55 days in Africa Itinerary

The smallest country of mainland Africa, the Gambia consists of the Gambia River valley and the hills that run along its edges. Taking off on a journey down the river during your vacation in Gambia allows you to discover a landscape known worldwide as a bird-watcher's paradise--you might want to keep your binoculars and camera handy at all times. The Atlantic coast boats a number of beach resorts with large hotels and shining sands, while the fishing villages farther inland offer an altogether more rustic and basic take on Gambian charm.

Guinea-Bissau offers a slew of colonial-era towns and picturesque beaches, as well as some remote areas tailor-made for those eager to get off the tourist path. An adventure to the southeastern hinterland, with its forests, savannahs, and small farms, represents one of the most daring and exciting things to do in Guinea-Bissau. Though the post-independence history of the country has been bleak at times, the locals remain remarkably upbeat and hopeful for the future--their spirit and welcoming nature provide additional reasons to plan a vacation in Guinea-Bissau.

Landlocked Burkina Faso offers a welcoming atmosphere, varied landscape, and rich cultural heritage. One of the poorest countries in the world, the country features largely undeveloped towns boasting lively music scenes and interesting markets filled with stalls selling handcrafted goods. Tourism in Burkina Faso remains a struggling industry, and with a largely undeveloped infrastructure, most travelers stick to the big cities and arrange short day trips into the wilder areas. The natural areas of the country remain known more for their topography than wildlife, with grassy sloping hills, Precambrian massifs, and rugged sandstone peaks dominating the terrain.

Ghana features a diverse economy, a strong and sturdy democratic tradition, and many of the natural and cultural highlights for which the continent has become known. National parks represent some of the main attractions in Ghana, with a diverse array of wildlife to be seen, including lions, monkeys, elephants, and birds. Forts dating back to the slave era act as focal points for explorations of the coast and help to connect the country to important points in global history.

With swathes of rainforest, tall mountains, and desert landscapes, Cameroon features many of the most iconic African environments within its borders. Ethnic diversity represents one of the main attractions for visitors on holiday in Cameroon, with the country offering an introduction to the rich and varied cultures of the continent as a whole. Unlike many other African countries, Cameroon has remained a largely peaceful place, with different ethnicities living side by side in relative tranquility. Good roads and a decent train service make vacations in Cameroon mostly pleasant experiences, with most places of interests relatively easy to reach.

Though tourism in Gabon remains a fledgling industry, the benefits of exploring this untempered place of wildlife-rich rainforests and ethnic diversity are numerous. A large percentage of the country remains protected as national parkland, allowing the dolphins playing in the Atlantic and the chimps and forest elephants to breathe a sigh of relief. The population includes around 40 different ethnicities, but the country has thankfully avoided the conflict and ethnic violence common among many of its neighbors.

Democratic Republic of Congo possesses a wealth of scenic highlights, ethnic diversity, and a complex history. Inaccessible for many years due to conflict, the country once again draws adventurous and confident travelers looking for a different type of vacation. For those who can forego the usual home comforts and quickly adapt to challenging conditions, the rewards of a holiday in Democratic Republic of Congo are numerous--trekking through unspoiled forests, spotting endemic wildlife, and meeting welcoming, inspiring people.

Most citizens of the Republic of the Congo live in the south of the country, with few residing outside the capital Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire on the coast. The capital represents a good place to start a holiday in the Republic of the Congo--it's a great jump-off point for voyages down the Congo River, the long and winding waterway that separates the country from its similarly named neighbor. Following the river to the north, the country becomes sparsely populated, with much of the area covered in lush rainforests. Two national parks, one in the far north and one in the center, represent the main focal points of the Republic of Congo itineraries, with a chance to spot lowland gorillas and forest elephants a major reason to visit for any genuine nature lover.

Tourism in Angola thrives as the country's infrastructure develops and attractions are restored following years of internal conflict. Holidays in Angola usually involve at least a little time at the beach, with the Atlantic coastline featuring long stretches of sand, wide estuaries, and small islands close to the main cities. A wealth of national parks shelter a rich array of wildlife, including African icons such as lions, elephants, and leopards, with barely a tourist in sight to disturb the natural order of things.

Sparsely populated Botswana possesses some of the most unadulterated wilderness and animal-rich areas in Africa. Largely unfenced national parks allow the world's largest population of elephants to roam freely--these protected areas also shelter varied birdlife and many endangered and rare mammal species. Tourism in Botswana largely caters to visitors seeking luxury lodges and exclusive safari experiences, but expeditions into traditional villages are also strongly recommended. The preserved cultures of these agricultural settlements show a link between man and nature formed over centuries, a relationship that many visitors to Botswana come to reconsider in their own lives.

Though landlocked, Burundi provides plenty of chances to spend time close to the water, with the capital located on the northeastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Tourism in Burundi focuses primarily on the capital and the natural areas and traditional towns just outside it, with pristine lakeside beaches to explore, along with tribal villages protecting centuries-old traditions. Civil war affected the country's economy and devastated its population between 1993 and 2005. Political unrest and violence began again in 2015.

The savannahs of Kenya contain some of the most iconic sights in Africa, stirred in the minds of many when they think of the continent. Big cats, elephants, and rhinos remain major inhabitants of this vast country, with a number of safari centers running trips across the region's World Heritage-listed national parks. Trips to rural villages, where many travelers choose to join up various volunteer projects, represent some of the most inspiring and enriching things to do in Kenya.

One of the oldest countries in the world, Ethiopia was the only African nation not to fall under colonial control. The continued independence left the country with a wealth of undisturbed historical sites and cultural practices--reasons enough to plan a vacation in Ethiopia. Ancient ruins, hill tribes, wild forest areas, gushing rivers, and depressions filled with active volcanoes represent just some of the many Ethiopia attractions worthy of your attention.

Little Eritrea boasts diverse landscapes that include mountains, an arid coastline, and fertile swathes of land to the west. With tourism in Eritrea still a burgeoning industry, the country represents a place of adventure for daring travelers looking to get of that beaten path. The Art Deco architecture of the capital shows off the cultural complexity and interesting facets of the former Italian colony's recent history, while a number of archaeological sites provide evidence of once-thriving ancient kingdoms. The country gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, but the areas bordering Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti remain dangerous and, as a result, off the map for most foreign tourists.