Africa

Africa is the third continent in the world by territorial extension and has more than one billion inhabitants. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean , in addition to the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Africa is a vast land mass stretching 8,000 kilometers from north to south and 7,500 from east to east. Despite having more countries than any other continent (54 today), this number does not reflect the enormous variety of peoples, races, creeds and cultures that inhabit these lands and that explain, in part, the long history of conflicts that have affected the human development of the continent.

Africa is a land of contrasts: the enormous desert of the Sahara is interrupted by the Nile River , which is born in the interior of the continent, covered by jungles and huge lakes such as Lake Victoria . Although the savannah is probably the image that most foreigners associate with Africa, there are hundreds of different ecosystems reaching even snow in the heights of Kilimanjaro and some mountains in South Africa.

The adventure opportunities in this continent are enormous: you can travel the desert in Tuaregs caravans, cross the jungles in search of gorillas, make a safari among lions, sail in canoes or rest in a paradise island of the Indian Ocean. However, not everything is nature. There are vestiges of rich ancient cultures (such as the Egyptian pyramids or Timbuktu ) and there are still communities of tribes that maintain their customs and traditions. Despite the generalization of Africa as a continent plagued by wars, poverty and corruption, there are also developing economies with cosmopolitan cities.

North Africa
Morocco · Algeria · Tunisia · Libya · Egypt · Sudan · Western Sahara · Macaronesia
While the vast dunes of the Sahara cover most of its territory, the Mediterranean coast has a privileged climate that has allowed the development of great cultures. From the markets and Islamic architecture of Marrakech, one can jump to French influence in Tunisia and Algeria or to Roman ruins in Libya. Meanwhile, Egypt attracts millions of tourists who visit not only the mythical pyramids of Giza, but also the vibrant city of Cairo or the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Sahel
Mauritania · Mali · Niger · Chad
Although its aridity and ongoing armed conflict keep sub-Saharan Africa from tourist destinations, there are still some gems to know in the Sahel. Timbuktu, the ancient capital of the empire of Mali, and Agadez were important centers of medieval caravans that roamed Africa. Between the steppes and mirages, one can still recognize the nomadic cultures of the Sahel, such as Tuaregs.

African horn
Ethiopia · Eritrea · Djibouti · Somalia (Somaliland)
Ethiopia is considered the cradle of mankind and is one of the oldest and most unique civilizations on the planet. Surrounded by Muslims, Ethiopia maintains a primitive version of Christianity from which shrines such as Lalibela arose. The region, mountainous and arid, has beautiful inaccessible places. Unfortunately, violence and authoritarianism hinder tourism development in Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti.

West Africa
Cape Verde, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin
The most densely populated region of Africa stands out for its symbolic and vibrant cities, where you can still feel the African culture, such as Dakar, Lagos or Abidjan. The region's rainforests are home to thousands of animal species, such as elephants, gazelles, hippos and monkeys. Cape Verde, meanwhile, is a good alternative for seeing spectacular little-known beaches.

Central africa
Cameroon · Central African Republic · Gabon · Equatorial Guinea · Sao Tome and Principe · Congo · Democratic Congo · Angola
The heart of Africa is covered in impenetrable jungle, inhabited by gorillas, leopards, crocodiles and hundreds of unique species that managed to survive the threat of humanity thanks to beautiful national parks such as Garamba. The Congo River is the foundation of this region, rich in natural resources, but for many years immersed in violence and interethnic conflicts. The coastal regions, more politically stable, present beautiful beaches to enjoy.

East africa
South Sudan · Uganda · Kenya · Tanzania · Rwanda · Burundi · Malawi · Mozambique
Some of the continent's most iconic scenes are in the region. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, dominates the savannah. Animals such as lions, gazelles, elephants and rhinos roam the world famous parks such as the Serengeti and Masai Mara, and the volcano park in Rwanda is the best place to visit the mountain gorillas. While Nairobi is a modern city in full bloom, Mombasa and Zanzibar manage to blend historical charm and beautiful beaches.

South Africa
South Africa · Namibia · Botswana · Zambia · Zimbabwe · Lesotho · Swaziland · St. Helena
Nature is amazing in every corner of the region. Unique landscapes such as the Okavango Delta, which runs into the Kalahari Desert, the huge Victoria Falls or the wildlife of the Kruger National Park, attract tourists from all over the world. After the end of apartheid, South Africa received a new impetus, becoming one of the most developed countries on the continent. Cape Town is probably one of the most attractive cities in Africa. Meanwhile, in the highlands there are traditional kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland, which still retain their traditions. Finally, Mozambique stands out for its beaches and historic island, which gives it its name.

Indian islands
Madagascar · Seychelles · Mauritius · Comoros · Mayotte · Meeting · Terr. British Indians French australia
Madagascar, a product of its isolation from the rest of Africa, is a place of unique natural beauty: 90% of its flora and fauna can only be found on this island. The Seychelles and Mauritius archipelago have become important tourist destinations thanks to their beautiful white sand beaches and clear water. In Comoros, you can find the same beaches, but they are much less popular and more inaccessible. Meanwhile, Reunion captivates with its mountainous and steep landscapes.