.
Spend at least two days at Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, known locally as the Roaring Smoke. The waterfalls, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are located on the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Waterfalls are perfect for adrenaline lovers. You can take a bird’s eye view of the waterfalls by bungee jumping, ULM, helicopter or motorized paragliding.
Add Maramba Local Market and Livingstone Museum in Livingstone to your to-do list. While observing hippos, slumbering crocodiles and cormorants during your boat trip on the Zambezi River at sunset, you will be enchanted by the sun that turns the sky from blue to red and from red to purple. You can take a day trip to the neighboring country Botswana, which is very rich in terms of wild animal population, and go on a safari where you can see the famous Big Five.
11. Namibia
Located in the southwest of Africa , Namibia dazzles with places such as the Namib Desert, which fascinates with its immaculate beauty, 50,000 square kilometers wide, tribes that amaze with their interesting traditions and lifestyles, Sesriem-Sossusvlei, famous for its huge sand dunes, and Dead Vlei, which attracts photographers with its eerie appearance.
12. Botswana
Botswana , one of the first places that come to mind when it comes to safari in Africa, is one of the favorite places to visit for nature-loving tourists, with its breathtaking wildlife watching, camping areas that offer the opportunity to explore exquisite natural beauties, and hiking spots that can be toured for hours.
If you are ready to see the mysterious and fascinating world of the black continent and meet a completely different side of the world, it is time to go on a journey to Africa. Here are some health precautions you should take before going to these countries. You can find it on the Ministry of Health website. For visa-free African countries , you can get information at the relevant link.
