From the Nile to the bush and impenetrable forests, from historic cities to idyllic beaches, Africa offers a wide range of possibilities and destinations. How do you choose? Where to go in Africa? To help you choose, here is a selection of our favorite countries.
Where to go in Africa …
A step back in time:Egypt
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Egypt is a mythical African destination. Its pyramids, temples and legends float in everyone’s imagination. Beyond its pharaonic funerary monuments, Egypt is the emblematic land of the crystal-clear Red Sea and the fertile banks of the Nile. Many travellers choose to sail its peaceful waters, flush with reeds and tombs. The remains you’ll discover in Egypt tell the story of the patchwork of civilizations that have crossed the country, from Cairo to Alexandria, from Luxor to Aswan.
Do you think it’s difficult to travel safely to Africa, especially Egypt? Despite a formerly complicated geopolitical context, Egypt is a safe country today. Places of interest and must-see tourist sites are located in stable zones. Egyptians, for their part, are very welcoming. They will warmly invite you to smoke a narghile in a café, enjoy the passing of time, their delicious Middle Eastern-inspired food and the Mediterranean diet. A welcome break from the frenetic exploration of the maze-like souks and bazaars of the Arabian Nights!
At the end of the world:South Africa
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Wide open spaces, wild animals galloping and hunting in the dry grasses, a fiery ocean that welcomes whales and white sharks, a mixed-race people, colorful villages, electric towns, vineyards as far as the eye can see… The assets and places of interest where to go in South Africa are numerous. Throughout your stay, you’ll be able to admire wildlife, indomitable birds, moving pachyderms and intimidating felines. You’ll also be able to explore mountains, bush, beaches, canyons and rainforests right through to vineyards.
The charm of a trip to South Africa also lies in its culture and past. Home of Nelson Mandala, of the abolition of discriminatory politics, and a « rainbow » nation, this is one of the most cosmopolitan and touching countries in the world. All in all, this land at the tip of Africa offers a spectacular blend of landscapes and places of cultural interest.
To marvel at on safari: Kenya
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Where to go on safari in Africa? This emotionally-charged experience is offered by numerous agencies throughout South Africa. However, our heart is set on a safari in Kenya.
Through the national parks, including the immense Maasai Mara and Amboseli facing Kilimanjaro, you’ll encounter all the representative species of the continent: lions, hyenas, rhinoceroses, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hippos, gazelles, buffaloes, wildebeest and even pink flamingos around Lake Nakuru. All of these species, some of which are endangered, live in the wild and are strongly protected by local communities. During your safari in Kenya, you’ll meet many tribes, including the legendary Maasai warriors. After a well-deserved rest, whether you’ve experienced a safari in a luxury eco-lodge or in a tent, you can enjoy the gentle Kenyan coastline.
To stroll under the baobabs: Madagascar
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Madagascar is a unique destination for those who dream of going to Africa. As mysterious as it is immense, the Red Island is a territory that will titillate your explorer’s soul. While its turquoise sea, idyllic beaches, savannah landscapes and mountains have made its reputation, it’s the Baobabs that best epitomize the island. As you stroll through the lush vegetation, keep an eye out for lemurs…
Madagascar’s wealth of flora and fauna is complemented by the friendliness of its people and a cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds. Indeed, the fusion of Malagasy and French gastronomy is irresistible. It’s a unique place to go in Africa if you’re dreaming of discovering a new culture, new landscapes and enjoying viennoiseries, crispy baguettes, foie gras, Rossini steak (from Zébu) and home fries!
Immerse yourself in a mosaic of cultures and landscapes: Côte d’Ivoire
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Côte d’Ivoire is a cultural and artistic treasure trove. With its sixty different ethnic groups forming four communities, Côte d’Ivoire will introduce you to a colorful, festive, cheerful and spiritual Africa. Contrasts can also be seen in the modernism and liveliness of Abidjan (or « Babi la joie »), the neoclassicism of Yamoussoukro and the traditional villages scattered inland. Art, strongly influenced by sacred figures, is to be found on every street corner: enough to bring back incredible memories of your trip!
Côte d’Ivoire’s cultural melting pot is enhanced by an incredible mosaic of landscapes. The country boasts eight national parks, including Taï National Park, home to chimpanzees, pygmy hippos and leopards, and the savannah of Mont Sângbé. During your trip, you’ll discover flat, arid lands, tropical forests, coffee, coconut, pineapple and banana plantations, and gentle hills that roll down to the ocean.
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To make the most of your trip, we advise you to obtain a visa for Côte d’Ivoire.
Trek to Africa’s highest peak: Tanzania
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Where can you go in Africa if you’re an avid sportsman? Tanzania, of course, and Kilimanjaro in particular! This steep mountain with its flat, snow-capped summit is a reason in itself to visit the country. And if climbing the roof of Africa isn’t on your agenda, you’ll find plenty of other attractions in Tanzania. Natural habitat for all the animals of the savannah, arid territory interspersed with plains, tropical forests, lakes and volcanoes, the country is a treasure trove of wonders.
What’s more, Tanzania is one of the best countries to visit in Africa in July/August: a godsend if you want to take your family onsafari and extend your stay on theparadise island of Zanzibar with your children!
Discover an incredible coastline: Mozambique
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If you’re dreaming of a place to go on vacation in Africa, away from tourists and conventional travel, Mozambique is the place for you. Its flamboyant coastline is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt on the African continent. Its pristine beaches are licked by an ocean of infinite shades of blue and emerald.
The country is also home to several islands and islets dotted with coral reefs, rich in colorful fish and marine mammals. Perfect places for a trip on a dhow, a traditional boat with an elegant silhouette.
In addition to its magnificent coastline, Mozambique offers the landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, savannah, palm groves, flower-filled plains and natural lakes. A unique ecosystem in which fawns, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, crocodiles, hippos and a thousand birds flourish. Mozambique also boasts a rich cultural heritage. Mozambique Island, the former fortified capital, is home to some of the country’s finest architectural and historical treasures.
For a walk through lunar landscapes: Namibia
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Namibia is a country like no other in Africa. This southern country is characterized by lunar landscapes that would make the world’s most beautiful deserts pale in comparison, as well as a salt marsh so large that Thomas Pescet probably sees it on his expeditions…
Namibia’s glowing lands are home to elephants, mountain zebras, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, hyenas and endangered black rhinos. Behind the high sand dunes, you’ll also discover canyons, bluish lakes, mountains and rivers populated by Nile crocodiles. Namibia’s lunar landscapes can be explored on trek or safari, on a road trip, an organized tour or a cruise to see birds, dolphins, flamingos and sea lions.
Although Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, you’ll still come across many peoples steeped in their ancestral customs and traditions. From village to village, you’ll immerse yourself in their daily lives and, if you feel like it, try your hand at their dances and songs.
Back to the origins of humanity:Ethiopia
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Seen from the sky, Ethiopia is like a painter’s palette: streaks of green for verdant landscapes, splashes of blue for lakes, patches of straw yellow for thatched houses, streaks of red for clay lowlands and streaks of brown for volcanic flows. Thanks to its range of landscapes, Ethiopia has become a renowned destination for hikers, hot springs enthusiasts and safaris.
Ethiopia is also a journey through time. In the Rift Valley, the country was home not only to the first humans, but also, according to legend, to the first Christians. The city of Lalibela, the Ethiopian Jerusalem, bears witness to this. Never colonized, Ethiopia has preserved its unique culture, its alphabet, its calendar, its astonishing professions… But also its world-renowned gastronomy and coffee.
So which country will tempt you on your next trip to Africa?