Top Tourist Destinations in Africa Part 2

Africa is one of the largest continents in the world and is well endowed with natural beauty, natural resources, diverse culture as well as friendly and hospitable people. As such, it is not a surprise that the countries in Africa are able to attract millions of tourists who wish to experience and explore the beauty of the continent. In 2023, Egypt attracted the largest number of tourists (14.9 million) in Africa followed by Morocco at 14.5 million, Tunisia attracted 9 million tourists, South Africa at 8.5 million while Algeria , Kenya and Tanzania attracted 2 million tourists each. This shows that the tourism sector is a major contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP) among the African countries and provides millions of jobs to people in the continent. Institutions in Africa such as the African Union, the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) have all recognized the enormous potential that the tourism sector to contribute to the development and economic growth of the continent and have taken measures to promote the sector to enable it to compete in the tourism markets globally. The following are some of the top tourist destinations in the continent.

Top Tourist Destinations in Africa

The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is one of the top tourist destinations in Africa that offers some of the best Safari adventures in the world. It covers an area of approximately 14,763 km²  and is located in northeastern Simiyu Region and the eastern Mara Region. It was established in 1940 to promote tourism in the country. The Serengeti is famous for the large yearly animal migration that consists of over 250,000 zebras, 1.5 million wildebeest as well as smaller herds of eland and Thomson’s gazelle. Moreover, it has the largest populations of lions in the African continent. The Serengeti is also famous for being a home for the Maasai people who are well known for being heroic warriors who have striven to maintain their culture in spite of the widespread Westernization in Tanzania, East Africa and Africa at large.

The Serengeti National Park is the top tourist attraction in Tanzania and the East African region. This is attributed to the fact that the park offers family-friendly services and offers people the opportunity to view animals that are not available in most of the national parks in Africa and the world. The Serengeti has a variety of wildlife including thousands of African leopards and lions. It also has a large population of African bush elephant as well as African populations. Moreover, it has Eastern black rhinoceros although their population has been on the decline due to poaching. Other mammal carnivores include the hyenas, banded mongoose, honey badger, cheetahs, backed jackal, serval, African golden wolf and the caracal among others. It also has a wealth of birds such as Masai Ostrich, knob-billed ducks, African fish eagles, white stork, hornbills and the secretary bird among others. The Serengeti also has wealth of herbivores such as the cape hare, hippopotamus, gorillas and gazelles among others. As such, people who visit the Serengeti can expect a wild and enjoyable experience in their safari.

Seychelles

There is absolutely no doubt that Seychelles is one of the top tourist destinations in Africa offering some of the best experiences in the continent. It is not a surprise that Seychelles is often compared to the Maldives which is one of the most famous destinations in the world. This is because the two destinations offer similar experiences including high quality hotels and food. It is worth noting that  the Seychelles offers much more to explore than just sun loungers and plunge pools. In fact, we’d argue that its free-roaming giant tortoises, towering granite formations, fabled pirate treasures, and suggestive coco de mer seeds put the debate to rest. The Seychelles has invested in upgrading its tourist infrastructure over the past few years. For example, the Fregate Island is expected to reopen in 2025 after a 3 year closure as it was undergoing restoration to make it a sustainable tourist attraction for the next three decades. The Seychelles also offers a unique experience of island-hopping as well as water-sports such as kayaking, diving, beach soccer/volleyball, surfing and jet skiing. The islands also have a nice night life as it has plenty of restaurants, bars and hotels that offer the best entertainment and experiences. This is one of the destinations that tourists in Africa would not like to miss!

Zambia

Although Zambia is not one of the top tourist destinations in Africa or the world, it offers unique experiences that tourists around the globe would like to visit. One of these is the Victoria Falls, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya which is the most famous tourist attraction in the country. The country also has more less-frequented waterfalls such as Lumangwe, Chishimba and Kalambo where tourists can get an opportunity to sail or swim in the fresh and wavy waters. Zambia also has very good national parks such as the Nsumbu National Park, Kafue National Park and the South Luangwa National Park which have a variety of African animals including lions, leopards and other herbivores. Travellers can also tour the country through micro-camps which are becoming increasingly popular in Zambia.

Uganda

Interestingly, Uganda offers some of the best tourist experiences in Africa at affordable costs even though it is a landlocked country that does not have coastal beaches. Uganda is well known as the heart of Africa where you can “put a stick in the ground and it will grow”. From its semi-arid savannas and papyrus wetlands to gorilla trekking in its mist shrouded forests and the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains also known as the Mountains of the Moon, Uganda offers a raw and wild experiences that tourists will experience in style. There is no doubts that tourists in Uganda will enjoy the Gorilla Forest Camp that is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and will soon be open with a new beautiful design after years of renovation and rebuilding. The country also offers unique sailing and fishing experiences along the River Nile which is the largest river in Uganda as well as Africa. Moreover, the country has unique national parks such as the underrated Queen Elizabeth National Park the Kibale Forest National Park and the Murchison Falls National Park among others that offer tourists and families unique experiences of watching wild animals in their natural habitat. Mountain climbers will also love the experience of climbing mountains such as the Ruwenzori mountains which offer challenging but realistic climbing experiences without enormous risks to human life. Uganda is an attractive destination especially for intra-African tourism due its affordability and accessibility.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The Maasai Mara, also commonly referred to as the Mara, is a large Kenyan national park that is contiguous with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is named after the Maasai people who inhabit that region. In the Maasai language, the word ‘Mara’ means ‘spotted’. The Maasai Mara is well known for having bushy trees that dot the landscape. There is no doubt that the Maasai Mara is one of the most famous wilderness and wildlife conservation in Africa and the world along with the Serengeti National Park. It is also a host of  the Great Migration which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa when large herds of animals including wildebeests, zebras and gazelles among others migrate from the Maasai Mara to the Serengeti and vice versa in search for food, water and pasture. The Mara was originally established in 1961 as part of Kenya’s effort to maximize tourism and earn foreign exchange. Since then, it has attracted millions of tourists and travelers who seek to view life at its wildest. It has also been a subject of some of the most famous wildlife documentaries such as the “Big Cat Diary” on the BBC as it offers experiences that are unique in Africa and the world. Today, tourists who visit the Mara can easily cross over to the Serengeti to continue their Safari in Tanzania.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar is indeed one a paradise in the Indian ocean that offers an ultimate experience,with its fascinating history, incredible nature, enchanting sunset and magnificent beaches, altogether embraced by the scent of exotic spices. If you are looking for a peaceful yet active escape, Zanzibar is the perfect place to give rein to your holiday wanderlust. When one visits Zanzibar, they get an opportunity to explore and experience all the tastes, sounds, sights and smells that the gorgeous island has to offer. This includes the markets in Stone Town to the majestic tropical beaches as well as everything in between. Visiting Zanzibar also allows people to discover a multicultural, vibrant shop for jewellery, spices and texitles. People can also visit local cooperatives and learn more about its culture, people and history. The fact that tourism is the main income generator in Zanzibar means that tourists who visit the islands will encounter hospitable and friendly people who are welcoming and eager to help the visitors have the best experiences possible. In addition, Zanzibar has shallow beaches that extend for miles offering people the opportunity to do fun activities such as surfing, fishing, sky diving and jet skiing. The islands also have top class hotels and restaurants that offer family-friendly services that allow visitors to relax and enjoy the holidays in the sunny, white beaches.

Cape Town’s Table Mountain, South Africa

            The Table Mountain, also referred to as the Mountain in the Sea is the most famous landmark in South Africa. The indigenous Khoikhoi refer to it as the Hoerikiwaggo. The Table Mountain is more complex thin shape than its front view suggests and is part of a range that ends at Cape Point. People who love hiking use the hiking trails to traverse their way up and all over the Table Mountain. However, the cable car offers the easiest way to climb the mountain. The ocean and mountain view from its top are nothing short of spectacular and is an experience that any tourist would not want to miss. Furthermore, the Table Mountain has an appealing and unique flora. Referred to as fynbos, the flowering plants’ diversity is mind blowing as approximately 1,500 species can be found on the mountain. In addition, tourists can get an opportunity to view a variety of animals such as the rabbit-sized guinea pigs snakes, tortoises, porcupines, lizards and the dassie among others. The mountain is also attractive to young and active people as it offers opportunities for hiking mountain biking, caving and rock climbing. Moreover, people who love ocean activities can easily participate in activities such as shark/whale viewing, jet skiing and surfing on the South African Coast.

The Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is an extraordinary wetland that is one of the most famous wildlife conservation sites in the  African continent. It is one of the freshwater oases in the unforgiving Kalahari Desert in Botswana. The Okavango Delta is a large maze of floodplains, waterways and lagoons. Needless to say, the game viewing is amazing, not least when the Okavango’s annual flood coincides with Botswana’s dry winter season. The Delta is home to nearly a 250,000 animals including water-loving species such as crocodiles and hippopotamus. The forested areas provide habitat for large herds of elephant, buffaloes, antelopes as well as over 400 bird species. All the big predators can also be found on the Okavango due to the abundance of herbivores that provide adequate food/prey throughout the year. Moreover, the Okavango is famous for being one of the only homes for endangered African wild dog which is one of the most successful predators in the African continent. The Delta is particularly attractive for hunters as it is legal for people to hunt animals as long as they pay the required fees. Hunting is also beneficial for the Okavango because it helps in curling the animal populations and reduces the competition for food among the animals in the Delta.

Namibia

Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world with a land size of 824,294 kilometers squared and a population of approximately 2.6 million people in 2023. The country has numerous tourist attractions including the capital Windhoek which is home to several parks such as the Zoo Park where families can visit and enjoy the beautiful landscape and animals. Windhoek is also home to a variety of restaurants and hotels that offer high quality hospitality services to its residents and tourists. The other tourist attraction in Namibia is the Walvis Bay which has a unique geographic location as it is the meeting place of extreme landscapes- on the one side a massive harbor and lagoon flowing from the Atlantic Ocean and the other side the Namib Desert, which is considered to be the oldest desert in the world. Walvis Bay is a tourist hotspot which offers a number of enjoyable activities. These include water-related activities such as boat angling, sea kayaking, shore angling, sightseeing, kite surfing, shark angling and boat cruises among others. On the other hand, land activities include desert sightseeing tours, dune skiing, dune hang gliding dune driving tours into the gorgeous dunes south of the Kuiseb River and dune boarding among others. The country also has a variety of national parks such as the Tsau Ikhaeb National Park and the Etosha National Park among others. As such, any tourist would surely enjoy a visit to Namibia.

Djerba, Tunisia

Djerba is a small island in south Tunisia that has whitewashed domed houses and white sandy beaches that are very attractive to tourists and beach lover/goers. The people of Djerba are culturally distinct from mainland Tunisians and have preserved a lot of their traditions as well as unique architecture. Any tourist would enjoy the medina in Houmt Souk because it is a pleasant and relatively cheap place to stay for the best meals and easy shopping. The best time to visit Djerba is during the summer, from June to September, when they can enjoy the sun as well as the sea. The island has various tourists attraction including Djerba Explore which hosts the biggest crocodile farm along the Mediterranean Coast. People can also enjoy the sandy beaches, rent a bicycle, visit small villages, visit Ras R’mel peninsula, enjoy the classic architecture as well as beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The island is also famous for its fresh and tasty fish. In fact, tourists have the opportunity to catch their own fish by hiring fishing boats. Other fun activities for families include swimming, kayaking and beach sports such as beach volleyball and soccer among others. The location of the Djerba Island is also strategic as it allows tourists to visit European countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece among others at very low costs.

Mauritius

Mauritius is attractive for tourists for the cultural diversity of its populations, its natural environment, tropical climate, man-made attractions, beaches as well as water sports among others. Mauritius is a very beautiful country that will enchant you, uplift your soul and make you feel that you belong to the chosen few. Every visitor enjoys personal attention. Every encounter is an opportunity to discover a friendly and hospitable face. Behind each smile lies the promise of a unique holiday. The contrast of a multitude of colours and tastes, the island, set in its turquoise sea, is an oasis of peace and tranquility. It offers people an opportunity to enjoy the best of sea foods as well as it gorgeous sandy beaches. The fact that Mauritius is in East Africa means that it has very good weather throughout the year without having periods of extreme hot or  cold weather unlike many destinations in Europe and some Asian countries.

Summary

In summary, it is clear that Africa has some of the best tourist destinations in the world. Over the past five decades, the continent has become one of the attractive tourist destinations for people around the world due to the development of infrastructure that allows seamless travel across Africa and the world. Egypt currently attracts the highest number of tourists in the continent due to its unique history, culture and is proximity to Europe. Countries is sub-Saharan Africa are also competing for tourists mainly because they offer some of the best safari experiences as they have multiple national parks and wild animals that have few competitors outside Africa. As such, countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania are able to attract millions of tourists and create thousands of jobs for their populations. In the future, it is necessary for African countries to invest in marketing their tourist attractions throughout the world and make the continent the top tourist destination in the globe.