Best Countries to Visit in Africa

Traveling across Africa has become an increasingly appealing choice for many individuals as the world grows more interconnected. Africa as a continent is vast and diverse with a wealth of cultures, landscapes, and experiences to explore. Whether you're looking for wildlife safaris, ancient history, or vibrant cities, there's a country in Africa that's sure to capture your imagination.

According to the report made by Statista, about 5.1 million tourists arrived in Africa from overseas in 2022. This huge number validates the interest of people in African tourism from all over the world. If visiting African countries has been a dabble on your mind, reading this is your ultimate cue to get the travel plans started. 

In this article I will be taking you through some of the best African countries to visit in case you are still unsure of where to start; 

• Kenya

Kenya is very popular amongst the East African countries for its adventurous wildlife and landscapes. The Nairobi National Park in the capital of Kenya, Nairobi,  is a great place to start your Kenyan adventure. 

In one of Bella’s series, she gives descriptive information about Kenya from a visitor’s point of view. You can easily tell she enjoyed Kenya when she visited for her vacation.

There are also other popular attractions in Kenya with beautiful beaches, historical places, and several national parks and reserves like Lake Nakuru National Park and Hell's Gate National Park.

• Ghana

Ghana is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in African culture and history. The country has some of the most beautiful landscapes in Africa, including the peaceful rainforests of Kakum National Park and the beaches of the Cape Coast. 

You also don’t want to miss the chance to try some of the delicious local cuisines, like Waakye, Shito, and Jollof rice [there is an active debate about which country makes the best Jollof rice - Ghana or Nigeria].

Ghana, currently home to historical sites like the Cape Coast Castle and Kakum National Park, was a significant hub for international slave traffic in the past. Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale are a few other well-liked vacation spots in Ghana.

• Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in Africa. Lagos, the commercial capital, is called the city that never sleeps, with its many markets, restaurants, and clubs open all hours of the day and night. 

Abuja, the federal capital, is another city you should visit if you enjoy, slow and calm living– unlike Lagos.  

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Nigeria is the Yankari National Park, which is a base for over 50 different species of animals, including elephants, lions, and apes.

There are other popular cities that have tourist attractions like Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Enugu. Not to forget to mention that Nigeria is home to several beautiful beaches, especially in Lagos and Calabar.

• Togo

Togo is often overlooked by tourists because of its population size. However, it has a lot to offer. Its capital, Lomé, has a unique blend of African and European influences, with many colonial-era buildings and markets.

After exploring Lomé, you can visit other destinations like Kpalimé, a city is known for beautiful waterfalls and hiking. There is also a city called Kara, you will find several traditional Togolese villages in there.

• Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast, also called Cote d’Ivoire, is another West African country that's often overlooked by tourists. Its capital, Abidjan is common for its vibrant and safe nightlife and cultural landmarks like the St. Paul's Cathedral and the Abidjan Museum. 

You may go from Abidjan to other well-known locations like Grand Bassam, which is renowned for its colonial-era architecture, and Yamoussoukro, which is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and has stunning beaches.

• Rwanda

The commonest thing people say about Rwanda is how clean and organized the street of Kigali, Rwanda is. Rwanda is a small East African country known that has unique wildlife.

One of the top attractions in Rwanda is the National Volcano Park. If you love to see the most endangered mountain gorillas, the park is your go-to.

Visitors can take guided tours to see these incredible animals up close. Other attractions include Lake Kivu, the Museum of Natural History, the Inema Art Centre, the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, etc. 

• Benin

The West African nation of Benin has a rich history and culture. Porto-Novo, the nation's capital, is renowned for its colonial architecture, marketplaces, and museums.

The top attractions that make the Benin Republic a must-visit country include; the Temple of Pythons in Ouidah, the Cotonou central market in Cotonou, and the capital of Dahomey Kingdom in Abomey. [The Woman King movie is based on this Kingdom], and the Pendjari National Park.

• Senegal

Senegal is a country located in West Africa with a rich cultural heritage. Whether you are interested in history, nature, or culture, you are sure to find something that interests you in Senegal.

One of the top attractions in Senegal is the Island of Gorée, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once a major center for the slave trade. Visitors can tour the island's museums and historic buildings.

Other attractions in Senegal include the Pink Lake, where the water takes on a pink hue due to the high salt content, and the Bandia Reserve, where you can spot giraffes, rhinos, and other wildlife.

The Biggest Challenge of Exploring Africa

When it comes to traveling within the continent, the challenge that avid travelers face is not picking the best countries to visit in Africa, but the hassle of moving money between different countries. It’s a problem that stops the excitement of enjoying the diverse and dynamic cultures of Africa.

However, Bitnob has recognized this challenge and has come up with a solution that makes intra-Africa money transfers seamless. As a traveler who is visiting Togo for the first time, for example, you don’t need to stress about exchanging or using cash if you have the Bitnob app. 

You can easily transfer money to vendors within Africa in minutes to cater to all your transaction needs. The same thing applies to travelers who want to visit Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Benin, and Senegal 

How to Easily Transfer Money within Africa with Bitnob

To seamlessly make transfers to someone’s bank account or mobile money wallet in your preferred African country, you are required to download the Bitnob app. You need to verify your account and fund your USD wallet, and you can then follow these easy steps to send money across the supported African countries on Bitnob

• Tap on the “Transfer” button on the Quick Links section of the homepage

• Tap on “Transfer to Bank or Momo”

• Tap on “Change currency” to select the country of the account or mobile money wallet you want to transfer money to.

• Fill out the amount you’d like to transfer, then tap on “Continue”

• Select the account or mobile money provider and fill out the details of the account your want to send money to. If this person would be someone you intend to send money often, then tap on “Save as beneficiary” to make make the person a beneficiary. 

• Tap on “Proceed to Transaction Note” to add a note on the transaction

• Review the transaction summary and then tap on “Proceed” to initiate payment to the account or mobile money wallet. 

Visit Africa with Bitnob!

Traveling with Bitnob is so easy that whoever you want to transfer money to from your Bitnob app does not necessarily need to have Bitnob. All you need is the recipient's local bank details or mobile money number to make money transfers.

This means that you can directly send money to vendors Momo or bank accounts in the countries that Bitnob allows direct transfers to [Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, Togo, and Senegal] Which are, fortunately, some of the best African countries to visit.

Ready to have a wonderful experience in that African country on your bucket list? Download Bitnob to get started.