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Destinations of africa.

Click on the African Travel, Inc. destination countries to view a detailed map with links to our programs. We’ve added these exciting safari & tour destinations: Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Rwanda, Uganda.

  • Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls
  • Zambia & Victoria Falls
  • South Africa

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Countries and regions in Africa

Africa is vast and diverse. And while there’s some truth to the old clichés – think safari lodges, acacia trees and blood-red sunsets – the mother continent has far more to offer adventurous visitors. Whether you want to get lost in the labyrinthine souks of Morocco , or seek out great apes in Uganda’s misty mountains, our map of Africa is the ideal place to start.

Hot sunshine scorches the northern third of the continent, where seas of sand swirl past ancient monuments, including the spellbinding Pyramids of Giza in Egypt . Further south on the Africa map, the national parks and game reserves of countries like Kenya and Tanzania teem with wildlife. With a little patience, the ‘Big Five’ – lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos – can all be spotted here.

Africa’s outer edges are among the most exciting parts of the continent to explore. Watch the Atlantic Ocean gnaw at shipwrecks on Namibia’s dramatic Skeleton Coast, see Cape Town ’s skyline shimmer from the top of Table Mountain, or let yourself be mesmerised by Madagascar’s weird and wonderful creatures. Give Africa a chance, and it’ll get under your skin.

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written by Charlotte

updated 12.02.2021

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African History

African origin of modern humans.

As for Africa, scientists have formerly concluded that it is the birthplace of mankind, as large numbers of human-like fossils (discovered no where else) were found on the continent, some dating back 3.5 million years.

About 1.75 million years ago, early man spread throughout parts of Africa. They became aggressive hunters, lived in caves and used fire and their ability to create stone tools just to survive.

The Neanderthals arose some 200,000 years ago and inhabited regions in northern Africa and across parts of southern Europe. There is also clear evidence that they had control of fire, lived in caves, as well as open-air structures of stone and vegetation.

One of the most important developments of primitive man was the creation of stone tools. By 5000 BC farming was somewhat common in the northern areas of Africa, as people were growing crops and herding livestock. During that time the Sahara Desert was a fertile area.

Ancient African History

In 3200 BC the Egyptian culture emerged along the lower reaches of the Nile River; it was among the earliest civilizations and their tools and weapons were made of bronze. They also pioneered the building of massive pyramids and temples.

Egyptians also developed mathematics, an innovative system of medicine, irrigation and agricultural production techniques, writing and the first ships. In short, the Egyptians left a lasting legacy upon the world.

Around 600 BC the use of metal tools spread across small population bases and farming groups in North Africa, and their use gradually spread south into what is now called South Africa.

The Phoenicians were an enterprising maritime trading culture from Lebanon who spread across the Mediterranean from 1550 BC to 300 BC. In 814 BC, they founded the city of Carthage in what is now Tunisia in north Africa; only to be destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC.

Meanwhile, the Egyptians continued to spread their culture across Northern Africa, and kingdoms were created in Ethiopia and Sudan. The then-growing Roman Empire continued to expand its influence, and in 30 BC Egypt became a province of Rome; Morocco the same in 42 AD.

Before the Middle Ages began, the Roman Empire collapsed and the Arabs quickly took their place on the continent. In 698-700 they invaded Tunis and Carthage and soon controlled all of coastal North Africa. The Arabs were Muslims, and most of North Africa converted to Islam; Ethiopia was the exception.

Soon kingdoms emerged in Africa; they traded with the Arabs using gold plus a valuable commodity - slaves. One of the first kingdoms was Ghana, located in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali. The empire grew rich from the trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt, but then lost its power in the 11th century.

Additional kingdoms developed across the continent, including those in Benin and Mali. Both became rich by trading in gold, horse salt, and of course, slaves. And like most kingdoms before them on any continent, they were invaded and in the end destroyed.

Mogadishu, the now largest city in Somalia, was settled by Arabs who traveled and traded on the east coast of Africa. The Arabs' reach extended to Zanzibar, which was used as a base for voyages between the Middle East and India .

As other organized kingdoms were formed in central and southern Africa, the Portuguese began to explore the western coast of Africa. By 1445 they reached the Cape Verde Islands and the coast of Senegal, and the mouth of the River Congo in 1482. They even sailed around the Cape of Good Hope.

African Colonization and the Slave Trade

The continent-changing 16th Century began with Europeans transporting African slaves to the Americas for profit. A slave purchased on the African coast for the equivalent of 14 English pounds in bartered goods could sell for 45 pounds in the American market.

The best-known method of commerce at the time was called the Triangular Trading System. It involved British and other European countries' manufactured goods which were shipped to Africa, then slaves from there to the West Indies and then sugar and other products back to Europe.

At the same time, Barbary pirates along the North African coast captured thousands of ships. From the 16th to 19th century, an estimated 800,000 to 1.25 million people were taken captive as slaves. The pirates' impact on the continent, however, peaked in the early to mid-17th century.

As tales of African riches spread north, the Europeans founded their first real colonies in the early 16th century, when the Portuguese settled in what is now Angola. Later, the Dutch founded a colony in what is now South Africa.

Strong movements to end slavery began in the late 18th century. France became one of the first countries to abolish slavery in 1794. Britain banned slave trade in 1807, but it was not officially abolished for good until 1848. In some parts of Africa, slave-like practices continue to this day and have proven difficult to eliminate.

Wholesale colonization of Africa by European countries began in 1814 when the British snatched the Dutch Colony of South Africa. Carved up like a large pie, the Brits, Dutch, French, Germans and Portuguese grabbed all of the available pieces.

By the end of the 19th century, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and from Botswana to Niger, the continent was now all but controlled by European powers. In the early 20th century the land grab continued as the British took control of Egypt.

By 1920, the forced occupation of African lands began to sour in Europe, and change was in the wind. Africans were also driven by their passionate desire for independence and the movement for same became unstoppable. By mid-century most of the continent was independent, with Angola finally free in 1975.

Post-Colonial Africa

Self-government brought more than its share of civil wars, coup d'états and ethnic conflicts to the newly emerged countries. Add to that mix some horrible genocides, along with famines and out-of-control disease (HIV/AIDS), and Africa was teetering on the edge, and in many areas still does today.

Although Africa remains the world's poorest inhabited continent, there are many bright spots in this land of over one billion people and its 2,000 + languages. Significant economic and social gains have taken place over the last few years, with South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco and Egypt leading the way.

The largest segments of modern Africa's economies are agriculture and mining, with tourism growing in some areas. Manufacturing industries have grown large enough to ship products across the planet, and the oil export revenues of Angola, Libya and Nigeria have the potential to change the lives of millions.

Today the 54 countries of Africa have great potential, but this question must be asked: "Can it change soon enough to meet the needs of its people?" We can only hope so.

Africa Geography Facts

For additional geography details please use the yellow navigation bar at the top of this page.

  • Algeria is Africa's largest country
  • The Seychelles are Africa's smallest country
  • Nigeria is Africa's largest country by population
  • The Seychelles are Africa's smallest country by population
  • Africa's highest point is Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
  • Africa's lowest point is Lake Assal in Djibouti

Interesting Facts About Africa

Two of Africa's most interesting geographical features are the Nile River System and Sahara Desert; both impressive in so many ways.

Nile River System: The Nile is a north-flowing river considered the longest river in the world at 6,650 km (4,130 mi) long. It is shared by and benefits eleven countries. The White Nile and Blue Nile are its major tributaries. The White Nile is longer and rises in the Great Lakes region of central Africa, flowing north from Tanzania to South Sudan . The Blue Nile is the source of most of the water and both rivers join near Khartoum, Sudan The northern section of the river flows almost entirely through desert, from Sudan into Egypt. The Nile ends in a large delta that empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

Sahara Desert: It's the world's hottest desert, the third largest desert after Antarctica and the Arctic, and almost as large as China. Covering almost one-third of the continent, the Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world at approximately 3,500,000 sq. miles (9,065,000 sq. km) in total size. Topography includes areas of rock-strewn plains, rolling sand dunes and numerous sand seas. It ranges in elevation from 100 ft. below sea level, to peaks in the Ahaggar and Tibesti Mountains, that exceed 11,000 ft. (3,350m). Regional deserts include the Libyan, Nubian and the Western desert of Egypt, just to the west of the Nile. Almost completely without rainfall, a few underground rivers flow from the Atlas Mountains, helping to irrigate isolated oases. In the east, the waters of the Nile help fertilize smaller parts of the landscape.

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Maps of Africa

Africa, the planet's 2nd largest continent and the second most-populous continent (after Asia) includes (54) individual countries, and Western Sahara, a member state of the African Union whose statehood is disputed by Morocco. Note that South Sudan is the continent's newest country.

With a 2011 population of 1,032,532,974, it accounts for just over 14% of the world's human population. It also contains the Nile River system, the world's longest, and the massive Sahara Desert, the world's largest.

Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, both the Suez Canal and the Red Sea along the Sinai Peninsula to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the east and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Country Map of Africa Outline

Africa outline map

Outline map of the Africa continent including the disputed territory of Western Sahara

Political Map of Africa

Africa political map

Political maps are designed to show governmental boundaries of countries, states, and counties, the location of major cities, and they usually include significant bodies of water. Like in the sample, bright colors are often used to help the user find the borders. A larger version of this map here.

Topographical Map of Africa

africa topographical map

A topographic map highlights hills, mountains and valleys of a specific land area by exaggerated shading rather than by using contour lines. This topo map clearly shows the flatness of the Sahara Desert, the depression that Lake Chad sits in, the high mountains of the Great Rift Valley, and it also highlights Lake Victoria, all but surrounded by mountains.

Great Rift Valley African Map

Africa great rift valley map

This is a slice of a larger topographical map that highlights the Great Rift Valley, a dramatic depression on the earth's surface, approximately 4,000 miles (6,400 km) in length, extends from the Red Sea area near Jordan in the Middle East, , south to the African country of Mozambique. In essence, it's a series of geological faults caused by huge volcanic eruptions centuries back, that subsequently created what we now call the Ethiopian Highlands, and a series of perpendicular cliffs, mountain ridges, rugged valleys and very deep lakes along its entire length. Many of Africa's highest mountains front the Rift Valley, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and Mount Margherita.

For additional details on many of the landforms of Africa, this page will help

Africa Satellite View Map

satellite view of Africa

This NASA satellite view of Africa can be useful in many applications, including agriculture, geology, forestry, meteorology, intelligence and warfare. In addition, it's a great education tool as it provides an overview of Africa, with the desert areas of the north, the central fertile areas and the varied topography of the southern regions of the continent are clearly visible.

Historical African Map 1570

Africa Tabula Nova Map

Beautifully designed the map represents a high mark of 16th-century mapmaking, it shows Africa in a recognizable shape, with a more pointed southern cape. Madagascar appears, as do the place-names of numerous towns along the coasts and in the interior, although large empty spaces begin to dominate there. No animal or plant life is indicated, but the oceans contain swordfish and a whale. Three ships in the lower right are caught in the smoke of battle.  The map was designed by Abraham Ortelius who published the Theatrum , the worlds first atlas.

Map of Africa Prior to Colonization

African Map 1812

A map depicting Africa before colonization in 1812 by Arrowsmith and Lewis, printed in Boston by Thomas & Andrews.

1910 Map of the Colonization of Africa

African Colonization

Historical map of Africa shows the possessions of the different European Powers in 1910

What Countries are in Africa? 

There are 54 countries the are internationally recognized. Full list bellow, for individual country maps follow the links

World Facts

Useful information on populations and more that are updated weekly.

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Ultimate AFRICA Travel Guide

The  African continent  is the second-largest in the world, featuring 54 countries and 12 territories. To truly explore all it has to offer would take you a lifetime and man, would that be a wild ride. Our  Africa Travel guide  is here to serve you advice and insight on the most popular areas of the continent and places we have personally visited.

We have an insatiable love for the African continent and have returned four times since our first trip. You’ll be hard-pressed to find the sheer diversity and wonders that it offers on any other continent in this world.

The continent is generally divided into regions, which you’ll find references to throughout this guide and our other Africa content on this site.

Southern Africa  generally refers to the countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini (Swaziland), Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar.

Eastern Africa  generally refers to the countries of Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea, Comoros, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Central Africa  generally refers to the countries of Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome & Principe.

West Africa  generally refers to the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

North Africa  generally refers to the countries of Morocco, Western Sahara, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan. Some of these countries are often grouped together with the Middle East region.

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AFRICA BUCKET LIST

Go on safari & see the big five.

Taking a safari is on the top of every Africa bucket list, for good reason! You’ll spend your mornings and evenings viewing wildlife and searching for the  Big Five . Famous places include the  Serengeti , Masai Mara,  Hwange , Kruger, and  Etosha , to name a few.

HELICOPTER OVER VICTORIA FALLS

Spanning 1078 meters, Victoria Falls is one of the world’s largest waterfalls and it’s a sight to behold. One of the best ways to experience its glory is by taking a  helicopter flight over Victoria Falls  and the surrounding area. We’ve done it twice, it’s that good!

TAKE THE FERRY TO ZANZIBAR

If you’re planning to visit Tanzania, then  Zanzibar  should be on your list. This island features not only dreamy beaches on the Indian Ocean but rich history. Leave time to soak up the sun, scuba dive, and explore Stone Town during your visit.

MORE THINGS TO TRY IN AFRICA

There is no shortage of great things to do in Africa during your visit and the biggest problem you’ll face is fitting them all into your itinerary.

Each country has its own offering and unique things to check out during a visit, so be sure to look at our city guides once you decide where you’re itinerary will take you.

SEE PENGUINS IN CAPE TOWN:   One of the highlights of visiting South Africa is  visiting the famed Boulder Beach  in Cape Town to view a lively population of Jackass Penguins that live there. The beach, as its name suggests, features massive boulders set on white sands against a bright blue seascape.

GO CAGE DIVING WITH GREAT WHITE SHARKS:  One of the best places in the world to view and  cage dive with Great White Sharks  is off the coast of Gansbaai, South Africa. With the presence of a permanent seal colony, this area is like a giant buffet for hungry sharks. While the sightings are never guaranteed, if you have an encounter here, you’ll likely not forget it anytime soon.

SKYDIVING IN SWAKOPMUND:  One of the best ways to see the stretch of the mighty Namib Desert is by heading to the sky. For us, we chose to increase the adrenaline by jumping out of the plane too.  Skydiving in Namibia  gives you a perspective and appreciation of this part of the world in a way that few other can.

VISIT THE NAMIB DESERT:  Behind the mighty Sahara Desert to the North, the Namib Desert is one of the greatest in Africa. Located in Namibia, it features special places like Sossusvlei, Dune 45 and Deadvlei, featuring large salt pans with massive dune backdrops.

VISIT THE GRAND CANYON OF AFRICA:  Located just over the border of South Africa, in Namibia, is  Fish River Canyon . This massive natural landmark rivals the scenery of the Grand Canyon in the USA and offers not only incredible views but great hiking too.

CANOE SAFARI IN BOTSWANA:  If you’re looking for something a little different and more exclusive than a traditional safari, then you’ll want to head to the  Okavango Delta in Botswana . Here, you will navigate the vast wetlands by traditional Mokoro (dugout) canoe in search of hippos and the Big Five.

CAMP WITH ELEPHANTS IN BOTSWANA:  I know, it sounds crazy but trust us when we say it’s an incredible experience. The  Elephant Sands Camp in Botswana  is set up near a massive watering hole that provides refreshment for a huge herd of elephants. The camp features traditional campsites and cabins, along with a nice central lodge where you can enjoy the pool and watch the elephants in the water hole. It’s not unheard of for the elephants to walk right through camp, either.

VISIT MATOPOS NP IN ZIMBABWE:  Get off the beaten track and visit one of our favorite places in Africa, Matopos National Park in Zimbabwe. Here you can do two very special things, take a walking safari with Rhinos and see cave paintings from the dawn of humanity.

SCUBA DIVE IN LAKE MALAWI:  Get some freshwater diving under your belt and head underwater in the 4th largest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Malawi is home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world and offers up more than 700 species of cichlids. This makes  scuba diving Lake Malawai  a unique experience to add to both your diving resume and Africa bucket list.

CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO:  Take on the tallest mountain on the African continent and one of the seven world summits, Mount Kilimanjaro during your visit to Africa. With a 66% success rate, it won’t be an easy climb but it will certainly be an adventure you won’t soon forget.

TOUR AROUND WEST KENYA:  If you are seeking a more off the beaten path experience, head to west Kenya. Here you’ll find some incredible national parks such as Nakuru, Hells Gate and Aberdere. You’ll also get an inside look at the major tea plantations of Kenya in Kericho.

RAFT THE NILE RIVER IN UGANDA:  Jinja, Uganda is the gateway to adventure on the Nile River. From here, you have the opportunity to white water raft and kayak on the might Nile River. This is a gnarly experience and you should expect big water, meaning you’ll spend more time in the water than you will sitting on the raft. If you’re okay with this, you’ll find few white water experiences to rival this one.

VISIT THE KIGALI GENOCIDE MUSEUM IN RWANDA:  Take a haunting look at Rwanda’s past by visiting the Genocide Memorial Museum in Kigali. This is often combined with gorilla safaris in Volcano National Park and shouldn’t be missed. You’ll get an insight into the history of the country and humanity as a whole.

STRADDLE THE EQUATOR IN UGANDA:  With the equator splitting the African continent in half, you simply cannot miss the opportunity to stand in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, at the same time, if you find yourself traveling overland through Uganda.

VISIT TRIBES IN THE OMO VALLEY:  The Omo Valley in Ethiopia is one of the last truly wild spaces in Africa. Home to eight  Ethiopian Tribes  totaling more than 200,000 inhabitants, you’ll have the privilege of witnessing what life is like in the heart of Africa.

HIKE THE SIMIEN MOUNTAINS IN ETHIOPIA:  The  Simien Mountains in Ethiopia  offer some of the most beautiful hiking we have ever done in our world travels. Sitting at the very top of the Rift Valley, this is the last stand of the lush landscape before it drops off into the Nubian Desert and into Sudan. Not only does the park offer spectacular hiking, but you’ll have the change to see the endemic Gelada Baboons, also known as Bleeding Heart Baboons, that inhabit and thrive in the mountain hillsides.

NOTABLE AFRICA EVENTS

GREAT MIGRATION:  The Great Wildebeest River Crossing of the Mara River is one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Thousands of wildebeest and other migrating animals follow the lush land across the crocodile-infested waters. To witness the event is both heartbreaking and thrilling as plenty will not survive to cross again next year. The migration begins around late June, hitting its peak in July, although predicting an exact date is not possible.

KWITA IZINA : Taking place at the entrance to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Kwita Izina is an annual event that takes place in September to name all of the gorillas that were born in the previous year. It is attended by more than 30,000 people from around the world, including the President of Rwanda (who we met when we attended in 2015!). It is a proud celebration of conservation.

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Popular africa travel destinations, south africa.

South Africa is a classic African safari destination, as the country offers a range of safari parks, landscapes, and importantly, the chance to see all the  Big Five animals  – the lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant. Across South Africa, you can visit a range of different reserves and national parks, while you can find accommodation and tours to suit many different budgets, be it camping out under stars or enjoying a luxury getaway in the wilderness. Kruger National Park, close to the city of Johannesburg, is the country’s most famous safari destination. The Addo Elephant National Park is the place to see elephants, while the nearby Shamwari Game Reserve is a popular place for safari too. South Africa is also one of the best places in the world to observe and  dive with Great White Sharks  off the coast in Gansbaai.

Although politically, Zimbabwe is never in the news for good reasons, for safari-goers, it’s always been, and always will be a  top spot on the continent . The country’s most famous game preserve is the  Hwange National Park , which actually borders Botswana’s northern national parks, to form one huge area of cross-border wilderness. Hwange National Park protects hundreds of species of animals, including elephants, leopards, cheetahs, lions, and even the rare wild dog, which survives in few other locations in Africa. Additionally, Zimbabwe is home to the famed  Victoria Falls , rich colonial history from its time as Rhodesia, insane Rhino viewing opportunities, accessible early humanity cave paintings, and the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. It’s a beautiful and diverse country that deserves your time spent. 

UGANDA & RWANDA

Uganda & Rwanda can be two of the most fascinating Africa travel destinations. If it’s gorillas you’re looking for , then head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In other parts of Uganda, you can visit the Queen Elizabeth National Park for a classic safari. Like neighboring Uganda, Rwanda is a fantastic place to see gorillas in their natural habitat. The best place for  gorilla trekking in Rwanda  is the remote Volcanoes National Park. In a way, this experience is more iconic than Uganda, as you are able to visit the area that Dian Fossey conducted her research. Additionally, Rwanda has a rich history and a visit to Kigali is worth a stop too. 

Found along the southwest coast of the continent, Namibia has a staggering diversity of climates and landscapes, making this a fascinating safari destination. The country is known for its dry and dusty deserts, like the famed  Sossusvlei  and  Deadvlei ,  and windswept coastline near  Swakopmund , and if you want to experience the best safari, head to the excellent  Etosha National Park  where you can find salt pans, grasslands, and even forests, not to mention elephants, rhinos, springboks, giraffes, and many more African animals. In Namibia, you can also visit the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which borders both Botswana and South Africa. 

Tanzania  is an excellent African safari destination on the east coast of the continent because as well as being able to enjoy classic game reserves, you can also spend time at the country’s beautiful beaches, like in  Zanzibar , – you might even see an elephant strolling along the white sands by the Indian Ocean. It’s possible to take a  Tanzania safari  across 16 national parks in total, with the most iconic being the  Serengeti National Park  and the Ngorongoro Crater. These great savannahs are classic safari territory, with sweeping plains and huge herds. You can even see the Great Migration here, as millions of animals move across the region in time with the changing seasons. Other great destinations include Selous Game Reserve, while along the coast, Saadani National Park might be the smallest national park in the country, but it’s here that you can enjoy both the beach and a classic African safari.

While not your typical safari destination in Africa, per se, you do have the chance to trek deep into the  Simien Mountains  to see the endemic and endangered Gelada Baboons. Ethiopia, on the other hand, is a fascinating country of culture, and uncovering the history in places like Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Lalibela, Axum, and Gondar will leave you in wonder. The adventurous should also head into the Omo Valley to interact with a handful of  unique Ethiopian tribes .

Botswana  has long been one of the premier destinations on the continent for an African Safari because the vast national parks are teeming with wildlife. 17% of the country’s landmass is preserved or protected, offering a haven for animals.  Chobe National Park  is one of the classic safari destinations, and here you can find enormous herds of elephants all along the Chobe River. In the  Okavango Delta , you can take boat safaris in search of crocodiles and hippos living in the dense network of waterways, and forming one of the greenest parts of Africa. For first-time safari-goers, Botswana is easily one of the best destinations, as you’ll be able to spot all of the Big Five in high numbers across the country.

To the north of Tanzania,  Kenya  is another enduring Africa travel destination. Many safari-goers will visit both Tanzania and Kenya on the same trip, as the vast Serengeti plains stretch across the borders of both countries. Kenya is a great place to observe the Great Migration too, and the country’s most famous reserve is the Masai Mara National Reserve, where you will find all the classic African animals. Other popular safari parks include Tsavo East and Tsavo West, which are both close to the Indian Ocean, as well as the beautiful scenes and vast numbers of flamingoes that you can find around Lake Nakuru. It is also possible to go on safari in the Nairobi National Park where you can see safari animals with the skyline of the city in the distance. Beachgoers will waste no time heading to the white sand coastline of Mombasa where you can relax next to the teal waters of the Indian Ocean.

NORTH AFRICA

Again, not a part of the African continent you would visit for safari, but not mentioning incredible cultural and historical destinations like  Morocco  and  Egypt  would be wrong! This region of Africa is defined by the Sahara Desert and is often included as part of the  Middle East  due to the predominantly Mulsim culture across the countries here. In Egypt, you can admire the Great  Pyramids of Giza  and tour the  Valley of the Kings . In Morocco, you can head into the desert on a  Sahara desert camel safari .

AFRICA TRAVEL BUDGET

Setting a budget for Africa travel is highly dependent on your travel style. It is possible to visit just about anywhere across the continent on any budget and still have a great trip. That said, you can make your trip as basic or as luxurious as you desire.

To help you set your budget, we’ve included some base range price estimations. Of course, keep in mind that prices can fluctuate based on seasons, availability and festivals.

Travel costs also vary from country to country, and you can spend as little or as much as you desire on an African safari.

The cheapest safaris will generally cost around USD 150 per day, including your transport, basic accommodation and meals, while luxurious safaris can cost upwards of thousands of USD per day, for glamorous lodges and VIP service.

For a complete breakdown of our first trip to Africa, read  Africa Overland Trip Budget (A Complete Breakdown) . We traveled for 17 weeks overland from Cape Town to Cairo through 14 African countries.

ACCOMMODATION:  Varies by type and rating. Generally, you can expect  campgrounds  and  hostels to be between 5 to 30 USD per night,  mid-range hotels  from 50 to 100 USD per night and  higher-end hotels  to be from 150 USD per night.  Luxury safari lodges  typically start at 500 USD per night and the sky is the limit on price.

ATTRACTIONS : Costs can vary immensely depending on the country. You’ll find yourself springing for tours, park entrance fees, museums, activities and game drives.

TRANSPORTATION:  The most popular method of travel around Africa is by overland safari truck tours, flights between countries or cars. The African continent is huge and even within countries, it can be a challenge to get around.  Overland safaris  can be booked for as little as 150 USD per day and operate on a point to point basis.  Flights  will start around 200 USD and go up depending on length and route.  Car rental  is possible within a country, but if you want to have a grand African adventure and country hop, you’ll find you have to purchase a car and then plan to sell it when you’re done.

FOOD:  Food will vary widely depending on your tastes and what restaurants you choose to visit on your trip. Generally, though, you can expect to find  fast food  for around 5 to 15 USD per meal, take a meal in a  mid-range restaurant  for 10 to 25 USD per person and pay around 3 USD for a  beer .  Luxury safari lodges  are typically all-inclusive with food costs included in the total package price.

150 USD PER DAY

African safaris are never cheap, but backpackers will find cheap ways to go on safari. South Africa and Botswana tend to be the cheapest destinations, and with better infrastructure, it’s easier to get around on a budget, and you can find cheap accommodation and eats in the cities and main tourist destinations too. Camping, transport and cheap meals will be part of this budget.

350 USD PER DAY

Midrange travelers have many more options than budget travelers, and you can expect to pay anywhere from upwards of USD 150 per day, with a realistic spend for quality accommodation and several game drives a day being in the USD 350 per day region. This will also include smaller lodge packages, some of which may have all-inclusive options for you too.

1000 USD + PER DAY

Africa offers an amazing level of luxury on safari, but the best lodges and glamping sites can be booked out far in advance. Luxury travelers can expect to pay upwards of USD 1000 per day for an exceptionally glamourous lodge in the wilderness, flights into the reserve, an all-inclusive food and beverage package, and multiple private game drives per day.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN AFRICA

There are a few ways to get around Africa during a visit, including overland safaris, flights, buses, cars and cruises. Africa is huge and most of the countries lack serious infrastructure when it comes to transportation. No matter how you choose to move around, expect it to be slow.

OVERLAND SAFARI:  One of the most popular and cost-effective ways to see large areas of the African continent is by joining an overland safari. Itineraries vary depending on the length of the trip but generally are found operating the trodden trail of  Cape Town to Nairobi , including the ‘gorilla loop’ into Uganda and Rwanda. This popular route will take you through the best of southern Africa and include all the popular stops. A wide variety of companies operate these trips, including  Oasis Overland , G Adventures and Acacia Africa, to name a few. Cape Town to Nairobi is around a 56-day trip, with the gorilla loop adding an additional 10 to 14 days. Oasis Overland also offers a 17 week Nile Trans from Cape Town to Cairo ( we did this! ) and a 42 week Trans Africa that starts in the UK and ends in Cairo, navigating the entirety of both the west and east coasts of the continent!

BUS:  If you love a good adventure, then taking the local bus within each country you are visiting will give you just that. Expect to have run down, dusty, over-crowded and blistering hot rides if you choose this method of transport. The upside, however, is that the buses are cheap and available in most countries.

FLIGHTS:  African capitals are all served by international flights from across the world and depending on your destination of choice, it’s simple to fly in and fly out. Given the vastness of the continent, domestic flights, and flights between African countries are the most popular method of transport for travelers, particularly if you are on a tight schedule but want to see more than one safari destination. In many remote areas, lodges and parks can only be reached by light aircraft.

CRUISES:  Plenty of cruise companies operate itineraries that ply the waters of both the West and East coasts of the African continent. Your immersion will be limited, but you’ll be able to explore a variety of destinations with relative ease.

SELF-DRIVE:  Driving is a challenge across Africa, as roads can be in dubious states of repair, and public transport can be crowded and outdated. In the rainy season, many places become inaccessible as roads can be washed away or flooded. If you choose to self-drive, you will want a four by four, and it will need to be purchased in Africa when you arrive. Be sure to do your research and make sure your purchased vehicle comes with a clean carnet to make border crossings slightly less of a headache.

TOP AFRICA TOURS

Kenya & tanzania safari.

14 Days Nairobi to Arusha Visits: Samburu, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara NP

CAPE TOWN TO VICTORIA FALLS

18 Days Cape Town to Victoria Falls Visits: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe

ULTIMATE AFRICA OVERLAND

55 Days Cape Town to Nairobi Visits: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda & Kenya

WHEN TO VISIT AFRICA

Timing is everything when it comes to planning an African safari because the continent experiences vast seasonal differences when it comes to the weather. The wildlife moves with the changing seasons, and different times of the year can present better opportunities than others for finding the animals you are looking to see.

Broadly speaking the continent’s seasons are divided between  wet and dry periods .

The  dry season  is usually the best time to actually see the wildlife, particularly rarer animals, as when the water sources begin to dry up, animals congregate around particular watering holes and become easier to find. In the dry season, there’s much less vegetation around too, meaning that there are fewer places for the wildlife to hide.

When it is the  rainy season , it rains heavily, and roads can easily become washed away in national parks, while transport can become a logistical nightmare.

The seasons and best times to visit vary from one country to the next. The best time for  southern Africa is May to September  when it’s the dry season. For  areas further north , such as Tanzania and Uganda, the best time to visit is from  October through to April , when it’s the dry season here.

BE INSPIRED TO VISIT AFRICA!

Safety in africa.

Africa travel can pose several dangers, not least of all the wild animals. There are very few incidents involving wildlife, and as long as you join a professionally run safari and follow their rules then you’ll encounter few problems within national parks. This includes not venturing off into the wilderness on your own!

More common safety issues are likely to be found in the African cities, as many – such as Johannesburg or Nairobi – have notoriously high crime rates. Be aware of your belongings at all times, and don’t head off into un-reputable parts of cities.

Don’t carry a lot of money with you when you are out exploring and be sure to leave all valuables back in your room or hidden in your vehicle. Opportunistic theft is rife and sadly, violent robbery is not uncommon. Even in places like Cape Town in South Africa.

Be smart, know where you’re going and walk with a purpose. Don’t head out at night, in any city and certainly not alone. Tell the front desk or your traveling companions where you are going and for how long.

We traveled across the African continent for 5 straight months, through 14 countries, and while we experienced plenty of hiccups and questionable moments, we found Africans to be very friendly and curious people. Yes, crime happens across all African countries, but don’t let that scare you from interacting with its wonderful people during your trip.

As with any destination, we recommend learning and adhering to certain safety practices when you travel. Be sure to read our personal  travel safety tips , compiled from our travels across 7 continents.

AFRICA TRAVEL: BOOKING RESOURCES

Africa travel guide: related articles.

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The African continent, vast and diverse, has always been a tapestry of histories, cultures, geographies, and mysteries waiting to be explored. Over the ages, cartographers and travelers have attempted to capture its essence, and while it’s true that no single map can encapsulate all its wonders, our collection aspires to offer a multifaceted glimpse into this enigmatic land.

From the dunes of the Sahara to the vibrant streets of Cape Town, from ancient kingdoms to modern cityscapes, this guide promises a comprehensive look at Africa as you’ve never seen it before.

1. Africa Physical Map

Africa Physical Map

A look at the geographical features—mountains, valleys, rivers, and deserts—that define the continent’s landscape. The vast Sahara, the winding Nile, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro—Africa in its raw, natural glory.

2. Africa Political Map

Africa Political Map

Delineating countries, capitals, and major cities, this map sheds light on the territorial divisions and boundaries within Africa.

3. Africa Topographic Map

Africa Topographic Map

This intricate representation captures the elevation and contour patterns of the terrain, perfect for explorers and hikers.

4. Africa Geological Map

Africa Geological Map

Venture into the earth’s layers and understand the rock formations and structures that underlie this vast land.

5. Countries, Capitals and Major Cities of the Africa Map

Countries, Capitals and Major Cities of the Africa Map

Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, boasts 54 countries, each with its unique history, culture, and vibrancy. Navigating its vast landscapes can be a thrilling journey, and understanding the geopolitical divisions can enhance that experience.

6. Africa Regions Map

Africa Regions Map

A focus on Africa’s cultural, economic, or geographical regions, emphasizing shared characteristics and identities.

7. Africa Blank Map

Africa Blank Map

8. African Colonial Map 1939 (European Control)

African Colonial Map 1939 (European Control)

9. Africa Relief Map

Africa Relief Map

Get a three-dimensional feel of the continent’s landforms with this visually stunning representation.

10. Africa Water Precipitation Map

Africa Water Precipitation Map

11. African Economic Community Map

African-Economic-Community-Map

12. Africa Historical Map

Africa Historical Map

Take a trip back in time and discover Africa’s borders, kingdoms, and territories from epochs gone by.

13. African Countries by GDP (PPP) Per Capita Map (2020)

African Countries by GDP (PPP) Per Capita Map (2020)

14. Africa Climate Map

Africa Climate Map

From the hot deserts to tropical rainforests, this map showcases the diverse climates across the continent.

15. Africa Flag Map

Africa Flag Map

A visual treat! Each country’s flag fills its territory, showcasing a splash of national pride.

16. Africa Travel Map

Africa Travel Map

Tailored for the wanderlust-stricken, highlighting major tourist attractions, routes, and travel advisories.

17. Africa 3D Earth Map

Africa 3D Earth Map

Feel free to explore these pages as well:

Map of Africa ↗️

Visit Africa ↗️

Africa Map I ↗️

As we come to the end of this panoramic journey across Africa, it becomes evident that the continent, in all its magnificent vastness and diversity, resists simple definitions. Whether you’re drawn to the whispers of its ancient civilizations, the pulsating rhythm of its urban heartbeats, or the silent majesty of its natural landscapes, Africa holds a story for every soul. Each map in our collection not only charts territories but also narrates tales of resilience, evolution, and boundless spirit. We hope that as you explored these varied maps, you felt not just the geographical contours but also the heartbeat of a continent that has shaped and been shaped by humanity for millennia. Dive deeper, explore further, and may the maps serve as an invitation for you to weave your own African story.

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There's nowhere like Africa for wildlife, wild lands and rich traditions that endure - prepare to fall in love.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle

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Koutoubia Mosque in the southwest medina quarter of Marrakesh, Morocco; Shutterstock ID 533973463

Koutoubia Mosque

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MARRAKECH, MOROCCO. 11 th June, 2017: saadian tombs view, The mausoleum comprises the interments of about sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty that originated in the valley of the Draa River; Shutterstock ID 663962023

Saadian Tombs

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africa travel map

Amun Temple Enclosure

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Boulevard of Broken Dreams

One of the finest Roman sites in existence, the ruins of Timgad stretch almost as far as the eye can see over a plain that in winter is cold and desolate…

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24 Best Places to Visit in Africa

By Vanessa Holmes · Last updated on April 30, 2024

Africa is an enormous continent, and it offers countless destinations worth exploring. In a trip through Africa, you can meet the Masai Mara people in Kenya, look out onto the plains of the Serengeti or relax on a tropical island. Africa is diverse and beautiful, and there is no end to what you can see, do and explore there. As you plan your next African journey, be sure to include at least one from this list of best places to visit in Africa as your schedule will allow.

24. Ait Benhaddou (Morocco) [SEE MAP]

Ait Benhaddou

On the edge of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco is the incredible city of Ait Benhaddou. Also known as Mud Brick City, Ait Benhaddou is an ancient fortified stop that was a haven for travelers going between the Sahara and the city of Marrakesh. On a visit to Ait Benhaddou, you can tour the mud buildings, explore the ancient Granary at the top of the hilltop city and even tour the Mausoleum of Ben-Haddou.

23. Isalo National Park (Madagascar) [SEE MAP]

Isalo National Park

Just off the coast of Mozambique, and in the waters of the Indian Ocean, is the island of Madagascar. While the island nation has a lot to do, see and explore, a highlight is undoubtedly the Isalo National Park. Within the park, you will have access to a wide range of terrain types. Be prepared to spot enormous canyons, lush palm-tree oases and even unique sandstone formations. The best way to see Isalo National Park is on a guided trek, and many people opt for overnight camping to enhance the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

22. Zanzibar (Tanzania) [SEE MAP]

Zanzibar

The archipelago off the coast of Tanzania is semi-autonomous, and it is a truly unique destination in Africa. Zanzibar boasts an interesting blend of architecture, and you’ll find Arabic, Middle Eastern, Moorish and Indian styles represented in its cities. There are many world-class beaches to choose from, and Zanzibar also boasts a very vibrant and well-preserved history. Be sure to spend time in the capital city of Stone Town, home to several fantastic museums and the 17th century Old Fort.

21. Djenne (Mali) [SEE MAP]

Djenne

Probably the most historically and architecturally interesting city in all of Mali is Djenne. The city served as an important element of the trans-Saharan gold trade, and it is still a regional hub thanks to its impressive weekly market that gathers residents from all the surrounding areas. By far the most amazing landmark in the city, however, is the Great Mosque, which is the largest mud brick building in the world. The Islamic Mosque dates back to the 13th century, although it wasn’t officially completed until 1907.

20. Lake Malawi (Malawi, Tanzania & Mozambique) [SEE MAP]

Lake Malawi

One of the largest bodies of water in Africa is Lake Malawi. As the name suggests, much of the lake is within the borders of Malawi, but it also stretches into the countries of Tanzania and Mozambique. If you want to see Lake Malawi, one of the best ways to do so is with a visit to the Lake Malawi National Park, located on the southern end of the lake itself. There are miles of hiking available in the park, not to mention countless vantage points where you can admire the lake and take spectacular photographs.

19. Etosha National Park (Namibia) [SEE MAP]

Etosha National Park

The second largest game reserve in Namibia is the Etosha National Park . It was created around the Etosha salt pan, which many animals gravitate to. As a result, the national park is a spectacular spot for seeing wildlife. Be sure to bring along binoculars, because you’ll be able to see zebras, springbok, lions, giraffes, elephants and more. Three rest camps are designated for visitor accommodation, allowing you to see these amazing animals 24/7.

18. Lalibela (Ethiopia) [SEE MAP]

Lalibela

The city of Lalibela in Ethiopia is known as a city of pilgrimage. Lalibela boasts 11 monolithic, rock-cut churches, each of which is fascinating to explore. Most residents are Egyptian Orthodox Christian, and most of the churches were constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. If you only have time for a tour of one church in Lalibela, make it Bet Giyorgis, which is shaped like a cross and carved entirely from rock in a spectacular fashion.

17. Virunga National Park (DR Congo) [SEE MAP]

Virunga National Park

Near the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and just minutes away from Uganda, is the Virunga National Park. Virunga was founded in 1925 by the Belgian King Albert, and it was Africa’s very first national park. While poaching was a serious problem in the park in the past, now it is a growing tourism destination. The Virunga National Park is most famous for its mountain gorillas, but you can also see the Tongo chimpanzees or even trek to the summit of the Nyiragongo Volcano to see the world’s largest lava lake glowing.

16. Fish River Canyon (Namibia) [SEE MAP]

Fish River Canyon

The incredible Fish River Canyon in Southern Namibia is one of the world’s largest canyons, and it is a spectacular, breathtaking scene to behold. As one of the Natural Wonders of Africa, Fish River Canyon is one of the nation’s most popular attractions. You can trek along the Fish River Canyon Trail if you’re up for adventure, or you can take a scenic overhead flight to admire the multicolored rock canyon contrasted with the bright blue water of the river.

15. Merzouga (Morocco) [SEE MAP]

Merzouga

While Merzouga is a small village, it is a popular destination for travelers in Morocco . Located in the Sahara Desert, Merzouga is surrounded by enormous sand dunes known as the Erg Chebbi. Much of the local population is Berber, a group that is traditionally nomadic. If you visit, you can join a camel safari into the dunes to see the traditional Berber lifestyle. In addition to checking out the nomadic desert lifestyle, you can try birdwatching in the spring, when a wide range of birds migrate through the area.

14. Praslin (Seychelles) [SEE MAP]

Praslin

The second largest of the tropical islands that make up the Seychelles , located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, is Praslin. The island is dotted with a few luxury resorts, but the two main attractions on the island are Anse Lazio and the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. Anse Lazio is a gorgeous beach with clear water and amazing opportunities for snorkeling. The Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve is a palm forest that is preserved and serves as the home to countless reptiles and birds, including the very rare Seychelles Black Parrot.

13. Okavango Delta (Botswana) [SEE MAP]

Okavango Delta

Where the Okavango River meets the basin of the Kalahari, you’ll find the Okavango Delta. The delta is breathtaking to behold, and the source of water means that it is almost always surrounded by wildlife. The Okavango Delta is a popular spot for safaris, and you can also enjoy some amazing scenery. A fantastic and unforgettable way to explore the Okavango Delta is with an aerial tour by airplane, allowing you to see the meandering Okavango River as well as some of the larger game animals.

12. Black River Gorges National Park (Mauritius) [SEE MAP]

Black River Gorges National Park

Another of the incredible islands in the Indian Ocean, located just off the Eastern Coast of Africa, is Mauritius. Known for beaches and tropical weather, Mauritius is also home to the magnificent Black River Gorges National Park. The park is relatively new, founded in just 1994 to protect the natural beauty of the island. When you visit, you’ll be able to hike along gorgeous trails and see a wide range of endemic wildlife and beautiful waterfalls.

11. Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) [SEE MAP]

Mount Kilimanjaro

In the far north of Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border, is the famed Mount Kilimanjaro. The peak is the tallest in Africa, and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, making it a bucket-list destination for many travelers. While the very fit can trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, there are also other ways to explore the area. There are several shorter, easier hikes around the base of the mountain along with some gorgeous waterfalls and plenty of amazing scenery.

10. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) [SEE MAP]

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

If you are interested in seeing rare wildlife, then the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda should definitely be on your itinerary for an African adventure. With a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you can hike from the two hubs of Buhoma to Nkoringo and kayak on gorgeous lakes. The main attraction, however, is tracking gorillas. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the best places in the world to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

9. Kruger National Park (South Africa) [SEE MAP]

Kruger National Park

The best known of the many parks located in South Africa is the Kruger National Park , named after former South African President Paul Kruger. The park has three primary goals: Conservation, education and tourism. While it is possible to purchase a permit to enter the park and then drive on your own, most visitors prefer to join a guided tour or safari. Kruger National Park’s top attractions include the Crocodile River view point, the Iron Age village known as Masorini and the abundance of the big five animals: Lion, cape buffalo, rhinoceros, African elephant and leopard.

8. Marrakech (Morocco) [SEE MAP]

Marrakech

After Rabat and Casablanca, Marrakech is the largest city in Morocco . It is the most popular destinations in the country, because it is such an exciting city with an ancient history and amazing architecture. The historic district of Marrakech is called the Medina, and its main square is the bustling Djemaa El-Fna, where you can watch snake charmers and acrobats while strolling through shops and snacking on local culinary delights. You can also tour souks, or outdoor markets, and then relax at a local hammam, or spa.

See also: Where to Stay in Marrakech

7. Luxor (Egypt) [SEE MAP]

Luxor

The ancient city of Luxor in Egypt is divided into halves by the Nile River. On the East Bank, you’ll find the famed Luxor Temple as well as unique museums like the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum. Across the Nile on the West Bank, you’ll be able to explore both the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. The Valley of the Kings is one of the most iconic destinations in Africa, as it served as the burial place of many Egyptian kings.

6. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania) [SEE MAP]

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The nature preserve known as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of Tanzania’s many attractions. The area is named after the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera in the center of the preserve. The crater is a highlight, and so is the steep ravine called Oldupai Gorge. The conservation area is also one of the best places to visit in Africa for nature lovers, and just some of the wildlife you might spot while visiting can include the African buffalo, black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest and even the occasional Tanzanian cheetah.

5. Cape Town (South Africa) [SEE MAP]

Cape Town

The capital city of South Africa is Cape Town , an extraordinary, historic and vibrant city named for its location on the Cape of Good Hope. To get to know the history of Cape Town, be sure to explore incredible landmarks like the colorful homes in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood as well as Robben Island, where political prisoners like Nelson Mandela were once held. One of the top natural attractions is Table Mountain, which offers breathtaking views over the Cape of Good Hope as well as the sprawling city. You can hike up Table Mountain or take a ride on the cable cars.

See also: Where to Stay in Cape Town

4. Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya) [SEE MAP]

Masai Mara National Reserve

Africa is inhabited by many different people groups, but few as are fascinating as the Masai. This group owns the Masai Mara National Reserve toward the southern part of Kenya, and every year thousands of tourists come to explore the scenery and the wildlife. In addition to seeing everything from rhinos to lions, you can visit a local village to learn more about the Masai Mara culture, cuisine, customs and dress.

3. Victoria Falls (Zambia & Zimbabwe) [SEE MAP]

Victoria Falls

Right on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls, an incredible waterfall on the Zambezi River. In Zimbabwe, the falls as well as the surrounding town is known as Victoria Falls. Across the border in Zambia, the falls are called Mosi-oa-Tunya. From December to March, the falls are more dramatic because it is also the rainy season, but the rest of the year can offer a less obscured view. In addition to admiring the views, you can enjoy Victoria Falls by canoeing or rafting near its base or having a romantic sunset cruise beneath the falls.

2. Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) [SEE MAP]

Serengeti National Park

In Northeast Tanzania is the Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most incredible conservation areas. The name Serengeti means endless plains, and that is exactly what you’ll find within the park. More than a million wildebeest, and over 200,000 zebras, migrate through the plains each year. When you visit the Serengeti National Park, you will be able to see wildlife like cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, gazelles and so much more. Hot air balloon trips as well as photo safaris are both incredible ways to make the most of the Serengeti.

1. Giza Necropolis (Egypt) [SEE MAP]

#1 of Best Places To Visit In Africa

If you have always wanted to see the pyramids in Egypt , then make Giza your next travel destination. Giza is the gateway to Egypt’s most iconic structures, and it is very close to the city of Cairo. While in Giza, you can step inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu, now the last remaining structure of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. You can also tour the Sphinx, several smaller pyramids and a number of incredible museums helping to explain the role of these pyramids and their significance in Egyptian history.

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Africa Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Africa ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Africa is a continent many travelers dream of exploring as it’s full of stunning landscapes and incredible experiences, many of which you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Go on safari and see lions and elephants up close in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, take in one of the world’s Natural Wonders at Victoria Falls, climb the active Nyiragongo Volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, go diving in the Red Sea in Egypt, chill out on the beautiful beaches of the Zanzibar Archipelago (in the Indian Ocean!), go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and climb Mount Kilimanjaro , Africa’s highest mountain.

These are just a few of the many amazing things to do during a visit to Africa.

Keep reading for an epic Africa travel guide that will help you plan an incredible trip!

Note: This guide to Africa travel contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

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Use this Africa travel map to begin planning your trip!

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Africa Travel Tips

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Ghana Travel Guide

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Looking for information on visiting Morocco ? Check out:

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Namibia, Africa Travel Advice

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  • Pelican Point Kayaking Half-Day Tour from Walvis Bay, Namibia

Click here for a full list of Africa travel tours.

Africa Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on an Africa tour. When visiting Africa — or anywhere else in the world — make sure to get travel insurance.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Africa itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

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Africa Travel FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling to Africa .

Q: Which countries in Africa are safe to visit?

Wondering where to go in Africa? A few of the safest places to visit in Africa include Rwanda, Morocco , Botswana, Namibia , Tanzania, The Gambia, and Ghana , to name a few. Honestly, there are many African countries that are safely frequented by tourists every year.

Q: What do I need to know before traveling to Africa?

That while it is one continent, it is not one country or culture. When visiting individual countries in Africa, make sure to do your research into what to expect, how to behave, cultural norms, local traditions, and potential safety issues.

Q: What are some of the best places to explore in South Africa?

A few of the many places your South Africa travel itinerary should include are Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Hermanus, the Garden Route , and the Cape Winelands.

Q: What are the most underrated places to visit in Africa?

Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa is an island nation featuring 10 volcanic islands. Moreover, if you’re going on a South African safari , you can skip the famous Kruger National Park in lieu of a lesser-known but still incredible park, like the Manyeleti Game Reserve. In East Africa, you can go whitewater rafting on the Nile in Jinja, Uganda. In Kenya, see the ruins of an abandoned city at the Gedi Ruins.

No matter where you are, try to get to know the locals . This is usually the real highlight of traveling no matter what cities you’re visiting.

Q: What is the most dangerous country in Africa?

At the time of writing, a few countries in Africa you should reconsider leisure travel to include Somalia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Libya.

Q: Is it safe to travel around Africa in a camper van?

While specific safety concerns vary from country to country, there are many travelers who choose to travel by camper van through Africa, and you can find numerous blog posts written about these journeys.

Q: Where is the hottest place in Africa?

Dallol, Ethiopia sees average daily temperatures of 94 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the hottest place on the planet year-round.

What would you add to this Africa travel guide?

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Plan Your Trip to Africa in 10 Easy Steps

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A popular African quote states "the only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa —for he has so much to look forward to." If you have yet to visit the world's second-largest continent, it's time to plan your first adventure . If you've been before, it's more than likely you can't wait to go back.

Here are 10 basic steps to make your dream African trip a reality.

Decide Where to Go

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With more than 50 African countries to choose from, deciding where to go can be daunting. The first step is to decide on the kind of vacation you want or the specific things you'd like to see.

Are you looking for the classic safari experience ? Then perhaps Kenya or Tanzania is the right choice for you. Want to discover fabulous ancient cultures? Egypt or Ethiopia may be more your speed. For beach vacations, consider the jewel-like islands of the Indian Ocean .

If you're traveling with small children who can't take prophylactics, you will probably need to choose a country like Morocco or South Africa, where malaria isn't a problem.

Decide When to Go

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Once you've chosen your destination, the next step is to decide when to travel. Most destinations have an optimum season, especially if you're going on safari. Usually, the dry season is better for viewing game because the lack of rain attracts local wildlife to the waterholes. Winter is often the best time for visiting the desert; however, winter in the Kalahari Desert occurs during June/July while winter in the Sahara Desert occurs in November/December.

If work commitments or school breaks mean you're restricted to traveling at certain times of the year, you may want to tackle this step before deciding on your destination.

Book Your Tours and Lodging

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Next, you need to decide whether you're going to explore independently or with the help of a travel agent or tour guide. If you opt for the latter, the agent or guide should be able to organize details like accommodations and tours for you. Even if you decide to book everything yourself, you'll probably have to arrange treks and safaris through a specialized company (unless you're headed to a self-drive safari destination like Namibia).

Get in touch with your preferred agent as much as a year beforehand, and it's a good idea to book your first night's accommodation and any accommodations in towns or game reserves with limited space well in advance.

Book Your Flights

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Depending on where you're flying from, flights to Africa can be expensive, and a limited number of carriers often means that seats fill up quickly. For the best rates, book as far in advance as possible. If you have air miles, make sure to check whether the corresponding airline flies to your destination of choice; if not, use a flight comparison website like Skyscanner to guarantee the lowest fare. Try to organize international flights with domestic connections on a single booking, so the airline will be responsible for arranging alternative transport for you if a delay means you end up missing your second flight. Depending on your budget, flexible tickets are best. 

Buy Travel Insurance

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By this point in the planning process, you'll have invested a significant amount of money—in your flights, your tours, and your accommodation. Travel insurance is essential, especially in Africa where airlines cancel flights without warning on a regular basis, and state hospitals are not places you want to end up after an emergency. Besides medical costs, your insurance should cover trip cancellation, loss of valuables, and baggage loss or theft. If you're headed to a particularly remote spot, make sure that your insurance covers medical evacuation as well.

Check Your Visa Requirements

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Several months before your departure date, make sure to check whether you need a visa . This will be determined based on your nationality, not on your country of residence. Visa rules change all the time in Africa, so it's important to check with an official government source rather than relying on advice given by outdated travel websites. Some countries allow you to purchase a visa upon arrival, while others require that you apply in advance from your home country. Even if you don't need a visa, some countries have special requirements for your passport, including the amount of validity left at ​the time of travel and the number of blank pages available inside.

Organize Travel Medication

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At least two months before you depart for Africa, you need to visit a travel clinic and find out what vaccinations are recommended for your destination. The recommendations vary greatly from country to country, but, as a rule, Hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies are good ones to have. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry, while malaria is prevalent throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa. Be sure to consult your doctor before deciding on which anti-malaria prophylactic to take as all of them have different side effects. Pregnant women should be aware that Zika virus is also a problem in some areas. 

Buy Your Travel Equipment

Michal Venera/Getty Images

Now comes the fun part of planning for your impending trip: buying all of your specialized equipment. Depending on your destination, your shopping list may include items from portable mosquito nets to a good set of binoculars and a pair of durable hiking shoes. Be prepared for all kinds of weather because, even in the desert, nights can be incredibly cold. Think about preserving your memories, whether that means investing in a quality camera or buying a scrapbook and a spare set of pens. One essential purchase is a first aid kit , complete with any personal medications as well as all items you'll need to treat minor injuries.

Decide What to Do About Money

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Decide what to do about money a few weeks before you travel. In many countries, carrying large amounts of cash around isn't safe; however, ATM's are not necessarily available on every street corner. Avoid traveler's checks, also, as they're rarely accepted as viable currency. Generally, your best bet is to draw enough cash upon arrival to get you to the next big town, where you should be able to draw more money with your credit or debit card. For safety, divide your cash, and keep it in several different locations. Make sure your credit card has a Visa or MasterCard logo, and alert your bank to avoid it canceling your card on suspicion of fraud the first the card is used abroad. 

Read About Your Destination

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Researching your destination before you get there is a great way to increase your excitement level and improve your local knowledge. A good guidebook, such as Lonely Planet or Rough Guides, can give you valuable insight into a country's history and culture while also advising you on lesser-known things to see and do. Phrasebooks are a good idea, too, because knowing even a few sentences of the local language will go a long way towards helping you make friends. Lastly, fictional books written by African writers or set in the country you're traveling help give you a sense of what to expect before you travel.

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Your Unforgettable Africa Itinerary: Dream Trips from 1 Week to 3 Months

Choose Your Unforgettable Africa Itinerary

Doesn’t that name just get you excited for adventure!

Well it certainly does me and having just finished my 4th trip to this continent I’m a sold-up massive fan.

I know planning a trip here can be somewhat of a mind-bending experience… to say the least!

Where to go? What to do? How much time to allow?

There’s just so many questions to answer when trying to map your journey.

But don’t worry, help is at hand!

From Cape Town to Cairo, Marrakesh to Maputo, I’ve travelled a fair few countries in this diverse and dazzling land and now am bringing you my ideal itineraries that will have you enjoying an awesome Africa trip no matter whether you have 1 week or 3 months here.

Read on to discover the perfect Africa itinerary for your time frame…

PS. If you want to take a great tour through Sub-Saharan Africa, visiting all the hot spots in this epic part of the continent, then I highly recommend Absolute Africa.

I loved my trip with them so much that I’m currently offering all my readers an exclusive discount on their tours, meaning you can now travel even more in this amazing continent for less!

Simply send Absolute Africa an email on [email protected] , quoting the discount code BWSP, and start planning your incredible trip with them today!

Related Posts

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1 week africa itinerary – 1 diverse country.

Best Place to Stay Morocco: Les Matins Bleus, Essaouira

With just one week up your sleeve for Africa, it’s best to concentrate on 1 country that offers a lot.

Close to Europe, with short flights times, I really think Morocco makes the perfect choice for your 1 week Africa itinerary.

From the great cities of Marrakesh and Fez full of their photographic streets and pumping souks, to day trips in the Atlas Mountains , people-watching in the medina of Chefchaouen or exploring the coastline at Essaouira, you can do a lot with just 7 days here!

Morocco also gives travellers a good insight into the diversity of Africa – with Arabic, Bedouin, French and English spoken here and its people bringing a wide range of cultural backgrounds to the fore – this country provides a good introduction to the complex and layered diversity of this fascinating continent.

Plus you can’t go wrong with the food, or the mint tea of course!

Check out my top Morocco itinerary suggestions here .

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2 Week Africa Itinerary – Safari and Sea

Both Kenya and Tanzania are perfect countries to explore with a 2 week Africa itinerary – although if you’re on a budget I’d suggest just picking one country and sticking with it to avoid double visa fees and pricey flight connections.

Best Place to Stay in Tanzania: New Teddy’s Place, Zanzibar

Starting with Tanzania, 2 weeks in this country is ideal for experiencing some of Africa’s most scenic and spectacular safaris.

My favourites, and pick of the bunch, were the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, which I’d suggest allowing at least 3 days for if you really want to soak in their enormity.

Learn more in my post about why Tanzania’s Serengeti will blow your mind!

Picking up a tour last minute to these great game reserves can be done cheaply from the town of Arusha and you may want to hang a few days in this place to experience a bit of everyday Tanzanian life at the same time you try and score a bargain.

After you’ve had your wildlife fix, head to the coast and the country’s biggest city, Dar Es Salaam for a night, before hopping on the ferry to Zanzibar.

I’d allow at least 5 days for this stunning island – 2 nights in the capital Stone Town and 3 nights at the beach town of Paje on the east coast to dive, kitesurf or just relax!

And you can discover more about how to spend your time in this country care of my ideal Tanzania itinerary!

Best Place to Stay in Kenya: Distant Relative Eco-Lodge, Kilifi

When it comes to a 2 week Africa itinerary, Kenya is really hard to beat.

Like its neighbour Tanzania, Kenya has some incredible safari opportunities and some drop-dead gorgeous coastline too.

If you’re on a budget, consider limiting yourself to just one safari in Kenya (none of them come super cheap!) and with this in mind, it really is hard to overlook the mind-blowing magnificence of the Masai Mara.

Winner of the Best Africa Safari award (as voted by me!), the Mara is a paradise for its big 5 spots, stunning landscape shots and rich cultural heritage.

This place really does have it all and Milimani Backpackers in Nairobi provide some great value tours there for backpackers and solo budget nomads.

If you do feel like treating yourself to more than 1 safari, other great options in Kenya include:

  • Amboseli National Park
  • Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Tsavo East National Park
  • Hells Gate National Park

Otherwise, check out my list of the 14 most spellbinding things to do in Kenya for more ideas, or have a look at these fab Kenya tours .

Once you’ve got your wildlife fix in Kenya, it’s time to head to the coast!

Kilifi and Diani Beach and my 2 favourite spots.

The first offers creekside relaxation in the amazing Distant Relatives Backpackers, with day trips to Watamu and Malindi all possible from this local town.

Diani is all about the white sand, turquoise sea and dreamy views.

Diani Backpackers offers a great budget place to stay here among the expensive resorts and you can still access the beach, boat trips and some great diving opps along with everyone else!

Sometimes, with a 2 week Africa itinerary, people like to combine Tanzania and Kenya by visiting the Masai Mara for their safari fix and then heading to Zanzibar for their beach time.

Cheap and short flights between Nairobi / Mombasa and Zanzibar make this more than possible.

Discover more in my ideal Kenya itinerary for a tight schedule!

LOOKING FOR A BUDGET TOUR IN AFRICA?

If you’re interested in an unforgettable, well-priced tour in Africa, with guides you can trust, then email me at [email protected] with some ideas about where you want to go and I’ll send you my top recommendations – simple!

Otherwise, check out this great range of safari options that cover some of the top wildlife attractions and national parks across the continent.

South Africa, Kruger NP, Zebra

3 Week Africa Itinerary – Southern Explorer

With 3 weeks up your sleeve for Africa, you can really start exploring more than one country.

I’d advise combining South Africa, Botswana & Vic Falls in Zimbabwe as a great option for this timeframe.

SOUTH AFRICA

Best Place to Stay in South Africa: The B.I.G, Cape Town

Begin in Cape Town, one of the continent’s most alluring cities, and after 3 days of exploring its dizzy heights with this perfect itinerary , begin making your way along the South African coast.

Allow plenty of time for the Wild Coast, as well as the wine country and the Drakensberg Mountains if you can – with 10 days you should be able to see most of the best things to do in South Africa.

Reach Joburg and hop up to Kruger National Park for an amazing full day game drive in one of this continent’s most famous game reserves before heading onto Botswana – maybe via a short flight if you’re pushed for time.

Check out this top-rated private day-long game drive in Kruger (which includes a pick-up) if you’re looking for a great option.

Otherwise, if you’re hoping to travel South Africa on a budget, then these top hacks for a cheap safari there may help you.

Botswana, Chobe National Park, Local Man

In Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Chobe River National Park offer more sublime safari experiences.

Choose between them or hit up both (allow at least 4 days for both) if you have time.

VICTORIA FALLS

Best Place to Stay in Victoria Falls: Shoestrings Backpackers, Zimbabwe

From Chobe River, it’s then a “short” drive (in Africa terms) across the border into Zimbabwe where you can see the stunning Victoria Falls.

With all manner of crazy activities on offer here, adrenaline junkies should allow at least 2 nights to get their fix!

Learn more in my list of the 8 things to do in Victoria Falls , which are g uaranteed to get your heart racing

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AFRICA

africa travel map

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

Ethiopia, Danakil Depression, Erta Ale 5

1 Month Africa Itinerary – Northern Highlights

From one end of the continent to another, with 1 month for your African adventure, you can definitely explore the best that the northern end of this continent has to offer.

Best Place to Stay in Egypt: Ekadolli Nubian Guesthouse, Aswan

Egypt really is every bit as spectacular as you imagine and with so much to see and do here, I’d suggest allowing 10 days-2 weeks to explore the length and breadth of this fab country.

Begin in Cairo and give yourself 3 nights here to tick the Pyramids and the Sphinx off your bucket list, as well as see the Islamic and Coptic quarters of the city and one of the world’s best museums.

Learn more in my list of the 10 best things to do in Cairo

From Cairo, head to the Red Sea to get your beach fix.

The mega-chilled town of Dahab gets my vote for its awesome cafes, cheap prices and super diving opps.

Allow yourself 3-4 nights, although if you’re anything like me, you’ll be hardpressed to leave!

After the Red Sea, it’s time to crack on with the sightseeing.

First up, Luxor for the Valley of Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temple.

The Luxor Museum and other sites of the West Bank are also highly worthwhile.

Allow 2-3 nights in Luxor (here’s a handy itinerary to help you) and consider taking a well-priced tour to get the best from your experience.

I highly recommend Emad, a very experienced tour guide with fantastic English and a cracking sense of humour! He can be contacted via Whatsapp on +20 100 151 3578.

From Luxor bag yourself a cheap cruise and sail down the Nile to Aswan, passing Efnu Temple and Kom Ombu Temple on the way.

Once in Aswan, Philae Temple and Abu Simbel cannot be missed!

Best Place to Stay in Sudan: The Nubian Rest House, Karima

Sudan might seem an unlikely choice on an Africa itinerary, but trust me you’ll be blown away when you get there just like everyone else.

Full of amazing historical sights, fascinating culture and some of the friendliest people on earth, a week here will give you an experience few travellers are lucky enough to get… yet.

Get to Sudan either by crossing overland from Aswan or flying direct to Khartoum from Cairo.

Allow 3 days for the capital and then split the rest of your time between the Nubian town of Karima and the splendid Meroe Pyramids.

Get more information in my perfect Sudan travel itinerary.

Best Place to Stay in Ethiopia: Mr Martin’s Cozy Place, Addis Ababa

After Sudan, you can either fly or cross overland into Ethiopia, my favourite country of ALL time!

Yes don’t get me started on how amazing this place is!

With 1-2 weeks you’ll have a good amount of time to see all the major attractions including the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela , the mind-blowing landscape of the Danakil Depression , the Camelot of Africa – Gondar – and hike in the UNESCO-listed Simien Mountains .

As well as sample the amazing food, coffee, music and dancing of this utterly unique place!

Learn all about where to visit in this amazing country care of my ideal Ethiopia itinerary

2 Months Africa Itinerary – The Best of South & East

2 months in Africa will give you a great opportunity to see the best of the Southern and Eastern parts of this continent and tick quite a few experiences off your bucket list while you’re at it!

Fly into Cape Town and enjoy a week exploring the attractions of this dazzling city as well as its many day trips.

There’s tons of details and tips available in my list of the best things to do in Cape Town.

Namibia, Dune 45, Sunrise

From Cape Town head north into Namibia and spend a week checking out the Etosha National Park , Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon and Skeleton Coast.

Namibia is a large and sparsely populated country, which means distances between destinations can be significant, but it’s worth the journey because this country is like nowhere else on earth!

Discover more with my list of the 9 best places to visit in Namibia.

Botswana, Okavango Delta, Sunset Mokoro Ride

After Namibia, hop across the border into Botswana to check out Okavango and Chobe River National Parks, allowing yourself 5 days to take in their natural splendour.

It’s then just a “short” drive from northern Botswana across the Zimbabwe border and onto Victoria Falls, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, this is absolutely one of the best things to see in Zimbabwe .

From rafting to canyoning, zip-lining to bungee jumping, this is the adventure capital of Southern Africa so it’s time to get your adrenaline fix at this iconic spot!

Absolute Africa, Zambia, Leopard

Cross the border at Victoria Falls and head onto Zambia’s most national park – South Luangwa –  for some seriously close encounters with hippos, elephants and more!

Give yourself 2 nights here, unless the animals freak you out so bad on the first night you can’t stay longer!

Best Place to Stay in Malawi: Thumbi View Lodge, Cape Maclear

Now it’s time to chill a bit, and there’s few better places to do it in this part of the world than Lake Malawi.

Pick one spot along its banks, pitch your tent and unwind!

Zanzibar, Stone Town, Jaws Corner Flags

I’d really suggest 7-10 days in Tanzania to take in as much as you can of this amazing country.

From world-class safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater to the stunning beaches and fascinating Swahili culture of Zanzibar, this is a country of contrasts that shouldn’t be overlooked.

I suggest a 3-day safari tour as a good option, followed by plenty of downtime both in Zanzibar’s capital Stone Town and its east coast resort of Paje.

Best Place to Stay in Rwanda: Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel, Kigali

And finally, dive into the heartland of East Africa with a trip through Rwanda and then into Uganda.

Compared to the mostly dry and arid Tanzania, the lush, green countryside of these 2 countries can be a welcome surprise, although often the humidity is not!

Best stop in Rwanda is the capital Kigali where the important Genocide Memorial Centre is, but here’s 6 other epic things to do in this country too.

Best Place to Stay in Uganda: Fat Cat Backpackers, Kampala

In Uganda it’s all about the wildlife, so don’t miss out on any of the amazing national parks here including Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The town of Jinja , the East Africa adventure capital and start of the Blue Nile falls is another must, as is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of course.

With all this on your plate, you’ll need at least a week to explore the best of this beautiful country.

Get more ideas in my list of the 10 best things to do in Uganda .

3 Months+ – Cape Town to Cairo

South Africa, Cape Town, Jackets

And with a 3 month+ Africa Itinerary open to you, you’ll have to time to do the most legendary of all legendary journeys – Cape Town to Cairo!

If you’re a fast mover then, I’d suggest following the 2 month itinerary above and then tagging on Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt onto the end (view my 1 month Africa itinerary above for best details on this northern section).

Otherwise, if you’re a slower mover like me, then a South Africa – Swaziland – Mozambique – Tanzania – Kenya – Ethiopia – Somaliland – Sudan – Egypt route takes in less countries, giving you more time in each!

This whole route can be done overland, although you’ll have to make provisions and plans for border crossings in advance.

I’d start in Cape Town and then work up the coast to Eswatini before continuing north, but depending on the time of year, you could just as well make this journey in reverse.

Check out the other itineraries in this post for more detailed information about each country in this epic voyage.

PIN IT TO PINTEREST!

6 Utterly Unforgettable Africa Itineraries {Big World Small Pockets}

So there you have it, my full round-up of the best Africa itinerary for your time frame!

Of course, these are all open to mixing and matching too, but I thought splitting them up may give you the best idea of the possibilities that lie before you in this most wild and wonderful of continents.

So, when and where are you headed first?

africa travel map

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

16 thoughts on “ Your Unforgettable Africa Itinerary: Dream Trips from 1 Week to 3 Months ”

africa travel map

Hello Stephie, While in Uganda you can tour various parks in 2 to 3 weeks.You can allocate Murchison 3 Days,Transfer to Kibale for Chimpanzee tracking 2 days,go via Fort Portal and connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you can spend another 3 days,head to Bwindi National Park via Ishasha for Gorilla Tracking also 3 days,then proceed to Lake Bunyonyi in Southern Uganda for may be 2 days.Then you can return to the capital or proceed to Kigali which is 2 h-3 hours away and take a flight from there.Thank you for loving Africa.

africa travel map

Thanks Immaculate, this sounds like a jam-packed, action-packed itinerary that takes in the best of Uganda. I do worry it might be a bit rushed though. Probably leaving out Fort Portal would make it more manageable, plus relaxing at the lake at the end is a great idea. If you had to choose between Chimpanzee or Gorilla trekking, which would you go for?

I would choose Gorilla tracking anytime any day.The experience of tracking in the highlands of Bwindi in groups of 8 is worth the while.You need to be fit though.

Great, feeling pleased I’ve trekked with the gorillas, but not the chimps yet! Loved the challenge of the Bwindi terrain too 🙂

africa travel map

This sounds like such an incredibly bunch of itineraries! Full of so many amazing activities and things to do. Africa has so many incredible places that have so much to offer, each so different from each other. Great post!

It really does Bea. Thanks for your lovely comments and wishing you all the best. Steph 🙂

You are more than welcome to track the chimpanzees as well in Kibale National Park or Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park.It’s a good experience too.

Wonderful, it’s definitely on list for when I return to Uganda

africa travel map

Hi, can all this be done by public transport?

Which itinerary are you referring to Larena? Most can

africa travel map

Thank You for sharing this kind of article. But I don’t think we could travel in 2021? What do you think of travelling in 2021? and I would like do a safari

I think travel in 2021 really depends on a lot on where you want to travel, how you get there and how the restrictions in your country are at that time. Fingers crossed this vaccine continues to look good and we can all start getting back to semi-normal 🙂

africa travel map

Really innovative and informative blog. Thank you for sharing such a powerful information. Reading it twice a day.

That’s great to hear! Thanks so much! Best, Steph 🙂

africa travel map

three month would be expensive for me, book a 1 week

Sure Xaid, do that 🙂

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12 once-in-a-lifetime african safari vacations.

Cross this must-do activity off your bucket list.

Top African Safari Vacations

Lewa Safari Camp animal sightings with Expert Africa.

Courtesy of Expert Africa

Safari vacations in Africa are just as diverse as the continent itself, though these types of trips typically require a large sum of money. Whether you want to spend a few days gorilla trekking in Uganda or a couple weeks spotting the "big five" – lions, leopards, African elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalos – in South Africa, you'll find an array of experiences to suit your needs. To help you narrow down your options, U.S. News compiled a list of 12 can't-miss African safari tours. Read on to find your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Note: Some of the African countries visited by tours in this article may require travelers to get an entry visa and certain vaccinations (particularly yellow fever) in order to visit. Jump to the list of visa and vaccination requirements by country for more information.

&Beyond: Kings of the Jungle Tour

Seeing a lion on an &Beyond safari.

Courtesy of &Beyond

Length: 10 days Starting price: $14,265

Visitors who don't want to sacrifice creature comforts while on safari will appreciate &Beyond's diverse offerings across numerous African destinations. For a classic safari, consider the tour operator's 10-day Kings of the Jungle tour, where travelers will see breathtaking natural wonders like Ngorongo Crater and the Maasai Mara savannah with its elephants and cheetahs. Arguably, the highlight of this journey is its four-night stay at Tanzania's Serengeti National Park .

After watching animals like wildebeest and zebras partake in the great migration while also spotting lions, giraffes and more, vacationers retreat to high-end tents and lodges with private bathrooms. Prices start at $14,265 per person, but are higher around the peak season of June to October.

Wild Rwanda Safaris: Bwindi Gorilla Safari

Gorilla as seen on a safari with Wild Rwanda Safaris.

Courtesy of Wild Rwanda Safaris

Length: Three days Starting price: $1,450 for two people with lowest-cost lodging

Adventurous travelers sticking to a more conservative budget should consider Wild Rwanda Safaris' Bwindi Gorilla Safari. The three-day package features a full day in southwestern Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (a haven for gorillas) and adjacent Batwa Pygmy communities. Wild Rwanda Safaris offers a choice of midrange, luxury and super luxury accommodations, allowing you to keep costs down if necessary.

The company's packages include the $700 permit required to visit the gorilla park. The round-trip journey by safari vehicle to and from Kigali, Rwanda, as well as English-speaking guides are covered in all rates. The tour can begin from Kampala, Uganda, as well, although you'll spend a lot longer on the road to the park. Contact the safari company for pricing information.

Nomad Tanzania: Southern Tanzania

Lodge room with Nomad Tanzania.

Courtesy of nomad-tanzania.com

Length: Eight days Starting price: $6,055

Sign up for Nomad Tanzania's Southern Tanzania safari and you're bound to get an up-close look at Tanzania's diverse wildlife. Offering eight days of activities, including game drives and boat trips in Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park, this safari gives you prime opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants, among other species.

You'll get around the parks with the company's custom-built vehicles, ideal for catching a glimpse of that spectacular wildlife. What's more, the package rates include lodging at the company's campsites; select meals; and the short, scenic flights to and from Dar es Salaam as well as to the parks. Prices are only available upon contacting the company; they vary depending on the time of year, and the tour isn't offered in April and May.

Micato Safaris: The Micato Grand Safari

Hot air balloons with Micato Safaris.

Courtesy of Micato Safaris

Length: 15 days Starting price: $29,500

If you want to explore multiple destinations while on safari with plenty of comfort (but a price tag to match), book the 15-day Micato Grand Safari. This extraordinarily thorough itinerary from Micato Safaris starts with a two-day visit to bustling Nairobi, Kenya, before continuing to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Maasai Mara National Reserve, and the Amboseli and Serengeti national parks. You'll be treated to wildlife-viewing excursions that just might check every animal off your bucket list, from lions and cheetahs to rhinos, hippos and more. During your trip, you'll get to see Mount Kilimanjaro as zebras, gazelles and more roam in the foreground.

The package costs at least $29,500 per person (based on double occupancy rates) and includes activities like a sunrise hot air balloon ride and a camel tour led by members of the Samburu tribe. Lodging at upscale properties like the Serengeti's Four Seasons Safari Lodge and glamorous safari camps with en suite bathrooms is also included. The company also offers various extensions allowing you to explore other parts of Africa, from the island paradise of Zanzibar to the deserts of Namibia.

Rothschild Safaris: Essence of Tanzania

Seeing elephants with Rothschild Safaris.

Courtesy of Rothschild Safaris

Length: Nine days Starting price: Contact company for pricing details.

If your ideal safari vacation consists of customizing your trip from start to finish, consider an outing with Rothschild Safaris. The company offers itineraries in locales like Zambia and Ethiopia, but if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the "big five" animals, the Essence of Tanzania safari is a good bet.

This nine-day experience, which embarks from Arusha, Tanzania, and returns there by plane, includes game-viewing drives spotting animals like ostriches, zebras and impalas in Tarangire National Park, plus accommodations like luxurious tents and farmhouse lodges. You'll also have the opportunity to go on a nighttime safari to spot nocturnal wildlife. If you time your safari right, you may also be able to see the famed wildebeest migration, when more than a million animals move between the Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya and Tanzania's Serengeti plains.

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Lion World Travel: The Best of Cape Town & Botswana

Pool at lodge with Lion World Travel.

Courtesy of Lion World Travel

Length: 10 days Starting price: $4,899

As the trip name implies, the 10-day Best of Cape Town & Botswana vacation package from longtime safari operator Lion World Travel combines a few days of sightseeing in Cape Town, South Africa – where you'll visit the iconic Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula – with a classic safari in Botswana. During the latter half of the itinerary, visitors will explore Botswana's Okavango Delta, home to cheetahs, crocodiles, hippos and more; you'll have the option of a helicopter flight to spot wildlife from above for an extra fee. Then, you'll visit Chobe National Park, which is believed to have the world's largest African elephant population.

Prices start at $4,899 per person based on double occupancy. Rates cover game drives; many of your meals; and stays in a four-star hotel in Cape Town as well as luxury tents in Botswana. You'll need to pay an extra charge for the flights within the tour (from Cape Town to Botswana and from Botswana to Johannesburg ).

Discover Africa: Botswana – Chobe, Okavango & Makgadikgadi

Two adult elephants as seen on a safari.

Matthys Van Aswegen | Courtesy of Discover Africa

Length: Nine days Starting price: $4,800

For an inside-out trip through the natural wonders of Botswana, Discover Africa's nine-day trip through the country's sprawling game reserves and national parks is a formidable option. You'll start out at a riverside lodge on the Chobe River – a great location for spotting elephants – before moving on to the marshy Okavango Delta, a wildlife-rich area where you can spot a huge range of animals like leopards, rhinos, hippos and more. The safari ends at the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, a good place to admire wildlife such as zebras and buffalo on the savannah as well as the ethereal white salt pans from a former lake.

You'll stay in upscale lodges and camps within close reach of the wilderness. All meals and transport along the tour are included in the price tag (which starts at $4,800 per person and varies by time of year), but international flights to get to Botswana are excluded.

Wild Wings Safaris: 8 Day Battlefields, Bush & Beach Safari

Family kayaking on Lake Sibaya with Wild Wings Safaris.

Onne Vegter | Courtesy of Wild Wings Safaris

Length: Eight days Starting price: About $4,160 for self-drive option

If you're looking to have a broader experience that mixes in some local history and beach time, consider Wild Wings Safaris' eight-day Battlefields, Bush & Beach Safari. With an itinerary focused on the east of South Africa, you'll start off visiting some of the country's historic sites from the Boer wars, including locations where local Zulu warriors defeated the British, before moving on to Phinda Private Game Reserve. This park doesn't allow day visitors, so you should be able to look out for the "big five" without too many crowds.

The tour wraps up at Thonga Beach Lodge, where you can snorkel or scuba dive near coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. Kayaking and walks through coastal forests are other activities on offer here. As far as safaris go, this one is a somewhat more affordable option, starting at about $4,160 per person with all meals included as well as a rental car; for the cheapest price, you will need to drive yourself between the destinations, but it's possible to pay an additional fee for a driver to guide you instead.

Cuckoo Safaris: 4-Day Discover Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park

Aerial of Victoria Falls with a large rainbow over the falls.

Getty Images

Length: Four days Starting price: $1,015

This tour company kicks off many of its tours from the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, with a host of safaris that range from three to nine days, across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, including some family-friendly choices. For an affordable option, consider the four-day Discover Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and Hwange National Park safari. It will take you on two full-day tours to Chobe National Park in Botswana and Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park, where you should keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants and more, while also visiting rural villages. This safari includes a wildlife spotting boat cruise on the Chobe River as well.

The price starts at $1,015 per person, which includes the tours plus breakfast, lunch and well-rated lodging in Victoria Falls. Travelers will need to pay for their own travel to Victoria Falls. Dinners aren't included, although you'll be staying in the town of Victoria Falls, with access to restaurants.

Compass Odyssey: 8-Day Namibia Wildlife Safari

Seeing elephants in a field at sunset on a Compass Odyssey safari.

Courtesy of Compass Odyssey

Length: Eight days Starting price: Contact company for pricing details.

Explore the savannah and deserts of southwest Africa with Compass Odyssey's eight-day Namibia Wildlife Safari. You'll visit a community-based conservation area in Damaraland – known for its desert-adapted elephants, oryx, giraffes and other wildlife – while staying in the rustic-chic Doro Nawas Camp. Travelers will also spend two days in Etosha National Park, seeking wildlife like giraffes, zebras and elephants at the park's bustling waterholes by day and embarking on an evening game drive with a knowledgeable ranger as well.

The company provides prices on request. The tour includes most meals and all park entry fees, but not flights or the optional "Cheetah Walk." Compass Odyssey allows the tour to be customized on request.

Expert Africa: Big Cat Fly-in Safari

Lewa Safari Camp animal sightings with Expert Africa.

Length: Nine days Starting price: $5,010

Expert Africa offers safaris and other tours in a host of African countries. For a relatively classic tour, consider the Big Cat Fly-in Safari. It offers two different looks at Kenya's stellar wildlife. Firstly, you'll fly north for four nights at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a sanctuary that channels all its profits into protecting the wildlife in its roughly 100-square-mile reserve. You'll stay in classic tented rooms and enjoy three-course dinners, with the option of going on horse- or camelback safaris for an extra fee.

Despite the tour name, you're most likely to see elephants, giraffes, zebras and rhinos here. In fact, you're more likely to see big cats at the tour's second stop, when you fly south to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The tour company reports a high success rate for travelers spotting lions (and a decent chance of spotting leopards or cheetahs too). Here, you'll spend four days in upscale tents and have the option of soaring over the plains in a hot air balloon. The tour starts at $5,010 for eight nights, with all transport within Kenya included – although Expert Africa customizes most of its tours, so you can likely adjust your safari to your preferences.

Volcanoes Safari: 7 Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

The Deluxe Room at Bwindi Lodge from Volcanoes Safaris.

Courtesy of Volcanoes Safaris

Length: Seven days Starting price: $8,430

If you're looking to spot some great apes, Volcanoes Safari focuses exclusively on primate tours within Rwanda and Uganda – and with partnerships with the Jane Goodall Institute and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, they're responsible too. One of its signature tours, this seven-day itinerary kicks off in Uganda, taking travelers to the famed Kyambura Gorge to spot chimpanzee communities, as well as on a trek through the Bwindi Forest to look for gorillas.

But it's not all about monkeys: The tour also includes chances to see lions on the Ugandan plains and to meet locals engaging in cooperative work raising bees and roasting coffee. Along the way, guests stay in stylish lodges with views of Uganda's mountains and forests. The tour starts at $8,430 per person based on double occupancy in the low season, with all meals included.

Vaccination and visa requirements for African countries

Some popular safari destinations may require you to have received certain vaccinations in order to enter the country as a tourist. Although COVID-19 vaccination requirements no longer exist, it's not uncommon for countries to require you to be vaccinated against illnesses such as yellow fever before departing on your trip. Be sure to bring proof of vaccinations with you. If you are transiting through another country en route to your safari tour, you must check that you also meet immunization requirements for the stopover location.

For many destinations, there are a number of other vaccinations that aren't mandatory but are still recommended, such as for cholera or rabies. Consult with a doctor and ensure you're up to date and fully protected before you travel. In addition, many safari locations are prone to malaria; you should consult with your doctor about potentially bringing anti-malaria medication on your trip.

Safari countries have varying visa requirements for travelers from the U.S. – these are detailed below. Depending on your itinerary, you may need a single- or multiple-entry visa, and some visas require you to apply in advance of traveling and/or have a certain number of blank pages in your passport. Regardless of destination, your passport should be valid for at least six months before you leave for your trip.

Here are the vaccine and visa requirements for major safari destinations as of July 2024:

Botswana: If you have recently visited or transited through a country where yellow fever is common, you will need to be vaccinated against this illness. This does not include the U.S. but does include a number of countries in Africa as well as Central and South America. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, including Kenya and Uganda.

U.S. citizens and nationals can stay in Botswana for 90 days per year without a visa.

Kenya: Kenya is a country where you'll be at risk of yellow fever transmission; it also requires those traveling from other places where yellow fever is endemic to be vaccinated against it. The CDC recommends that you protect yourself against yellow fever before your trip here.

Americans need an eVisa to enter Kenya. You should apply online at the eVisa government website no less than two weeks before your trip, as visas are not available upon arrival in Kenya. See more on the U.S. Department of State's website .

Namibia: Those traveling from a country where yellow fever is common need to be vaccinated against it. No visa is required as long as you're staying for 90 days or less per year.

Rwanda: If you're coming from a country where yellow fever is endemic, a yellow fever vaccination is required before departure.

U.S. citizens and nationals can be issued a 30-day visitor visa on arrival in Rwanda or through the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. A single-entry visa costs $50 for a single entry or $70 for multiple entries, and it's recommended you bring sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for this (although credit card payment may be accepted at Kigali International Airport). Consult the State Department website for more information.

South Africa: A yellow fever vaccination is required if you're traveling from a country with a risk of transmission, including transits of 12 hours or longer in such countries. No visa is required for stays of 90 days or less.

Tanzania: Yellow fever vaccines are mandatory if you're traveling from a location where yellow fever is present – including if you spend more than 12 hours in transit in such a country. The vaccine should be administered 10 days or more before arrival

Visas are required for tourism in Tanzania. You can apply for a single-entry, 90-day visa online for $50 or a multiple-entry, one-year visa for $100. Be sure to print a copy of the approval (called a "grant notice") to bring with you. The processing period takes up to 10 days. You can also obtain a single-entry visa on arrival in most cases, although the Tanzanian government still recommends the advance online application. Find more Tanzanian visa information on the State Department website .

Uganda: Like Kenya, Uganda is a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. All visitors must show proof of vaccination against yellow fever to enter Uganda, regardless of where you're traveling from.

American visitors to Uganda must apply online for an electronic visa before departure. The processing time is around seven days, but the Ugandan government recommends applying 30 days before you travel; arriving in Uganda without completing this process could result in your detainment. A single-entry visa costs $50. Visit the State Department website to learn more.

Zambia: Yellow fever vaccines are only required if you're coming from an area considered at risk, including long transits (12 hours or more) through such countries. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens visiting Zambia. Check the State Department website for more details.

Zimbabwe: As with other countries on this list, visitors from countries with yellow fever outbreaks require a vaccine against this illness. This includes long transit stopovers of 12 hours or more.

U.S. visitors can obtain a 30-day, single-entry visa upon arrival in Zimbabwe for $30. If you're taking a tour that requires you to leave and reenter Zimbabwe, be sure to get a double-entry visa for $45. You can learn more from the State Department website .

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Printable World Maps

Africa Map with Countries – Labeled Map of Africa [PDF]

A  labeled map of Africa  is a great tool to learn about the geography of the African continent. Pick your preferred  Africa map with the countries  from our collection below and download it in PDF format! All of our maps are free to use. You can print them out as many times as needed for your educational, professional or personal purposes.

Also, check out our  blank map of Africa  to complete your collection and our  Africa map worksheets  for teaching and learning about the countries and capitals of Africa!

  • 1 Labeled Map of Africa
  • 2.0.1 What Is the Largest African Country?
  • 2.0.2 What is the smallest country in Africa?
  • 3 Africa Map with Countries
  • 4 Africa Map With Capitals
  • 5 What Are the African Countries?
  • 6 Africa Map With Rivers
  • 7.0.1 Africa Map with all the Countries
  • 7.0.2 Labeled Africa Map
  • 8.0.1 Continent Maps
  • 8.0.2 Country Maps

Labeled Map of Africa

Our first map is a map of Africa with countries. In order to download and print it, just click on the link below the image.

africa travel map

Download as PDF

How Many African Countries Are There?

There are 54 nations in Africa that are members of the United Nations and the African Union. These countries are fully recognized sovereign states. However, there are also two countries with limited international recognition: Somaliland and Western Sahara.

What Is the Largest African Country?

The largest country in Africa is Algeria with an area of 919,595 square miles (approx. 2.38 million square kilometers). Following closely behind is the Democratic Republic of Congo, measuring in at 905,355 square miles (2.34 million square kilometers). Third place goes to Sudan with an area of 718,723 square miles (1.86 million square kilometers).

What is the smallest country in Africa?

The most populated country in Africa is Nigeria with a population of over 213 million people (estimate of 2021). Quite a bit behind is Ethiopia with the second largest population of 120 million. In third position is Egypt with 109 million inhabitants.

Africa Map with Countries

The African continent is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is the second-largest continent in the world with a total area of 11.7 million square miles (30.2 million square kilometers).

Here is a map of African countries that shows all the nations of Africa but not their capitals:

africa travel map

Africa’s population is estimated at 1.4 billion people (2021), making it the second most populous continent after Asia. Approximately 17% of the world’s population lives in Africa, almost twice as much as in Europe.

According to the UN statistics, roughly 44% of the African population lives in urban areas. The population growth rate is about 2.5%, and the median age is 19.7 years.

Africa Map With Capitals

Our next image shows a map of Africa with the countries and capitals. It also indicates the distances in miles and kilometers. We also have a corresponding  blank map of Africa  which can be combined with this one for learning activities.

africa travel map

Please note that the above Africa map with names of countries is older and does not include South Sudan or other newly independent territories.

What Are the African Countries?

Here is an overview listing all African countries with their capitals and population (as of 2021):

  • Algeria – Algiers (4.6 million)
  • Angola – Luanda (2.6 million)
  • Benin – Porto-Novo (250,000)
  • Botswana – Gaborone (230,000)
  • Burkina Faso – Ouagadougou (2.9 million)
  • Burundi – Gitega (150,000)
  • Cameroon – Yaoundé (1.5 million)
  • Cape Verde – Praia (180,000)
  • Central African Republic – Bangui (910,000)
  • Chad – N’Djamena (1.5 million)
  • Comoros – Moroni (55,000)
  • Congo – Brazzaville (2.5 million)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – Kinshasa (15 million)
  • Djibouti – Djibouti City (1 million)
  • Egypt – Cairo (10 million; metropolitan area 20 million)
  • Equatorial Guinea – Malabo (170,000)
  • Eritrea – Asmara (1 million)
  • Eswatini – Lobamba (6,000)
  • Ethiopia – Addis Ababa (5 million)
  • Gabon – Libreville (850,000)
  • Gambia – Banjul (400,000)
  • Ghana – Accra (2.6 million)
  • Guinea – Conakry (2 million)
  • Guinea-Bissau – Bissau (2 million)
  • Ivory Coast – Yamoussoukro (430,000), Abidjan (6.3 million)
  • Kenya – Nairobi (4.5 million)
  • Lesotho – Maseru (270,000)
  • Liberia – Monrovia (1.6 million)
  • Libya – Tripoli (1.3 million)
  • Madagascar – Antananarivo (1.4 million)
  • Malawi – Lilongwe (1.1 million)
  • Mali – Bamako (2.7 million)
  • Mauritania – Nouakchott (1.3 million)
  • Mauritius – Port Luis (160,000)
  • Morocco – Rabat (700,000)
  • Mozambique – Maputo (1.2 million)
  • Namibia – Windhoek (450,000)
  • Niger – Niamey (1.4 million)
  • Nigeria – Abuja (1.7 million)
  • Rwanda – Kigali (1.3 million)
  • São Tomé and Príncipe – São Tomé (80,000)
  • Senegal – Dakar (1.5 million)
  • Seychelles – Victoria (30,000)
  • Sierra Leone – Freetown (1.2 million)
  • Somalia – Mogadishu (3.4 million)
  • South Africa – Bloemfontein (600,000), Cape Town (4.7 million), Pretoria (800,000)
  • South Sudan – Juba (600,000)
  • Sudan – Khartoum (650,000)
  • Tanzania – Dodoma (2.3 million), Dar es Salaam (6.5 million)
  • Togo – Lomé (1 million)
  • Tunisia – Tunis (600,000)
  • Uganda – Kampala (1.8 million)
  • Zambia – Lusaka (2.7 million)
  • Zimbabwe – Harare (2.5 million)

Africa Map With Rivers

Our following map shows the locations of the largest rivers in Africa. These include the Nile River which is not only the longest river in Africa, but also in the world (while some research suggests that the Amazon River is slightly longer). We also offer more African river maps.

africa travel map

The five longest rivers in Africa are:

  • Nile River – 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometers)
  • Congo River – 2,922 miles (4,700 kilometers)
  • Niger River – 2,611 miles (4,200 kilometers)
  • Zambezi River – 1,673 miles (2,693 kilometers)
  • Ubangi River – 1,410 miles (2,270 kilometers)

The following map shows a simplified political map of Africa in several variations.

africa travel map

Africa Map with all the Countries

africa travel map

Labeled Africa Map

africa travel map

More Free Maps for Download \

Map of the World with Latitudes and Longitudes

World Map for Kids

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World Map with Continents

Physical World Map

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Blank Map of Africa

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Blank Map of Asia

Labeled Map of Europe

Blank Map of North America

Physical Map of Australia

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Labeled Map of Antarctica

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Africa Labeled Map

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Printable Blank Map of Indonesia- Outline, Transparent, PNG Map

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Printable Blank Map of Israel – Outline, Transparent PNG Map

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Printable Blank Map of Vanuatu – Outline, Transparent, PNG Map

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Printable Blank Map of Venezuela – Outline, Transparent, PNG Map

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Printable Blank Map of Tajikistan – Outline, Transparent, PNG map

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Printable Blank Map of Uganda – Outline, Transparent, PNG Map

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Africa Tours & Vacations

Elephant herd with 3 young calves walking across the Serengeti on a dusty day

Surrender to the lure of Africa and its diverse wildlife, thousands of cultures and breathtaking landscapes. 

Meaning ‘to travel’ in Arabic and Swahili, the word ‘safari’ can describe many types of epic adventure in Africa. There is the ancient Egypt kind – discovering the lost city of Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings. The nomadic one – veering away from Morocco’s souqs and medinas and being hosted by a Berber family in the Sahara. The local village version – cherishing moments with Maasai , San, and Malagasy cultures. The wildlife way – search for the Big Five in any number of game reserves and parks: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kruger, and Lake Nakuru, to name a few. What does your African adventure look like? 

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I’m an extroverted introvert who travelled with strangers for a month. Here’s how that went.

10 surprising facts about Ethiopia

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Egypt or Jordan? Which country should you travel to?

Meet Leitah Mkhabela and the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit

Meet Rambo, the marine ranger helping to protect wildlife in Comoros 

What it’s like to visit Egypt as a transgender traveller

The top 8 destinations for travel in June 2024

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Push Pin Travel Maps

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africa travel map

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africa travel map

Classic Africa Travel Map with pins

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Go on safari with our gorgeous Classic-Style Africa travel map with pins! This informative pin map of Africa is made by National Geographic and is highly detailed. The bright blue colors of this map will complement any décor. This Africa travel map is current and up to date, including one of the most recent changes, the addition of South Sudan. Included as an inset on this map are the 10 neighboring island nations of Africa. Highlight all of your African adventures with this pinnable travel map of Africa!

This map showcases bodies of water, major roads and highways, and also airports, making it an excellent planning tool for your next journey to Africa. It makes an ideal gift idea for those adventurous friends who have jetted off to see the lions, giraffes, and elephants (oh my!). Makes a perfect gift for pretty much any occasion; from retirements and birthdays to weddings and anniversaries…and more! Order your African pin map today and let the wanderlust commence!

Framed dimensions are 34.25" H x 27.5" W

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Personalized for Free with Your Name or a Favorite Quote

Want to give your Push Pin Travel Map that extra special touch? Personalize your map for FREE to truly make it your own! Need some inspiration for your personalization? See our most popular quotes and sayings below. Plaques may contain up to 3 lines of text with a maximum of 30 characters per line. Please contact us if you have something special in mind that is slightly longer, and we will see what we can do! If you want your personalization printed directly on your map, please check out our Canvas Map options here .

africa travel map

Pick From 8 Frame Options

Here at Push Pin Travel Maps we believe in choices. That’s why we offer more frame options than you will find anywhere else. With 8 distinct frame styles to choose from and dozens of unique map styles, you will easily be able to create the perfect combination to match your personal taste and décor. Choose from our six striking 2" wood composite frames or our two traditional solid wood frames, which are 2.25” wide and include a rich finish and elegant beading. Please see the listing images above to see this map pictured in each of our frame selections.

africa travel map

Black – 2” – Our best-selling frame and for good reason. It has a classic style that looks fantastic on each and every map. After all, black really does go with everything! Our Black Frame is a composite wood with an outward beveled profile. It is finished with a laminate wrap that has a smooth black satin finish that gives you a contemporary look that is perfect for any room in your home or office. Our Black frame looks especially nice paired with our Blue Oceans , Stormy Dreams and Midnight Dream map series.

africa travel map

Brown – 2” – Our Brown Frame is a traditional frame with a medium brown color and an outward beveled profile. This frame is a composite wood finished with a laminate wrap that has a smooth walnut finish and a lovely woodgrain look, which gives it a solid wood frame appearance when hanging on your wall. We particularly love this frame with our Earth Toned and Vintage map series.

africa travel map

Barnwood Gray – 2” – Both rustic and modern, it’s easy to see why our Barnwood Gray frame is a customer favorite. This frame is a composite wood finished with a laminate wrap and a modern, flat front profile. It boasts an attractive medium-dark gray color, complete with a light woodgrain like texture, giving the frame added dimension. Our Barnwood Gray frame really stands out with our Stormy Dreams , Blue Oceans and Black Ice maps series.

africa travel map

Textured White – 2” – With its crisp contemporary design, our Textured White frame is sure to brighten up your walls no matter which map you pair it with. This frame is a composite wood with a flat front profile. It is finished with a white laminate wrap that is lightly textured with a woodgrain like finish. We think our Textured White frame looks particularly stellar in our Teal Dream , Colorful World/US and Watercolor map series.

africa travel map

Rustic Black – 2” – You can’t go wrong with our Rustic Black frame, which has a sleek and modern look that is perfect for your favorite travel map! This flat front frame is a composite wood finished with a laminate wrap that has a smooth surface. A realistic woodgrain appearance with black and gray undertones gives the frame a little extra oomph. Our Rustic Black frame looks especially divine with our Executive and Tan Oceans map series and also our Baseball Adventures Map .

africa travel map

Rustic Brown – 2” – What’s not to love about our Rustic Brown frame? It brings you that rustic yet modern look you crave and looks fantastic on almost all of our pin maps. This frame is a composite wood finished with a smooth laminate wrap and a modern, flat front profile. The medium brown color has a striking realistic woodgrain appearance that makes the frame stand out on any wall. Our Rustic Brown frame really compliments our Earth Toned , Vintage and Classic map series as well as our National Parks map.

africa travel map

Solid Wood Brown – 2 1/4” – Our Solid Wood Brown frame is a more traditional style frame with multiple bevels on the front that is cut from solid red oak wood. It has an elegant beading on the inner lip that gives the frame an ornate accent that ensures it prominently stands out on any wall. The frame is finished with a rich dark brown walnut stain that truly showcases the gorgeous woodgrain. We think our Solid Wood Brown frame looks particularly elegant with our Executive and Vintage map series, as well as our National Parks map. NOTE: This is a natural wood frame featuring characteristics of real wood, including knots, wormholes, varying wood grains and textures, and color variations. We do not consider these flaws but character enhancements to your natural Solid Wood frame. Please contact us if you would prefer a frame without these features.

africa travel map

Solid Wood Cherry – 2 1/4” – A traditional style frame with multiple bevels on the front and a sophisticated ornate beading on the inner lip, our Solid Wood Cherry Frame is a stand out choice for your home or office. This frame is cut from solid red oak wood and features a rich, dark cherry red stain that highlights the beauty of the woodgrain. We absolutely love our Solid Wood Cherry frame paired with our Classic map series. It also makes the perfect choice for our Executive map series. NOTE: This is a natural wood frame featuring characteristics of real wood, including knots, wormholes, varying wood grains and textures, and color variations. We do not consider these flaws but character enhancements to your natural Solid Wood frame. Please contact us if you would prefer a frame without these features.

How is it made?

Every Push Pin Travel Map is handcrafted in The United States of America (Denver, CO to be exact!). We take great pride in every map we produce. We start by professionally dry mounting your map to sturdy foamcore board. Our framing experts then place the map in the stylish frame of your choice, which we build in house. Next a wire hanging kit is installed, so your map arrives ready to hang right out of the box. We even include a nail and hanger so you can easily hang your map on the wall. Find out more details as well as answers to popular questions in our FAQ section here .

What's in the box?

Everything you need!

  • Your stunning, ready-to-hang Push Pin Travel Map
  • 150 Pins in a mixture of red, white and black
  • Nail and hanger (all you need is a hammer!)

We do not include any invoices within our packages as we ship so many of our products as gifts. If you are sending a gift and would like us to include a gift note, please leave a note at checkout in the “Order Notes” box which can be found in the shopping cart.

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  • Transit Time: Most orders are shipped via FedEx or UPS. Transit time varies by location, but should not exceed 5 business days. International & APO orders may take slightly longer to arrive.

Check out our Shipping & Policies page for more details about our shipping & returns policies, including an estimated transit time map for US orders.

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Hurricane Beryl tracker: See projected path, spaghetti models of storm as it hits Mexico

africa travel map

As Hurricane Beryl moves inland over the Yucatan Peninsula, those in its path can expect strong winds, storm surges and damaging waves, the National Hurricane Center announced Friday morning.

As of Friday morning at 7 a.m. CT, the center of Hurricane Beryl , which downgraded to Category 2, was moving toward the west-northwest at about 15 miles per hour.

The NHC expects the hurricane to make a west-northwestward motion during the next day or so.

The NHC said the hurricane's center should cross the northern Yucatan Peninsula Friday and then emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico later Friday night. By the end of the weekend, the hurricane should move northwestward toward northeastern Mexico and southern Texas.

The hurricane's maximum winds have decreased to about 100 miles per hour, the NHC said. As Hurricane Beryl moves farther inland and crosses the Yucatan Peninsula, winds are expected to rapidly weaken. Still, slow re-intensification is expected once Beryl moves back over the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Beryl live updates: Storm makes landfall again in Mexico. Is Texas next?

According to the NHC, a storm surge could increase water levels by four to six feet above ground level in areas where there are onshore winds along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula within the hurricane warning area. Near the coast, the surge will bring large and destructive waves.

Beryl is also expected to bring large swells to eastern Mexico and the Gulf Coast of the U.S. later Friday. The swells can cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Hurricane Beryl path tracker

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Hurricane Beryl spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

Atlantic storm tracker

How much rain will hurricane beryl bring friday.

According to the NHC, Beryl is expected to produce four to six inches of rainfall Friday, with localized amounts of 10 inches across the Yucatan Peninsula. There may also be scattered flash flooding.

From Sunday into early next week, meteorologists expect heavy rainfall of four to eight inches with locally higher amounts across portions of northeastern Mexico and south Texas.

Hurricane warnings, watches

Hurricane warnings are in effect for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun, including Cozumel, according to the NHC.

Hurricane warnings are issued when sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less, the National Weather Service said. Hurricane warnings can remain in effect when there is dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and continued high waves, even if winds are less than hurricane force.

There are also hurricane watches in effect for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula south of Puerto from Costa Maya to Chetumal, and north of Cancun to Cabo Catoche.

Hurricane watches are issued when tropical cyclones containing winds of 74 miles per hour or higher pose a possible threat. The winds may also bring storm surges, coastal flooding or river flooding with them, according to the NWS.

"The watch does not mean that hurricane conditions will occur," the NWS wrote on its website. "It only means that these conditions are possible."

Tropical storm warning

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, and the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico north of Cancun to Campeche.

Tropical storm-force winds can be up to 105 miles per hour and a storm surge could increase water levels by one to three feet above ground level along the west coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the tropical storm warningarea.

Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman , Mary Walrath-Holdridge and James Powel, USA TODAY

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at [email protected] .

IMAGES

  1. Modern Africa Map

    africa travel map

  2. 10 Best Countries to Visit in Africa (+Map)

    africa travel map

  3. Map of Africa

    africa travel map

  4. Large physical map of Africa with major roads, capitals and major

    africa travel map

  5. Africa Map Printable

    africa travel map

  6. Road Map of Africa Connecting Cities, Towns and Countries

    africa travel map

VIDEO

  1. Africa But Every State is Free

  2. Africa continent: Countries, Capitals, Primary Languages & Flags/ This Time for Africa Map (Part-3)

  3. Naming All 79 1m+ Cities in Africa

  4. MAPA DE ÁFRICA

  5. South Africa Travel Documentary, Garden Route and more, a beautiful trip in 4k

  6. Geography & World Map Series: Political Map Of Africa

COMMENTS

  1. Destinations

    Destinations of Africa. Egypt Kenya Tanzania Madagascar Mauritius Mozambique Zambia Rwanda Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia South Africa Morocco Seychelles. Configure. We know Africa. Explore the best places to visit in Africa with our destination guide featuring the countries we visit in Egypt, Southern Africa and East Africa.

  2. Africa Map

    Map of Africa with countries and capitals. 2500x2282px / 899 Kb. Physical map of Africa. 3297x3118px / 3.8 Mb. Africa time zone map. 1168x1261px / 561 Kb. Africa political map. 2500x2282px / 821 Kb. Blank map of Africa. 2500x2282px / 655 Kb. Africa location map. 2500x1254px / 605 Kb. Regions of Africa.

  3. Africa Map and Safari Tour Destinations

    Use our interactive map of Africa to find the best safari destinations and start planning your ultimate African safari holiday. Int Toll Free Numbers 1-866-438-8677. 1-888-360-2392; ... What will your travel story be? African safari tours and adventures range from affordable to luxurious, to bucket-list vacations and once-in-a-lifetime holidays

  4. Map of Africa

    Rough Guides® is a trademark owned by Apa Group with its headquarters at 7 Bell Yard London WC2A 2JR, United Kingdom. Plan your trip around Africa with interactive travel maps from Rough Guides. Use Rough Guides maps to explore all the countries of Africa.

  5. Africa Map

    Africa abounds with bustling metropolises, diverse people, and amazingly varied and beautiful landscapes. Africa is home to over 50 countries, more than any other continent in the world, and is the second largest continent in terms of both land area and population. Map. Directions. Satellite.

  6. Africa Map / Map of Africa

    Great Rift Valley African Map. This is a slice of a larger topographical map that highlights the Great Rift Valley, a dramatic depression on the earth's surface, approximately 4,000 miles (6,400 km) in length, extends from the Red Sea area near Jordan in the Middle East,, south to the African country of Mozambique.

  7. Ultimate Africa Travel Guide (Planning, Tips & Advice)

    The African continent is the second-largest in the world, featuring 54 countries and 12 territories.To truly explore all it has to offer would take you a lifetime and man, would that be a wild ride. Our Africa Travel guide is here to serve you advice and insight on the most popular areas of the continent and places we have personally visited.. We have an insatiable love for the African ...

  8. Africa Travel Information

    Africa travel map showing the attractive travel destinations in the African continent. The 'dark continent', Africa, is the second largest continent of the world. Covering around six percent of the total surface area of the Earth, it is home to about fourteen percent human population of the world, making it the second highest populous ...

  9. A Collection of Africa Maps: A Visual Journey Through Maps

    Mapping Africa: Your Ultimate Guide to Maps of the Motherland. 1. Africa Physical Map. Africa Physical Map. A look at the geographical features—mountains, valleys, rivers, and deserts—that define the continent's landscape. The vast Sahara, the winding Nile, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro—Africa in its raw, natural glory. 2. Africa ...

  10. Africa Travel Guide

    African Wildlife • African Bird Species • African People and Culture • African Flora • African Scenery. A complete and comprehensive guide to Africa essential information, 100's safari and tour itineraries, hotels, accommodation, car hire, visas, working, currency, forums, photographs, news headline and more.

  11. Africa

    Explore Africa holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Lonely Planet. Destinations. Planning. Inspiration. Shop. Search. Saves. Open main menu. Africa ... Find out the best places to travel for adventure, relaxation, wildlife and culture. Tips & Advice. The best places to visit in July 2024. May 28, 2024 • 9 min read.

  12. Africa trip planner: make a Africa itinerary & map

    With Wanderlog's mobile travel planner on Android and iOS, access and edit your trips wherever you go — even while offline. 4.9 on App Store, 4.7 on Google Play. Keep your places to visit, flight/hotel reservations, and day-by-day itineraries for your trip to Africa in our web and mobile app vacation planner.

  13. 10 Best Countries to Visit in Africa (+Map)

    Although it is often overlooked in favor of Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, Namibia and its incredible national parks are hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. 9. Tunisia. Long a popular tourist destination, Tunisia can be found wedged in between Algeria and Libya on North Africa's Mediterranean coastline.

  14. 24 Best Places to Visit in Africa (+Map)

    16. Fish River Canyon (Namibia) [SEE MAP] geoftheref / Flickr. The incredible Fish River Canyon in Southern Namibia is one of the world's largest canyons, and it is a spectacular, breathtaking scene to behold. As one of the Natural Wonders of Africa, Fish River Canyon is one of the nation's most popular attractions.

  15. Map of Africa

    Our interactive map of Africa shows top places to visit in Africa, with links to affordable African safaris and travel guides to the best safari destinations. Toll Free Numbers: 1-888-414-6513 -808-189-1052, All Other Countries - +27 21 791 0878. Find Your Tour Find Tours Heavy ...

  16. Africa Travel Guide

    A few of the safest places to visit in Africa include Rwanda, Morocco, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, The Gambia, and Ghana, to name a few. Honestly, there are many African countries that are safely frequented by tourists every year.

  17. Plan Your Trip to Africa in 10 Easy Steps

    Think about preserving your memories, whether that means investing in a quality camera or buying a scrapbook and a spare set of pens. One essential purchase is a first aid kit, complete with any personal medications as well as all items you'll need to treat minor injuries. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10.

  18. Your Unforgettable Africa Itinerary: Dream Trips from 1 Week to 3

    Get to Sudan either by crossing overland from Aswan or flying direct to Khartoum from Cairo. Allow 3 days for the capital and then split the rest of your time between the Nubian town of Karima and the splendid Meroe Pyramids. Get more information in my perfect Sudan travel itinerary.

  19. Africa Travel Guide

    National Geographic's latest travel stories about Africa. Photograph by Beverly Joubert, Nat Geo Image Collection.

  20. 12 Once-in-a-Lifetime African Safari Vacations

    Wild Rwanda Safaris: Bwindi Gorilla Safari. Courtesy of Wild Rwanda Safaris. Length: Three days. Starting price: $1,450 for two people with lowest-cost lodging. Adventurous travelers sticking to a ...

  21. Africa Map with Countries

    A labeled map of Africa is a great tool to learn about the geography of the African continent. Pick your preferred Africa map with the countries from our collection below and download it in PDF format! All of our maps are free to use. You can print them out as many times as needed for your educational, professional or personal purposes.

  22. Best Africa Tours & Vacations 2024/25

    Meaning 'to travel' in Arabic and Swahili, the word 'safari' can describe many types of epic adventure in Africa. There is the ancient Egypt kind - discovering the lost city of Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings. The nomadic one - veering away from Morocco's souqs and medinas and being hosted by a Berber family in the Sahara. The local village version - cherishing moments ...

  23. Classic-Style Africa Map

    This Africa travel map is current and up to date, including one of the most recent changes, the addition of South Sudan. Included as an inset on this map are the 10 neighboring island nations of Africa. Highlight all of your African adventures with this pinnable travel map of Africa! This map showcases bodies of water, major roads and highways ...

  24. Hurricane Beryl path tracker, spaghetti models: Follow the storm

    As Hurricane Beryl moves inland over the Yucatan Peninsula, those in its path can expect strong winds, storm surges and damaging waves, the National Hurricane Center announced Friday morning. As ...