Choosing where to go in Africa is mostly about choosing a region. Distances are big, flights between countries can be expensive, and the best trips stay within one area. Here are the destinations most worth considering, grouped the way travelers usually plan them.
East Africa
Serengeti, Maasai Mara and Ngorongoro
The headline safari region. Expect big cat sightings, huge herds and open plains. Tanzania’s side (Serengeti) tends to be larger and quieter; Kenya’s Mara is more compact and easier to reach from Nairobi.
Amboseli, Kenya
Elephants against Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s a good short stop and one of the best places for elephant photography.
Uganda and Rwanda
Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Mgahinga or Volcanoes National Park is a bucket-list experience. Permits are limited and priced accordingly, so book months ahead.
Zanzibar
A beach extension after safari. Stone Town’s alleys and spice markets are worth a day, then head north or east for the sand.
Southern Africa
Kruger and the Panorama Route
Self-drive safari plus dramatic escarpment views. Good for families and independent travelers.
Okavango Delta and Chobe, Botswana
The delta is known for water-based safari by mokoro (dugout canoe) and for walking. Chobe has some of Africa’s largest elephant herds. Botswana is expensive, but the quality of wildlife is exceptional.
Victoria Falls
On the Zambia–Zimbabwe border. You can visit both sides in a day or two. Add white-water rafting or a Zambezi sunset cruise.
Namibia
Sossusvlei’s red dunes, Etosha’s waterholes and the Skeleton Coast. Namibia suits road-trippers; distances are huge but roads are good and traffic is light.
Cape Town and the Winelands
Mountain, ocean, wine and restaurants in one place. Cape Town makes a good start or end to a southern Africa trip.
North Africa
Cairo, Luxor and Aswan
The pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and the Nile temples make up one of the world’s great history trips. Winter is the most comfortable season.
Marrakech and the Atlas
Medina life, mountain villages and desert camps. Direct flights from many European cities make it a good short break.
Fes and Chefchaouen
Fes has a huge medieval medina with working tanneries. Chefchaouen, the “blue city,” is small and relaxed, and you can see it in a day.
West Africa highlights
Less visited, but rewarding. Senegal (Dakar, Gorée Island) and Ghana (Cape Coast Castle, Accra’s food scene) are the easiest places to start.
Sample circuits
| Trip | Route | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Classic East Africa | Nairobi – Mara – Serengeti – Ngorongoro – Zanzibar | 10–12 days |
| Southern Africa highlights | Cape Town – Johannesburg – Kruger – Victoria Falls | 12–14 days |
| Botswana and Namibia | Windhoek – Sossusvlei – Etosha – Okavango | 12–14 days |
| Egypt and Morocco | Cairo – Luxor – Aswan, then Marrakech | 12 days |
| Gorillas and savannah | Kigali – Volcanoes NP – Akagera | 6–8 days |
How to choose
- First safari? Kenya or Tanzania, or Kruger if you want a self-drive.
- On a budget? South Africa and Namibia, self-drive and camp or small guesthouses.
- Want luxury? Botswana, the Mara conservancies or private reserves in South Africa.
- Culture over wildlife? Egypt, Morocco and Ethiopia.
Practical advice
- Book safari lodges 6–12 months ahead for peak months.
- Limit internal flights. Small-plane transfers have baggage limits, often 15 kg in soft bags.
- Check visa rules; some countries offer e-visas, others need advance applications.
- Keep a day in hand at the end of your trip in case of flight delays.
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