I am considering a trip to Africa as my next vacation. I am interested in Dopers’ opinions. Extra points for details given.
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I have been to Morocco (Casa and Marrakech, last December) and had a wonderful time. I had the benefit of family that lived there and spoke the language (French and Arabic). Lodgings were very cheap (we used AirBnB, and got very nice lodgings for under $50 a night per room), as was food (we had the best roast lamb I’ve ever had, for 4 people, for $50 with leftovers for another meal – a quality shawarma might be about $2).
I used to live in Mozambique and Egypt. While living in those countries, I visited Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, and Namibia. I also interacted with people who had lived in many places in Africa. My answers are based on those experiences.
As a tourist, I would probably prioritize Namibia’s singing desert. Namibia’s desert was heart-breakingly gorgeous, from what I saw. So is Egypt’s White Desert, but I’m not sure how practical it is to get a good tour guide and really explore it now. FWIW, which may not be much since it was 15-20 years ago, Capetown in South Africa is pretty spectacular - simultaneously beautiful and easy for tourists to get around.
Anyway, it all depends on what you like. Safaris? Luxury? Roughing it? Music? There is no one right answer.
Never been, but would love to spend some time there. There is a doper who spend a lot of time in West Africa who I hope comes here to comment.
I’d like to visit Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal because of the genetic/ancestral connection I have to these places, the people I’ve met from these places seem really cool, and because I’m a fan of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s writings.
I lived in Mali for two years, but given the problems they are having, it’s probably not worth going at this time, since travel up-country is dangerous.
For safaris, it’s hard to beat Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia and Kenya.
This.
Several countries are unstable and conflict ridden, which you cross off your list, including South Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia and DRC.
The countries with the most developed tourism infrastructure are probably South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mauritius, Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya and Morocco. Most of the offshore islands such as Mauritius are heavily reliant on tourism as well and have the requisite infrastructure.
Despite being one of the small handful of African dopers, I can’t make any further constructive suggestions without knowing what you are interested in.
Gabon also has a ton of wildlife, due to the low population density, although I don’t think their tourist industry is as well developed as the countries you mention.
What month are you going? That might affect things- some places are a lot more pleasant in the dry season, and dry / rainy periods are going to vary a lot depending on what part of the continent you’re in.
Uganda also has some nice parks and things to see, but again, it can be dangerous with the LRA still active.
Yeah, weather is very important, especially if one is going to go on safari. During the rains, the Okavango Delta (for example) is flooded and wildlife viewing is very restricted.
Namibia is tops on my list. My daughter lived there for two years and I’d love to see the country.
Yes–I think Africa is bigger (in area) than the U.S., China, and India combined, with as much geographic and cultural variation.
This poll isn’t going to help make a decision. The OP needs to choose a manageable part of the continent and decide from that point on.
Quite a bit. 11.7 million sq miles for Africa
US 3.8
Canada 3.9
Europe 3.9
total 11.6
comes close
I understand, and I know I mentioned a possible African vacation in my future.
But the poll question is Which African country(ies) would you visit?(with an implied and **why?)
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I picked the 12 Ive never been to, but not Seychelles.
I visited Ghana and Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) as a child when my father was working for the UN. The Ashanti artwork and goldwork is well worth seeing.
In that case - Ethiopia.
I’m a birder; Ethiopia doesn’t have the widest number of birds but it does offer more unique birds to a southern African birder than any other place on the continent.
Most of what I know about Botswana is from watching The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. But it makes me want to go to there (and I’ve been to Kenya, but under a more guided experience).
Why not Seychelles, jtur?
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I have been to about 100 countries (a dozen or so in Africa) and I think Sudan was my favorite trip.