If you are chronically online, you likely saw iShowSpeed’s 20 country tour through Africa late 2025-early 2026. It was quite monumental, to me, that in the travel space someone this young was bringing so much attention to African countries. He showed many a different viewpoint, perspective and in depth experiences into the diversity on the continent. He explored, danced, and indulged in every country he traveled to, showing his viewers the good, bad and everything in between. The rise of African tourism didn’t begin here. Some may say it started in recent years with Detty December, which was heavily apparent in cities like Accra and Lagos circa 2019. It appears that year after year, global travelers and diasporians are looking towards Africa for new experiences, cultural immersion, and genuine fun.

So let’s get you to Africa next year! Not just going to safaris, but enjoying Senegalese culture, dining in Kenya, unique activities in Mozambique, enjoyment in Lagos and so much more that many countries on the continent have to offer! The continent has had a lot of eyes on it over the past few years, and not just the usual countries in West Africa. Where Lagos and Accra traditionally rained supreme, other cities like Cape Town, Nairobi, Abidjan and Kigali are attracting more and more travelers, especially during the Detty December period.

I won’t be naive or negligent in bringing up some of the dangers that are often brought up when discussing travel within Africa. I don’t believe African countries are inherently more dangerous, and you shouldn’t either. Just be cognizant of what is going on, wherever you plan on traveling to—economically, industrially, environmentally, and politically,

Despite the increased barrier to entry, once you travel throughout Africa, you’ll never be the same! The landscape, the food, the energy, the beauty and even the struggles make for core travel memories. With that being said…

Let’s get you to Africa next year!

West Africa

Home to many diasporians worldwide, especially descendants of enslaved people through the transatlantic slave trade. West Africa is rich in entertainment, fashion, arts, and culture. It receives less mainstream leisure tourism than North, East or Southern Africa. However, Ghana, Senegal, Cabo Verde and The Gambia have established and budding tourism industries. You know I couldn’t not talk about my homeland, Nigeria—the African Giant—is globally influential culturally but the tourism sector needs much work.

I’ve been to: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire

Want to go to: Benin, Cabo Verde

Arguably the strongest region for travelers interested in living African culture rather than primarily wildlife.
Ghana and Senegal provide important historical connections to the African diaspora.
Accra, Lagos, Dakar and Abidjan have strong restaurant, party and creative scenes.
Benin has significant Vodun heritage, while Ghana and Senegal have major sites connected to the transatlantic slave trade.
Landscapes include Atlantic beaches, tropical forests, lagoons, mangroves and Sahelian terrain.
Cabo Verde combines African and Portuguese influences with volcanic islands, beaches and live music.
It often feels less staged for international tourism and more connected to daily local life.

Best match for: Black-diaspora travel, nightlife, food, fashion, history and travelers who value cultural immersion over seamless logistics.

South Africa

Home to rich lands filled with abundant wildlife, amazing mountains, flourishing wine lands and budding metropolitan cities. Here is where most people go to get the quintessential African experience, and it is a beautiful one. You’ll need lots of time to explore—from bustling cities like Johannesburg to remote lands for safari camps in Botswana and South Africa.

I’ve been to: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana

I want to go to: Namibia, Mozambique

The best all-around regional variety.
South Africa alone offers Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, vineyards, beaches, wildlife, mountains, contemporary art and world-class dining.
Botswana offers some of Africa’s most exclusive and environmentally controlled safaris.
Namibia has the continent’s most surreal desert scenery: towering dunes, salt pans, rugged coastline and enormous open spaces.
Zambia and Zimbabwe share Victoria Falls and provide strong safari and adventure options.
Mozambique offers tropical islands, diving, seafood and relatively undeveloped beaches.
Excellent road-trip possibilities in South Africa and Namibia.
Cape Town and the Winelands provide the continent’s strongest combination of scenery, restaurants, wine and upscale hospitality.
Johannesburg has particularly strong Black history, art, fashion, music and nightlife.

Best match for: travelers wanting a sophisticated city, safari, wine, food, beach and nature trip without committing to only one style of travel.

East Africa

The kind people, diverse lands, and rich culture of East Africa leaves me speechless every time I've visited. East Africa is one of Africa’s most internationally recognizable tourism regions. Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zanzibar, Mauritius and Seychelles have a vast variety of amazing wildlife, pristine beaches, and amazing cuisine.

I’ve been to: Kenya, Rwanda

I want to go to: Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda

Possibly the strongest wildlife region on the continent.
Kenya and Tanzania offer the classic “Africa trip”: the Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater and Great Migration.
Uganda and Rwanda are the major gorilla-trekking destinations.
Excellent safari-and-beach combinations: Tanzania plus Zanzibar or Kenya plus Diani Beach.
Landscapes are extremely cinematic—savannas, volcanoes, crater lakes, rainforests, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Indian Ocean.
Nairobi, Kigali and Zanzibar have increasingly polished restaurants, boutique hotels and creative scenes.
Mauritius and Seychelles provide upscale island experiences with strong resort infrastructure.

Best match for: a first safari, honeymoon, milestone birthday or a nature-heavy trip with a luxury component.

North Africa

North Africa is the continent’s most established mass-tourism region. Morocco alone received a record 17.4 million visitors in 2024, whoa. Iv’e had the best of times in Morocco and not the best of times in Egypt, but there’s definitely a rich sense of tradition within all of the countries. My main criticism towards this region lies in the marketing that has continued to separate it from the rest of the continent.

I’ve been to: Egypt, Morocco

I want to go to: Tunsia

The strongest concentration of ancient sites and monumental architecture.
Egypt offers the pyramids, Nile, temples and Red Sea resorts.
Morocco combines medinas, riads, desert excursions, mountains, food and design.
Tunisia offers Mediterranean beaches, Roman sites, Sahara landscapes and relatively good value.
Algeria has extraordinary Roman ruins, coastline, mountains and vast Saharan scenery with far fewer visitors.
Excellent shopping for textiles, ceramics, leatherwork, jewelry and home décor.
Strong flight connections from Europe make several destinations accessible and affordable.
It is one of the easiest regions for combining cities, history, desert and beach in one trip.

Best match for: history, architecture, shopping, photography and travelers wanting plenty of organized tourism options.

central africa

This region generally receives fewer tourists, and even less positive media attention—but its mystic, history and landscape among other things is arguably among the most interesting on the continent. I haven’t been to any Central African country, yet, but as I make my way through exploring African countries, this region is the most intriguing to me.

I want to go to: São Tomé and Príncipe, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola

Central Africa offers some of the continent’s most untouched and ecologically significant landscapes.
The Congo Basin contains the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest system after the Amazon.
Wildlife experiences include lowland gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, gorilla trekking, mandrills and rare tropical birds.
Gabon is particularly strong for ecotourism, with rainforests meeting undeveloped Atlantic beaches.
Cameroon combines beaches, rainforests, mountains, savannas and culturally distinct cities.
Angola has dramatic Atlantic beaches, waterfalls, desert scenery and Portuguese-influenced architecture.
São Tomé and Príncipe offers tropical beaches, volcanic peaks, cacao plantations and a quiet island atmosphere.
Kinshasa is one of Africa’s most important music and cultural capitals, especially for Congolese rumba, fashion and nightlife.

Best match for: experienced or adventurous travelers, rainforest and conservation enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, travelers seeking destinations that feel genuinely uncommon and willing to spend more for remoteness rather than conventional luxury.

The Rise of African Tourism