People tend to think of Africa as a country, not a real continent, but with 54 countries calling it home, the topography, landscape and the activities might vary radically by region. In order to make it easy for you to plan a trip, below are some of the most popular countries and best places to go in Africa, and what to see and do there, when to go and where to stay.
1. Uganda, East Africa
In Uganda, you wouldn’t miss the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as in Mgahinga National Park. The experience with the mountain gorillas in Uganda is truly amazing. Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family with its five silverback gorillas. It has a certain attraction since it boasts one of the highest concentrations of silverbacks with in a family. The safaris are so small; only 8 people are allowed to track a particular group per day. You have 60 minutes with them and believe me it goes really fast. The juveniles here are so playful and are always running up and down. Bwindi and Mgahinga can be visited at any time though it would be great to visit during the dry season. In addition to the mountain gorillas, you can also see he Batwa pygmies, who are the oldest inhabitants of the central African rain forest.
2 & 3. Kenya & Tanzania
Kenya and Tanzania are normally combined into one trip and these two countries are considered among the best places to go in Africa because they have where you can view the great Migration, where about 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles that make a migratory circle from the Masai Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti in Tanzania and back again. Even though you don’t go during the migration, Kenya and Tanzania has got some of the most extensive populations of wildlife in all of Africa; get to see over 50 elephants in the herd and the big five animals including the buffaloes, lions, leopards Rhinos and many more. Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro which is a great hiking destination.
4 & 5. Zambia and Zimbabwe
Visit these countries and see the Victoria Falls, the largest water falls in the world. You can as well enjoy white water rafting down the Zambezi River, chock full of crocs and the hippos. Zambia has got fantastic walking safaris in wonderful national parks like in South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi., you can as well enjoy canoeing and fishing in addition to the game drives and walks. The national park can be visited during winter season which is the peak season.
6. Namibia
In Namibia, you can climb some of the highest sand dunes in the world and have a hot air balloon. The scenery is so dramatic and vaults Namibia into the discussion for one of the best places to go in Africa. Get to enjoy the breathtaking land scapes. You can have a stopover and enjoy a living Desert tour, a ghost tour and an over flight of the skeleton.
7. Botswana
The country’s focus is on high end, low impact tourism and its luxurious properties have got crowds. This is where you can get to enjoy up close wildlife experiences. The land scape is so stunning with the Okavango delta which will give you detailed traditional game drives by vehicle, you will be able to go out in Mokoros, the traditional dugout canoes that bring you eye level with the game. Game viewing here gets better in winter from June through September.
8. South Africa
You get to experience the shark cage diving and Malaria free zones as well as the flavours of Durban, the commune of Indian culture in Africa that rests right on the Indian Ocean. The private game reserves be plentiful in South Africa, which makes it so easier to see the Big five animals so up close and in a limited time frame. You can also go on wine tours or get in some hiking up Table Mountain on its own, one of the best places to go in Africa for a day trip. The country can be visited any time of the year for game viewing.
9. Egypt
You shouldn’t miss the pyramids and taking a cruise up the Nile River which is a good adventure. Egypt is the cradle of western civilization and few experiences can measure up the massive scale of the pyramids and the sphinx. Egypt is a year round destination and the most comfortable temperatures are between October and April.
10. Morocco
Get to visit the famous spice markets and entrench yourself in Arab culture. Enjoy the traditional cities of Marrakech, Tangier, Fez and Rabat which offer a look into ancient traditions. Morocco offers different types of experience including a camel trek in the Sahara desert and slept under the stars having a cup of tea with the nomadic Berbers to learn about their life style. More so, you can visit the Djemaa El Fna which is the largest market in Morocco and the biggest square in Africa. You can as well have a walk around the square in the evening when musicians, dancers and the story tellers are out. Morocco can be visited throughout the year.
