Tourism: Most Visited Countries in Africa
Africa, the continent of the sun, is known for its harsh climate conditions, corrupt leaders, poverty amongst others. Although these things may exist and make Africa look ugly, there are also parts of Africa that are unimaginably beautiful.
There is a preconceived idea that Africa has nothing to offer when it comes to tourist attractions or just a vacation spot but contrary to what is believed, Africa is actually a diamond in the rough, only those patient enough would see its beauty.
Africa is home to vast lands, beautiful green fields, dazzling waters, enchanting architectural structures, cultural deliciousness, magical cities that sparkle both at night and day, golden high dunes and of course it’s artistic wonders.
Top Five Most Visited Countries in Africa
Narrowing Africa down to the five most visited of its country can be tricky since every nook and cranny has something wonderful to show in history, culture, music, amazing views and landmarks.
Here is Africa, presenting you with it’s top five most visited countries.
- Morocco
Morocco, the land where the sun sets, happens to be the most visited country in Africa -kind of like the California of the USA.
It is located in the North-Western part of Africa and has its capital in Rabat and as of 2019 welcomed as many as 13 million tourists to its abode.
A tourist can easily get lost while strolling through the confusing yet enticing streets of the Medina or lose themselves to the sounds of local music coming from every corner of the Marrakech all the while enjoying the sweet-smelling taste of delicious authentic dishes like the B’ssara.
Morocco is proven to trap all those who look into its gaze in an endless sea of beauty, attraction and jubilant fun. Some tourist attractions in morocco include;
- Asilah
In the nation of Morocco, a small town rests just not too far from the capital easy to access when one feels like getting away for a short while from the bustling jaws of the city. It features artistic hubs, beautiful serene beaches, tasty tagines, and sweet scenting peppermint teas.
This little town has within its reach, beautiful and quiet beaches such as the paradise Kaf lahmam beach (which is the main beach), the Afriqua beach, Port beach, Sidi Mugait beach, and Rada beach.
This place is guaranteed to provide the relaxation you need as well as show you the artistic culture and unique calm the Asilah is known to provide.
- Essaouira
The Atlantic seems to always get the best kind of relaxation spots at its bosom and the city of Essaouira is no exception. The city which is also a resort town is weaved into its Medina which makes it an intricate part of it.
The Essaouira is the location of some of the episodes of the famous Game of Thrones show and home to the island of Mogador. It has a beautiful port that has boats painted in lavish blue that compliments the sun when it’s at its highest and when it sets.
Some of the interesting things to do while in Essaouira include; Water sports, Horse riding, visiting the Souk- a market with exquisite tastes and fragrances and souvenirs, and the fishing market and port.
- Marrakesh
Marrakech is a city that pumps the blood of life to Morocco enabling it to never stop moving. It enchants tourists with cuisines, music, dancers, snake charmers, henna artists and of course souks with eye glittering things.
The Marrakech is a must-see for every tourist. It is even the first stop for more than most. Some of the attraction that hooks a tourist here are; Bahia palace, Souk Semmarine, Saadien’s Tombs, Jemaa el-Fna, and Jardin Majorelle among others
- High Atlas
For those who consider hiking as part of a relaxation package, the high atlas is for you. It is North Africa’s highest and greatest mountain range. And its regions and scoops are some of the most intriguing in Morocco
The high atlas is not only known for its mountain ranges and good hiking routes but for its historical sites like old mud houses, the Toubkal National park which is where the Jebel Toubkal is located.
Other sites in the Grand Atlas are; The Agoundis valley, Amizmiz and Ait Zitoun, Ouirgane, and the Toubkhal Massif.
- Chefchaouen
This is the blue city of Morocco. It is located in the Rif mountains northwest of Morocco. The beauty of this city is in its unitized blue buildings, its traditional souk, and the medina square.
Some interesting things to do and see include; hiking in the Rif mountains, visiting the grand mosque, eating at the Aladdin restaurant, and visiting the Kasbah Museum.
Egypt
A country filled with history, culture, traditions, myths, and legends is as enchanting as they say. Pharaohs, Temples, beautiful queens, ecstatic pyramids, giant colossal and of course, the sphinx all dine and wine in the city of civilization that is Egypt.
A nation whose capital is Cairo is filled with music and ancient memories, coloured with rich food and astonishing history draw the attention of numerous – even millions of tourists from all over the world to see the marvels that reside here. It is a magical city from the past. As a tourist let’s see what’s in store for you.
- The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza give us a look into the old Egyptian kingdom. These tombs specially made for royalties contain paintings that denote the kind of life they lived.
The pyramid of Giza was first built by Pharaoh Khufu to prepare him for his afterlife as a god. The burial site not only tells visitors and archaeologists alike what was, but also carried with it, treasures and records of lost treasures.
The pyramids of Giza are guarded by the beautiful and mysterious sphinx. It is the only one of the seven wonders of the world that still stands and how it was built remains a mystery to all.
- Aswan
It’s a beautiful town nestled at the body lines of the Nile River and bordered by bright orange coloured dunes. The area is calm and serene and simply calls for tourists to settle in and unwind and relax.
Taking strolls through the lovely Nubian Valley or boarding a river ferry to enjoy the light breeze on one’s face, and to top it off, taking a camel ride through the East Bank while enjoying the beautiful view are some of the things tourists can do here.
- Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
Museums are houses that keep what existed in the past on display for viewing and understanding. Such a Museum exists in Egypt and it houses treasures, artefacts, and markings of the past of Egypt. Its building is coloured in a reddish-pink colour that is impossible to miss on your journey through the majestic beauty that is Egypt.
- Abu Simbel
And now the charming and historic Abu Simbel. This is where the great temple of Ramses II and Nefertari’s Temple of Hathor is located. Abu Simbel is a testament to the architectural advancements and developments of the Egyptian people.
This historical temple was almost lost during the flooding of the Aswan dam but UNESCO stepped in and saved it -piece by piece- and got it to its new location. Nothing can describe it, one must see it to know its wonder.
- Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the Valley of Kings
What was formerly known as Thebes was divided by the river Nile. The temples of Luxor and Karnak make up the city of the living, while the valley of kings and the valley of queens form the valley of the dead.
The plethora of monuments can be accessed by boat travel.
South Africa
Wildlife and game reserves, safaris, campsites, resorts, sea life and nature’s breath-taking view all converge at the wonderland that is South Africa.
Unlike other African countries, the Republic of South Africa has major cities as its capital, each bearing different responsibilities. The executive capital is Pretoria, It’s judicial capital is Bloemfontein and its legislative capital is Cape Town.
Travelling around its vast lands and unfamiliar yet welcoming city and towns and while exploring you can learn some of its histories and coming to life stories.
You can learn about Cape town; a city carved out of a fantasy novel is unlike any other, to Johannesburg; for a rich history in museums and galleries, to Mandela’s birthplace in Soweto and a round-up in Durban seaside delicacies that last for days in the mind and heart.
SA also features exotic seaside features to the dragon-backed mountain with untamed forests and greeneries, all-inclusive activities of water rafting and strolling one or more of its golden bright beaches and the ocean that attracts dare chasing surfers. It also houses some of the world’s best luxurious game reserve lodges and accommodations
South Africa, where nature and city life exquisitely living together meets the rest of the world has a lot of jaw-dropping sights and some of them are listed below
- The Garden Route
Most routes take you through houses, commercial buildings or just empty lands for as far as the eye can see but the Garden route takes a tourist or local through wonderful sceneries so impressively created that it could be nothing short of the work of God.
This route takes you through SA’s amazing coastal scenes including Mossel Bay, Storms River, great bark mountain, coastal towns of Knysna, Plettenberg bay. All this and more exist on the trip through the garden route.
- Cape Town
A city surrounded by nature’s profound gift of itself. This city is wide and big leaving so much for a tourist to soak up and should you decide to trek up the lion’s head, a wonderful overview of Cape Town and beyond into the clear blue waters surrounding it awaits you.
Cape Town is also home to a UNESCO world heritage site, where the Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens rest and nearby, the beaches of false bay and camp bay with little shops and cafés dance. It is in this city that the beauty of nature mixes with its resident’s lifestyle to show you how to live glamorously.
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
What is better than one gemsbok national park? Two!
Kgalagadi Kalahari Transfrontier Park is a combination of two Gemsboks National parks. SA’s Kalahari gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park and together has become one of the biggest and by far, largest wilderness landmasses in the world.
It consists of herds of gemsbok and springbok, wildebeests, black-maned Kalahari lions, elands and even camel thorn trees.
- Kruger National Park
This is one of SA’s oldest parks and also one of the best in the country and no wildlife enthusiasts would want to miss this place.
It is located about 4-5 hours from Johannesburg, and once there one can see the famous big five animals -Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino, & Elephant. There are also some San rock paintings. A tourist can join a safari or use a hot air balloon to view the grasslands that go for miles, the gathering of the forests, and the rivers that flow beside them.
- The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
A green wilderness that expands and stretches and fully clothes the mountains. The province is too magical to be true. It is home to a variety of river valleys and streams from the mountains.
The Drakensberg means Dragon mountain (which it is mysterious enough to look like). The mountain of brown and flourishing green provides a calm and laid back serene environment. It is home to the second-largest Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and the Royal Natal National Park.
Tanzania
Tanzania houses some of Africa’s famous and iconic national parks and attractions like the world-famous Mount Kilimanjaro but surprisingly enough that’s not all tourists come to see.
The capital city, Dodoma has some tourist attractions in Simba hill and Nyerere Square.
Wildlife and safaris are also a commonality when it comes to tourist’s sites and for those who don’t feel up to exploring, the Zanzibar beaches with cool air and sweet swooshing of the clear blue waters await you.
Tanzania is home to the islands of Pemba and Mafia which are naturally blessed with coral gardens/reefs, bright multi-coloured fishes and clear dazzling waters. Here are some of the spots to check out while in Tanzania.
- Mount Kilimanjaro Park
This park unlike others is not visited for its wildlife (that it has a lot of) but for a chance to catch a glimpse of the beauty that is Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 m and the country’s most prestigious sight and wonder.
Some visit the site on an expedition to climb it and emerge at its snow-capped top, others just to take pictures and explore its floor but for some bird watchers, the alpine level which Is above ground is a great spot to watch a lot of different birds.
- Zanzibar Islands
Also called the Unguja, is a major holiday destination for tourists in Tanzania. It’s known for its blue crystal waters that are as calming as they are beautiful to look at.
The Zanzibar archipelago partly consists of islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, which are some of the best beaches in the world with their soft sands and their shallow waters, and islands of Latham and Mafia
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro conservation preserve can be located between the wild of the Serengeti and the flamingo-filled lake Manyara. It is most famous for the Ngorongoro volcanic crater that was once the highest mountain in Africa until it erupted and took half of the mountain with it.
The volcanic crater provides a constant supply of water that attracts thousands of animals from the area and maybe beyond and these animals that stay here because of this. And this concentration of animals has made the area one of Tanzania’s most popular viewing sights.
Other animals that can be seen at the base of the crater-like Lions, Elephants, Gazelles, Buffalos, Rhinos and it is mostly filled with wildebeest and Zebras.
- Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara, a combination of swamps, forests and grasslands is decorated evenly with the wildlife of different species and colours which makes the lake more beautiful.
It’s mostly adorned with flamingos and other times, other kinds of birds. It has the largest concentration of animals, and during the day hippos can be seen jollying in the water and later, strolling through the grass.
The proximity of this lake makes it easier for tourists to take a closer look and observe these animals from a closer point.
- Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National park is a very large plain that stretches far and wide and is mostly treeless and filled with low grasslands and bushes.
It is the second-largest park in Tanzania and as such attracts a lot of tourists every year especially in May and early June when the annual migration of wildebeest takes place.
It accommodates a lot of different kinds of wildlife ranging from the big five –Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Rhino, & Elephant- and almost 500 species of birds/Aves have been seen in the area.
Tunisia
It is the smallest country in Africa but small has been known to sometimes be mighty and in Tunisia’s case, historic.
Having its capital in Tunis, it is home to Roman and Islamic architecture that define the city, souks, and large expanse of a beautiful part of the Sahara Desert, from the Mediterranean beaches to gladiator fighting arenas and finally resting in the minarets of Kaprouan, the small world of Tunisia has been made big.
Tunisia was a child of Rome, hence the littering of the city with Roman ruins that have become cherished by the people and tourists. The Arabians also made an impact in Tunisia with some of the best Islamic architectural structures as proof.
- El Djem Amphitheatre
This is the highlight of any tourist’s quest to Tunisia. This roman ruin is an example and legacy of roman solid architecture still standing.
The existence of this amphitheatre is a reminder of what Rome was and how much power and influence it had over Africa.
- Carthage
The capital of the ancient Carthaginian people was conquered by the roman empire and taken over by them. Carthage is what is left of the existence of that civilisation.
It shows what dominance and conquest looked like.
- Grand Erg Oriental
This is where blue skies meet golden sands. Its field is flattered with magnificent golden dunes. Many visitors come here to play by riding buggies, going on camel long walks and later in the evening sit/stand on a dune and watch the beautiful sunset.
- The National Bardo Museum
The National Bardo Museum is a wonder of its own, resting at the capital, Tunis. This museum houses beautiful and unique storytelling mosaic collections crafted from the Byzantine and Roman eras.
- Djerba
Apart from the beach which is beautiful to see and relax on, the town of Houmt Souk is also an attraction, with somewhat white houses overlooking the sea and beautiful soft sands.
The Houmt Souk attracts visitors who are interested in its handicraft works and indigenously made souvenirs
Conclusion
With ancient architecture, old empires, beautiful but crazy markets, deserts and cuisines, beaches, blue waters, and wildlife, Africa will entice all who dare to step in it.
Not only will you be blown away by the number of wonders and near impossible creations preserved in this continent but you will also be shocked by the culture of the people and easily it can grow on you.
These are not the only popularly visited countries in Africa. Some others include; Namibia, Mauritius, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya.
The sun rises and sets in Africa, and it makes good use of it by standing in its light.
These places attracts millions of tourists yearly which makes them very suitable for hospitality investments.
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