5 African Countries to Visit, Just Because…

Tired of going to the same old places and staring at the same old concrete jungles? Or maybe you just want a little variety in your holiday destination? We share a list of five African countries to visit if you want to get a totally different experience.

These African countries don’t really have much in common, except that they’re fun, full of culture and yeah, they are in Africa. There’s no particular order to the list and they are mostly from a private bucket list. On our list we have Senegal, Malawi, Zanzibar, Mauritius, and Ghana. We give you some details on why they should be on your vacation destination list; not a lot, but enough to tease your buds.

So here goes…

African countries to visit

Senegal

If you are searching for amazing beaches, friendly people and gourmet cooking in street side cafes, then Senegal has all of that and more in spades! This beautiful West African country has everything for everyone. Whether you are in search of a luxury experience or you are a nature buff, you will find something to suit you here.

Some places to visit include the picturesque Goree Island, which was pivotal during the West African slave trade.  Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is a UNESCO world heritage site and is home to a staggering 1.5 million birds. Imagine that. Whatever you do, don’t miss the 49-foot bronze Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine in Dakar.

All African countries are unique, but there is something special about Senegal.

Ghana

When you think of this country in West Africa, what comes to mind is vibrant colour, warm people and beautiful culture. The people are laid back and very friendly, always willing to talk to you about their country and exchange pleasantries.

Home to some lovely beaches, Ghana is a great place to unwind and it helps that it is also budget friendly. As wonderful as they are, this country is not just about beaches and cultural tourism. If you do venture to the northern region of Ghana, you should book a stay at the luxury Zaina lodge and experience a safari.

Malawi

Malawi is known for it’s gorgeous sunsets. Actually, it got it’s name from those sunsets. Malawi means “flames of fire” in the local language and once you witness a sunset, you will understand why.

If you have an Instagram travel page (or you’re thinking of opening one), then you definitely should visit this beautiful East African country with your camera. Your followers will thank you.

One place you would definitely want to visit is Lake Malawi, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. The clear waters of the lake are a delight, particularly for scuba divers. The Majete Wildlife Reserve will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Malawi is truly a beautiful country and the people will instantly make you feel at home.

Mauritius

If you close your eyes and you try to imagine paradise on earth, most likely you will come up with a picture of Mauritius. Right at the southern end of Africa, this beautiful little country has it all. Bright lights? Check. Beautiful beaches? Check. Exotic food? Check. Mysterious islands? Check. Giant tortoise? Check, check and check.

Mauritius cuisine is diverse and really exotic in that with French, Indian, African and European influences.

Visit the village of Chamarel for a fantastic display from Mother Nature in the form of the seven-coloured Earth. The earth here has seven different colours including red, yellow, green and indigo. This is truly an amazing site and one that draws lots of visitors.

There are so many reasons to visit Mauritius and each of them is reason enough to visit. Check here for more reasons to visit Mauritius.

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar has recently become a hot tourist destination and really, we are not surprised. Zanzibar is a group of several islands, each more gorgeous than the last, however the largest island is named after the country.

With so many luxury resorts that you will be spoilt for choice, Zanzibar is one of the most perfect places on earth to unwind. It’s scenic and pristine beaches will have you sighing with contentment.

This group of islands is also rich in culture and steeped in history. If you are history buff, you would love the museums as well as a visit to stone town.

For coffee and tea lovers…welcome to paradise 🙂

Other African Countries We Love

So that’s our list of 5 African countries to visit just because. There are many more countries to explore and discover and over time we will share these with you. So many people are re-discovering Africa as a great destination for adventure and travel and we want to make sure you see the best that the continent has to offer.

Some other countries you might want to try include Uganda, Kenya (an old favourite), Morocco – which is becoming a hot HOT destination, Lesotho, Cameroon and Mali, just to name a few. They each have their charm and distinctive features.

Which have you traveled to and which is on your travel list?

If there is a particular country you are curious about and would love for us to review, leave a comment below and we’ll see about getting an insider’s view to the country (and it does not have to be an African country). African countries are fun to visit, but so are Asian countries, South American countries and other exotic locations. Let us know of you would like to review any one of them for us.