Africa: Where to Go and How to Pick a Country

A guide by travellers
Africa
🗓️ Updated: 3. 7. 20263 countries

Africa is a continent you simply can’t sum up in a single breath – the world by Egypt’s Red Sea is one thing, the Ugandan jungle quite another, and the Moroccan medinas different again. That’s exactly why we put together this hub: to help you find your way through the huge range of options and pick the country that’s right for you, not just the one someone happens to be pushing the hardest.

Here you’ll find our individual country guides (Egypt, Uganda and Morocco for now), a roundup of current tours and stories from the road. The two of us are convinced that the best decisions come when you know when to go, what it costs and what to expect from a given country – and that’s exactly what we want to help you with before you click through to a specific guide.

Lucie a Lukáš — Loudavým krokem
This isn’t a catalogue
We’re Lucie and Lukáš — and travel is our life
The two of us put this guide together and keep an eye on it. We only pick trips and tips we’d take ourselves, and we only write about places worth your time.
✍️ We build it by hand — the two of us choose the destinations and tips, and bots help us keep the numbers up to date
🔄 We refresh prices every morning — no week-old trips or flights hanging around here
🧭 We only recommend places we’d go ourselves — and we’ll tell you what to skip too
Countries in Africa: take your pick

When to visit Africa

Africa is so vast that there’s no single universal season – it all depends on whether you’re heading north or closer to the equator. In the north (Egypt, Morocco), spring and autumn are ideal, roughly March–May and September–November, when there’s no scorching heat and the sea in Egypt is still pleasantly warm. In summer, temperatures climb past 40 °C in Morocco’s interior and Egypt’s desert, so unless you’re only there to lounge by the sea, it’s best to give it a miss.

Closer to the equator, in places like Uganda, it’s not the temperature you watch but the rain. The best time here is the dry seasons (roughly December–February and June–September), when the roads are passable and wildlife treks more comfortable. As a rule of thumb: up north you track the temperatures, in the tropics the rainfall – and you choose your month and your destination accordingly.

How to choose a country

Before you settle on a particular country, we’d suggest getting clear on what kind of holiday you actually want. Africa can be a beach break, an adventure or a cultural deep-dive – and each of the countries we have guides for here pulls in a different direction:

  • Sea and easy warmth: the obvious choice is Egypt – the Red Sea, snorkelling and diving, easy to reach and easy on the wallet. A great gateway to Africa for families and first-timers alike.
  • Cities, markets and culture: Morocco, with its medinas, crafts, the Atlas mountains and the desert. Go here when you want to feel a world away while staying relatively close.
  • Adventure and nature: Uganda for those craving real wilderness, treks and encounters with nature far from the crowds. More demanding logistically and financially, but a powerful experience.
  • Budget: the most affordable tends to be Egypt (thanks to charters and all-inclusive deals), while more adventurous trips off the tourist trail cost more.

If you’re torn between relaxation and adventure, it’s a good idea to start with the easier option and only then venture further afield. You’ll find the details – prices, transport, safety – in our individual country guides below.

Guides and tips: Africa
What to See in Egypt: 17 Most Beautiful Places and Monuments
What to See in Egypt: 17 Most Beautiful Places and Monuments
Discover the 17 best places and monuments in Egypt, from the Pyramids of Giza and the temples of Luxor to the Grand E…
Read →
Best Hotels in Hurghada: 8 Picks for Snorkelling, Families & Luxury
Best Hotels in Hurghada: 8 Picks for Snorkelling, Families & Luxury
The best hotels in Hurghada, Egypt sorted by category: for snorkelling (Fort Arabesque, Makadi Bay), for families wit…
Read →
Best Hotels in Marsa Alam, Egypt: 8 Picks by Holiday Type
Best Hotels in Marsa Alam, Egypt: 8 Picks by Holiday Type
The best hotels in Marsa Alam, Egypt by category: for snorkelling (Gorgonia, Brayka Bay), families (Malikia, turtles)…
Read →
Zanzibar Holidays: 21 Things to See and When to Go in 2026
Zanzibar Holidays: 21 Things to See and When to Go in 2026
Planning a Zanzibar holiday? Find out how the tricky tide affects your trip, what to watch out for with mandatory fee…
Read →
When to Visit Egypt? Weather and Sea Temperature Month by Month
When to Visit Egypt? Weather and Sea Temperature Month by Month
Planning a holiday in Egypt and not sure which month to choose? Find out when the sea hits 30 degrees, when the khams…
Read →
Mauritius Holidays: 21 Things to See and When to Go in 2026
Mauritius Holidays: 21 Things to See and When to Go in 2026
Discover turquoise lagoons, mountains, tea plantations and the best street food in the Indian Ocean. 21 tips on when…
Read →
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: 13 Things to See and Do + Best Beaches
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: 13 Things to See and Do + Best Beaches
Discover the 13 best things to see in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt — from diving on stunning coral reefs and the night-time…
Read →
Egypt Visa 2026: Price, Online E-Visa and Visa on Arrival
Egypt Visa 2026: Price, Online E-Visa and Visa on Arrival
Find out how easily you can sort out your Egypt visa, exactly how much it costs, where to get your entry stamp comple…
Read →
Cape Verde Holiday: 19 Tips on What to See and When (Not) to Go
Cape Verde Holiday: 19 Tips on What to See and When (Not) to Go
Tempted by the African Caribbean? Find out why you shouldn’t fly to Cape Verde in winter, which island to choose, and…
Read →
Best Egypt Hotels with Water Parks: 8 Picks for Families
Best Egypt Hotels with Water Parks: 8 Picks for Families
The best Egypt hotels with water parks for families: the biggest parks, heated in winter, beaches on site and tips fo…
Read →
Hurghada or Marsa Alam? Which Egypt Resort to Choose
Hurghada or Marsa Alam? Which Egypt Resort to Choose
Torn between Hurghada and Marsa Alam? Find out which of these Egypt resorts offers a warmer sea, better snorkelling a…
Read →
Hurghada, Egypt: 13 Things to See and Do + the Best Beaches
Hurghada, Egypt: 13 Things to See and Do + the Best Beaches
Head to the liveliest resort on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, full of water parks, stroll the luxurious Marina, and discover…
Read →
Show all articles: Africa (26) →

How to save when planning

The biggest savings hide in timing and planning ahead. Flights and tours to Africa tend to be cheapest when you book several months in advance or, conversely, snap up a last-minute deal outside the holidays. Steer clear of the summer holidays, Christmas and Easter – prices spike then and the main destinations are packed.

Second tip: travel on the shoulders of the season, when the weather is still good but prices have already dropped. For beach destinations it pays to compare all-inclusive versus going it alone – sometimes a package is cheaper than a separate flight and hotel. And don’t forget to factor in visas, insurance and any vaccinations upfront, so hidden costs don’t catch you out once you’re there.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to travel to Africa?
It depends on the country. In the north (Egypt, Morocco), spring and autumn are ideal, when there’s no extreme heat. In the tropics, like Uganda, you go by the dry seasons rather than the temperature – the best windows are roughly December–February and June–September.
Which African country is best for a first trip?
For a first visit we’d recommend Egypt – it’s easy to reach and affordable, with a warm sea and comfortable resorts. If you’re after culture, Morocco is great too. Save the more demanding adventure trips for later.
Do I need a visa for Africa?
Usually yes, but the rules vary by country. In some places you arrange the visa online in advance, in others on arrival. Always check the current requirements before you travel and factor the cost into your budget.
Is travelling in Africa safe?
The main tourist areas are widely visited and perfectly fine with some basic common sense. We’d recommend keeping an eye on current foreign office travel advice and taking out solid travel insurance.
How much does a holiday in Africa cost?
It varies a lot. Beach-focused Egypt is among the most affordable, especially on an all-inclusive or last-minute deal. More adventurous trips off the tourist trail, such as to Uganda, are more demanding both logistically and on the wallet.
What vaccinations do I need for Africa?
Requirements tend to be milder for the northern countries, while in tropical regions certain vaccinations are recommended or required. A travel clinic or your doctor can give you the specifics – sort it out well in advance.
Is a package tour worth it, or should I go it alone?
For beach destinations a package is often cheaper and more convenient. For more adventurous trips it makes sense to plan independently. Always compare the cost of a flight and hotel separately against a ready-made tour.
What's the best way to save on a trip to Africa?
Book well in advance or grab a last-minute deal outside the holidays, travel on the shoulders of the season, and compare all-inclusive against organising things yourself. And don’t forget to budget for visas, insurance and vaccinations upfront.