Many people still believe that visiting Africa will expose them to hostile tribes, wild animals wandering on streets, dirt roads, and temporary dwellings. Africa is accurate, perspective unique and gorgeous continent, busting all of the generally held myths.
How big is Africa by area.
Africa, covering 30,244,000 km,² a 6% of the Earth’s surface, is home to approximately 1.3 billion people, making up 16% of the global population. It occupies about 20% of the Earth’s land area, with Algeria as the largest country, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan. The continent is renowned for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and the warmth of its inhabitants.
Africa by regions
Map of Africa showing regions
Africa covers six percent (6%) of the world’s total surface area, roughly 30,244,000 km² (11,700,000 mi²). Including its adjacent islands, the continent occupies about 20 percent of Earth’s total land area. Africa’s largest country is Algeria, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), and Sudan.
Highest point in Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro
Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is the African continent’s highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). The majestic mountain is a snow-capped volcano.
lowest point in Africa: Lake Assal in Djibouti.
Lake Assal is a saline lake located 155 m below sea level in the Afar Triangle, making it Africa’s lowest point and the third-lowest point on Earth after the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.
How many countries are there in Africa?
There are 54 sovereign countries in Africa, including 48 on the mainland and six island nations. Two disputed areas, Somaliland and Western Sahara, are also noted.
Why visit Africa?
Africa is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, featuring vast savannas, stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, epic canyons, and diverse landscapes including sugar and tea plantations and extinct volcanoes, offering limitless exploration opportunities in nature.
Best countries to visit in Africa
(1) Rwanda
Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in East Africa, often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” due to its high elevation and picturesque landscapes. It features mountainous regions in the west and savanna in the southeast. Renowned for its lush environment and cleanliness, Rwanda is a premier eco-tourism destination, famous for its majestic mountain gorillas and vibrant culture shaped by its warm, resilient people.
(2)Uganda
Uganda is a natural beauty, with an abundance of gifts bestowed to her: the snowcapped mount Rwenzori, named one of the best hikes in the world by the National Geographic; Mountain Elgon, with the largest volcanic caldera in the world; and Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria; the mighty River Nile followed by the Apes like chimpanzees and not to forget the gorgeous beautiful gentle giants, the mountain Gorillas.
(3) KENYA:
Kenya is a country in East Africa with coastline on the Indian Ocean. It encompasses savannah, lake lands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley and mountain highlands. It’s also home to wildlife like lions, elephants and rhinos. From Nairobi, the capital, safaris visit the Maasai Mara Reserve, known for its annual wildebeest migrations, and Amboseli National Park, offering views of Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro. Kenya, country in East Africa famed for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves. Its Indian Ocean coast provided historically important ports by which goods from Arabian and Asian traders have entered the continent for many centuries. Kenya’s part in the world famous Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra make their legendary 1,800 mile round trek, starts around late July/early August time when the animals arrive in the Masai Mara National Reserve from the Serengeti in neighboring Tanzania.
(4) Tanzania
Tanzania, an East African country, features vast wilderness areas such as Serengeti National Park, known for the “big five” game, and Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain. The tropical islands of Zanzibar and Mafia offer rich marine life, including whale sharks. Renowned for its sweeping savannas, Indian Ocean beaches, and diverse ethnic groups, Tanzania emphasizes warm hospitality and wildlife conservation, protecting over a third of its landmass.
(5) Zambia
Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is known for its rugged terrain and diverse wildlife, including many parks and safari areas. It is home to the famous Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya, which plunges 108m into Batoka Gorge and is complemented by the dramatic Victoria Falls Bridge. Renowned as the birthplace of the walking safari, Zambia offers unique, crowd-free wilderness experiences alongside vibrant local communities and rich biodiversity in its national parks.
(6) Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa, known for its stunning landscapes, wildlife, and Victoria Falls. The capital is Harare, and the economy depends on mining, agriculture, and tourism, with Shona, Ndebele, and English as the primary languages. It features the “Big Five,” untouched wilderness, ancient ruins, and a warm, welcoming population, providing a unique safari experience.
(7) Botswana.
Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, features diverse landscapes, notably the Kalahari Desert and the thriving Okavango Delta, which transforms into a vibrant animal habitat during floods. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve harbors numerous wildlife species such as giraffes and hyenas. As a premier low-impact safari destination, Botswana conserves nearly one-third of its land as reserves, promoting eco-tourism. The contrasting environments include the lush Okavango Delta, the Chobe Riverfront with its riparian forests, and the stark beauty of the Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Pans
(8) Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a Southern African country bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa. It features striking landscapes, including the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast’s rugged shores. Home to about 2.6 million people, Namibia boasts a diverse population and rich indigenous cultures, such as the Himba people. Its wildlife is uniquely adapted to the arid environment, with desert-adapted elephants and free-roaming black rhinos in Damaraland, while Walvis Bay is known for its abundant birdlife and seal colonies.
(9) South Africa
