Africa is the second most populous continent, more than 1.1 billion people live here: a huge number of nationalities, languages and cultures. Among conflict-ridden and poor countries, there are also quite peaceful, safe and interesting ones for tourists. Many travelers are familiar with countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. And we will tell you about where you can have a pleasant time south of the Sahara in this article.
1. Sierra Leone
Perhaps the most unexpected state on this list is Sierra Leone, which not so long ago was torn apart by civil war for ten years. However, since 2002, Sierra Leone has undergone major changes and today it is already ranked among the peace-loving countries according to the Global Security Index (GPI). Sierra Leone is considered one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world, and the life expectancy of the local population is 57 years, which is not bad by African standards.
Sierra Leone has many beautiful natural reserves, such as the Gala rain forest or the Outamba-Kilimi National Park, clean beaches on the Atlantic coast, and its capital Freetown is the oldest city in West Africa.
2. Botswana
Leader in security on the African continent. Whether this is due to the fact that peacefulness and tranquility are one of the main characteristics of both the Tswana people and the Bushmen, or because the Botswanans understand the economic contribution tourists make, either way there is a very low crime rate.
No one, however, promises that baboons will not attack you, so during a safari it is recommended not to feed these warlike monkeys or even smile at them. In general, there are a lot of animals in Botswana; for example, it is home to the largest population of elephants in the world.
One of the popular tourist attractions, along with safaris to the Kalahari Desert and visits to national parks, has been the search for ancient treasures hidden from the colonialists in the caves of Gchvihab since the 30s of the last century. No one has found the treasure yet, but the caves themselves with amazing stalactites up to 10 meters long are worth traveling to the north of the country for.
3. Ghana
In 2008, Ghana was ranked as the safest country in Africa by the Global Safety Index and has remained at the top of the rankings ever since. The country has rare internal conflicts and has peaceful relations with its neighbors. Tourists here are treated very friendly and English is spoken to them – this is the official language of Ghana.
Here you can visit numerous reserves with elephants, antelopes, monkeys and other exotic animals, visit the ruins of castles and fortresses of Cape Post and Elmina, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend time on clean, uncrowded beaches.
4. Namibia
This country in South-West Africa is an oasis of stability and security on a turbulent dark continent. It was discovered quite late (in 1878) by Europeans, quickly emerged from all internal and external conflicts and is now one of the richest African countries.
Here is the oldest desert on earth – the Namib, the legendary Skeleton Coast, many national parks, the site of the fall of the largest Hob meteorite, the second largest canyon after the Colorado and much more.
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Namibia has good driving routes, and the tourist train The Desert Express runs between the capital Windhoek and the resort town of Swakopmund, stopping at particularly noteworthy places along the way.
5. Uganda
Uganda is considered a safe country for foreigners by both GPI and public tourism opinion. This may be due to the fact that it is not customary for merchants and barkers to harass people here, perhaps due to the fact that the proportion of the country’s urban population is only 13%, and the main attractions are not in villages.
Tourists in Uganda need to see a lot: one of the oldest Queen Elizabeth National Park in Africa, the Entebbe Botanical Garden, where the first film about Tarzan was filmed, the Rwenzori mountain range – most likely, this is what the ancient Egyptians called them Lunar mountains. Here they go sailing on Lake Victoria and rafting on the Nile, which originates in Uganda.
If the locals here do not cause any particular disturbance to tourists, then you need to be careful with the animals, especially if you see a mother elephant with her baby elephant. By the way, Uganda is located on the main migratory route of northern birds: eagles, cuckoos, swallows, kites and many familiar birds winter here.
6. Cape Verde
Cape Verde or the Cape Verde Islands is an archipelago off the west coast of Africa. Calmness, tranquility, relative cleanliness and an acceptable level of service (European companies are investing in local tourism) await tourists here, in the homeland of the famous singer Cesaria Evora.
The islands have plenty of picturesque landscapes: extinct volcanoes, mountain ranges where you can go trekking, flowering meadows where you can just take a walk. But the main feature of Cape Verde is, of course, the ocean – it is used to its full potential: from beaches with black volcanic sand, continuing with dives to shipwrecks and ending with windsurfing, the schools of which are on every island, but the island of Sal is especially famous for them.
7. Kenya
Kenya, the country of the Maasai tribe and the calling card of true African nature, is very beautiful, welcoming and tourist-developed. Mount Kenya is the second highest on the continent after Kilimanjaro. Migrating birds can be seen throughout the country, and the view of Africa’s tallest mountain (Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania) from Kenya’s Ambosseli Park is perhaps even better than the view from the mountain itself.
See also: The charm of the African continent. Magical Kenya
8. Tanzania
The people of Tanzania are friendly and smiling, but, as elsewhere, travelers should not let their guard down – there are plenty of robbers here. But there are still many tourists in Tanzania who come here without fear. Here, in the homeland of Freddie Mercury, there is a lot to see.
Firstly, the Kilimanjaro volcano, to the top of which there are numerous hiking trails. Secondly, the island of Zanzibar is a resort place where the beautiful Stone Town, founded by the Arabs back in the 9th century, is located. From here they go on spice tours, during which you can grind cinnamon and try unfamiliar spices. Thirdly, the famous Serengeti National Park, which occupies a huge area and is home to more than three million large wild animals.
Fourthly, the Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve, located in the colossal (21 km in diameter) crater of an extinct volcano. It is home to about 25 thousand different animals and has the highest concentration of predators in all of Africa.
9. Madagascar
Madagascar is a separate continent in miniature: it is so unlike Africa or any other place on earth. The landscapes here are amazing, and 80% of the living animals and plants are found nowhere else.
The island has many natural parks and protected areas. The largest reserve is Tsingy de Bemaraha, which, like many others, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The country is rich in beautiful beaches; It is traditionally believed that swimming on the west coast is safer – there are fewer sharks there.
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10. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa: it is here, on the border with Zambia, that the famous Victoria Falls are located. In Zambia, by the way, there are fewer tourists, so those who prefer a more secluded environment are recommended to admire the wonder of nature there.
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Zimbabwe has a very good conservation structure and there are unusually many animals here even for Africa, so hunting is allowed in some places (almost everywhere on the continent is already prohibited).
In addition to countless national parks, there is also a unique historical site – the stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe: a pagan temple complex built more than a thousand years ago.
Tourists planning a trip to Africa must have all vaccinations; a list of them is usually available on the embassy website. Even in those countries where vaccination is not required for travel, you must take anti-malarial tablets, and start taking them before the trip. It is strictly forbidden to use raw water even for brushing your teeth.
On OneTwoTrip, you can easily find a hotel nearby and make a reservation in a few minutes.
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Source: africaranking.com
