africa tourism lab

We're African Tourism Board

Unlocking Africa's Beauty

Connecting continents, creating memories, promoting diversity in african tourism.

Our Mission

To showcase and promote the rich cultural legacy, natural beauty, and diverse attractions of the continent.

To see Africa celebrated globally as a top travel destination, renowned for its vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes.

Our overarching goal is to increase international awareness and visitation to Africa.

Explore Africa

Explore Central Africa

Explore East Africa

Explore Southern Africa

Explore West Africa

Explore African Arts and Culture

African Tourism Board and Roscongress Foundation advance on

  The African Tourism Board (ATB) and Roscongress Foundation have

The Vibes World in Africa, an Achievement of

The stride into the most promising continent in the world

Hon. Bartlett Invites Investors to Invest in Jamaica

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism Jamaica and his strong

The African Tourism Board (ATB) is a non-profit body tasked to act as a strategic partner among African Countries to develop market and implement tourism programs

• Museum Building, Lobamba, Eswatini
• +251 913 148 497
• Mon - Sat: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday: closed

Subscribe our newsletter

Copyright © 2024 African Tourism Board. - Designed by Matebook Group

Welcome to Africa Tourism Research Network

Welcome to the Africa Tourism Research Network (ATRN), your gateway to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism across Africa.  Join us as we collaborate with leading experts and organizations to create a thriving, ethical, and sustainable travel environment in Africa.

The Africa Tourism Research Network (ATRN) is a non-political, non-religious, and non-governmental civil society organization dedicated to advocating for higher standards in travel and tourism research, data analysis, and destination marketing in Africa

Our Happy Clients

"Add a testimonial that a happy customer or client has said about working with you."

Our Services

Research and Data Analysis

Industry-Relevant Research: Conducting and promoting research to inform policy and decision-making in the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors. Data Analysis and Digitization: Utilizing data and digital tools to enhance operations within the tourism industry. Publications and Industry Trends: Publishing research papers, reports, and articles on current industry trends.

Training and Capacity Building

Skill Development Programs: Offering training in areas such as social media marketing, entrepreneurship, and digitization for individuals and organizations. Tourism and Cultural Education: Promoting tourism education and cultural exchange programs to foster understanding and appreciation of African cultures. Women and Youth Empowerment: Providing training and support to women and youth in the tourism sector to enhance their skills and opportunities. Data Analysis and Digitization: Utilizing data and digital tools to enhance operations within the tourism industry. Publications and Industry Trends: Publishing research papers, reports, and articles on current industry trends.

Advocacy and Networking

Ethical and Sustainable Tourism Advocacy: Promoting and advocating for responsible and sustainable tourism practices. Stakeholder Engagement: Establishing networks with government agencies, academia, private sector players, and development partners, and organizing engagement sessions and webinars. Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Promotion: Encouraging investment in tourism infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly and sustainable tourism initiatives. Data Analysis and Digitization: Utilizing data and digital tools to enhance operations within the tourism industry. Publications and Industry Trends: Publishing research papers, reports, and articles on current industry trends.

Trusted Travel

My covid pass.

The African Union Commission and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) launched the Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods campaign to promote hassle-free travel across Africa while, at the same time, preventing cross-border spread of COVID-19 infection.

Together with its partners, African Union and Africa CDC are providing this #TrustedTravel, My COVID Pass tool to simplify verification of public health documentation for travellers during exit and entry across borders.

For enquiries and support, please contact: [email protected] .

Click to view

Trusted Vaccines

The africa union's digital vaccination platform is now open to the public..., trusted health, the africa union and its strategic partners have consolidated the digital vaccination and cross-border digital biosurveillance platform into a single e-network: trusted health., key features.

• Information about the latest travel restrictions and entry requirements applicable to the entire stretch of your journey.  
• Database of authorised laboratories and vaccination compliance information.
• Africa CDC “mutual recognition protocol” for COVID-19 testing and test results, and vaccination certificates (including yellow fever and a future COVID-19 vaccine).
• Simplified health-related immigration processing for travellers and port officials.  
• The information is supplied by African Union Member States and validated by Africa CDC.

#TrustedTravel Technology Partners are:

The system then retrieves the latest set of restrictions that apply to your journey. The results are close to instant.

For enquiries and support, please contact: [email protected]

How to use the Portal

• 1 On the left side of the page, select your country of departure.
• 2 To the right, the system automatically populates the possible airports of departure in the country.
• 3 Select your departure airport.
• 4 Then select your destination country.
• 5 The system automatically populates the possible airports of arrival.
• 6 Select one.
• 7 Click "Get Restrictions" to see the latest set of restrictions that apply to your journey.

Countries' Travel Guides

Ministry of health - kenya, download resources.

Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods in Africa

Promoting harmonized, standardized and coordinated entry and exit for travellers in African Union Member States through digital solutions.

Subscribe for Alerts

2024 Africa Youth In Tourism Innovation Summit Is Poised To Accelerate Innovative Start-up And Travel Trade Linkages

In collaboration with UN Tourism, AfCFTA, MEFT (Namibia), Namibia Tourism Board, NIPDB, NEPAD and BDO, the 2024 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit has been curated to accelerate innovative travel industry and start-up linkages among all participants. 

The 6 th and 2024 edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge ( www.youthtourismsummit.com ) is poised to accelerate business growth. Key among this year’s programme is Entrepreneurship Masterclass and Intra-Africa Trading Day. These are   targeted at youth and women in tourism, businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and all Namibian Tourism stakeholders to guide and assist them on how to improve their businesses or to source funding for start-ups across Africa’s tourism and related industries. 

Also, this well-thought capacity building program aims to provide insights and guidance on how participants can connect to angel investors, innovative start-ups, travel tech innovators, and youth-run tourism businesses making waves in Africa. 

The Entrepreneurship Masterclass & Intra-Africa Trading Day will be characterized by Market Access Expo set-up, 1- on -1 Business Exchange and Africa Tourism Innovation Challenge Boot Camp/Demo Lab. 

Among renowned international experts speaking at the Summit are  Dino Ballotti – Executive Director: MSME Development, Innovation & Acceleration, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB),  Waseem Carrim – Chairperson, National Youth Development Agency, South Africa, Dan D’souza – Senior Programme Manager, Intrapreneurship L Marks, United Kingdom,   Akwasi Obeng-Adjei – Director of Audit: Wealth, Investment Management and Insurance, ABSA Bank, South Africa, Joram Mwinamo – CEO & Founder, Wylde International, Kenya,  Prof. Matshediso ‘Tshidi’ Mohapeloa – Acting Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator, Rhodes University, South Africa, Nombulelo Guliwe – CEO, South African Tourism,  Khaya Mbanga – Head Of Digital Advisory, BDO. 

This year’s Summit is set to host more than 650 physical delegates and over 2000 online participants from across the world. As the norm, the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Forestry and Tourism Namibia will avail exhibition space to allow tourism stakeholders to sell their products and services to a wide range of participants. 

Namibia is distinctive tourist destination and, we encourage all delegates to stay a day or two longer to indulge in some of Namibia’s famous delights including the dunes, wildlife, culinary aqua tourism and nightlife (mention some of the famous destinations to visit). 

Register at www.youthtourismsummit.com to attend physically as there is limited space. Please also use SAA discount code on the website to qualify for a discounted air fares and watch the space for discounted accommodation codes from Hilton Garden Inn, NUST Hotel School and Marriott soon. 

Media Partners Upcoming Events

Africa agri tech 2024, 5th west africa lpg expo – senegal 2024, middle east lpg expo – saudi arabia 2024.

• Oct 27, 2023

The 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge 2024 Launched

Updated: Nov 7, 2023

Johannesburg, Friday 27 October 2025 Africa Tourism Partners is thrilled to announce the launch of the 6th and 2024 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge https://youthtourismsummit.com/enter-competition/ . A call is therefore being made to all the young people in Africa up to the age of 35 years to enter the Challenge. The portal will be opened to receive entries on the 31st of November 2023 and close the 01st of March 2024.

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge is an exclusive platform being provided to innovative African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global marketplace in order to find the required support for their projects. This year, 114 entries were received from across Africa. Gloria Kisulu from Kenya emerged the winner of the 2023 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, followed by Cornelius Ugwunwa from Nigeria as the first runner-up and South African Ntshabo Lehong as second runner-up.

The winner of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge receives grant seed in cash and in-kind to value of USD USD10 000 with US1000 to USD1500 in cash to support his or her project. The first and second runner up gets USD5000.00 grant seed in cash and in-kind, with USD500 to USD1000 in Cash support their projects. Other benefits include complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UNWTO, mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities as well as opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators and enrolment into the Africa Tourism Innovation Hub https://atih.africa/contact-us/

The challenge is a key component of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge and is held annually along with the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit. 2024 Summit will take place from 28 to 31 May, in Windhoek, Namibia. This will be hosted by the government of Namibia through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, which won the bid to host the Summit and the Innovation Challenge for three (3) years from 2022, 2023 and 2024 being the final year for Namibia to host the Summit.

Over 700 physical Pan-African and global youth in tourism, renowned travel and tourism industry thought-leaders, policymakers, investors, the media, women in tourism and key stakeholders are expected to gather in Namibia for the Summit. The four-day program will include entrepreneurship Masterclasses, B2B sessions, exhibition, hosted buyer program, presentations, the Innovation Challenge and many more.

For more information about the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2024 and registration, click here To enter the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, click here or contact Rejoice Chishamba on +27 (0)81 303 7030 or [email protected]

Recent Posts

AfCFTA Endorsed The Africa Tourism Private Sector Alliance (ATPSA)

New WTTC Report Shows How Travel & Tourism in Africa Could Boost Continent's Economy by US$168BN

The Alluring Islands Of Guinea-Bissau

21 Unique Experiences for Your Africa Bucket List

June 13, 2023

When compiling your Africa bucket list, build on these iconic journeys and meaningful experiences with our inside guide.

How to write a bucket list for Africa

From the fabled sands that swirl around the pyramids to the world’s largest Delta, the roar of the lion and the sweet-salt song of the grey go-away bird, it would take more than one lifetime to visit and understand Africa. 

And, as you’ve probably worked out by now, we only have the one lifetime. One chance at that Africa bucket list. 

So here’s one for you. Curated from years of travel, research, and direct experience. The best places to visit in Africa. 

 A (gulp) African bucket list, if you will. Complete with inside information on how to make it happen.

Drift on the Waters of The Okavango Delta

Bathing in blues and greens, the Okavango Delta offers safaris from the level of the water instead of the dust of the road.

It’s the world’s largest delta and yet it’s hundreds of miles from the ocean (800 miles from the Atlantic and more than a thousand miles away from the Indian ocean.)

You will find large animals here, like elephants and the snorting hippo, but you’ll see them from a mokoro: a fragile, water canoe.

Further north, you’ll find Chobe National Park , one of the best places in Africa for elephants.

Travel Tips for Botswana

Found in the south, right next to Namibia, Botswana is probably best known for being the home of the Okavango Delta (and perhaps also the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series.) 

• When to go:  The best time to see wildlife or go on a safari is between July and October. The rainy months are from January to March. During the rainy season, some areas may flood and can be inaccessible. If you want to beat the really hot days, you will want to travel between May and August. 
• How to get there:  take a small plane from Maun into the delta itself. Drive from Windhoek in Namibia to reach Maun. Flights connect regularly there from Joburg.
• Travel tip: Plan your trip in advance. The Okavango Delta struggles with the idea of spontaneous independent travel and the government has pursued a low volume, high cost tourism policy.
• Dress Code: Long sleeves and trousers in cool colours to fight the bugs.

The Remains of Ancient Egypt

Few things fire up the imagination as much as the relics of ancient Egypt. And what’s even better than that is the realisation when you visit that, well, these ruins dazzle more than it was ever possible to dream.

They really are that good. Bucket list destination after bucket list destination.

The pyramids sit in the sands outside of Cairo but to see the towering stone at Aswan and the Valley of the Kings requires a journey along the Nile.

Both absolutely deserve their place on any Africa bucket list in a country bursting with UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Travel Tips for Egypt

• When to go:  the heat in Egypt can be absolutely crushing. For this reason, the best time of year to visit any part of Egypt is between October and April because the weather is at its most pleasant. Many people chose to tour the pyramids in December and January so the lines to the Pyramids of Giza will be long and the sights will be crowded.
• How to get there:  You can visit the pyramids as a day trip from Cairo but for the rest, you’ll need to arrange transport from Cairo in advance (sometimes in convoy.)
• Currency:  Egyptian pound
• Language:  Arabic
• Best way of getting around:  Cruise along the Nile, drive in convoy. Given the changes in the last few years always check up to date advice before travelling at all.
• Highlight:  The Valley of the Kings (and not just because it’s my name)
• Travel tip:  Avoid summer as it’s soul crushingly hot. Bring plenty of water and respectful sass to deal with the touts at the main archaeological sites.
• Dress Code: Conservative and cool – long sleeves and trousers. Wear a hat for the sun, no need for other cover.

Hike The Atlas Mountains of Morocco

Morocco wears many colours designed to make you fall in love: her beautiful beaches, rust red film backdrops and the impossible ceramic blue found in the narrow streets of Essaouira.

But the fragrant Atlas Mountains stand out on the edge of the Sahara.

With hairpin curves, dusty lanes and orchard upon orchard of peach, prickly pear and plum, the Atlas mountains are perfect for hiking, resting, thinking and dreaming. You can walk through Berber villages, watching goats cling to treetops and seeing peak after peak layer up in the distance.

Travel Tips for Morocco

• Currency:  Dirham
• Language:  Arabic & French
• Best way of getting around:  Independent driving, driving with a guide or travelling by bus.
• When to go:  the best time to visit the Atlas Mountains is in April, May, and September. At this time it’s warm but not too hot, and the highest peaks will have a little snow, adding to the beauty of the views on offer.
• How to get there:  Fly into Marrakesh and take a 90-minute drive via taxi or rent a 4×4 if you are feeling adventurous.
• Travel tip:  Prepare for chaos on the roads and bring your own maps. Sat nav can be hard to come by.
• Dress Code:  Conservative and cool. Think cotton long sleeves, long trousers and a cotton scarf to protect against the heat and wind in the dessert and the cold high up in the mountains.
• Unusual highlight: Just how much blue there is on the coast

Where are the best places for first time visitors to Africa?

First time travellers frequently seek out Egypt, Morocco, Kenya or South Africa – with good reason. Travel here can be more straightforward and more closely resemble home, if home is in the US, Australia or Europe.

Wherever you go, you’ll need to check your required vaccinations and antimalarials well in advance, develop some street smarts – and be prepared to leave a part of your heart in that rich red soil forever.

Standing in Death Valley in the Namib Desert

The Namib desert gives the country, Namibia, its name. It means wide open space yet a few small pockets deserve a special mention.

Dune 45 is the most accessible in the Namib Naukluft National Park. And it lies within a day’s reach of the haunting Death Valley, the area so dry the trees can’t even rot.

Fish River Canyon, too, ranks as one of the best places to visit in Africa, a one hundred mile long ravine that’s also 550 metres deep.

Read more about the Namib desert here.

Travel Tips for Namibia

Tucked down in the southern part of Africa, Namibia is famed for its red rust sand, giant dunes, skeleton coast and the world’s oldest desert. Swakopmund is billed as an adrenaline capital and Etosha National Park offers the sight of wildlife.

• Currency:  Namibian Dollar
• Language:  English
• Best way of getting around:  Independent driving or driving with a tour guide.
• Highlight:   those stunning red dunes in the world’s oldest desert, like Dune 45
• Travel tip:  Pack for both hot and cold weather in the desert and plan your trip in advance. It’s not that easy to get into the Namib desert spontaneously.
• Dress Code:  Casual but remember that deserts have extreme temperatures. Hot and cold!
• When to go:  for wildlife, travel during the dry season which runs from June to October.
• How to get there: Most people fly into the Hosea Kitako International Airport located in Windhoek byway of Johannesburg. Namibia is a popular self-drive destination so you can hire a car and drive to the Namib desert yourself. However, you’ll need to arrange permits so it can be easier to travel with a guide.

The Snow-Capped Peak of Kilimanjaro

Peaceful Tanzania holds three places which belong on any Africa travel bucket list: the Serengeti National Park , the stunning Ngorongoro Crater and the snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro. 

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro takes several days, through lush green plantations, scraggy bare rock and finally snow and ice before reaching 5895 metres, a point higher than the base camp on Everest.

Away from the mountain, Tanzania offers incredible safari experiences and soft white beaches ripe with cinnamon and vanilla pods on Spice Island Zanzibar in East Africa.

Travel Tips for Tanzania

• When to go:  visit between January and March if you enjoy the cold and possibly snowy weather. If you prefer to stay warm, you can also visit the area between June and October when the weather is more forgiving.
• How to get there: fly direct to Kilimanjaro International Airport or into the capital Dar Es Salaam and travel up by road
• Currency: Tanzanian shilling
• Language: officially English and Swahili, also many others. 
• Best way of getting around: long haul bus or ferry across to Zanzibar.
• Highlight: the snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro
• Travel tip: take the slow route up to the mountain to avoid crowds and stand a better chance of beating altitude sickness. 
• Dress code: dress conservatively where possible in light, long cotton clothes. 

The Baobab Trees of Madagascar

Madagascar excels in striking, mesmerising wildlife and landscapes, from the rust-red sharp-toothed rocky tsingy to the curious chameleons and the lemurs that leap through the air.

And the beaches aren’t too bad, either. 

However, it’s those bulbous baobab trees that really captured my heart. These magnificent works of art from nature can grow up to 30 metres tall and 11 metres wide. They store thousands of gallons of water within their trunks to allow them to survive through the dry periods.

Travel Tips for Madagascar

• Currency:  Malagasy ariary
• Language:  Malagasy and French
• Best way of getting around:  Independent driving, driving with a guide or travelling by bus. Internal flights make navigating the island manageable.
• Highlight: lemurs, baobab trees and chameleons.
• Travel tip:  Bring torches and suitable outdoor gear to catch sight of nocturnal chameleons.
• Dress Code:  Relaxed but long sleeves and trousers make sense in the jungle and on the tsingy to protect against scrapes, sunburn and serious mosquito-borne disease.
• When to go:  Since the rainy season can cause floods, travel between May until October.
• How to get there: Baobab trees are found across Madagascar, however the famous avenue lives between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina in the Menabe region of western Madagascar. Fly into Tana and travel on from there.

Seeing Coco de Mer in the Seychelles

Beaches, beauty & boulders. The Seychelles are those kind of islands, the kind that inspire the word paradise and make troubles drift away while allowing space for dreams to settle in.

They also have an eco-system like nowhere else in the world. Take Coco de Mer, a rare palm tree native to the Seychelles with an iconic, voluptuously shaped giant seed.

Many people miss the Seychelles from their Africa bucket list. But that’s a mistake. There’s more than just sun and sand – and the sun and sand is mighty fine too.

Travel Tips for the Seychelles

• How to get there: international flights land in Mahe, with a number of great hotels a short drive away (the Banyan Tree Seychelles for one.)
• How to get around:   you need separate flights to reach the other islands, such as the private island of Desroches with its white, white beaches and eco-driven research.
• Currency: Seychellois Rupee
• Language: Officially English, French and Creole
• Best way of getting around: seaplane and high speed ferry. 
• Highlight: pristine beaches and the voluptuous Coco de Mer.
• Travel tip: take part in an eco walk if you can, to learn more about the environment there.
• Dress code: anything goes on the resorts. Conservative, cool and covered up elsewhere. 

Summit Table Mountain in Cape Town

Cape Town is the most visited part of the whole of the continent of Africa. Yet you can still stand on Table Mountain and feel as though you are the only person in the world, staring across at the land melting into the water as if for the first time. It’s easily accessibly via cable car or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb up and back in a day.

That’s not all South Africa has to boast about. Kruger National Park, the Elephant Coast, the Stellenbosch wine region and the Garden Route all help to make up South Africa. 

Find out why South Africa is called the Rainbow Nation here.

Walk in Mandela’s footsteps

Nelson Mandela didn’t just change politics in South Africa, he changed the possibility of politics across the world. The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg creates a vivid experience of what apartheid was, how insidiously it came about and what legacy it leaves today. 

But it’s the living, breathing, brightly coloured, braai serving neighbourhood of Soweto that shows Mandela’s footprint the most. 

Travel Tips for South Africa

• How to get there: South Africa is one of the most accessible parts of Africa, with frequent flights into both Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Distances are still vast, though, and the country is incredibly varied. 
• Currency: South African rand.
• Language: 10 official languages out of at least 35 indigenous languages. English is widely spoken.
• Best way of getting around: to travel great distances, you need a lot of time on the road of you will need to fly between, say Cape Town and Joburg. Within the regions, hire a car and drive. 
• Highlight: Table Mountain
• Travel tip: develop great street smarts. It’s a fabulous country but not for the naive.
• Dress code: anything goes in Cape Town.

Visiting the Real Pride Rock in Kenya

The creators of Simba, Pumba and the rest of the gang didn’t imagine as much as you might have thought. On a research expedition to Kenya, they discovered a national park with that curious jutting red stone. 

It takes an internal flight to reach the place that inspired Pride Rock but it’s absolutely worth it.

Expect safaris over dry, red earth for sure but also across bright green waterways and make time for cosmopolitan city life in Nairobi.

Travel Tips for Kenya

• How to get there: fly into Nairobi and take connecting flights from there.
• Currency: Kenyan shilling
• Language: Bantu Swahili and English
• Best way of getting around: Independent driving, driving with a guide or internal flights to cover larges distances.
• Highlight: those famous safari drives.
• Travel tip: bring lots of memory cards for all those safari pics…
• Dress Code: City slick in Nairobi and safari chic elsewhere. This is a fashionable kind of place (but covering up helps, as always, in the fight against sunburn and mosquitoes.)

Take a cooking class in The Gambia

Hang on a second. A cooking class? In an article that promises to talk about how you can create your very own Africa bucket list.

Hear me out. The Gambia in West Africa is famous for wild golden beaches and bird life. But it’s also a great place to meet Ida, an energetic entrepreneur who is passionate about preserving Gambian culture – and showing her guests a good time.

So, check out my experience with Gambian food and drink here and then come back and tell me it doesn’t belong on an African travel bucket list!

Travel tips for The Gambia

How to get there: fly to Banjul and then it’s a short transfer for most travel hotspots.

• Currency: dalasi
• Language: English and tribal languages
• Best way of getting around: self drive or join a tour
• Highlight: Ida’s cooking class and floating on the River Gambia
• Travel Tip: pack bug spray and be ready to haggle
• Dress code: cover shoulders and down to knees but hair can be uncovered.

Fall in Love With Mauritius

Another often overlooked country when it comes to Africa bucket lists, Mauritius has so much to offer beyond the (admittedly brilliant) beaches and reefs.

Take Black River Gorges National Park, for example, home to nine species of bird that are only found in Mauritius.

Then there is the curious reef that surrounds the island, the UNESCO Biosphere and the unmistakeable peak of Le Morne.

Travel Tips for Mauritius

• Currency: Mauritian rupee
• Language: French, English and Creole
• Highlight: exploring all the examples of ecotourism in Mauritius
• Travel Tip: brush up on your French before you go
• Dress code: pretty much anything goes but a stylish twist is appreciated

See also why culture and traditions in Mauritius matter so much here.

More For Your Africa Bucket List

So far, we’ve talked about experiences for your Africa bucket list that I have tried and tested with my own fair hands (well, seen and travelled through. You know what I mean!)

But there are other things to do that make it onto all the African bucket lists. And, secretly or not so secretly, I’d like to add them to mine.

Maybe, one day you’ll check back here and find that I’ve seen them all. I can but hope.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Seeing the endangered mountain gorillas up close is pretty classic as bucket lists go. Nicknamed gorilla trekking, this bucket list experience is most commonly associated with Rwanda but you can do it in Uganda as well. People who have done it recommend sturdy shoes and reasonable fitness levels.

Victoria Falls

Thundering across the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Vic Falls is the largest waterfall in the world – and therefore belongs on any ultimate Africa bucket list. Perhaps throw in a hot air balloon ride to explore the mist even further.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi stretches between Malawi, as you may have guessed, but also Mozambique and Tanzania.

South Luangwa National Park in Zambia

Famous for hippos, in a continent bursting with wildlife and national parks, South Luangwa National Park strides onto travel bucket lists with aplomb.

Read more travel guides about Africa

• Namibia and the oldest desert in the world
• The best beaches in Madagascar
• What safari guides really fear in Botswana’s Okavango Delta
• How the red tsingy in Madagascar are the perfect antidote to travel overload.
• The real pride rock
• Why Ouirgane valley in Morocco deserves your time
• The highs and lows of driving in Morocco
• What you need to know about trekking Kilimanjaro

6 thoughts on “21 Unique Experiences for Your Africa Bucket List”

Egypt and Seychelles are my winners :)

Two extremes – dry and wet!

Hi Abi, I’m still following you… It’s always a pleasure to read your articles.

I’ve been (sometimes many times) to Seychelles, Botswana, Egypt, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi,… yes, I’m lucky too. I’ve loved both of those countries, for different reasons of course.

But in September 2018 I’ve explored Zambia, a bit of Zimbabwe, Cape Town, and Namibia once more. Even if I love Botswana and Namibia, I must say that Zambia was a beautiful surprise (when we talk about animals, a lot of animals): they are all in a very good health, protected but in the wild, and the rangers there are very respectful of their space and environment. Beautiful landscapes too, and a welcoming population. If i had to go for another safari I’m pretty sure that I would do another mix between Botswana (Okavango) and Zambia.

Hello – how absolutely lovely to hear from you! What a beautiful list – and so interesting to hear about your experiences in Zambia. I haven’t been but your recommendation has shot it right to the top of my list! Hope life is treating you well :-)

All excellent recommendations! May I add another two, both in Ethiopia:

The rock-hewn churches at Lalibela are out of this world. And the Simien Mountains offer some of the best scenery on the entire continent.

Ethiopia is an incredible, beautiful country. Hopefully the political situation there settles down soon.

Absolutely! Always good to hear more recommendations – and I would love to visit Ethiopia one day when the time is right.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Advanced online training to take advantage of the opportunities and face the architectural, social and environmental challenges of African cities in 2050.

Capture the best of innovation and urban transformation right in the heart of your city, and share your vision through the prism of a photograph or short video!

What we offer

Learn from the experts, 6 african universities, a large community.

Habitat Résilient

Le solaire photovoltaïque et ses applications au profit du développement urbain

Articulation Urbanisme - Mobilité pour une ville soutenable

Introduction to New Sanitation Systems, Economies & Markets

African Urban Economic Development in the Context of Climate Change

La fabrique urbaine collective : idées et outils pour co-produire les villes africaines

Making housing markets work in African cities: understanding the role and opportunity of finance

La gestion des données urbaines : clé du développement de villes africaines plus intelligentes

Focus Areas

Climate change

Urban System

Gouvernance

Our Partners

• +(256) 754 849 895
• [email protected]

DISCOVER UGANDA

Sustainable tourism.

Traveling sustainably and responsibly is essential to preserve the natural and cultural wonders of our world and ensure that future generations can also enjoy them. At Laba Africa Expeditions, we prioritize these principles in our operations for several reasons.  Ruthless tourism can have detrimental effects on traditional societies and local attitudes towards foreigners. We aim to protect cultural and natural features while enabling local communities to actively participate in and benefit from tourism.

Our commitment to social fairness includes promoting human and children’s rights, ensuring fair wages and working conditions, and advocating for gender equality. We also value the social initiatives of our partners and strive to preserve cultural traditions and support marginalized groups in our destinations. Incorporating non-motorized activities and environmentally friendly accommodations into our trips, we minimize our ecological footprint. We prioritize the responsible use of local resources and aim to reduce our energy consumption.

We recognize that sustainability in tourism is a complex endeavor that requires considering the diverse needs and circumstances of all stakeholders. Therefore, we tailor our approaches to each situation while staying true to our principles. Sustainability is an ongoing process for us, not a static state. We continuously seek to improve our practices and set higher standards for ourselves and the industry as a whole. We view sustainability not as a luxury but as a necessity for preserving the beauty of our planet and promoting fairness for all.

Featured In

To many, an African safari is a once in a lifetime experience. Thats why we strive to me it remarkable

• Kampala Office
• Plot 2/4 Naguru Suwara Close
• P.O BOX 28320
• Nairobi Office
• View Park Towers, Utali Lane 14th Floor
• Nairobi Kenya

OUR DESTINATIONS

• South Sudan

OUR SERVICES

• Tailored Wildlife Safaris
• Gorilla Safaris
• Chimpanzee safaris
• Self Drive Safaris

©Laba Africa Expeditions 2024

Terms and Conditions

Your African Safari is a once in a lifetime experience, thats why we strive to make it perfect. 

• 2477 Briercliff Road, New York 10001
• +1 212-203-7540

Join The club

Get updates on special events and receive your first drink on us!

Proceed Booking

Already a member.

Username or E-mail

Forget Password?

Don't have an account? Create one.

Typically replies within a day