10 underrated destinations in Africa

Despite being home to 54 countries – the highest number of any continent – most of Africa continues to fly under most tourist radars. To put it in perspective, only the super-remote Antarctica and Oceania, the latter consisting of just 14 island nations, attract fewer visitors. In fact, the numbers tell the whole story: in 2023, Europe welcomed 700 million tourists, Asia 300 million and the Americas 200 million, while the vast African continent saw a mere 60 million visitors.

Besides, most of those who come end up sticking to same 15 destinations or so, visiting the pyramids of Egypt, the Islamic architecture of Morocco, the stunning Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe, hitting the beaches of Tunisia, Seychelles and Mauritius, venturing into the untamed wilderness of Madagascar, Namibia and South Africa, going on safaris in Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana and gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. In the other 39 nations, and with the possible exceptions of the culturally and historically rich countries of Ghana and Senegal, tourism is practically non-existent.

As a result, and to the surprise of absolutely no one, most of the African territory remains a mystery, often clouded by stereotypes and preconceived notions. And yet, this is by far the continent with the biggest diversity of cultures, languages and ethnicities – a whole world waiting to be explored! So, if you’re curious about the lesser-known corners in the continent, we invite you join in on this journey as we explore the 10 most underrated destinations is Africa.

10 off the beaten path countries in Africa

Mali

Home to the wealthiest man in the history of humanity – the Emperor Mansa Musa – Mali is arguably the Sub-Saharan African country with the richest historical and cultural heritage. For example, this is where you can find the legendary city of Timbuktu, one of the most important Islamic centers of its time, where all homes, mosques and government buildings are made of adobe.

Sadly, due to the ongoing civil war in the country, northern Mali (and consequently Timbuktu) is completely off-limits, but the south is open to visitors. Here, besides the capital Bamako and the bustling city of Ségou, the must-see attraction is the Great Mosque of Djenné, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, the best time to visit Mali is during the month of April, just after the rainy season, when the entire village of Djenné gathers for the annual “crépissage“, where the community works to restore the mosque’s adobe walls.

São Tomé and Príncipe

Although we could have easily gone with Cape Verde, the truth is that the recent introduction of low-cost flights into the country by EasyJet has boosted its tourism and international visibility. Moreover, Cape Verde already has an economy heavily reliant on tourism, with many areas boasting well-developed infrastructure. For that reason, we chose to feature the equally charming island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe as a fantastic alternative.

A land of laid-back people and a tranquil vibe – embodied by the national motto “leve-leve” – in here you can enjoy several idyllic beaches, such as Praia das Bananas or Praia Jale, visit one or two of the crumbling colonial plantations and sample some of the world’s best chocolate, produced right on São Toméan soil. Equally impressive are the tropical forests that cover substantial parts of both islands, which have been recognized as Biosphere Reserves.

Libya

Another country that recently went through a civil war, Libya’s situation is fortunately much more under control, to the point that the country has reopened to tourism and even launched an e-visa system! In fact, for the first time in a long while, it is now possible to travel between the east and west of the country, regions that were previously marked by the presence of opposing factions during the conflict.

Nestled between two tourism heavyweights in North Africa – Egypt and Tunisia – Libya offers a much more authentic experience, with exotic Tripoli at the forefront, showcasing a unique blend of (native) Arab and (colonial) Italian architecture. However, the country’s true highlight has to be Leptis Magna, considered by many to be the best-preserved Roman archaeological site in the entire Mediterranean basin! In addition to the capital and the country’s countless Roman ruins, Libya also offers the opportunity to explore the vast Sahara and visit Ghadames, dubbed the “Pearl of the Desert”.

Eritrea

In a world that is growing more and more globalized by the day, it is increasingly difficult to find unique travel experiences. However, I can assure you that there is no destination quite like Eritrea. Despite being nicknamed the “North Korea of Africa”, due to its eccentrically bizarre and oppressive regime, the country’s uniqueness stems from the less fortunate chapters of its recent history. After all, following a fratricidal war and a government that has kept the country isolated, life in Eritrea remains largely unchanged from what it was six decades ago.

Colonized by the Italians, the capital city of Asmara feels like a small piece of Italy frozen in the 1960s. It’s a place where Catholic churches and crumbling classical façades coexist with cafés serving the best espresso in Africa, outdated video clubs and old cinemas just like the ones our parents and grandparents used to go to back in the day. This truly is a one-of-a-kind city, offering more than enough reason to visit the country.

Mauritania

Given its geographic proximity of Morocco, which borders to the north, it is surprising to see the vast disparity in the number of visitors between the Maghreb country and its neighboring nation of Mauritania. Located in the heart of the Sahara, where several trading villages were established as commerce hubs along the ancient desert routes, the country is filled with oases (such as the picturesque Terjit) and semi-abandoned historic towns like Tidjikja, Ouadane, and, most notably, Chinguetti – a true hidden gem that was once one of the main religious, scientific and astronomical learning centers in West Africa.

As the cherry on top, the more intrepid travelers can tackle the journey along the famous Iron Ore Train. Known as the longest train in the world, it transports tons of iron ore between Zouérat and Nouadhibou, crossing the inhospitable and vast desert for 20 hours. Usually, passengers ride in the freight carriages along the iron ore, making this a super special (and super uncomfortable) journey.

Nigeria

Considering the country’s size and the fact that it is the most populous nation in Africa – home to a staggering 230 million people – it’s quite surprising that Nigeria hasn’t yet emerged as a major tourist destination. Fortunately, it has plenty of attributes to draw all kinds of travelers, as each region boasts its own language, ethnic majority, culture and traditions, as if there are several nations within one single country.

In addition to the megacity of Lagos, known for its extreme contrasts between immense wealth and deep poverty, Nigeria is famous for its numerous natural attractions, including Mount Zuma, the Ngwo Pine Forest, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, Awhum Waterfall and the Lekki Conservation Centre. For those interested in historical and cultural sites, some of the best places to visit are the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, the Ancient Settlement of Nok, the Alok Ikom Stone Monoliths, the Ancient Kano City Walls and the Sukur Cultural Landscape.

Ethiopia

Recognized as the only country in Africa to resist colonization, Ethiopia has become a living symbol of Pan-Africanism, with many nations across the continent adopting the colors of its flag (green, red and yellow). Turns out that when the Italians first arrived, Ethiopia already had a well-established empire, unlike most territories in Africa that were formed by a mix of different tribes with barely any inter-ethnic cooperation.

In fact, this rich history has helped Ethiopia preserve some of Africa’s most impressive cultural heritage, including the historic cities of Axum, Gondar, Bahir Dar and Harar. However, none can compare to the magnificence and mystique of Lalibela, a magical site of churches intricately carved from solid rock. Nonetheless, Ethiopia also shines when it comes to natural attractions, featuring the unique landscape of the Danakil Depression and the legendary Omo Valley, home to some of Africa’s most fascinating tribes.

Sudan

Did you know that Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt?! Although the country is currently inaccessible due to the 2021 military coup, Sudan’s cultural treasures seem untouched by the ongoing civil war, awaiting visitors for when the situation inevitably stabilizes. While the capital of Khartoum – like most African capitals – is nothing to write home about, the same cannot be said for the extraordinary Pyramids of Meroe, a gigantic necropolis featuring over 200 pyramids once built to honor the rulers and nobility of the ancient Kingdom of Kush

Other must-see sites in the country include the Khartoum Camel Market, the ruins and tombs of Old Dongola, the Temple of Soleb and the striking rock of Jebel Barkal. Beyond all these landmarks, it’s impossible not to mention the Sudanese people. True to Nubian culture, they are among the most loving, hospitable and honest people you will ever come across in your travels.

Benin

While some countries stand out for their natural landscapes, ancient historical sites or pristine beaches, others offer unique and fascinating traditions. This is the case for Benin, regarded as the world capital of Voodoo. Despite its bad reputation and misrepresentation in the West, Voodoo is simply an animist religion/spiritual doctrine, far removed from the clichés of dolls with pins and curses. With that in mind, there is no better place to experience Voodoo in all its splendor than Ouidah, where you can visit fetish markets and animist temples, and witness religious ceremonies!

Aside from all-things-Voodoo, Benin offers plenty more to explore, including the Royal Palaces of Abomey, the beaches of Grand-Popo, the Portuguese colonial architecture of the capital Porto-Novo and the floating village of Ganvie, where all the houses and structures are built on wooden platforms raised on stilts. Because of its distinguished features, Ganvie is often referred to as the “Venice of West Africa”!

Algeria

Finally, we cap off this list with this often-neglected gem of the Maghreb! While Libya at least still had some tourism before the civil war, Algeria has never really been a part of the popular travel circuits, always remaining on the sidelines. Big mistake, as the country is filled to the brim with vibrant Mediterranean cities, Roman ruins, desert landscapes and oasis towns smacked in the heart of the Sahara.

Well then, after forcibly starting your tour in the lively capital of Algiers, you can explore the entire Mediterranean coastline and visit the cities of Constantine, known for its bridges, and Oran, famous for its French colonial architecture. Along the way, don’t miss out on the remarkable Roman ruins of Timgad and Djémila. When you’re ready to venture south into the scorching Sahara, be sure to visit the oases of Djanet and Taghit, the historic Berber villages of Ghardaia and Timimoun (a paradise for photographers) and the ancient rock paintings of Tassili n’Ajjer, dating back over 12.000 years!