Five of the best African countries for safari, beaches, landscapes and culture, with real budgets from the UK, the best time to go, and a sixth destination that rarely makes the lists.
The best countries to visit in Africa depend entirely on what you are after: wildlife, desert, beaches, culture or simply somewhere with nobody else around. Africa has 54 countries and no single list works for everyone, so this selection is organised by what each country does best, with realistic budgets from the UK.
And at the end we add a sixth that almost never appears on these lists and which, for a certain kind of traveller, is the best of all.
In this article
- 1. South Africa: the most complete
- 2. Namibia: the most visually spectacular
- 3. Tanzania: the best safari in the world
- 4. Morocco: the most accessible from the UK
- 5. Botswana: the most exclusive safari
- And the one nobody mentions: São Tomé and Príncipe
- The best countries to visit in Africa, by what you are looking for
- Frequently asked questions
- Discover the one that isn't on the lists yet
1. South Africa: the most complete
If you could only visit one African country in your life, it would probably be this one. In a single trip it combines a Big Five safari in the Kruger, the most beautiful coastal drive on the continent, world-class vineyards, Cape Town and the Garden Route. Direct flights from London and almost no jet lag make it easy from the UK.
- Ideal for: a first trip to Africa, safaris, self-drive or campervan trips
- Best time: May to September for safari; November to March for the coast
- Budget: €2,500–3,500 (about £2,150–3,000) per person, 15 days with flights
- Bear in mind: urban crime is real and requires specific precautions. Read our honest guide: is South Africa safe to visit?
2. Namibia: the most visually spectacular
The red dunes of Sossusvlei, the dead camel thorn trees of Deadvlei, the Skeleton Coast and desert elephants in Damaraland. This is the African country where the landscape beats the wildlife.
- Ideal for: photography, self-drive, travellers seeking solitude
- Best time: May to October
- Budget: €2,800–3,800 per person, 14 days with flights
- Bear in mind: huge distances and many hours on gravel roads
3. Tanzania: the best safari in the world
The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Great Migration of wildebeest. With Zanzibar an hour's flight away to finish on turquoise beaches, it is the best-resolved safari-and-beach combination on the continent.
- Ideal for: top-level safari, honeymoons, safari plus beach
- Best time: June to October for the migration; January and February for the calving season
- Budget: €3,000–4,500 per person, 12 days with flights
- Bear in mind: it is expensive, and the parks are increasingly busy
4. Morocco: the most accessible from the UK
About three hours' flight from London, with a cultural contrast that is huge for somewhere so close. Marrakech, Fez, the Merzouga desert, the Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic coast. The best balance of distance, price and the feeling of having travelled far, and Africa's most visited country.
- Ideal for: short breaks, a first time in Africa, tight budgets
- Best time: spring and autumn; summer is stifling inland
- Budget: €700–1,400 (about £600–1,200) per person, 8 days with flights
- Bear in mind: heavy sales pressure in tourist areas
5. Botswana: the most exclusive safari
The Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Makgadikgadi salt pans. Botswana chose low-volume, high-price tourism, and the result is spectacular wildlife without queues of 4x4s.
- Ideal for: safari without crowds, travellers returning to Africa
- Best time: May to October
- Budget: from €4,000 per person, 10 days with flights
- Bear in mind: it is the most expensive African destination by policy. Compare prices in our guide to African safari cost.
And the one nobody mentions: São Tomé and Príncipe
Two volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea, six and a half hours' flight from Lisbon, which receive only a few tens of thousands of visitors a year.
There is no safari, and it is worth saying clearly: no lions or elephants. What there is: primary equatorial rainforest, the Pico Cão Grande rising 663 metres above the jungle, colonial cocoa plantations half swallowed by vegetation, beaches where you can spend the whole day without seeing anyone, humpback whales from July to October, turtles nesting from September to April, and endemic birds found nowhere else on the planet.
Featured trip
São Tomé and Príncipe Circuit — 8 Days
- Ideal for: travellers who already know classic Africa, nature without crowds, a real disconnection
- Best time: June to September; September is probably the best month
- Budget: our 8-day private guided tour from €1,250 per person, plus flights from the UK via Lisbon
- Bear in mind: minimal tourist infrastructure and limited healthcare; it is easier travelling with local support
It is also one of the calmest countries on the continent: no armed conflict, no history of terrorism, low crime according to the FCDO, and British citizens need no visa for stays of up to 15 days.
The best countries to visit in Africa, by what you are looking for
- First trip to Africa: South Africa or Morocco
- Big Five safari: Tanzania, South Africa or Botswana
- Landscapes and photography: Namibia
- Paradise beaches: Zanzibar, Cape Verde or São Tomé and Príncipe
- Tight budget: Morocco (see our guide to trip to Africa cost)
- Escaping the crowds: São Tomé and Príncipe or Botswana
- Short break from the UK: Morocco, or Cape Verde for winter sun
- Culture and history: Morocco, Ethiopia or Senegal
Frequently asked questions
Which country in Africa is the best to visit for the first time?
South Africa, for variety and infrastructure, or Morocco if you want a short, inexpensive trip from the UK.
What is the cheapest country in Africa to visit?
Morocco, thanks to its proximity and local prices, followed by Senegal and Ghana.
Which African country has the best beaches?
Zanzibar and Cape Verde are the classics. São Tomé and Príncipe offers comparable beaches that are practically empty.
What are the safest countries in Africa for tourists?
Countries often cited include Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Mauritius, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe. Always check the FCDO page for each country. See our list of the safest countries in Africa.
Can you travel to Africa with children?
Yes. South Africa, Namibia and Morocco are the most comfortable thanks to their infrastructure and manageable distances.
What vaccinations do you need?
It depends on the country. Yellow fever is compulsory for several countries in Central and West Africa, and antimalarials are recommended for much of the continent. Ask your GP or a travel clinic and check TravelHealthPro.
Discover the one that isn't on the lists yet
Our 8-day São Tomé and Príncipe tour follows the Coffee Route, the Cocoa Route, the southern beaches and Ilhéu das Rolas, privately and with an English-speaking guide, from €1,250 per person (flights not included). Read the complete São Tomé travel guide or write to us.