Africa's 54 countries offer some of the world's most extraordinary travel: the Great Migration, mountain gorillas, Saharan dunes, ancient churches carved from rock and beaches on two oceans. This guide picks nine of the best African countries to visit in 2026, with the best times to go, entry requirements to check and practical tips. Always check your government's travel advice — for example, the US State Department or the UK Foreign Office — before booking, as conditions can change.

1. Kenya

Kenya is the classic safari destination. The Maasai Mara hosts the Great Migration, when huge herds of wildebeest and zebra move between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya, usually from about July to October. Amboseli offers views of elephants against Kilimanjaro, and Lamu and Diani have beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. Nairobi has a lively food and arts scene and a national park on its doorstep. Most visitors must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travel via Kenya's official eTA portal, which replaced visas in 2024.

2. Tanzania

Tanzania is home to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5,895 metres. The Serengeti's calving season, from about January to March in the south, is spectacular. Zanzibar combines white-sand beaches with Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site shaped by Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences. Kilimanjaro climbs usually take six to eight days; longer routes improve acclimatisation and success rates.

3. Morocco

Morocco is one of Africa's most accessible destinations from Europe. Explore the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, the blue town of Chefchaouen, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara near Merzouga. Moroccan food — tagines, couscous, pastilla and mint tea — is a highlight. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; summer in the interior is very hot.

4. South Africa

South Africa combines Cape Town's mountain-and-ocean setting, the Cape Winelands, the Garden Route and Big Five safaris in and around Kruger National Park. Excellent infrastructure makes self-drive trips easy. Travellers should take sensible precautions in cities, particularly at night, and follow local advice on safe areas. The rand's weakness has made South Africa good value for many visitors.

5. Rwanda

Rwanda is one of Africa's safest and cleanest countries. Its headline experience is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, where permits cost US$1,500 per person, according to the Rwanda Development Board. Nyungwe Forest offers chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walkway, and Akagera National Park has the Big Five. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is an essential and moving visit.

6. Namibia

Namibia offers huge, empty landscapes: the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast, the Fish River Canyon and wildlife-rich Etosha National Park. It is one of the least densely populated countries on earth and ideal for self-drive trips on well-maintained gravel roads. The dry season, roughly May to October, is best for wildlife viewing.

7. Ethiopia

Ethiopia has one of the world's oldest civilisations, with the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the obelisks of Aksum and the castles of Gondar, several of them UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Simien Mountains offer dramatic trekking with gelada monkeys. Ethiopian food — injera flatbread with spicy stews — and coffee ceremonies are cultural highlights. Security conditions vary significantly by region, so check travel advice carefully before planning overland routes.

8. Ghana

Ghana is known for its warm hospitality, music and food. Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, former slave-trading forts now UNESCO World Heritage sites, are powerful memorials to the transatlantic slave trade. Accra's markets, art galleries and nightlife are vibrant, and Kakum National Park has a canopy walkway. The 2019 "Year of Return" drew many members of the African diaspora, and the country continues to welcome heritage travellers.

9. Madagascar

Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot: most of its lemurs, chameleons and many plants are found nowhere else. Highlights include the Avenue of the Baobabs, the limestone pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha and the rainforests of Andasibe. Roads are poor and journeys slow, so allow plenty of time or use domestic flights.

Honourable mentions

  • Egypt: the pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel, and Red Sea diving; the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza has become a major attraction.
  • Botswana: the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park offer some of Africa's best wildlife viewing, with a focus on low-volume, high-value tourism.
  • Uganda: gorilla and chimpanzee trekking at lower permit prices than Rwanda, plus the source of the Nile at Jinja.
  • Senegal and Cape Verde: West African music, beaches and colonial-era towns, with Cape Verde popular for winter sun.
  • Tunisia: Roman ruins at Carthage and El Djem, Saharan landscapes and Mediterranean beaches.

When to go: a quick guide

  • East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda): the long dry season from about June to October is peak safari time; January to February is a shorter dry season.
  • Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana): the dry winter from May to October is best for wildlife; Cape Town is best from November to March.
  • North Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia): spring and autumn avoid the extreme summer heat.
  • West Africa (Ghana, Senegal): the dry season from about November to March is most comfortable.

Planning tips

  • Health: check vaccination requirements and recommendations, including yellow fever certificates for some countries, and malaria prevention for many regions. The CDC's travel health pages list country-specific advice.
  • Money: carry some cash in US dollars (recent, undamaged notes) or local currency; card acceptance varies widely.
  • Safari seasons: dry seasons generally give better wildlife viewing, but "green seasons" bring fewer crowds, lower prices and newborn animals.
  • Responsible travel: choose operators that employ local guides and support conservation; gorilla and chimp permits directly fund protection of these species.
  • Travel insurance: make sure it covers medical evacuation, which is essential for remote safari areas.

Africa is not one destination but many, and each country rewards curiosity and preparation. For longer stays and living costs, see our guides to South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.