2019 Travel Guide to Africa

Africa is a huge continent that offers diverse travel experiences for every type of traveler. Whether you're looking for adventure, marvelous historical sites, unique cultures, or an opportunity to get up close and personal with animals and nature, Africa has something for you. Check out our in-depth Africa travel guide for 2019 and be inspired to book your ticket to one of the most exciting continents in the world.

Zambia, Botswana, and Rwanda are the best African destinations to visit in 2019. Not only are they among the safest countries to visit in Africa, but these countries have some phenomenal things to see and do.

Rwanda may bring to mind a deadly genocide of the early 1990s, but the country has turned itself around to become a fantastic destination for those who want to see mountain gorillas on gorilla tracking expeditions in the Volcanoes National Park, go on exciting hikes, kayak on Lake Kivu, or spend time diving into local culture in Kigali, the capital.

Both Zambia and Botswana are your best bets if you want to experience an African safari. In Botswana, there's Central Kalahari Game Reserve and in Zambia, the fabulous South Luangwa National Park. These two countries offer other opportunities for exploration such as a trip to the famed Victoria Falls from Zambia or by paddling through Botswana's Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe.

Africa is home to some spectacular attractions, but we've managed to narrow them down to the top five best attractions. Mount Kilimanjaro makes the list because it's the highest mountain in Africa and a top hiking destination in the world.

Victoria Falls, which lies between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the most jaw-dropping natural sights of Africa, while Kruger National Park in South Africa has a high density of the "Big 5" or lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos. We had to add Jemaa el-Fnaa, a world-renowned market in Marrakech, Morroco, that overwhelms visitors by all five senses.

Last but not least, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the original ancient wonders of the world, which puts it firmly on this list.

Africa doesn't disappoint when it comes to events in 2019. If you love music, you'll want to visit Cape Town International Jazz Festival in South Africa, Fez Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco, Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi, Global Citizen Festival in South Africa, or the Cairo Jazz Festival in Egypt.

Dive into the art of the continent at the Rwanda Film Festival in Rwanda, the Zanzibar International Film Festival in Tanzania, or at AfrikaBurn, a Burning Man event that showcases temporary artworks.

Witness the art and culture of the Sahara and its people at the International Festival of the Sahara in Tunisia which includes things like camel races. And if you love animals but want a different experience beyond safari adventures, go whale watching and enjoy eco-marine exhibitions at the Hermanus Whale Festival in South Africa.

A vacation to Africa is one the family won't forget.

Head to South Africa for safari adventures, penguin fun at Boulders Beach, to ride the aerial cableway at Table Mountain, or for water sports in Cape Town. Families that love the beaches of South Africa, will also enjoy the island of Mauritius, a hot spot full of beaches, all-inclusive resorts, aquariums, and wildlife attractions.

For families with older children, check out Zambia, Botswana, and Kenya. These three countries are notorious for hiking, safari adventures like the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, and water attractions like Victoria Falls in Zambia or canoeing on the Okavango Delta.

Couples will find plenty of romantic spots in Africa, such as on the island of Seychelles. This beachy island is home to beautiful waters, delightful resorts, and great diving and snorkeling. If resorts are your style, check out the Sharm El Sheikh, a coastal resort town on the Red Sea. It's a good way to end a couples vacation after visiting Egypt's pyramids and ancient monuments.

You may also want to consider Zanzibar's Unguja Island. The resorts here are relaxing, and couples will enjoy the Arabic-style buildings of Stone Town, exploring the Sultan's Palace, and eating local cuisine at the night market.

The more the merrier, right? Explore Africa with friends or a travel group and connect with others while seeing some amazing sights. While we love Morocco, women travelers report high levels of harassment, so traveling with a group in Morocco can provide a level of safety and comfort that you might not otherwise get traveling alone. If your friends are more of the adventure type, set up a hiking trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Trust us, you'll want the support as you climb the highest peak on the continent.

Places like Egypt and South Africa have plenty of opportunities for individuals to join large tour group trips to see places like the pyramids or to go on a South African safari. You can even see how local tribes in Ethiopia live with a group tour by Intrepid.

One of the best things about traveling around the world is the opportunity to try the food of local cultures and Africa has plenty of that. Egypt, Mozambique, and Morocco are good choices if you're interested in trying food influenced by multiple cultures like African, French, Arabic, Portuguese, and British. Ghana's street food is among the best in Africa serving up delicious fare like skewered meat called chichinga.

In South Africa, you'll find a foodie scene similar to that of Europe in some ways, with chefs designing creative plates of food from all around the world. And yet, they still manage to offer excellent cuisine with Indian and African flavors, as well as seafood dishes thanks to an abundance of coasts.

Solo travel in Africa is on the rise and very safe among a few destinations. Hostels abound in South Africa cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and all along the coast and interior. No other African country comes close to having the number of hostels that South Africa does, and with plenty of adventure and an extensive transportation system, it's perfect for a solo traveler.

However, don't overlook countries like Rwanda, Mozambique, Botswana, and Ethiopia. Not only are these very safe countries for solo travelers of either gender but they each have their own flavor. Hit up the beach in Mozambique or go hiking in Botswana and Ethiopia. As for Rwanda, it's a country with high numbers of women in power, making it a cool place to visit for solo female travelers.

Africa is quite an adventure destination. The country seems to have an endless number of outdoor activities. If you want to experience a safari or see large African game, head to Natosha National Park in Nambia, Amboseli National Park in Kenya, or Volcanos National Park in Rwanda. Hikers will enjoy Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, while others may prefer more unique adventures of exploring such as navigating the canals of the Okavango Delta in Botswana or gliding down the Zambezi River of Zambia by boat. Wherever you go in Africa, adventure is sure to follow.

Football (or soccer), rugby, running, and basketball are some of the most popular sports in Africa and there are a few countries that really enjoy the excitement of a game. South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya are the top countries for sports enthusiasts. A rugby match is a must-have experience in South Africa, while runners from Ethiopia have marveled viewers at many Olympic games. Nigeria's basketball team is one of the best in Africa, and while football (soccer) matches are plentiful throughout Africa, you might want to catch a match in Kenya.

Many travelers gloss over the appeal of Africa and that's a shame because as the cradle of humanity, it is home to some of the most unique cultures and sights in the world. It's animal populations are diverse and majestic, featuring the likes of mountain gorillas, lions, elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, and even penguins.

Then there are ancient monuments like the pyramids, the Sphinx, tombs, and ancient cities long abandoned by Egyptians of old. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church even claims to possess the Ark of the Covenant! Whether it's the Arabic and French mixed architecture of Morocco or the earthen architecture of the Djinguereber mosque of Timbuktu, Africa offers plenty of unique attractions, that not too many people have explored.


Then there's the culture of the tribes of Africa. From the Voodoo of Benin to the lip plates of the Mursi, Africa offers travelers endless possibilities to interact with local tribes and learn more about their traditions.

Unfortunately, not every country in Africa is worth exploring right now. We'd advise that you avoid Somalia, South Sudan, Libya, and Mali. The Travel Risk Map of 2019 rated these countries as having the highest security risk for travelers due to terrorism, gang activity and violent crime. While these countries have some wonderful and must-see attractions, set them aside for 2019 and hope that they become safer to visit one day in the future.