What to see and do in Africa
Click from the list below to see that country's most interesting country's most interesting places. The purpose of this page is to give you a general idea of things you shouldn't miss out on if you're traveling in Europe. Everything below is a guideline, what you do in each city or national park is up to you.
	Algeria	Cote D'Ivoire	Libya	Senegal	What to See in:
	Angola	Djibouti	Madgascar	Seychelles
	Benin	Egypt	Malawi	Sierra Leone
	Botswana	Equatorial Guinea	Mali	Somalia
	Burkina Faso	Eritrea	Mauritania	South Africa
	Burundi	Ethiopia	Mauritius	Sudan
	Cameroon	Gabon	Morocco	Swaziland
	Canary Islands	Gambia	Mozambique	Tanzania
	Cape Verde	Ghana	Namibia	Togo
	Central Africa Republic	Guinea (Conkary)	Niger	Tunisia
	Chad	Guinea (Bissau)	Nigeria	Uganda
	Comoros	Kenya	Reunion Island	Western Sahara
	Congo Brazzaville	Lesotho	Rwanda	Zambia
	Congo DRC	Liberia	Sao Tome & Principe	Zimbabwe
Algeria
Capital - Algiers - Once a good vacation spot in northern Africa, Algiers has suffered greatly due to civil war and terrorism. A portion of the tourist infrastructure is still operating however as seaside resorts are found just 15 minutes west of the capital, and the country's first water park is still up and running as well. Despite ongoing problems, the government of Algeria is staying on track for some ambitious plans such as a 2km long shopping mall, the second largest mosque in the world and Park Of the Winds.
Constantine - Now considered to be the capital of the eastern part of the country, Constantine began its humble days over 2,000 years ago after it was founded by the Carthaginians and King Micipsa. Surrounding the city is a deep ravine that drops dramatically making Constantine one of the most picturesque cities in Africa. There are also several museums and a few mausoleums in Constantine dedicated to previous Kings.
El-Oued - A major cultural experience in Algeria is visiting the city of El-Oued. The city stands out from the rest of Algeria because of its famous dome shaped roofs that are seen on most of the structures here designed to help cope with the desert heat. El-Oued is also known for its large market called the Suq, and it is a major trader in carpets in the country.
Timimoun - Literally an Oasis in the Sahara Desert, Timimoun combines culture, and adventure in central Algeria. Many of the homes in the city are built overlapping each other and created out of red clay. The architecture of the homes and mosques alone make a trip to Timimoun worth it, but still there is even more to do with the Sahara desert surrounding the city. Traveling through the desert on foot, by camel, or even driving with dune buggies are one adventure. Exploring ancient ruins left behind by past time periods are another.
Angola
Capital - Luanda - Recently almost destroyed by the devastating civil war, Angola's capital has made a surprising and inspiring return to civilization. Peace has returned quickly, and attracted the investments of countless foreign companies who quickly rebuilt the city's infrastructure. Luanda is home to dozens of museums, 400 year old churches, Portguese forts. Other places to visit are the famousBenifica Market where almost everything imaginable can be bought, and Mussulo Island, Angola's best and most developed beach.
Lubango - The capital city of the province of Huila, Lubango is located south of Luanda and is found in mountainous terrain. The highway that traverses the Leba Hills is some of the most amazing scenery in southern Africa. Nearby is also one of Angola's many national parks, Bicuari. Since it's located at a higher altitude in the mountains, it has some interesting landscape and is a bird watcher's paradise.
Kissama Game Park - Angola's only truly functioning national park, Kissama has an interesting history. While much of the country's wildlife was lost during the civil war, a group of Angola's with the support of South Africa came up with Operation Noah's Ark, to take animals from the surrounding countries and reintroduce them into Angola. Since these animals were overpopulated in their home countries, they adapted well to their new home in Angola, while also restoring native animals in the region.
Benin
Capital - Porto Novo - Though Benin isn't seen as a tourist destination, it has several reasons to visit despite being such a small country. The capital Port Novo and the country's nearby largest city of Contonou are filled with dozens of important landmarks and cultural attractions. Some examples are the voodoo market, a former king's throne which is mounted on human skulls, and the Point of No return memorial created for slaves that were bound for Brazil.
Abomey - The ancient capital of the Dahomey Kingdom, Abomey is one of the most popular places to visit in Benin. Abomey was once defended by a 6 mile mud wall and moat that encircled the city. Despite the hundreds of years that have passed, some of the royal palaces are still standing today, and the area is now a world heritage site.
Dassa-Zoume - A small city surrounded by deep forests, Dassa-Zoume is one of the most important religious sites in all of Africa. Many believe that the Virgin Mary once appeared here in the La Grotte Marial Notre Dame d'Arigbo, and so Africans from all over the continent make a long journey here to pay their respects and pay. Since the appearance of the Virgin Mary, several shrines and a basilica have been built in Dassa-Zoume.
Grand Popo - Grand Popa is a city located on the gulf of Guinea close to the border of Togo. This resort town has a safe reputation so it's an ideal place to visit in western Africa where you can walk the shore, lounge on the beach or go swimming. Local voodoo is strong here just like the rest of Benin, so aside from the beach life there are several interesting villages and different cultures to explore.
Pendjari National Park - The most scenic and beautiful area of Benin, Pendjari national park has everything from dense forests, to savannah and rocky cliffs. The park is actually closed from May all the way through December because the rainy season floods the entire region. The park has an abundance of wildlife but is especially a birdwatchers paradise, with over 300 document species.
Botswana - Click here to see photos from Botswana
Capital - Gaborone - Botswana's capital is one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a population of 200,000. Even though the city is doing quite well, there isn't really much to see in this capital. The only attractions in Gaborone are the museums and art galleries.
Okavango Delta - The largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta is formed as the Okavango river empties out into the sandy Kalahari desert. The whole region is constantly supplied with water which means a huge amount of unique wildlife. The big five can be spotted in the Okavango Delta, and there are several ways to explore it. To truly see the delta you'll have to take a scenic flight to see it from above. There are also boat safaris and many places to camp out in the wilderness.
Makgadikgadi Pans - The three salts pans making up Makgadikgadi are the largest in earth and are located in the Kalahari desert. The Kalahari desert was once a giant lake thousands of years ago that received water from the Okavango river, but has since dried up and turned into a desert. When you stand on the salt pans themselves it's very easy to get disoriented. In all directions everything is flat and white, with nothing to give you any perception. Even though there are no more lush forests and lagoons in the salt pans today, you can have fun by going quad biking or 4 wheeling.
Burkina Faso
Capital - Ouagadougou - Unfortunately a very poor city, Ouagadougou makes up for this by being one of the most stable and safest capitals in all of Africa. Despite its lower standards of living, the people offer warm welcomes to travelers and will make sure you have a pleasant stay. The city surprisingly has a wide variety of international cuisine ranging from American to Vietnamese restaurants. Plenty of places offer live music, and there are many places to view local dances and culture, and no one should miss the Moro Naaba ceremony
Arli National Park - The best national park in the country, Arli sits close to the border of Benin and Niger, and together the 3 countries provide a protected haven for wildlife. Animals that can be expected to come across in Arli are lions, hundreds of elephants and hippos, several species of primates and more. The national park is also one of the best places to find the painted hunting dog in West Africa.
Bobo-Dioulasso - Burkina Faso's second largest city, Bobo-Dioulasso offers a different type of charm than its capital Ouagadougou. The city has more of a town atmosphere, but still offers plenty to do for travelers. The most exciting area of the city is the Kibidoue district where you can find the city mosque, the busy markets, and local cuisine. Bobo-Dioulasso is also a gateway to the southwest where it's possible to take day trips there and still spend the night in the city.
Ruins of Lorepeni - Estimated to be 1,000 years old, much of the ruins of Lorepeni remain a mystery to archaeologists today. The fortified settlement is one of the best preserved of its time in West Africa, but why it was abandoned and whether it was the Lohron or Koulango peoples that made this their home is unknown. Still standing are walls over 20 feet in height, several stone buildings and items that have just begun to be excavated.
Sindou Peaks - Sindou Peaks and its surrounding areas offer the most beautiful scenery in the country. The peaks themselves are made up of interesting rock formations that rise in pinnacles above the surrounding landscapes. Some famous sites to visit are the Domes de Fabedougou, Lake Tangréla which is home to some hippos, and Karfiguéla Falls.
Burundi
Capital - Bujumbura - Still recovering from the civil war, Bujumbura has seen some significant improvement after going from constant shelling and attacks by militias to being occupied by UN troops and seeing some relative stability. The city holds plenty of interesting sites within its borders, from markets to bars and clubs and many nice restaurants. Some sites to see are the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, the Musée Vivant, and even a small park teeming with wildlife known as Rusizi.
Gitega - Once the colonial capital of Burundi, Gitega remains an important city as the second largest in the country despite its small population of less than 50,000. With talks of the government making Gitega their capital once again the city potential has an interesting future. Located in the center of the country, you can Gitega gives easy access to much of the country. Some sightseeing within the capital includes the Burundi national museum and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gitega.
Kibira National Park - The largest natural protected area in Burundi, Kibira National park is home to a number of primate species, including chimpanzees and black and white colobus monkeys. It has over 250 species of birds, and is also a safe habitat for the rare Great Blue Turaco. Some of the best scenery in the country can be found in Kibira and the surrounding area, and within the park are also many thermal springs fed off by the regions volcanoes.
Lake Tanganyika - This magical lake in Africa holds several world records. It's the longest lake in the world, and comes it second for both the largest freshwater and the deepest lake in the world. Even confirmed by National Geographic is the gigantic crocodile known as Gustave who lives here and has been rumored to have killed over 300 people in Lake Tanganyika. On the lighter side of the Lake, plenty of unique freshwater species make their home here, and towards the south is a haven for wildlife with beautiful beaches and waterfalls.
Cameroon
Capital – Yaounde - Cameroon's second largest city, it's a less common destination for tourists with only a few reasons to visit. The obvious places to start are the capital's museums, European cathedrals, and Mvog Betsi zoo. If you're looking to simply enjoy Cameroon's city life then spend some time in Yaounde or visit the country's largest city of Douala.
Korup National Park - This national park is considered by many to be one of Africa's oldest rainforests and densest rainforests. The national park is a popular attraction for birdwatchers and is also known for its many species of primates, that include several monkeys as well as the Nigerian chimpanzee.
Kribi - With white sandy beaches, scuba diving, oceanfront hotels, and with plenty of places to enjoy good food or a drink, it's no wonder why Kribi became a popular beach resort in Cameroon. The beaches are normally quiet during the week but quickly pick up excitement during the weekends as locals come here to enjoy their days off. Kribi also has many local places to visit, such as the large Chutes de la Lobe waterfall.
Mt. Cameroon - Rising over 4,000 meters, Mt Cameroon is not only the country's highest mountain but also for all of west Africa. The mountain is known by locals as Mongo ma Ndemi and offers some excellent hiking and camping. The mountain begins as rainforests and eventually turns into a treeless and rocky summit which offers some amazing views on a clear day.
Ngoketunjia - Located in the high plains of Cameroon, Ngoketnujia is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. Within the province are 13 different major villages, each begin with a ba and each speak their own languages. There are several local festivals that take place here throughout there year with plenty of markets and local art for sale.
Canary Islands
Capital - Las Palmas de Islas Canary - Known around the world for its annual carnival second only to Rio De Janeiro, Las Palmas attracts not just local tourists but travelers from around the world. During the rest of the year, visitors can enjoy some of the dozens of parks, museums and other festivals that take place. The tourist infrastructure is well developed and can accommodate both backpackers and those seeking luxury. Also within the vicinity of the city are three major beaches.
La Gomera - La Gomera has been an interesting place to visit for several hundred years. It was Christopher Columbus's last stop before heading to the new world and his intended 4 day stay turned into a full month. Despite being the second smallest of the Canary Islands, La Gomera has a unique culture and distinguishes itself from the rest of the country. Parts of the island are separated by deep ravines, and in order to communicate locals began a whistling language that is still used today.
Tenerife - The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife takes in over 10 million travelers per year. Visitors have a choice to stay in the developed southwestern part of the island enjoying the casinos and nice hotels or they can go to the city El Puerto de Cruz, which offers a more traditional stay. The 3,718 meter Teide Volcano located on Tenerife is sometimes snow covered offering some spectacular scenery and challenging hiking.
Timanfaya National Park - A very unique park in the world, the entire landscape of Timanfaya national park is made up of volcanic soil. Ground temperatures inside the park range from 100C to 600C as there is always volcanic activity taking place. Tours are readily available that take visitors through the park, some like to test the soil temperature for themselves by dumping water on the ground only to see it immediately turn into steam and make a brief mini geyser.
Cape Verde
Capital - Praia - These inhabited islands were discovered by Portugal in the 1460s and have since held close ties over the centuries. Praia literally means beach in Portuguese and is a good description of the city that was founded on the south eastern coast of Santiago island. One of the most known icons of Praia is the Diogo Gomes monument which is dedicated to the Portuguese sailor who discovered the island to Europeans over 500 years ago. Other places of interest are the old city hall, Presidential Palace, and Albuquerque Square.
Fogo National Park - Cape Verde islands were all created by volcanoes, but the volcano Fogo is one of the islands most popular destinations with its cone shape and towering peak that rising up to 2,800 meters or nearly 10,000 feet. Fogo's most recent eruption was in the mid 90s, but otherwise the volcano is usually quiet, with residents growing coffee beans on the volcano while others use the lava for building material. The unique landscape formed by lava over parts of the island give some interesting scenery and one of the best places to view volcanoes in Africa.
Sal - Cape Verde's most popular tourist destination keeps travelers interested with all of its beautiful beaches and resorts. As one of the most stable and safest countries in Africa, travelers can easily explore the island's biggest city of Santa Maria on foot and visit the different restaurants, bars, and night life. A large golf course is also located in the near by town of Pedra de Lume, and a marina on the island can accommodate travelers who are visiting Cape Verde by ship. The town known as old Salinas is also up to possibly become a world heritage site.
Santo Antao - Accessible only by boat, Santo Antao is Cape Verde's 'outdoor' island, with popular activities like hiking, camping, scuba diving and some great rock climbing. The island has some of the most beautiful mountains and scenery that is great for photographers. Hiking and diving will give you plenty of opportunities to come across local wildlife, including some of the several endemic species of birds and reptiles that live on the island
Central African Republic
Bangui – Ranked the second worst capital in the world by Mercer Human Resources Consulting, few people would expect Bangui to be a pleasant travel destination. For the more adventurous, they can visit the French community which is the safest and most developed part of the nation. Other normal attractions are usually met with suspicion by local guards who may do anything from request bribes, confiscate your camera or worst case scenario open fire.
Dzanga-Sangha – Central African Republic's safest and most accessible park, this is the best place in the nation to try your luck for gorilla trekking. The park is made up of lowland rainforests and borders the Congo and Cameroon. Unlike most of Africa's game animals which live in the Savannah, here you can spot Forest elephants, forest hogs, forest buffalo and even chimpanzees.
Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park – Considered part of the Congo Basin and designated a world heritage site, this national park is literally visited more often by rebels and poachers than travelers. The region that this park is located in is considered one of the most dangerous places in all of Africa. Those who do make it to Manovo-Gounda St Floris will find a haven for wild life which includes black rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, red-fronted gazelles and hundreds of exotic species of birds.
Chad
Capital - N'Djamena - Before the civil war occurred N'Djamena was a very safe city with a good reputation. N'Djamena and all of Chad is considered dangerous to travel, but things have slightly improved. The city is a mix of both Christian and Islamic religions, so there are several mosques and cathedrals to visit. There are also several bars and clubs for those who want to have some night life.
Ennedi Desert - The Ennedi desert is a unique place in Chad with several points of interests for those who can admire remote landscapes and fascinating rock formations. The Ennedi desert also has ancient cave paintings and the remains of other rock formations carved out by the sea which not sit buried in sand.
Lake Chad - Once one of the largest fresh water lakes in the world, Lake Chad has been drying up and can be anywhere between 10,000 km2 or 25,000 km2 depending on the season. At one point it completely disappeared during in a major drought in the 1980s. When the lake is at its largest size in the rainy season, boat safaris are offered and several species of wildlife can be spotted.
Zakouma Park - Chad's first national park, Zakouma's wildlife population has been decimated by years of poaching. During the 2006 Zakouma elephant slaughter, over 100 elephants were killed alone. Other types of animals have been making a come back or at least stabilized, so once again the park is worth visiting. The Chad government has nominated the park to become a World Heritage Site.
Comoros
Capital - Moroni
Anjouan
Moheli - The smallest of the three main islands, Moheli is the place in Comoros to enjoy a more quiet atmosphere and a great place to share experience with the local fishermen and villagers. Several places through out the island offer places to rent kayaks, sailboats, and bicyles. The beaches can be swam year around of course, but July through October offer good opportunities for whale watching. Hiking in primary rainforests is also a must, and many hope to spot the giant Livingstone bat that lives only in the Comoros islands.
Mt. Karthala - Rising to 7,700 feet or 2,300 meters on the main Comoros Island, the active Karthala volcano towers of the surrounding land and Indian ocean. The volcano is known for it's frequent eruptions that have occurred in the past few hundred years. After a period of relative calm, Karthala roared back to life in 2005 and 2006 sending 40,000 residents fleeing for safety. Fortunately the volcano has never caused any significant damage, and those who are brave enough to trek its evergreen forests and high altitude biomes will find beautiful scenery and many unique plants and animals that are endemic only to the volcano itself.
Congo Brazzaville
Capital - Brazzaville
Congo DRC
Capital - Kinshasha
Cote D'Ivoire
Capital - Yamoussoukro
Djibouti - Click here to see photos from Djibouti
Capital - Djibouti - The nation's only real large city, Djibouti is home to over 600,000 people, who live in two sections of the capital; the African quarters and the European quarters. In the African quarters you can find all your markets, inexpensive shopping, and try local cuisine. The European quarters are where you'll find the international restaurants and no shortage of nightlife which includes bars and clubs.
Lac Assal - Africa's lowest point, and the second lowest point on land in the world is one Djibouti's most interesting places to visit. While oceans average saline content is around 3.5%, Lake Assal comes in at 34.8% and even registers higher than Israel's dead sea. Water temperatures are usually around 90F, which creates larges salt pans in the area due to evaporating water. Like the dead sea, nothing lives in the water, and the only life you'll find are salt miners who make a living here.
Moucha Island - The largely rural state of Moucha Island - Located just a 30 minute boat ride from Djibouti city, these small islands are located in the gulf of Tadjoura, which itselfborders the gulf of Eden. The Moucha Islands are made out of the remains of coral and are dotted with cacti and always are being scorched by the hot sun. The biggest attraction to the islands is relaxing in a quiet bungalow far from the city while swimming and scuba diving during the day, and having dinner with a bottle of wine at night.
Tadjoura - The small town of Tadjora has less than 25,000 people, but was once the capital of Djibouti before the country was colonized by Europeans. Once you visit the town itself, you'll probably find yourself leaving to see the surrounding areas which include some nearby beaches, and the Goda mountains to the north. The Goda mountains rise to over 1,700 meters, and because of their higher elevation they have thick vegetation and wildlife not seen anywhere else in the country.
Egypt - Click here to see photos from Egypt
Capital - Cairo - As the most populated city in Africa, Cairo is a very busy place with people visiting from all over the world. Egypt has been a popular tourist destination for a long time, so the city has a developed tourist infrastructure to accommodate all travelers. Many museums hold ancient artifacts such as treasures found in King Tut's tomb and other items belonging to the pharaohs. The rest of the city can be enjoyed by visiting its traditional hookah bars and shops.
Great Pyramids - No one should really need an explanation on why they should visit the great pyramids. For almost 3,000 years these structures remained the tallest buildings in the world. The great pyramids that served as tombs for dead pharaohs are the only remaining original seven wonders of the world. Right next to the pyramid is the Great Sphinx which was also created by ancient Egyptians. Together these structures are one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.
Sinai Peninsula - Egypt is a very hot and try country, but fortunately the Sinai Peninsula has some amazing resorts along its beaches. Scuba diving in the red sea is said to be one of the best places in the world. There are also many other attractions like climbing Mt. Sinai, visiting the painted desert, or taking a Christian tour of St. Catherine's Monastery, the oldest monastery in the world.
Luxor - Also known as the world's great open air museum, Luxor is located on what was the ancient city of Thebes. On the west side of Luxor are the valley of the Kings. Which were found in the 20th century and had the tombs of several Kings. The ancient Egyptians built the tombs hidden in the mountains to be protected from looters. On the other side of the Nile River are several other temples including Karnak, the largest ancient religious temple in the world.
Aswan - Aswan is believed to be Egypt's first city, and the rest of the country built around it. Aswan therefore is considered the doorway to the rest of Africa. Some attractions are the Tombs of Nobles and the Nubian museum.
Alexandria - The city of Alexandria is a unique place in Egypt as it has lots of history tying to Europe. Alexandria was found and named after Alexander the great.had several important buildings such as the ancient Lightouse of Alexandria, which was also one of the original seven wonders of the world. The Alexandria Library was also the largest in the world at the time.
Equatorial Guinea
Capital - Malabo
Eritirea
Capital - Asmara - Eritea's unique capital offers some surprising contradictions to a country that is normally viewed as being a conservative Muslim nation. Since the country was a colony of Italy, Italian food is a popular cuisine, often served with an Eritrean made beer. There are plenty of ways to explore the city's neighborhoods and museums. Also a must see is the village of Tselot, where you can find some great views and traditional Eritrean lifestyles.
Danakil Desert - Not safest region of Eritrea, the Danakil region is known for its unforgiving desert and its violent tribal population. At one point tribal men couldn't marry unless they killed a man from a rival tribe! The natural beauty of the Danakil might make these risks worth it for the more adventurous. Danakil desert spans across Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti, covered with spectacular geothermal features and dozens of volcanoes.
Dahlak Archipelago - 125 islands just of the coast of Eritrea in the red sea make up the Dahlak Archipelago. Only a few of the islands are permanently inhabited, with some having temporary populations for work and others islands remain pristine. The largest island called Dahlak Kebir is home to over 2,500 people and is the site of ancient ruins and cemeteries dating back over 1,000 years. The remaining islands are great for their swamps and wildlife, and of course the scuba diving in the red sea.
Ethiopia - Click here to see photos from Ethiopia
Capital - Addis Ababa - Africa's highest capital, Addis Ababa is over half a mile higher than Denver Colorado resting at 7,500 feet. A relatively new city, Addis Ababa was founded in 1886, but in its first 100 years it managed to develop some interesting history. Once attacked and occupied by Italy, Addis Ababa has lots of Italian influence scene throughout the city such as its Piazza district and cathedrals. Other places of interest are the Imperial Palace and the city's famous Merkato.
Axum - One of Africa's most historical cities, Axum is filled with ancient buildings, temples and obliseks that date back thousands of years. The church of our Lady Mary of Zion was founded in 1665, and is the location where many Ethiopian emperors had their crowning ceremony. The church also claims to have the holy ark of the covenent, which is watched over by a single gaurdian monk. Dozens of other sites exist such as the ruins of the Dungur Palace, Ezana Stone, and 20 meter obelisks.
Gonder - The city of Gonder is famous for its medieval castles, buildings and its unique culture. Several important religious festivals take place throughout the year celebrating both Christian and local traditions passed down by the Ethiopian emperors who made this region their home. As the former capital of Ethiopia, you'll find lots of important historical places, and the city is only 2 hours from Lake Tana, the source of the blue Nile.
Siemen Mountains - One of the few places in Africa that regularly receives snow, the Siemen mountain range is made up of several rugged peaks; some which top 4,000 meters. The scenery in these mountains is some of Ethiopia's most beautiful, with several waterfalls, springs and rivers crisscrossing through the terrain. Because of the high altitude, unique wildlife is also found in the region such as the Walia Ibex and the Ethiopian wolf.
Gabon
Capital - Libreville
Gambia
Capital - Banjul
Ghana
Capital - Accra - Ghana's busy capital tops 2 million people, yet the locals still have time to stop and chat with travelers. The city is known for its friendly population and relative safety in the west African subcontinent. Many European powers had strong trade ties and eventually colonies in Ghana, and as a result European castles and influences are seen through out the capital.
Cape Coast - Ghana's coast along the Atlantic is one of the best in West Africa, famous for its great surfing, white sandy beaches and its good but affordable tourist infrastructure. Along the coast is the city of Cape Coast, which was founded by the British in the 17th century. Mixed in with the many African fishing villages along the coast are European forts and historical memorials.
Mole National Park - Ghana's largest wildlife refuge, Mole National park is home to nearly 100 mammals and hundreds of bids and other wildlife. Unfortunately poaching is still a problem in Mole National Park with hunters supposedly killing the last lion back in 2004. The national park is still an adventurous experience, with the only real way of viewing the wildlife by traveling on foot with an armed guard. Aside from all the wildlife you'll encounter, the oldest known mud and stick mosque is located within the park boundaries.
Guinea Conkary
Capital - Conaky
Guinea - Bissau
Capital - Bissau - A former Portuguese colony, Bissau is the country's largest city that still keeps some Portuguese flavor. Places of interest in the capital include the Bissau Velho which is the old Portuguese colonial center, their main market known as Mercado de Bandim, and Porto Pidjiguiti, their main port and the location of a monument dedicated to a major massacre that occurred in the 50s. Other places to visit are the National Ethnographic Museum and an old European fort called Fortaleza d'Amura.
Bijagos Islands - Made up of 18 large islands and over a hundred smaller ones, the Bijagos islands distinguish themselves from the mainland with their culture and mostly autonomous government. Almost each of the main islands are unique in some way, one of them has a matriarch society, where women choose their husbands. The islands as a whole are a biosphere reserve, and include two national parks with rare animals like saltwater hippos.
Lagoa de Cufada - Nearly 150 square miles, Guinea Bissau's "natural" park Lagoa de Cufado, is a popular visit among foreigners because of its easy access and dense wildlife. With large freshwater lakes, Lagoa de Cufado is the best place to spot hippos and crocodiles. Local villages are also scattered throughout the forest where many of them survive by fishing and hunting in the natural park.
Kenya
Capital - Nairobi - Starting out as a small village only a few hundred years ago, Nairobi has quickly climbed the ranks to the top of Africa's biggest cities. This modern African city is full of both adventure and luxury. Nairobi is famous for its crazy and sometimes dangerous nightlife that doesn't end until the sun goes up. At the same time many other more relaxing activities can be enjoyed such as the many museums and shopping districts across the city.
Mombasa
Mt. Kenya
Massai Mara
Lesotho
Capital - Maseru
Liberia
Capital - Monrovia - Founded by freed slaves from the United States in the mid 19th century, it was hoped that Monrovia would be a thriving city in Africa and an example to surrounding countries. Instead Monrovia never had its golden age, and the best news coming from Monrovia today is that its civil war has finally ended. The country is considered a very dangerous destination, many Liberians practiced eating their enemies, and combatants sometimes roam the streets at night.
Sapo National Park - Considered to be the West Africa's best preserved virgin rainforest, Sapo forest is also Liberia's only national park. The country has actually been making some progress and establishing a park headquarters and other services. As of now the park has no roads and must be accessed by foot. Many animals such as pygmy hippos and giant hogs and other rare wildlife are in Sapo Forest.
Silver Beach - If Liberia ever fully recovers from the civil war and becomes a place safe to travel to, Silver Beach will probably be the key destination in the country. Right now Silver Beach is very beautiful with sandy beaches and good surf, just little tourist infrastructure. Like all of Liberia, Silver Beach is considered to be very dangerous and should not be visited alone.
Libya
Capital - Tripoli
Madagascar
Capital - Antananarivo
Malawi
Capital Lilongwe - Malawi's population in the capital is around a quarter of a million, but since the population is so spread out you'll feel more like you're in a small town than a city. The city is a nice relaxing place to visit and surprisingly it has one of the best 18 hole golf courses in Africa!
Blantyre - Malawi's largest city and its economic capital, Blantyre is an obvious choice for exploring the local culture in the country and mingling with locals. Though there aren't too many famous places in Blantyre, most come for a short visit and go out to the local bars, exploring the city and markets on foot, or enjoying the international cuisine.
Lake Malawi - In the freshwater world, Lake Malawi is the Amazon of the world's lakes. It's the largest in the world and the deepest in Africa, but its warm tropical waters are home to more species of fish than anywhere in the world. There are dozens of islands and fishing villages to explore while the diving here is like swimming in a freshwater aquarium.
Nyika National Park - Encompassing over 1,000 square miles, Nyika national park practically covers the entire Nyika plateau, and is the largest national park in Malawi. Activities that are usually enjoyed are hiking, camping, horse back riding or mountain biking the parks trails. Much of Africa's most popular wildlife live in the park, but what its famous for is having one of the densest populations of leopards.
Mali
Capital - Bamako
Mauritania
Capital - Nouakchott - The new capital of Mauritania was created in the late 1950s after the country got its independence. Originally Nouakchott was a small village with a population of less than 15,000, but 40 years later that number is quickly approaching one million. Now the Sahara's largest city, Nouakchott has the population and is working on the attractions. The city is known for its large fish markets and nice beaches.
Banc d'Arguin - The Sahara desert dominates all of Mauritania's landscape, giving other biomes little chance to exist. One exception is the Banc d'Arguin national park located on the Atlantic coast. Here the dry desert meets the ocean, and you can find mangrove swamps, small islands and millions of migrating birds. The park can be explored by the traditional fishing boats used by the locals, the lanches.
Chinguetti - Mauritania's most popular tourist destination, Chinguetti is easily the country's most interesting city. For starters the Chinguetti is the 7th holiest city to Muslims, and was once a major gathering place for those making the long journey all the way to Mecca Saudi Arabia. The city's 'Friday Mosque' is Mauritania's national symbol and has the second oldest minaret that is still in use in the Muslim world. Chinguetti is easily accessible, so its also a great start to begin a long trek into the Sahara desert to the east.
Tichit - This once great city was founded in the 12th century and was a major trading town for salt and other items. Tichit is now known as a ghost town, as its population has dwindled from a peak of several thousands to only 500 now. Tichit is mostly visited for its architecture, which is very distinct in this part of the country. Many mosques and old houses are in good condition and are said to be Mauritania's most decorative.
Mauritius
Capital - Port Louis
Morocco
Capital - Rabat
Mozambique
Capital - Maputo
Namibia - Click here to see photos from Namibia
Capital - Windhoek - Namibia was once a German colony with Windhoek as its capital. After World War I, Windhoek was captured by troops from South Africa who held onto the country until it got its independence in the early 90s. Today Windhoek is a mix of many people from ethnic backgrounds. The city is a very beautiful and peaceful one, located up in the highlands. Because of the city's higher elevation, it offers cooler weather than the hot surrounding deserts.
Etosha National Park - When Etosha National Park first opened, it was the largest national park in the world. Although its original has been reduced, the park remains another one of the world's greatest places to view wildlife, and by far Namibia's best place to camp. The landscape itself isn't attractive, but the park contains hundreds of different species of mammals and birds in addition to unique species of reptiles and amphibians.
Fish River Canyon - Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, beaten only by the Grand Canyons in Arizona. The canyons are full of wildlife and adventure and there are several ways to explore them. Hiking the 7 day trail and camping at night is the best way to explore the entire canyon. For those with shorter time, they can enjoy day hikes or cross the canyon by horseback.
Sossusvlei - Located in the middle of the Namib Desert, the area known as Sossusvlei is covered in huge sand dunes. The sand dunes are the highest in the world, with sand dune #45 taking the record at over 1,000 feet. Scenic flights over the sand dunes is one way to see the dunes. Visiting them is only accessible by 4x4 but you can reward yourself with a great view if try to hike to the top. For snowboarders, Sossusvlei can offer you a similar challenge, try sand boarding!
Swakopmund - This city is where Namibia's best beaches and resorts can be found. It was built by the Germans so naturally the city is filled with German architecture. Swakopumnd is a perfect place to take a break after hiking Fish River Canyon or going on camping safaris. The city of Walvis Bay is only a 20 minute drive to the south, and is even compared to California's OC by some!
Niger
Capital – Niamey - Niger's capital is rather safe, so you can explore the country's largest market, the grand mosque and the Maorey cathedral by foot. The Niger river that runs through the city has several nice bars and restaurants along its banks, and even some huts for an overnight stay on small island that are accessible only by boat. Another point of interest near by is West Africa's last remaining Giraffe herd, only 45 minutes from downtown.
Agadez - Located right in the heart of Niger and said to be the country's most intriguing city, place was once a major stop over for traders crossing from sub-Saharan Africa to the northern costal cities. The century old buildings and unique architecture give you a feel of what life was like here over a thousand years ago. The city is also the gate way to some spectacular scenery in the Air desert.
Air Mountains - Part of the Sahara desert and with altitudes reaching up to 6,000 feet, these mountains have some of Niger's best desert scenery and natural wonders. There are plenty of impressive geological formations ranging from calderas of extinct volcanoes to the blue mountains. Because of the higher altitudes, some valleys exist within the air mountains that have green vegetation that survive off the stone pools, also attracting nomads and wildlife
W National Park - W National Park is the place to see find wildlife during a visit to Niger. The park gets its name from the W shape that the Niger River makes as it passes through the thick rainforest in the southern most part of the country. This region of Niger is by far the greenest and wettest, and includes wildlife such as elephants, cheetah, baboons and other large mammals.
Zinder - Located dead center in the country, Zinder was a formal capital of Niger until 1927 and though it's no longer the seat of the government, many consider it to still be the cultural capital today. The former Sultan's Palace, former French forts, and the local Hausa houses are what make this a beautiful city. Though not the largest, a visit to the local market is one of the most impressive and colorful in all of Niger.
Nigeria
Capital - Abuja - Recently the Nigerian government decided to replace Lagos with Abuja as the country's capital. Not surprisingly, the plan didn't go as smooth or fast as the government had hoped and Lagos. While Lagos will probably always be the country's commericial capital and largest city, the rise of Abuja is mostly just the seat of the government. Until more progress is made, there isn't much to see in Abuja.
Kano - An Islamic city located in northern Nigeria, the almost thousand year old city of Kano is surrounded by mud brick walls. Inside the city are many attractions such as mosques and palaces and the 'old city'.
Lagos - Africa's largest city second only to Cairo, this huge metropolis has plenty of options for the few tourists who would give this city a chance. Discover Nigerian culture through their countless markets and museums, relax at one of their many beach resorts right outside the city, and explore other famous monuments and historic places. One small but interesting place to visit is the 'point of no return', a gateway where slaves where sent through before they were boarded for the new world.
Oshun Sacred Forest - A shrine built by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, this world heritage site is one the best places in Nigeria to experience the magic of some of the country's ethnic groups. Oshun Shrine is located within a rainforest built and was built for the goddess Oso-igbo who was believed to have such supernatural powers as the ability to heal people and protect them from their enemies. The shrine and entire nearby village is beautifully decorated by local Nigerian artists who come here to be inspired by the shrine.
Sungbo's Eredo - Over a millennium old and just short of 100 miles in length, Sungbo's Eredo is Africa's largest precolonial monument. It's essentially made up of ditches and walls that are up to 70 feet in height and is believed to be used for defenses. It is also said to have been mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran and was possibly built as a memorial to Queen Sheba.
Reunion Island
Capital - Saint-Denis
Rwanda
Capital - Kigali - Recovering from its civil war that occurred in the 1990s, Kigali has lost most of its attractions in the looting and destruction that happened during the war. The capital has made a remarkable comebacks and is now safe to visit and once again sees tourists coming in from all parts of the world. If you visit one place in Kigali it should be the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, which is a memorial for the over quarter million people who were killed in this city alone.
Gisenyi - Rwanda's resort town of Gisenyi is located along lake Kivu on the border of the Congolese town of Goma. Gisenyi is known for its bars, nice restaurants and luxurious hotels. The town is the perfect place to end your trip and relax after hiking through rainforests doing other strenuous activities. The lake itself offers boating and even swimming for those willing to jump in.
Nyungwe Forest - One of the largest protected montane rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe forest is located in southern Rwanda and covers nearly 1,000 square km. Your best bet to find gorillas is up north in the Virunga's, but Nyungwe is home to many 13 other primates such as chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and golden monkeys. The forest also has some viewpoints which offer spectacular views of the northern mountains and volcanoes.
Volcano National Park - Right on the border of the eastern Congo is Rwanda's volcano national park. Some of the volcanoes in the national park tower close to 15,000 feet in altitude. The volcanoes can be climbed, the rainforests can be trekked and the rare mountain gorilla can be encountered. Mountain gorillas densely populate the parks volcanoes providing one of the best places in Africa to see them.
Sao Tome & Principe
Capital - Sao Tome
Senegal
Capital - Dakar
Cap Skiring
Lac Rose
Niokolo Koba
St Louis
Seychelles
Capital - Victoria
Sierra Leone
Capital - Freetown
Somalia - Click here to see photos from Somalia
Capital - Mogadishu - For anyone who wants to travel to the most dangerous city in the world, Mogadishu should be their next destination. Mogadishu is unique because it has been essentially lawless since 1991 and at one point was so dangerous that the president of Somalia couldn't even live in his own country. Needless to say there are no tourist facilities or any real government infrastructure for that matter in the capital. Since most of the city has been destroyed, the most interesting aspect of Mogadishu is just the way of life in this post apocalyptic city.
Berbera - Located on the coast of northern Somalia, Berbera has lots of history and a good mix of culture. Its history includes being the British colonial capital in Somalia, as well as many buildings from built by the Ottoman empire and Arabs. Berbera is now Somalia's largest sea port and with many exports coming from Ethiopia. Not only is the land of Somalia very dangerous, but Somali oceans, especially around the horn of Africa are the most dangerous in the world, due to pirate attacks.
Garowe - Garowe is the capital of Somalia's Puntland that is located in the north eastern part of the country. It has a population of 40,000 but the city is actually beginning to get some developments because of its strategic location in Somalia. Like all of Somalia, is it still plagued by violence and is a dangerous place to visit.
Hargeysa - Western Somalia has a self ruling area known as Somaliland, and Hargeysa is its capital. Hargeysa is still a very dangerous place to visit, but in comparison to the rest of Somalia one can almost call it safe. Somaliland has some type of organization and infrastructure and many journalist also base themselves here. This could be a good place to start your vacation in the most dangerous country in the world.
South Africa - Click here to see photos from South Africa
Capital - Pretoria - South Africa is probably the only country with three capitals. Pretoria is located right outside of Johannesburg and is considered to be the country's administrative capitals. Pretoria offers a relatively more relaxed atmosphere than Johannesburg and is decorated with small reserves and many monuments honoring the country's past.
Cape Town - Travelers staying in Cape Town are at risk of forgetting that they are in Africa. Cape Town is one of the continent's nicest cities and is located in the south western part of Africa. Aside from being a very beautiful city, there are several things to do here. Because the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet below South Africa, the scuba diving has unique species of fish from both oceans. Other activities such as body boarding, shark diving, and sailing are very popular. With the countless bars and night clubs in Cape Town, there is plenty of places to party.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - As one of the largest national parks in the world, Kgalagadi is so big that it doesn't have enough space to fit in just one country. The park is 14,000 square miles and is located in both Botswana and South Africa. Since Kgalagadi is such a large park, you can only imagine that almost all of Africa's famous animals can be found here.
Kruger National Park - Kruger National Park is South Africa's most popular place to view wildlife and is considered South Africa's largest park since Kgalagadi Park is only partially in South Africa. Many people drive their own personal vehicles through the park in hopes of spotting lions, elephants and the thousands of game animals. The big five can also be found in Kruger park, which includes the rhino, water buffalo, leopard, elephant and of course the lion.
Johannesburg - One of the largest cities in Africa, Johannesburg has quite a reputation. Sadly, it's considered by many to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world because of its extremely high numbers for murders and violent crime. On the positive side the city of Johannesburg has the largest economy in and despite its bad reputation it is also the wealthiest in all of Africa. With that said there is plenty of entertainment in Jo'burg for those wanting to take a trip on the wild side.
Sudan - Click here to see photos from Sudan
Capital - Khartoum - Sudan's capital is known surprisingly for its peacefulness and friendly outgoing population. Khartoum also has many great museums such as their national museum which accurately shows different periods of Sudan's history including the pharaoh period, the Christian Nubian period and more recent history. A visit to Khartoum is also incomplete without visiting the site of where the two Niles meet.
Dinder National Park - On the border of eastern Sudan and western Ethiopia, Sudan's Dinder national park is one of the largest in the world, and offers sanctuary for wildlife in a country which is mostly made up of dry desert. The northern parts of the park are savannah while the southern parts of Dinder are covered by woodland forests. Hundreds of species of birds, as well as lions, antelope and other animals make their home in Dinder.
Meroe Sites - Thousands of years ago the people known as Kushites ruled parts of eastern Africa including what is now northern Sudan. These ancient people are even mentioned several times in the Bible's old testament, as Cush, who created their own Kingdom even before the influence of Egyptian pharaohs. Today, the best remains of the Kushite people are known as the Meroe Sites the Meroe Sites which served as the Kushite Kingdom's capital. Dozens of structures and Sudanese pyramids remain standing, many being tombs of ancient Meroite Kings.
Omdurman - Sudan's cultural capital is the city of Omdurman, where it has the largest Suq in the country, some of the most impressive mosques and ancient tombs of past Sudanese leaders. The Suq in Omdurman has some of the most exotic goods on display, from Ivory to gold and silver jewelry to toys, household goods and more all stacked several feet high in crowded alleys and streets.
Port Sudan - Located on the Red Sea and once a major seaport for the British, Port Sudan has become a victim of the Sudan's civil war and the city has lost much beauty and charm. Although the structures in Port Sudan are not the same, the Red Sea itself remains one of the best places in the world for exotic animals. Port Sudan still offers good access to the coast for activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving.
Swaziland
Capital - Mbabane
Tanzania - Click here to see photos from Tanzania
Capital - Dar Es Salaam
Mt. Kilimanjaro - The highest free standing mountain in the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro rises majestically above the Serengeti Plains. The high altitude of Kilimanjaro causes clouds coming in from the Indian Ocean to dump lots of rain on the mountain. The base of Kilimanjaro is made up of rainforest and is a national park. For the more adventurous, you can join a one week climb to the top of the mountains, passing by distinct vegetation zones and ending up in the lifeless alpine desert.
Serengeti - One of the most traveled to places in the world because of its enormous amount of wildlife, the Sergengeti is one of the top places in the world to enjoy a safari. Meaning endless plains in the local Swahili language, the park covers over 60,000 thousand km2. Sergengeti became famous because it is the location of the largest land migration in the world, with over 2 million game mammals journeying from Tanzania to Kenya's Masai Mara.
Ngorognorgo Crater - Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Ngorognoro crater was formed when a volcano collapsed and what remained is now the world's largest unbroken caldera. The walls of the crater reach several hundred meters and create a natural enclosure for wildlife. This picturesque landscape also has a large lake that supports hippos and flamingos. Africa's big 5 can be found inside the crater which includes the rare black rhino.
Gombe Park - One of the smallest national parks in the world, Gombe only covers some 20 square miles of forest along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. This area was where the famous Dr. Jane Goodall, did some groundbreaking research into the lives of wild chimpanzees and eventually became accepted into a family of them. Gombe today is still an important research area and a great place to see wild chimps for yourself.
Zanzibar - Also called the Spice Island, Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean and is almost considered a separate nation from mainland Tanzania. Aside from the country's wildlife, Zanzibar is easily the Tanzania's highlight, and some may even go as far to call it the best place to visit in all east Africa. The island's scuba diving, white sandy beaches, and its enchanting capital known as stone town have long attracted travelers.
Togo
Capital - Lome
Tunisia
Capital - Tunis
Carthage - A great city thousands of years ago, Carthage was built by Phoenicians and was also the home of one of the greatest military commanders in history, Hannibal. Carthage was eventually destroyed by the Romans who than rebuilt Carthage for themselves where it became one of the most important cities for the Roman Empire. Today Carthage is perhaps Tunisia's biggest tourist attraction.
Ichkeul National Park - The large lake of Ichkeul formed near the Mediterranean Sea provides a habitat for thousands of migratory birds and a haven for lush green freshwater plants. The scenery here is definitely different compared to the dry deserts that occupy the majority of Tunisia. Unfortunately Ichkeul's wildlife is at risk due to several dams that reduce freshwater flow and increase salt water from the Mediterranean sea. The Tunisia government is supposedly working to provide more freshwater and protect this unique ecosystem.
Uganda
Capital - Kampala
Western Sahara
Capital - El Aaiun
Zambia
Capital - Lusaka
Zimbabwe
Capital - Harare
Great Zimbabwe Ruin

Post a question or comment about what to see in Africa

Your name: Your email address: Your Country: Comments:

Africa Travel

Back to Top