Best up-and-coming destinations in Africa

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Africa's emerging destinations are often countries and regions that sit outside the continent's established east and southern African safari circuits, where improving stability, growing infrastructure and increasing air access have begun making previously overlooked destinations viable for independent travel. West and central Africa in particular contain countries with exceptional cultural depth, coastal landscapes and wildlife that attract a fraction of the visitors their offer warrants.

Several countries across the continent are in an early growth phase, with foundational tourism infrastructure developing around community-based experiences, coastal destinations and urban food and culture scenes that have emerged largely without international attention. The combination of genuine local life, significant historical depth and landscapes of considerable drama makes several of these destinations compelling well beyond their current visitor numbers.

Research requirements are considerably higher than on established circuits and current traveller forums and specialist operators are more reliable guides than published sources in fast-changing markets. Health precautions and visa requirements vary significantly by country and advance preparation is essential. Your money goes a long way across most of the continent's emerging destinations making the additional planning effort worthwhile even on modest budgets.