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
Benin
Capital - Porto Novo
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
Burundi
Capital - Bujumbura
Cameroon
Capital - Yaounde
Canary Islands
Capital - Las Palmas de Islas Canary
Cape Verde
Capital - Praia
Central African Republic
Capital - Bangui -
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
Congo Brazzaville
Capital - Brazzaville
Congo DRC
Capital - Kinsasha
Cote D'Ivoire
Capital - Yamoussoukro -
Djibouti
Capital - Djibouti
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
Eritrea
Capital - Asmara
Ethiopia
Capital - Addis Ababa
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 -
Guinea
Capital - Conaky
Guinea Bissau
Capital - Bissau
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
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 size 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
Nigeria
Capital - Abuja - Recently the Nigerian government decided to replace Lagos with Abuja as the country's capital. The plan didn't work as
well as the government had hoped and Lagos still is largely the real capital. 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 - With the last official population count taken well over a decade ago, it is quite possible that a new consensus will put Lagos ahead
of Cairo as Africa's largest city.
Oshun Sacred Forest - The large rainforest that makes up Oshun sacred forest is where you can find the Oshun Shrine that was built to
for the river goddess.
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.
Yankari National Park - Said to be Nigeria's best national park, you can see the wildlife here by driving your own vehicle with a guide,
taking a safari or by camping. The park also features the picturesque Wikki Warm Spring. While poaching has hurt the animal population,
there are still large numbers of elephants and many species of birds.
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
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. At one point it was so dangerous that the president of
Somalia couldn't even live in his own country and had to reside in Kenya. If you want to visit the city you'll be on your own because there
are no tourist facilities in the capital, and for that matter if you're in trouble there are no police or officials to call since there is no real
government.
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 the waters around
Berbera are the most dangerous in the world, with some of the most violent and frequent pirate attacks on ships.
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, so 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 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 for more 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 -
Zanzibar -
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
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
Benin
Capital - Porto Novo
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
Burundi
Capital - Bujumbura
Cameroon
Capital - Yaounde
Canary Islands
Capital - Las Palmas de Islas Canary
Cape Verde
Capital - Praia
Central African Republic
Capital - Bangui -
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
Congo Brazzaville
Capital - Brazzaville
Congo DRC
Capital - Kinsasha
Cote D'Ivoire
Capital - Yamoussoukro -
Djibouti
Capital - Djibouti
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
Eritrea
Capital - Asmara
Ethiopia
Capital - Addis Ababa
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 -
Guinea
Capital - Conaky
Guinea Bissau
Capital - Bissau
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
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 size 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
Nigeria
Capital - Abuja - Recently the Nigerian government decided to replace Lagos with Abuja as the country's capital. The plan didn't work as
well as the government had hoped and Lagos still is largely the real capital. 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 - With the last official population count taken well over a decade ago, it is quite possible that a new consensus will put Lagos ahead
of Cairo as Africa's largest city.
Oshun Sacred Forest - The large rainforest that makes up Oshun sacred forest is where you can find the Oshun Shrine that was built to
for the river goddess.
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.
Yankari National Park - Said to be Nigeria's best national park, you can see the wildlife here by driving your own vehicle with a guide,
taking a safari or by camping. The park also features the picturesque Wikki Warm Spring. While poaching has hurt the animal population,
there are still large numbers of elephants and many species of birds.
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
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. At one point it was so dangerous that the president of
Somalia couldn't even live in his own country and had to reside in Kenya. If you want to visit the city you'll be on your own because there
are no tourist facilities in the capital, and for that matter if you're in trouble there are no police or officials to call since there is no real
government.
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 the waters around
Berbera are the most dangerous in the world, with some of the most violent and frequent pirate attacks on ships.
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, so 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 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 for more 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 -
Zanzibar -
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
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| What to see and do in Africa |
Click from the list below to see that 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.
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.
| What to See in : |