If you’ve never been to Africa before but you’ve always dreamed of discovering its beauty, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled our list of the best places to visit in Africa for first timers. We love Africa, from its people to its animals and its landscapes, and we’ve been helping people from all over the world discover this amazing continent for many years. In that time we’ve uncovered all the best places to visit in Africa, so sit back and come on a journey with us. Read to the end for some tips on how to visit Africa.
1. Best Wildlife: Kruger National Park
You can’t come to Africa for the first time and not see the Big Five! The Kruger National Park is without a doubt the best place to do that. Enjoy incredible wildlife encounters while relaxing in luxury at their world-class lodges and soaking up the stunning views.
2. Best Wine: Cape Winelands
Visiting South Africa for the first time? Get your palate ready for wine tasting in the Cape Winelands. The region has a past as rich as its cabernet sauvignon, dating as far back as far as the 1600s, so you can enjoy a history lesson while hopping between farms and sipping on some of the finest wines in the world.
3. Best Beaches: Mauritius
Mauritius is one of the best countries in Africa to visit. This tropical island is a paradise of magnificent beaches and awe-inspiring national parks with a diverse cultural heritage. If you’re the type of traveller who loves to have a drink in hand and toes in the sand, make Mauritius your destination.
4. Best Safari: Kenya
Kenya has long been known as one of Africa’s most accessible destinations for first-time travellers, thanks to the many packaged tours available. A Kenya safari tour is perfect for those who want the pure wildlife experience.
5. Best Luxury Trains: Rovos Rail and The Blue Train
It’s a commonly known fact that the best way to see a country for the first time is from a train window. Luckily, Southern Africa has two of them. Choose from the Rovos Rail, a private luxury train service that can take you all over Southern Africa, or South Africa’s Blue Train, which runs from Cape Town to Pretoria and the Kruger National Park.
6. Best Adrenaline Rush: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls has got to be in the top best places to visit in Africa. Apart from the majestic wildlife and beautiful landscapes, there are action-packed adventures to be had, like helicopter rides and bungee jumping.
7. Best Hiking: Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
The planning before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro may seem more difficult than the hike itself, but first-time travellers in Africa can turn that mountain into a molehill by choosing a packaged holiday with a predetermined itinerary.
8. Best Landscapes: Mozambique
A welcoming country for first timers in Africa, Mozambique boasts picture-perfect landscapes. From tropical beaches to calming coastal plains, the photos from a trip to Mozambique will make everybody back home feel jealous!
9. Best River Delta: Botswana
The Okavango Delta in Botswana has some of the largest populations of African wildlife species on the continent. The diversity of wildlife is what makes Botswana perfect for first time travellers in Africa.
10. Best Country Overall: South Africa
South Africa is our top pick for the best country in Africa to visit for first timers. This country at the tip of Africa has everything, from wildlife to beaches to cultural diversity. You really can see it all in South Africa!
How to visit Africa
Now that you have top-ten list of the best destinations in Africa for first-time visitors, all that’s left is getting there. That’s where Travel Republic Africa comes in. We offer packaged tours to see all these incredible destinations and more. With us, you don’t have to worry about the journey because everything is planned and managed so that you can enjoy the destination. Get in touch with us to start planning your first ever African holiday.