It’s important to remember that Africa is a continent and a big one at that. As with all continents, it is diverse with each country having its own customs, traditions, languages etc. It is also large. Therefore depending on how much time you have to explore and what you want to do and see really will depend on where you should visit. From city to beach and everything in between, it is a continent that you will not tire of quickly. With this in mind, we have put together this guide which should help you when planning your first visit to Africa.
City Break
There are a number of bustling and vibrant cities throughout Africa, so many in fact you are spoilt for choice. From the sprawling city of Tunis in Tunisia, colourful Marrakesh in Morocco and not forgetting Cairo in Egypt, there is a city for everyone.
However, possibly the most popular is Cape Town in South Africa. This cosmopolitan city is a firm favourite for many people. It is also a popular choice when planning a first visit to Africa. With a beautiful waterfront, fascinating museums, mouth-watering restaurants and beautiful scenery, amongst many other things, it’s easy to see why Cape Town welcomes over 15 million visitors annually.
Safari
Africa has a number of national parks where you can take a safari. However, deciding which country you want to visit to get up close to the Big 5 can be tough. One of, if not, the most popular national parks is Kruger in South Africa. It is often the most expensive because of its reputation but as we all know expense does not always equal value for money.
Therefore, if you want to go on a safari but want to get more bang for your buck then you may want to consider visiting some of the smaller national parks. Some great ones include Chobe National Park in Botswana, Tarangire National Park in Tanzania and of course the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
History
If you are a history lover then Africa is for you. Egypt really needs to be at the top of your list of places to visit. It is the home of one of the oldest civilisations in the world. It dates back at least 200,000 years. Therefore there is a lot to tickle your fancy.
There are beautiful ancient temples such as Luxor Temple where you can still see hieroglyphs in all their original colourful glory. If seeing the burial grounds of some of Egypt’s most famous rulers are your thing, then a trip to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens is a must. Top Tip – get there early if visiting in summer. This is because midday temperatures can exceed 60 degrees!
And do not forget the major reason a number of people visit this country – the Pyramids and Spinx in Giza. Egypt really is a dream come true for history enthusiasts.
Beach
If you love nothing more than relaxing and enjoying some Vitamin Sea, then Africa does not disappoint. With the beautiful and popular honeymoon destination of Zanzibar topping many people’s ‘must-visit’ lists. With white-sand beaches and warm waters, it is the perfect place to head if you want to chill and forget the daily stresses of the real world for a week or two.
Another simply stunning island destination is The Seychelles, which is a member of the African Union. With a number of islands and resorts to choose from, deciding where you want to base yourself can be a tricky choice. Palm trees, peaceful beaches and turquoise waters, prime for swimming in make for a great beach getaway, especially with your significant other.
Culture
Again as it is a continent, culture across Africa can vary drastically from country to country. It can also vary in each country individually. For example, Ethiopia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country. It has over 80 different ethnic groups who have their own languages, customs, clothing and traditions. Religion is a major factor. The majority of the population follow the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. However, there is also a large Muslim population together with Judaism.
This makes Ethiopia a great country to choose from. It will allow you to see how people with different customs live side by side. Ethiopia has long since shed its 1980’s image and is now an emerging tourist destination with people from around the world choosing it as their ideal African destination. Perhaps it a great choice for you when planning your first visit to Africa too?
These are only a few examples of where you could visit, with 54 countries to choose you really are spoilt for choice.
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