TOP 10 AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO VISIT IN 2024

Explore the best African countries that should not miss on your 2024 travel list.

Have you been planning a safari trip to Africa and you are failing to get the right destination to go to? Beyond Travel Africa has a list of top destinations that the African continent has got to offer. Africa is a one-stop destination for all travellers from all corners of the world throughout the year. Whether you are traveling as a group, solo traveler, honeymoon couple, backpacker, or researcher, name it. Africa is the best destination to go to. Whether you are looking for wildlife safaris, game drives (both day and night), gorilla trekking, and chimpanzee trekking, birding safaris, cultural safari tours, hiking safaris, and African-guided nature walks, to mention but a few, Africa has got you covered. 

From our past experience in organising trips to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi, we have got quite several feedback from our clients. We are a tour company that invests in research for top tourism destinations not only in Africa but other countries across the world. It is on such a background that we have listed the top 10 best African countries that one should not miss on your travel list for 2024.

List of top 10 African tourist destinations to be visited in 2024

1. Uganda
2. Kenya
3. Tanzania
4. Rwanda
5. Botswana
6. South Africa
7. Namibia
8. Zimbabwe
9. Malawi
10. Egypt

Top 10 African countries that you can visit in 2024

Uganda – the Pearl of Africa

After touring all countries in Africa, the European explorer – Winston Churchill named Uganda “the Pearl of Africa.” He was amazed by the geographical features such as the mountains, rivers, lakes, rolling hills, endless plateaus, etc. Not forgetting  the tropical climate of the land. Uganda is famous for having some outstanding features such as the source of the longest river in the world – the River Nile. Additionally, Uganda is known for being home to the world’s strongest waterfalls – the Murchison falls as well as Africa’s biggest lake that is Lake Victoria.

Talking about Uganda, we are talking about the only destination in the world with the largest number of endangered mountain gorilla species. Nestled in the forests of Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks, mountain gorillas are one of the top tourist attractions in Uganda. Mountain gorillas attract thousands of tourists from all corners of the world throughout the year. Are you planning a gorilla trekking safari, Uganda should be top of your list.

Talking about the savannah plains, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo valley national park and Queen Elizabeth national park offer the best Africa wildlife safaris. Visiting any of these national parks gives you an opportunity of seeing the big five animals that is lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros. You will see other multiple animal species such as zebra, warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck, giraffes, hippopotamuses, and Uganda kob, to mention but a few. A Uganda safari comes with spectacular views of bird species majority of which are rift valley endemics while others are on the UNESCO elusive species list. Do not miss the magical tree climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth national park found in the Ishasha sector to be exact.

While in Uganda, you will visit the spectacular Kibale national park for a moment with the human-like chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda can also be done in Budongo forest, Kalinzu forest, Ngamba Island and Kyambura gorge.

Having an experience of hiking to the top of Murchison falls is something worth your time and commitment. It comes with a boat cruise on River Nile on a safari to Murchison falls national park. The other amazing experience you ought to look for on a 2024 Uganda safari is the source of river Nile water safari in Jinja. You can’t miss taking pictures at the point where the longest river in the world starts its 3 months journey to the Mediterranean Sea.

Uganda hiking safaris are a recommendation to all travelers to Uganda in 2024. You can hike to the top of the Rwenzori Mountains and experience the Margherita snow which is one of the snow-capped mountain peaks in Africa and the world as a whole. The other Uganda hiking safari is best in Mount Elgon national park where you get to visit the world’s largest Caldera alongside exploring different types of vegetation.

Kenya - the home of diverse cultures

One of the best safari destinations in Africa is Kenya. Kenya’s tourism industry has developed tremendously over the past years. Other than having over 20 national parks, Kenya has been made popular by the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. During this animal migration, millions of wildebeests accompanied by zebras, lions, hyenas, leopards, and other species move all the way from Tanzania’s Serengeti national park northwards to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. It is the world’s biggest animal migration to be recorded.

Kenya is one destination where travelers enjoy views of approximately 390 species of mammals (including 20 primates, 37 carnivores, and 43 ungulates), 1100 species of birds (eight of which are endemic), 280 reptile species, and 115 amphibians.

Visiting Kenya’s Amboseli national park will give you a chance of seeing over 400 elephants roaming the park. Do not dare to miss views of Mt. Kilimanjaro – Africa’s tallest mountain as well as Mt. Kenya.

Other than the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara, the park offers one of the best African cultural safaris – the Masai people. You get a chance of interacting with the diverse Kenyan people and dive into their culture. Kenya is one of the countries in the world that appreciates diversity to extent that they have a public holiday for appreciating the country’s diverse tribes called Utamaduni day.

If you are a fan of wildlife documentaries, quite a number of them have been captured in Kenyan national parks including tree-climbing lions, wildebeest migration, cheetahs, and the Nile crocodiles. The Mara River is known as the deadliest river having many Nile crocodiles that battle with wildebeest during the crossing and making it a whole dramatic experience.

Kenya safaris can easily be combined with other African safaris such as Tanzania safaris, Uganda gorilla trekking safaris, and Rwanda cultural safaris, to mention but a few.

Tanzania – the home of Kilimanjaro

Before the entrance of the Democratic Republic of Congo into the East Africa Community in 2022, Tanzania was the biggest country in East Africa. Tanzania is one of the African countries with conservation areas covering bigger parts. Almost three-quarters of the country is covered by national parks and other conservation areas.

Tanzania is famous for being part of the great wildebeest migration which starts from Serengeti national park all the way to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Ngoro Ngoro conservation area is one of the best destinations for travelers to Tanzania as it harbors quite a number of animal species some of which cannot be found elsewhere in the world.

Other than the great wildebeest migration, Tanzania is the home of the tallest mountain ranges in Africa. Hiking the Kilimanjaro Mountains is a moment turned into a memory for all travelers.

Rwanda – the land of a thousand hills

Rwanda is one of the destinations in Africa that have not been explored to the maximum. The country is small and landlocked and sometimes gets covered by bigger neighbors such as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. This however does not take away the fact that Rwanda has beautiful gorilla trekking safaris, cultural safaris, and historical sites such as the Rwanda Genocide Memorial Center.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an easy-to-do safari since the trails are friendlier compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Unlike Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania which have outstanding savannah national parks such as Serengeti national park (Tanzania), Masai Mara Game Reserve (Kenya), and Queen Elizabeth national park (Uganda), Rwanda does not have many of these kinds. However, Rwanda has a one-stop savannah plain of Akagera national park in the eastern parts. The park is home to all the big 5 animals that is elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. Having a game drive in Akagera national park is a moment turned into a memory as you will be introduced to multiple species of animals, birds, and plants. Every traveler that has visited Akagera national parks talks about the rolling hills, lush vegetation, deep valleys, and papyrus swamps that draw close to the lakes as you move eastwards. The park is famous for having the big five animals and the largest troop size of primates in Africa.

If you are planning a trip to Rwanda in 2024, do not dare to miss the magical Akagera national park and have an amazing African safari vacation experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Botswana – the home of the Okavango Delta

Much as Botswana is usually considered the most expensive safari destination in Africa, especially during the high season (July to October), with experienced tour operators such as Beyond Travel safaris and Tours Ltd, the safari can be the best of all African countries. During the low season of November to March, Botswana surprisingly becomes the cheapest African safari destination. Do not worry about the fluctuation in seasons, Botswana remains a good destination for all travelers from different parts of the world.

Botswana is famous for having remarkable lion stories some of which have been documented like the great Sekakama lion – Sekakama was a lion king whose dominance over other lion pride was extraordinary.

The Okavango delta’s beauty and constant supply of water by the River Okavango have played a big role in sustaining biodiversity in Botswana.

If you are planning an Africa safari in 2024, do not hesitate to put Botswana on your list.

South Africa – the rainbow nation

Located at the extreme southern end of the African continent is the Republic of Southern Africa. A country whose history of apartheid and racism brought the whole world to tension during colonial days. South Africa is famous for its great revolutionary leader and former president the late Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned for 27 years and later led his country to independence.

Visiting South Africa in 2024 will introduce you to some of her national parks such as Kruger national park, Addo Elephants national park, Tsitsikama national park, Pilanesberg national park, West Coast national park, Table Mountain national park, Sabi Sands national park, Hluhluwe – Imfolozi national park, to point out but a few.

South Africa is one country in Africa that offers more than safaris, as you pay a visit to the beautiful cities, the coast, historical sites, etc. The country has one of the best cities listed several times by CNN among the top tourist cities in the world. 2024 might be your year to pay a visit to this amazing destination.

Namibia – the land of many faces

The more you travel, the more you realize that you have not seen it all. Have you ever been to Namibia? Are you looking for where to go in Africa? Consider the Namib Desert the oldest desert in the world. The desert pushes up against the cold Atlantic Ocean coastline and forms “the Skeleton Coast”, one of the most desolate and remote places on earth. The red sand dunes at Sossusvlei are one of the most spectacular scenic areas on the planet. Etosha National Park is Namibia’s best place to see the most traditional safari species.

If you are one person that loves remote adventure safaris, Namibia is the best destination for you in 2024. The country is best for rhino tracking on foot as well as searching for desert-adapted elephants.

Zimbabwe – Jewel of Africa

Other than the famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the country is famous for having the best safari guides on the continent. The guides of Zimbabwe go through a lot of training and emphasize walking. One of the major things that make a safari the best one is the quality of the tour guides.

Much as the country has not been doing well politically over the past years, the tourism sector is being revived. Visiting Zimbabwe gives you a chance of seeing the remains of multiple animal species that existed back in the day. It is a good destination for researchers and those that like to dig deep into the issue.

A safari to Zimbabwe can easily be combined with a South African safari and a Botswana safari.

 Malawi – the warm heart of Africa

Malawi is one of the small countries in African neighboring Tanzania and Mozambique. The country is home to Lake Malawi which is one of the top biodiversity lake regions in the world. The country is almost covered by this lake which feeds over 200 animal species including elephants, hippopotamuses, monkeys, etc.

It would be good if you added Malawi to your to-do list for 2024.

Egypt – the pharaohs

Lastly, we talk about one of the most developed countries African continent has got – Egypt. Egypt is known for being a remarkable nation in the history of civilisation. Egypt is one of the oldest countries on earth and is known to have existed before the Bible was written. It is here that the Israelites lived as Slaves for 400 years during the Old Testament days of Moses.

Egypt has got ancient pyramids that one would not miss on their African safari in 2024. There are national parks that have quite a number of animal species.

Now that you have an insight into what Africa has got to offer in 2024, it is high time Beyond Travel designed for you a tailor-made safari for a great experience. Book a  safari to any of the above safari destinations  Now. We can’t wait to see you!