Looking for the best places to visit in Africa? The continent offers more variety than almost anywhere on earth: mountain gorillas in misty rainforests, the Great Migration on endless plains, thundering waterfalls, palm-fringed islands, snow-capped peaks and ancient pyramids. Choosing where to go is the hardest part.
As a Ugandan-owned safari company planning trips across Africa since 2014, we have picked the 20 amazing destinations that our guests love most. For each one, you will find the highlights, the best time to visit and how to plan it, so you can build your dream African trip with confidence.
The 20 Best Places to Visit in Africa at a Glance
| # | Destination | Country | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Uganda | Mountain gorillas |
| 2 | Kibale National Park | Uganda | Chimpanzees |
| 3 | Maasai Mara National Reserve | Kenya | Big Five and the Great Migration |
| 4 | Serengeti National Park | Tanzania | Classic safari and migration |
| 5 | Victoria Falls | Zambia and Zimbabwe | Waterfalls and adventure |
| 6 | Cape Town | South Africa | City, coast and wine |
| 7 | Zanzibar | Tanzania | Beaches and Swahili culture |
| 8 | Seychelles | Seychelles | Luxury island holidays |
| 9 | Kruger National Park | South Africa | Big Five self-drive safaris |
| 10 | Okavango Delta | Botswana | Water safaris |
| 11 | Mount Kilimanjaro | Tanzania | Trekking to Africa's roof |
| 12 | Ngorongoro Crater | Tanzania | Wildlife in a volcanic crater |
| 13 | Lake Malawi | Malawi | Lake beaches and snorkelling |
| 14 | Bazaruto Archipelago | Mozambique | Secluded islands and marine life |
| 15 | Kidepo Valley National Park | Uganda | Remote wilderness safari |
| 16 | Rwenzori Mountains | Uganda | Glacier trekking |
| 17 | Pyramids of Giza | Egypt | Ancient history |
| 18 | Mauritius | Mauritius | Family and honeymoon holidays |
| 19 | Volcanoes National Park | Rwanda | Gorillas and golden monkeys |
| 20 | Mombasa and Diani | Kenya | Coast, history and beaches |
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda: Gorilla Trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park tops our list of the best places to visit in Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site protects ancient rainforest and is home to about half of the world's mountain gorillas.
- Gorilla trekking with expert rangers, ending with a magical hour beside a gorilla family
- Forest walks among ferns, orchids and over 350 bird species
- Visits to Batwa and Bakiga communities on the forest edge
Best time to visit: June to September and December to February, the drier months. Gorilla permits cost US$800 per person for foreign non-residents. See our best Uganda gorilla safaris.
2. Kibale National Park, Uganda: Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale National Park is often called the primate capital of the world and is one of the best places to visit in Africa for chimpanzees. It has 13 primate species and about 1,500 chimpanzees, the highest concentration in East Africa.
- Guided chimpanzee trekking with very high success rates
- Red colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys
- Birding and the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk
Best time to visit: June to September and December to February. Kibale pairs perfectly with gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
3. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya: The Great Migration
The Maasai Mara is one of the best places to visit in Africa for a classic safari. Its open grasslands are packed with lions, cheetahs, elephants and buffalo all year, and from about July to October the Great Migration arrives, with dramatic river crossings.
- Big Five game drives in the reserve and private conservancies
- Hot-air balloon safaris at sunrise
- Visits to Maasai villages
Best time to visit: July to October for the migration. Read our Masai Mara safari guide.
4. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: Endless Plains
The Serengeti is the classic African safari and a fixture on every list of the best places to visit in Africa. Its vast plains support huge herds of wildebeest and zebra and some of Africa's best big cat viewing.
- Lions, cheetahs and leopards on game drives
- The Great Migration, which moves through the Serengeti all year
- Luxury lodges and mobile tented camps
Best time to visit: June to October for dry-season game viewing, and December to March for the calving season in the south. See the best time to visit the Serengeti.
5. Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe: The Smoke That Thunders
Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, is one of the best places to visit in Africa and one of the largest waterfalls on earth, about 1.7 km wide, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Rainforest walks facing the falls and sunset cruises on the Zambezi
- White-water rafting, bungee jumping and helicopter flights
- Devil's Pool on the Zambian side in the dry season
Best time to visit: February to May for the most powerful flow, and August to December for adventure activities. Explore more in our Southern Africa tours guide.
6. Cape Town, South Africa: Between Mountains and Sea
Cape Town combines a lively city with spectacular scenery, making it one of the best places to visit in Africa for travellers who want more than a safari.
- The cable car up Table Mountain
- Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
- Wine tasting in the Cape Winelands and the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton
Best time to visit: November to March for summer and beaches.
7. Zanzibar, Tanzania: The Spice Island
Among the best places to visit in Africa for a beach break, Zanzibar mixes white beaches and turquoise water with rich Swahili history, and it is the perfect way to relax after a safari.
- The narrow alleys and carved doors of Stone Town
- Spice farm tours and sunset dhow cruises
- Snorkelling, diving and the beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa
Best time to visit: June to October and December to February. Read the 13 best beaches in Zanzibar or book a Uganda safari and Zanzibar holiday.
8. Seychelles: Tropical Island Luxury
For luxury, the Seychelles is one of the best places to visit in Africa, known for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, framed by granite boulders and calm, clear water.
- Anse Lazio on Praslin and Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue
- The UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, home of the coco de mer palm
- Island hopping between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue
Best time to visit: April to May and October to November for calm seas. See our Uganda safari and Seychelles holiday.
9. Kruger National Park, South Africa: Classic Big Five Safari
Kruger National Park is one of the best places to visit in Africa for a self-drive safari and one of the continent's largest and best-run parks, with excellent roads and camps that make it ideal for first-time and self-drive safaris.
- Big Five game drives, guided or self-drive
- Over 500 bird species
- Night drives and private reserves with off-road tracking
Best time to visit: May to September, the dry season.
10. Okavango Delta, Botswana: A Wetland Wonderland
The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to visit in Africa for water safaris, where seasonal floods turn the Kalahari into a maze of channels and islands.
- Mokoro excursions in traditional dugout canoes
- Elephants, hippos, lions and African wild dogs
- Small, exclusive safari camps
Best time to visit: June to September, when the floods are high and wildlife gathers.
11. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Africa's Highest Peak
At 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and the world's tallest free-standing peak. No technical climbing is needed, so fit hikers can reach the summit.
- Popular routes including Machame, Marangu and Lemosho
- Climate zones from rainforest to alpine desert and glaciers
- Sunrise from Uhuru Peak
Best time to visit: January to March and June to October.
12. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: Wildlife in a Natural Amphitheatre
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest unbroken volcanic caldera and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its floor holds a remarkable density of wildlife, including black rhino.
- Game drives for lions, elephants, buffalo and rhino
- Views from the crater rim
- Maasai cultural visits nearby
Best time to visit: June to October for dry-season viewing. Combine it with the Serengeti on our 4 Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari.
13. Lake Malawi, Malawi: Africa's Inland Sea
Lake Malawi is one of Africa's great lakes and one of the best places to visit in Africa for lake beaches, famous for its clear water and colourful cichlid fish.
- Snorkelling, kayaking and swimming
- Fishing villages and friendly lakeside towns
- Sandy beaches and island lodges
Best time to visit: May to October.
14. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique: Secluded Beach Bliss
The Bazaruto Archipelago is a protected chain of islands with white dunes, coral reefs and some of the last dugongs on Africa's east coast.
- Snorkelling and diving on coral reefs
- Dolphins, turtles and dugongs
- Private island lodges
Best time to visit: May to November.
15. Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda: Remote Wilderness
Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda's far northeast is one of the best places to visit in Africa for a private safari, and one of the continent's most beautiful and least crowded parks, with dramatic mountains and wide savannah.
- Lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo and zebra
- Very few other vehicles on game drives
- Visits to Karamojong communities
Best time to visit: December to March and June to September.
16. Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda: The Mountains of the Moon
The Rwenzori Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site with glaciers on the equator and Margherita Peak, Africa's third-highest summit at 5,109 metres.
- Multi-day treks to the glaciers and peaks
- Giant lobelias and groundsels in alpine valleys
- Shorter day hikes for non-climbers
Best time to visit: June to August and December to February.
17. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: Ancient Wonders
The Great Pyramid of Giza makes Egypt one of the best places to visit in Africa for history. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing.
- The pyramids and the Great Sphinx
- Cairo's museums and markets
- Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan
Best time to visit: October to April. See our Egypt tour packages.
18. Mauritius: Tropical Island Paradise
Mauritius is one of the best places to visit in Africa for families. It offers calm lagoons, all-inclusive resorts and a rich mix of cultures, making it a favourite for families and honeymooners.
- Beaches such as Trou aux Biches, Belle Mare and Flic en Flac
- Snorkelling, diving and catamaran trips
- The Seven Coloured Earth of Chamarel and Black River Gorges
Best time to visit: May to December. See our Mauritius holiday packages.
19. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda: Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda's share of the Virunga Mountains, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, and is about 2.5 hours from Kigali.
- Gorilla trekking on volcanic slopes
- Golden monkey tracking
- The hike to Dian Fossey's grave
Best time to visit: June to September and December to February. See our Rwanda gorilla safari.
20. Mombasa and Diani, Kenya: Coast, Culture and Beaches
Kenya's coast blends Swahili history with long white beaches. Mombasa's Old Town and Fort Jesus tell centuries of trading history, and Diani Beach to the south is one of Africa's finest.
- Fort Jesus and Mombasa Old Town
- Diani, Nyali and Bamburi beaches
- Snorkelling, diving and deep-sea fishing
Best time to visit: June to October and December to March. Book our 5 Day Mombasa Holiday.
How to Combine the Best Places to Visit in Africa
Many travellers combine two or three of the best places to visit in Africa in one trip. Popular combinations include gorillas in Uganda with the Maasai Mara and Zanzibar, or a Uganda safari with Cape Town and Victoria Falls. Try these ready-made trips:
- 10-Day Uganda and Kenya Gorilla and Big 5 Safari
- 8 Days Serengeti Safari and Zanzibar Beach Holiday
- 20-Day Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Safari
- 7 Days Kenya Safari
- Best of Uganda Safari: 10 to 14 Days
For more ideas, see our combined East African safaris and multi-destination holidays from Uganda.
Best Places to Visit in Africa FAQs
What are the best places to visit in Africa for a first safari?
The Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Kruger National Park are excellent for first safaris, with abundant wildlife and good lodges. In Uganda, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks add gorillas and chimpanzees within easy reach.
Where can I see mountain gorillas in Africa?
Mountain gorillas live only in Uganda (Bwindi and Mgahinga), Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda is home to about half of the world's mountain gorillas.
When is the best time to visit Africa?
It depends on where you go. For East African safaris and gorilla trekking, June to September and December to February are best. For the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara, go from July to October.
What are the best beach destinations in Africa?
Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Mauritius, Diani in Kenya, the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique and Lake Malawi are among Africa's best beach destinations.
Can I visit several African countries in one trip?
Yes. Short flights connect East and Southern Africa, so it is easy to combine gorillas in Uganda with a Kenya safari, a Zanzibar beach break or Cape Town. We plan these trips from start to finish.
Plan Your Trip to the Best Places to Visit in Africa
Tulambule Uganda Safaris is 100% Ugandan-owned, accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and rated 4.9 stars on TripAdvisor. Tell us which of the best places to visit in Africa are on your list, and we will design a tailor-made trip. Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447, or email info@tulambule.com.
