28 Photos That Show Africa's Striking Beauty in Case You Need A Reason to Visit

A typical African sunset
A typical African sunset | Pixabay

Africa is a large continent with over 50 countries and, needless to say, a diverse range of cultures, landscapes, landmarks and wildlife. From Cairo to Cape Town, these photographs prove that there’s much to see and many reasons to visit the continent and its islands.

Discover West African traditions in Benin

Benin, a tourist-friendly country, is home to one of the best wildlife reserves in Africa, Parc National de la Pendjari, beautiful beaches, and interesting traditions, one of which is the practice of voodoo.

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Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Benin Lake water polo

See the majestic baobabs in Madagascar

Madagascar is known for its magnificent baobab trees that tower over the rest of the landscape. Close to Morondava lies a popular spot where baobab trees line a long, dirt road.

Baobab trees

Visit an oasis in Egypt

The Bahariya Oasis in Egypt is approximately 360 kilometres (224 miles) from Cairo and is the site of important archaeological finds, such as the Golden Mummies.

Bahariya Oasis

Explore a national park in Kenya

Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya is especially famous for its beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The park is also home to large herds of elephants.

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Swim in Lake Malawi

Nkhata Bay, a vibrant town on the shore of Lake Malawi, is becoming increasingly popular among tourists and is ideal for a beach holiday.

Nkhata Bay, Lake Malawi

Laze around on South Africa’s many beaches

Whether you prefer a packed beach bustling with bodies, a quiet surf spot, or untouched stretches of white sand, you’ll find it in South Africa.

Rocky Bay Resort, Park Rynie, South Africa

Visit the Seychelles islands

Off the coast of East Africa lies an archipelago of islands known as the Seychelles. The islands boast beautiful beaches and coral reefs, and are the ultimate tropical paradise.

Seychelles

Immerse yourself in the most bustling country on the continent

Nigeria is the most densely populated country in Africa and its capital, Lagos, is a booming city that offers tourists many restaurants, hotels and clubs.

Children in Nigeria

See the great migration in Kenya

Kenya is best known for the great wildebeest migration that takes place annually across the planes of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Chyulu Hills, Kenya

Travel into the wild at Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park became Botswana’s first national park in 1968 and is one of the best areas to spot the impressive wildlife in its natural habitat.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Check out Morocco’s rich architecture

Casablanca is any architecture junkie’s dream come true. The city is filled with beautiful mosques combining Moorish and Art Deco styles.

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Go on a safari in the Okavango Delta

If wildlife is what you’re after, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is the place to visit. The huge estuary is known for its thriving animal and bird life, and offers the ultimate safari experience.

Lion in Botswana

Take a road trip through the Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

The Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga is known as the world’s largest “green canyon”. The famous route is home to many waterfalls and is also a birders’ paradise.

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa

View the scenic Helderberg Mountains in South Africa

Situated in the Western Cape, the scenery on this stretch of road is awe-inspiring. The Helderberg Mountain Range is situated near Somerset West and has many great hiking routes.

Rainbow at Helderberg Mountains, South Africa

Go birding in Africa

Whether you find yourself in Cape Town or Madagascar, the African continent is a birding paradise, and all sorts of species can be seen, from lilac-breasted rollers to African fish eagles.

A lilac-breasted roller

Visit a game reserve in Southern Africa

From the massive Kruger National Park to private reserves, Africa’s game reserves offer guests five-star accommodation in the heart of the bush-veld, so expect to get up close and personal with nature.

Phinda Private Game Reserve, Hluhluwe, South Africa

See the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali

Mali showcases some of the best examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture in the world – one of the best being the Great Mosque of Djenné.

The Great Mosque of Djenné

Visit the most southern tip of Africa

Cape Agulhas, approximately 220 kilometres (137 miles) from Cape Town, marks the divide between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and is the most southern tip of the African continent.

L’ Agulhas

Ride a dromedary in Morocco

Moroccan camels are actually dromedaries (meaning they only have one hump) and a typical Moroccan scene involves a caravan of camels trekking across the desert landscape.

Camels in Morocco

Mauritius

Mauritius is the place to go if you’re after an island-style holiday – from amazing cuisine to turquoise waters lapping sandy beaches, it’s no wonder the island is a honeymoon hotspot.

Mauritius beach

Add Marrakesh to your bucket list

Marrakesh, a large city in Morocco, has held the number one spot on Trip Advisor’s “Most Popular Travel Destinations in the World” list. Buildings are decorated with intricate tile work and visitors should take time soaking in each individual sight.

A riad interior in Marrakesh

Have a budget-friendly holiday in Mozambique

Mozambique is another popular holiday destination, especially for South Africans. The Portuguese-style food is amazing, the rum flows freely and, what’s more, it’s all very affordable.

Mozambique

Find Uganda’s gorillas

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a mountain gorilla sanctuary in Uganda, in East Africa, and is one of the few spots on the planet where tourists can view these animals in their natural habitat.

Gorillas in Uganda

Visit the largest mosque in Cairo, Egypt

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is the largest mosque in Cairo and, covering 26,318 square meters, the third-largest in the world. It’s also the oldest original surviving mosque in Egypt.

Ibn Tulun Mosque

Lesotho

The Lesotho highlands offer vast vistas across the beautiful Maloti Mountains and sightseeing on horse back is a must.

A Lesotho village street

Explore the dessert landscape of Namibia

Namibia is known for its famous Namib Desert, and there’s much to do in what seems like an arid region. The wildlife is rich and there are many historic sites to visit.

Sossusvlei, Namibia

See Tunisia’s blue-and-white buildings

Blue-and-white buildings are seen all over Sidi Abi Said in Aryanah, Tunisia, and the picturesque structures have become characteristic of the town, adding to its Mediterranean feel.

The blue doors of Tunisia

Get soaked at the impressive Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls waterfall, situated on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Africa due to it being one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

Victoria Falls
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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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