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Best destinations for first-time travelers in Africa

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Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
8.0
As darkness falls, dozens of food stalls fill Jemaa el-Fnaa. Storytellers and musicians also perform in the square. Marrakech was founded around 1070 as the capital of the Almoravid dynasty. Its medina joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1985. The Koutoubia minaret rises 77 metres. The city has 18 souks.
Highlights:
  • 🧖‍♀️ Relax in a traditional hammam and experience Moroccan spa culture
  • 🏛️ Wander through the serene courtyards of Bahia Palace
  • 🕌 Lose yourself in the vibrant souks of Jemaa el-Fnaa
Kruger National Park
Where Africa's Big Five Roam Free
7.6
The park runs about 360 kilometres from north to south and 65 kilometres across on average. It covers close to 20,000 square kilometres. All of the Big Five live here. The park has 147 large mammal species, more than any other African game reserve. Skukuza is the administrative headquarters.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Experience a sunset safari and watch wildlife at dusk
  • 🌿 Take a guided bush walk and learn about the ecosystem
  • 🦁 Spot Africa’s Big Five on classic game drives
Windhoek
Vibrant capital blending tradition and modernity
8.2
Alte Feste, built in 1890, now houses the National Museum. Tintenpalast, built in 1912 and 1913, seats Namibia's Parliament. The Independence Memorial Museum covers the liberation movement. The city lies at about 1,700 metres on the Khomas Highland plateau and has over 300 sunny days a year.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Explore the vibrant street art in downtown Windhoek
  • 🍲 Sample local cuisine at the bustling Old Market
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Independence Square, admire historic architecture
Okavango Delta
Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness
8.0
Mokoro trips in a traditional canoe are a popular activity. Rain from the Angolan highlands reaches the delta in January and February. Floods peak between June and August during Botswana's dry winter. The delta then grows to about three times its permanent size. It became the 1,000th World Heritage Site in 2014.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot diverse bird species during dedicated birding tours
  • 🛶 Glide silently through waterways in a traditional mokoro
  • 🦁 Explore the wildlife on guided 4x4 safari drives
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
7.6
The Table Mountain Cableway opened on 4 October 1929. The flat summit reaches about 1,085 metres and is roughly 3 kilometres across. Robben Island lies about 11 kilometres offshore. Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 prison years on the island. Many tour guides are former prisoners. Full tours take about 3.5 hours.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Explore the V&A Waterfront and dine by the sea
  • 🚡 Ride the cable car for breathtaking city views
  • 🥾 Hike to the top of Table Mountain
Serengeti National Park
The Ultimate Safari Adventure
7.9
The park covers 14,763 square kilometres, slightly more than Northern Ireland. More than 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras and 400,000 gazelles take part in the Great Migration. The route runs about 800 kilometres. The ecosystem has over 3,000 lions, the largest lion population in Africa. UNESCO listed it in 1981.
Highlights:
  • 🎈 Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon safari over plains
  • 🚙 Take a thrilling game drive to spot the Big Five
  • 🦓 Witness the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration spectacle
Accra
Vibrant Culture and Coastal Charm
6.1
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park marks the site where Kwame Nkrumah declared independence from Britain in 1957. The memorial complex was dedicated in 1992. The building resembles an upside down sword, an Akan symbol of peace. A museum displays objects from his life. The park reopened after renovation in July 2023.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at Bojo Beach
  • 🛍️ Shop vibrant stalls at Makola Market
  • 🕊️ Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum
Kigali
Vibrant capital blending tradition and modernity
7.8
Rolling hills carry the city across ridges and valleys with steep slopes between them. Kigali has been recognised as the cleanest city in Africa in recent years. Lonely Planet calls it a genuine contender for the safest capital in Africa. The Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi hosts the national Kwibuka commemoration each 7 April.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Ride a tuk-tuk to Nyamirambo neighborhood, chat with locals
  • 🍲 Stroll through Kimironko Market, taste local street food
  • 🪦 Explore Kigali Genocide Memorial, learn history
Maasai Mara
Endless savannahs echo with wildlife rhythms
8.6
The reserve was established in 1961 and covers about 1,510 square kilometres. Its name honours the Maasai people. Mara means spotted in the Maa language and refers to the trees dotting the plains. Around 1.3 million wildebeest reach the reserve between July and October. The eastern border is 224 kilometres from Nairobi.
Highlights:
  • 🏕️ Camp under starlit sky, hear lions roar
  • 🎈 Ride a hot air balloon over Serengeti plains
  • 🐘 Witness the Great Migration across Mara River
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