Travel in Africa

Colossal statues of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, Egypt, date from around 1400 BC.

Africa straddles the equator and encompasses numerous climate: temperate north and south, hot and desert along the tropical, hot and humid on the equator. Due to the lack of regular rainfall and irrigation, as well as glaciers or mountain aquifer systems, there is no way to control the natural environment with the exception of the coasts.

The tourism industry is a major sector of the economy for many African countries. The four countries that benefit the most from tourism are Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa. A second category includes the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya.

A point of no return in Ouidah, Benin, a former gateway for slaves to slave ships.

The countries of Africa can be divided into three groups relative to tourism:

1) those countries with a developed tourism industry;
2) those with a developing industry; and
3) those that would like to develop a tourism industry.

Countries like Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, and Tunisia have a successful tourism industry. Countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and Mauritius can be considered as countries that have steady and consistent income from tourism. Countries like Tanzania, Algeria, and Burundi are countries that have little to no economic benefit from tourism, but would like to see it expand.

Savanna at Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

The successful countries in tourism are thriving due to a variety of factors. Counties like Morocco and Tunisia benefit from their beautiful beaches and their relative proximity to Europe. Tourism in Egypt is based on the rich history of Ancient Egypt, pyramids and artifacts. South Africa and Kenya benefit from wild safari expeditions, attracting tourists to see the wildlife of Africa.

Landmark

Tropical beach in Mauritius, Trou aux Biches

Famous monuments and places:

Pyramids in Cairo, Luxor, Sphinx, Alexandria, Egypt.
Sahara Desert, Algeria, Chad, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Niger, Sudan.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Tunisia monuments and sites:
- Great Mosque of Kairouan also known as Mosque Uqba Ibn Nafi still remains the emblem of Kairouan is the oldest and most prestigious Islamic monument in Tunisia and the Maghreb as well as architectural jewel that adorns the city of Kairouan itself is considered the fourth holiest city islam77;
- Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, the medina (with the Al Zaytuna) located in the heart of the capital Tunis;
- the El Djem Collisé the greatest of the Roman Empire after Rome, Dougga (Roman archaeological World Heritage of Humanity), the archaeological site of Punic Kerkouane, Troglodytes habitats of southern Tunisia, etc..
Morocco:
- Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the world after Mecca and Medina, the highest minaret with 210 m
- Al Quaraouiyine University, the oldest university in exercise
- Djemaa el Fna central square of the city of Marrakech
- Volubilis (city) Roman capital of the ancient province
- Mazagan, the Portuguese city UNESCO World Heritage
- Fez’s ancient medina of Fez ancient capital
- Kasbah Unesco World Heritage
- Essaouira Mogador ancient city
- Tour Hassan Mohammed V Mausoleum and other monuments of Rabat-Salé which Shellah, Oudayas …
The wildlife reserves accessible safaris: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania.
The island of Gorée, a place of memory on slavery, Senegal.
Many Egyptian sites in Nubia, Sudan.
Wild beaches of the Comoro Islands.
Mali: Timbuktu, Djenne, Dogon country (the most visited region of West Africa). These three sites are listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
Côte d’Ivoire:
- Assinie
- Grand-Bassam
- Man
- Yamoussoukro (The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace)
- House of PDCI-RDA
- National Parks
- Fondation Félix-Houphouët-Boigny