Last Updated on 29 November 2025 by Cycloscope
There are so many reasons to visit Africa! Here is why traveling to Africa is always a great idea
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Do you want to know the best reasons to visit Africa? We’ve got you covered! As long-term expats on the African continent, we’ll tell you why traveling to Africa is the best idea you could have and give you 12 of the many reasons to visit!
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Take this as a starting point to plan your African trip, and explore further our thorough resources about traveling in Africa.
Check also:
> Backpacking Africa on a Budget – Tips, Routes, & Itinerary
12 Great Reasons to Visit Africa
1. Wildlife
First and foremost, the most obvious. Africa is home to unique wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else, and if there’s one thing Africa is a leader in, it is wildlife conservation.
On no other continent is the welfare of animal wildlife more taken into consideration than in Africa. Despite the centuries of devastation, mainly to be blamed on colonialists, and the still rampant poaching, primarily to be blamed on Chinese businesses, the efforts that some African nations are putting into conserving such a crucial living heritage are herculean.
Traveling to East and Southern Africa will give you the chance to admire beautiful animals up close, such as Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos, Lions, and other big cats – without forgetting the smaller mammals and the incredible diversity of birds and reptiles.
2. Great weather all year round
More than 80% of the African continent’s surface lies in the tropical band, 30 degrees on either side of the equator. This means mild temperatures year-round; you can find an ideal climate for a tourist visit at any time of year, a great reason to visit Africa.
That said, don’t make the mistake of falling for stereotypes: some places in Africa can actually get quite cold, especially at high altitudes, so always check the weather reports and pack accordingly.
3. Experience a different lifestyle
Although some big cities in Africa have nothing to envy of more hyped Asian or Western cities in terms of “development”, most of the people in sub-Saharan Africa live a very different lifestyle from what most Westerners are used to.
Different rhythms, different occupations, different ways to spend and past time, a different approach to the concept of family… all of this can give the foreign tourist from the “developed world” a new perspective and a lot to think about.
4. Great beaches and marine life
The African content is home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Although stunning beaches can be found everywhere, from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea to the Pacific Coast, the best is beyond doubt on the Indian Ocean.
The long and wild coasts of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa have white sandy beaches, warm waters, coral reefs, tropical fish, and tasty seafood.
If you’re looking for a beach vacation, Eastern Africa should undoubtedly be on your list.
5. Atypical mountains
Nature in Africa is quite unique, being the oldest continent in the world, its mountains are quite different from those you might be used to.
There are no long mountain ranges such as the Alps, Rockies, or Andes in Africa, but mostly isolated mountains, fascinating plateaus, and giant active volcanoes.
The mountains in Africa are home to unique fauna and flora and surprise visitors with alien landscapes that resemble no other place in the world.
The best destinations for mountain lovers in Africa are: Lesotho, Ethiopia, Rwanda (and North Kivu in DRC), and Uganda. Of course, we shouldn’t forget the mt. Kilimanjaro (the tallest one) and mt. Meru in Tanzania, mt Kenya, and the underrated but gorgeous Mulanje Massif in Malawi.
6. See the rainforest
Even though deforestation is one of the gravest problems in Africa, the continent still has extensive forests.
Most of the primary rainforest in Africa is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it’s tough to access, but other nations host large forested areas:
In West Africa: Congo, Brazzaville, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Ivory Coast.
In East Africa, Madagascar, North Malawi, West Rwanda, Kenya, and Ethiopia still have good patches of lush forest that tourists can visit.
7. Get stunned by the desert landscapes
Everybody knows the world’s largest desert is in Africa. The Sahara is undoubtedly an impressive place, featuring diverse and gorgeous landscapes.
If you want to experience the Sahara Desert, there are many places to choose from:
- Morocco is one of the easiest countries to experience desert life, with competent touring companies and accessible prices
- Egypt: probably the first place to come to mind when thinking about the Sahara. For sure, the archaeology here has no equals, but the landscapes aren’t the most interesting.
- Algeria: the most incredible Sahara landscapes are in Algeria. Although more than 90% of Algeria is covered by desert, the best of Algeria is undoubtedly the Tassili N’Ajjer National Park. The downside is that it is pretty costly and time-consuming to reach.
- Sudan is a really underrated country. It has amazing people, wild desert landscapes, and more pyramids than Egypt.
But the Sahara is not the only desert in Africa; the Namib Desert (in Namibia and Southern Angola) is the world’s oldest desert. Although small, its landscape variety is unbelievable, and access is easier than in the Sahara.
Another desert is the Kalahari, between Botswana and East Namibia. The Kalahari is home to thousands of elephants and the ancestral tribes of the San (Bushmen) people.
Check also: Self Drive Namibia: Road Trip Itineraries and Ideas
8. The friendliest and most jovial people
This might sound like a stereotype, and of course, it would be a lie to say all Africans are friendly and jovial – there are also rude and unfriendly Africans.
But on average, for someone used to living and interacting in “western” and “developed” countries, the difference in attitude is quite notable.
The majority of people in most of Africa face the difficulties and struggles of life with a smile; they are often keen to meet new people and have random conversations with strangers.
9. Support local economies
A great reason to visit Africa is to support local economies. When visiting African countries, trust local companies rather than multinationals, buy local produce at markets, and eat at local restaurants.
Tourism is an essential source of income for many African countries, but if you are aware of who you’re giving your money to, trying to support smaller businesses, even a budget traveler can make a difference for an entire household.
10. Soak in the atmosphere of local markets
Yes, indeed! As we just mentioned, buying at local markets is a great way to support the local economy, but it’s also great fun!
The atmosphere of African markets is unique: the colors, the smells, the sounds, the variety of goods, the diversity of people. You can’t travel to Africa without visiting at least one market.
Markets are present in most towns, and all cities have multiple ones. Just be a bit careful with your belongings as markets are often crowded and pickpocketing can happen.
11. Meet unique cultures and experience ancestral rituals
Although most of Africa has been somehow “modernized” by colonialism, Christianity, and Islam, some ancestral cultures and customs still survive, often adapting to the changing times.
Meeting people who live in a “traditional” way is not easy to do ethically: more often than not, these ethnic groups are turned into tourist attractions, if not into real human zoos, and travelers should be aware of the impact their visit can have on these communities.
That said, if done responsibly, it’s certainly possible to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges with different groups and communities.
In north Namibia, it is easy to get in touch with the Himba people, for example. They are still relatively numerous and live their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Masai are also plentiful in Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya, and can be visited through community-based projects.
Other ethnic groups, such as the Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, have adopted Western dress while still preserving ancestral, exciting ritual festivals such as the Gule Wamkulu.
12. Realize you’re a privileged
From a personal-growth perspective, realizing how fortunate you are compared to most people in Sub-Saharan Africa is a great reason to visit the continent.
While you’re able to travel here, many Africans have never left their region, let alone their country.
You might think your budget is small, and you don’t consider yourself rich. But lots of people live on less than $2 a day, working long hours to earn that little, which is often not enough to support their families.
Many here live without electricity and water and have to walk long distances to get a few gallons. Women go very far to collect firewood and then bring such bundles on their heads that most of us aren’t even able to lift.
Traveling in Africa can let you reconsider your problems and misfortunes, teach you to act rather than complain, awaken the will to help others, and help you overcome the individualism that is increasingly prevalent in Western societies.
Explore more!
> Cycling Africa: Bicycle Touring & Bikepacking
> “In Malawi” – the Most Complete Malawi Travel Guide on the Web
> Backpacking Tanzania: 1, 2, or 3 Weeks Itinerary On a Budget
> Cycling Zambia – Bikepacking The Great East Road
> Cycling South Africa: the complete guide and itinerary (40k words!)
> Self Drive Namibia: Road Trip Itineraries and Ideas