Continent guide
Africa travel guide
Safaris, deserts and ancient wonders, from Marrakech to the Cape
Africa ranges from the pyramids and medinas of the north to the great wildlife reserves of the east and south, with Indian Ocean islands and the Cape's mountains and vineyards in between.
North Africa is only three or four hours from the UK and makes an easy winter-sun trip. Safari seasons follow the rains, with the dry months usually best for spotting wildlife.
Map of Africa
Tap a country to open its guide. Highlighted: our top picks.
Top destinations in Africa
Morocco
Souks, riads, the blue city and Sahara camel treks
Egypt
The Pyramids, Nile cruises and Red Sea reefs
South Africa
Safari, winelands and Cape Town under Table Mountain
Kenya
The Great Migration on the Maasai Mara
Tanzania
Climb Kilimanjaro, see the Serengeti and relax on Zanzibar
Mauritius
Turquoise lagoons and an underwater waterfall illusion
When to go: Africa month by month
March and October are the best-value months for the most destinations here: good weather without peak-season crowds or prices.
All 56 destinations in Africa
AlgeriaBest: Nov–Mar, Sep
AngolaBest: May, Oct
BeninBest: Mar, Oct
BotswanaBest: Apr, Oct
Burkina FasoCheck FCDO advice
BurundiBest: Jan–Feb, Jun–Sep
Cabo VerdeBest: Jun–Jul, Oct
CameroonBest: Mar, Nov
Central African RepublicCheck FCDO advice
ChadCheck FCDO advice
ComorosBest: May, Oct
CongoBest: Jan–Feb, Jun–Sep
Côte d'IvoireBest: Mar, Oct
DjiboutiBest: Mar–Apr, Oct
DR CongoCheck FCDO advice: advises against travel to much of the east
EgyptBest: Apr, Oct
Equatorial GuineaBest: Nov–Feb
EritreaBest: Jan–Apr, Sep–Oct
EswatiniBest: Oct–Apr
EthiopiaBest: Apr, Sep
GabonBest: Jan–Feb, Jun–Sep
GambiaBest: Apr–May, Oct
GhanaBest: Mar, Oct
GuineaBest: Mar–Apr, Nov
Guinea-BissauBest: Apr, Nov
KenyaBest: Mar, Oct
LesothoBest: Sep–Apr
LiberiaBest: Apr, Nov
LibyaCheck FCDO advice
MadagascarBest: Apr–May, Nov
MalawiBest: Apr–May, Nov
MaliCheck FCDO advice
MauritaniaBest: Dec–Mar, Oct
MauritiusBest: Jan–Apr, Sep
MoroccoBest: Dec–Feb, Jun, Sep
MozambiqueBest: Apr–May, Oct–Nov
NamibiaBest: Oct–Apr
NigerCheck FCDO advice
NigeriaBest: Mar, Oct
RwandaBest: Mar, Oct
São Tomé and PríncipeBest: Oct
SenegalBest: Apr–May, Oct
SeychellesBest: Dec–Mar, Jun, Sep
Sierra LeoneBest: Apr, Nov
SomaliaCheck FCDO advice
SomalilandBest: Oct–Mar
South AfricaBest: Apr–May, Aug–Nov
South SudanCheck FCDO advice
SudanCheck FCDO advice
TanzaniaBest: Mar, Oct–Nov
TogoBest: Mar, Oct
TunisiaBest: Oct–Mar
UgandaBest: Mar, Oct
Western SaharaCheck FCDO advice; access is very limited
ZambiaBest: Apr–May, Nov
ZimbabweBest: Apr–May, Nov