Africa: Regions

West Africa Home to myriad tribal cultures, languages, and traditional religions; a rich artistic and musical heritage; and a landscape of sand dunes, tropical forests, and Atlantic coastline. (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo)

North Africa Wander the winding medinas of chaotic and captivating cities, explore the ruins of ancient civilizations, or head for the emerald oases and sand seas of the Sahara. (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia). See our Travel Guides for Egypt, Cairo, Morocco, Fez, and Marrakech

East Africa The staggering natural landscapes and wildlife of this region are what most people think of when they imagine Africa. But you’ll also find exotic spice trading islands, ancient rock hewn churches, and dynamic cities. (Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda) See our Travel Guides for Kenya, Mozambique, and Zanzibar

Central Africa Ongoing wars keep most tourists away from this beautiful region nudged by the Sahara in the north, bursting with dense jungle and wildlife, and dominated by the Congo River. (Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sudan)

Southern Africa The most accessible region on the continent offers game parks, desert, spectacular beaches, sophisticated cities, thundering waterfalls, and activities to suit all tastes and budgets. (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe) See our Travel Guides for Cape Town and Johannesburg

Seychelles Close your eyes and think of a tropical paradise and chances are the Seychelles will match up nicely. Eight-hundred miles off the coast of East Africa, these 115 islands have dazzling beaches and crystal-clear waters straight out of a tourist brochure.

Mauritius More budget friendly than the Seychelles, Mauritius is nonetheless a tropical paradise, made more interesting by a diverse mix of cultures and religions.

Madagascar Famous as a home to all manner of weird and wonderful creatures, including many species of lemur, Madagascar also boasts beautiful coastline, dramatic escarpments, and a lush green interior.