Home to much more than just safaris and the
pyramids, Africa is both the second-largest and second most-populous continent on Earth. While beautiful beaches and rugged cliffs
line its long coastline, its vast interior encompasses everything from mountains and
deserts to tropical rainforests and the Nile river. Home to a vast array of different cultures
and languages, Africa offers an intoxicating mix of old and new, as many of its age-old
traditions and customs still survive to this day. Here’s a look at the best countries to visit
in Africa: Number 10. Namibia Nestled away in the southwest of the continent,
Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. This is because much of it is made up of arid,
desolate landscapes and the unforgiving Namib Desert. Formerly a German colony, it only gained its
independence from South Africa in 1990, so some colonial-era architecture can still be
seen in its capital, Windhoek. Most people, however, visit for its brilliant
national parks, which are home to breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and incredible wildlife. In Etosha National Park, for instance, you
can catch glimpses of lions, elephants, and black rhinos roaming around the Kalahari. Another popular destination among tourists
is the Skeleton Coast, which has lots of spooky shipwrecks dotted along its dangerous Atlantic
Ocean coastline. Number 9. Tunisia Long a popular tourist destination, Tunisia
can be found wedged in between Algeria and Libya on North Africa’s Mediterranean coastline. Due to its fabulous warm weather and inviting
beaches, lots of Europeans come here to lounge on its golden sands and swim in the sea. There is much more to Tunisia than just sun,
sea, and sand however: the country is also littered with impressive archaeological sites
that date back millennia. This is because, throughout its history, it
has been ruled by everyone from the Carthaginians, Romans, and Ottomans to the Arabs and later
on French. Of its many historical sights, the stunning
Roman amphitheater in El Jem and the remnants and ruins of Carthage are the undoubted highlights. Number 8. Uganda Home to not only the continent’s tallest
mountain range and the source of the Nile, land-locked Uganda also borders the largest
lake in Africa. While its tourism industry and infrastructure
are quite undeveloped in comparison with neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, this makes its spectacular
landscapes all the more exciting to explore. Long overlooked by visitors to the continent
due to its tumultuous and tragic past, Uganda is slowly regaining its title of the ‘Pearl
of Africa.’ This is in large part because it is one of
only three countries in the world where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild. Seeing the majestic creatures up close in
the cloud rainforests is an amazing experience, and is simply a must when in Uganda. Number 7. Mauritius While Mauritius certainly takes some getting
used to, visitors invariably come away astounded at the incredible beaches, mountains, and
waterfalls on show. Located over 1,000 kilometers to the east
of Madagascar, its remote setting means it is home to some of the rarest plants and animals
in the world. As such, trekking through its mountainous
interior really is a treat as flocks of brightly colored birds swirl above the tropical rainforest
canopy. Tucked away among the dense foliage, you’ll
come across steep ravines, plunging gorges, and sparkling waterfalls. All in all, the volcanic landscapes certainly
make for some of the most picture-perfect scenes imaginable. Lying alongside the inviting waters of the
Indian Ocean are idyllic white sand beaches and lots of fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling
can be had offshore. Number 6. Tanzania With so much to see and do in Tanzania, it
can be hard to know where to start. The north of the country alone is home to
the marvelous Ngorongoro Crater and the world-famous Serengeti, both of which are must-visits if
you want to go on safari and see the Big Five. Here too, you will also find the snow-topped
Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak. This wonderful part of East Africa is blessed
with a myriad of different landscapes, each more arresting than the last. Just offshore, you can find the awe-inspiring
Zanzibar archipelago, which boasts many glorious beaches and is a popular tourist destination
in its own right. One of the most linguistically and culturally
diverse countries in Africa, Tanzania is also home to some very important archaeological
sites that date back millennia. Number 5. Seychelles Lying some 1,500 kilometers to the east of
mainland Africa, Seychelles is the continent’s smallest and least populous country. Made up of 115 islands, with the vast majority
of them being uninhabited, the archipelago is incredibly beautiful and is surrounded
by the glittering waters of the Indian Ocean. While the paradise islands are lined with
gorgeous beaches, their interiors are quite mountainous and coated in lush rainforest. Due to their remote location, they are home
to all kinds of unique fauna and flora, and most of them are now designated nature reserves. Offshore, the colorful coral reefs and abundant
marine life makes Seychelles an unforgettable place to go scuba diving or snorkeling. Number 4. Morocco A magical place to visit, Morocco is home
to beautiful old cities, medinas, and souks. These lie along the country’s scenic Atlantic
and Mediterranean coastlines or tucked away amongst the Saharan dunes and High Atlas mountains. The continent’s north-westernmost country
has long attracted different peoples and cultures to its shores, and its rich heritage now draws
on African, Arabic, Berber, and Western influences. This amazing diversity is on show wherever
you go, with Fez and Marrakech being some of its most popular tourist destinations. Besides exploring the lively Djemaa El Fna
and gorgeous mountain towns, visitors can lounge on one of the country’s lovely beaches
or head off into the Sahara. Number 3. South Africa Occupying the southernmost tip of the continent,
South Africa boasts some of the best and most well-run national parks and game reserves
in Africa. Of these, Kruger is undoubtedly the most well
known and most visited, with Addo Elephant National Park also being a popular draw. Known as the ‘Rainbow Nation’ due to its
multicultural population, South Africa’s cities are fascinating to visit, as each of
them has its own particular identity. While Johannesburg teems with life, Cape Town
is more laidback in nature and is overlooked by the spectacular Table Mountain. Home to towering mountains and arid deserts,
South Africa truly is a delight to explore. To top it all off, both its Atlantic and Indian
Ocean coastline are riddled with stupendous scenery and fabulous beaches. Number 2. Kenya One of the best places in the world to see
wildlife up close and personal, for many people, Kenya is the home of safari. Its endless savannah teem with life as lions,
elephants, and buffalo roam alongside herds of antelope. Its dramatic landscapes are also home to some
of the continent’s most famous peoples and cultures, such as the Maasai and Swahili,
who each have their own rich traditions. In stark contrast to their age-old ways of
life, Kenya is also where you can find one of the continent’s largest cities – its
ever-growing capital, Nairobi. Alongside its open plains are freshwater lakes
and forests, and the Great Rift Valley which cuts through from north to south. Coupled with the beautiful Indian Ocean coastline
makes Kenya one of the best countries to visit in Africa. Number 1. Egypt Renowned for its ancient monuments and archaeological
sites that include the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings,
Egypt is unlike any other country on Earth. Once home to one of the world’s greatest
civilizations history is on show wherever you go, with tombs and temples lying alongside
statues and obelisks, all intricately carved. Located in the northeast corner of the continent,
Egypt is bordered by the Mediterranean and Red seas, with the Sahara Desert to the south
and west of it. Running through Egypt is the Nile river, which
is the life source of the country. While many people come to see its historical
monuments or explore Cairo, just as many come for its fantastic Red Sea beaches. Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32AciEK2P5Y
