Best things to do in Africa
Africa is not one trip but dozens: thundering waterfalls, migration safaris, desert dunes, coral islands and cities where ancient history meets modern life. This guide rounds up the standout experiences across our destinations to help you choose where to start.
Africa at a glance
- What are the best things to do in Africa?
- The classics: seeing Victoria Falls, a Big Five safari, climbing Table Mountain, trekking Kilimanjaro, exploring Egypt's pyramids, and relaxing on Zanzibar or Mauritius.
- Where should I go in Africa for the first time?
- Victoria Falls and Cape Town are the easiest first trips — compact, well set up for visitors, and simple to combine with a short safari.
- Can I combine several African countries in one trip?
- Yes. Victoria Falls–Chobe–Livingstone is a natural trio, as is a Tanzanian safari with Zanzibar. Flights between regions are the main constraint, so group neighbouring destinations.
Explore our destinations
Zimbabwe
Things to Do in Victoria Falls
Waterfall views, Zambezi cruises and adventure in one small town.
2 experiences listed
Zambia
Things to Do in Livingstone
The Zambian side of the falls, plus river safaris and Devil's Pool.
1 experience listed
Botswana
Things to Do in Chobe
Elephant-rich river safaris on Botswana's northern border.
1 experience listed
South Africa
Things to Do in Cape Town
Table Mountain, coastal drives, winelands and world-class food.
2 experiences listed
Namibia
Things to Do in Swakopmund
Desert meets Atlantic: dune adventures, quad bikes and boat cruises.
1 experience listed
Tanzania
Things to Do in Zanzibar
Indian Ocean beaches, spice farms and Stone Town history.
1 experience listed
Mauritius
Things to Do in Mauritius
Lagoon catamarans, waterfalls, Chamarel and island day trips.
1 experience listed
Egypt
Things to Do in Cairo
Pyramids, museums, Nile dinner cruises and Islamic Cairo.
1 experience listed
Egypt
Things to Do in Hurghada
Red Sea snorkelling, desert quad safaris and island boat days.
1 experience listed
Egypt
Things to Do in Sharm el-Sheikh
Ras Mohammed reefs, Sinai desert trips and Dahab day trips.
1 experience listed
The highlights
1. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
One of the world's largest waterfalls, straddling the Zimbabwe–Zambia border, with river cruises, gorge adventures and easy safari add-ons in Chobe and Hwange.
2. Safari in Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa
Chobe's elephant herds, the Serengeti migration and Kruger's Big Five — Africa's safari heartlands, each with a different character and price point.
3. Cape Town and the Cape
Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, penguins at Boulders Beach and winelands an hour from the city — the most city-like of Africa's great trips.
4. Namibia's deserts
The red dunes of Sossusvlei and the adventure coast around Swakopmund, where the Namib Desert runs into the Atlantic.
5. Indian Ocean islands
Zanzibar's spice-island history and reefs, and Mauritius's lagoons and volcanic peaks — the classic way to finish a safari, or a beach holiday in their own right.
6. Egypt's ancient wonders and Red Sea
The Pyramids of Giza and the Nile's temples, paired with snorkelling and diving at Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
Planning your trip
How to choose where to go in Africa
Start with the experience you care about most. Waterfalls and adventure point to Victoria Falls; big-game safaris to Botswana, Tanzania or South Africa; beaches and reefs to Zanzibar, Mauritius or Egypt's Red Sea; desert landscapes to Namibia. Many trips combine two neighbours — Victoria Falls with Chobe, or a Serengeti safari with Zanzibar.
When to visit Africa
There is no single best month for a whole continent. Southern Africa's dry season (roughly May to October) is prime safari time; Cape Town shines November to March; the Indian Ocean islands are year-round. Pick your destination first, then time the trip to it.
Frequently asked questions about Africa
What are the best things to do in Africa?
The classics: seeing Victoria Falls, a Big Five safari, climbing Table Mountain, trekking Kilimanjaro, exploring Egypt's pyramids, and relaxing on Zanzibar or Mauritius.
Where should I go in Africa for the first time?
Victoria Falls and Cape Town are the easiest first trips — compact, well set up for visitors, and simple to combine with a short safari.
Can I combine several African countries in one trip?
Yes. Victoria Falls–Chobe–Livingstone is a natural trio, as is a Tanzanian safari with Zanzibar. Flights between regions are the main constraint, so group neighbouring destinations.
Ready to plan? Browse things to do by destination or get trip ideas from our travel journal.