60 days in Africa Itinerary

With a coastline looking out across the Mediterranean Sea, Libya has historically been a place of trade, development, and wealth, with empires ruling all or part of it and leaving their mark on the landscape and culture. Roman and Greek ruins and Islamic mosques remain among the main Libya attractions, but excursions into the Sahara provide an alternative for those wishing to get out of the urban sprawl and see rolling dunes, sand seas, and lively caravan towns.

Tunisia benefits from its thin, slivery form, with a range of landscapes and climates causing diverse cultures, traditions, and lifestyles to develop over time. The lesser-visited south of the country possesses some major archaeological sites, impressive dunes, and caravans of nomadic peoples crossing the sands. The north contains many of the main cities in the country, located along the historic Mediterranean coast. Carthaginian and Roman ruins are found in and just outside the contemporary urban areas, which themselves blend African, Ottoman, and European influences. Many come for a beach holiday in Tunisia, but those who don't stop there are richly rewarded.

The largest country on the continent, Algeria combines diverse landscapes with cultural intrigue and history. The north of the country has always been the most developed area, with the majority of the population living in cities along the Mediterranean coast. Roman ruins, modern and colonial architecture, renowned museums, and impressive coastal areas in the north represent some of the highlights of a vacation in Algeria. Heading south, the Sahara Desert takes hold. The dunes and nomadic tribes crossing the landscape offer a dreamier, less scripted counterpoint to the urbane north.

Diverse in landscapes and cultures, Morocco has long been a popular tourist destination, offering many quintessential North African vistas, sounds, and tastes. The ancient medinas of the main cities have retained their look and feel over the centuries, with bustling markets of colorful spice stalls, leather tanning in the streets, and teahouses. The dunes of the Sahara and the peaks of the High Atlas mountains battle for the interest of tourists on holiday in Morocco, with each possessing impressive, picturesque scenery, and hidden-away traditional villages, filled with crafts, carpets, and a rural way of life.

Still relatively unvisited by international tourists, Mozambique boasts plenty of natural and cultural charms that could easy make it into a major vacation destination. The beaches of the south come in all shapes and sizes, while the less-visited north offers island archipelagos and untouched coral reefs. The colonial architecture of the main urban areas complements the colorful African heritage that still holds sway here, with the region's art, cuisine, and music ensuring each trip to Mozambique allows the visitor to appreciate the country's distinct culture and vast landscape.

Landlocked Swaziland remains one of the few absolute monarchies in the world--it's also one of the smallest countries in Africa. Known for its peacefulness and welcoming atmosphere, the country doesn't rush past you (even in the most built-up areas) like some of its neighbors. This laidback atmosphere suits the country, where age-old traditions are practiced in an everyday, rather than a made-for-tourists way. Aside from these singular characteristics, the country matches its better-known neighbors in terms of protected savannah landscapes rich in wildlife, the focal point for tourism in Swaziland.

The landscapes of South Africa match its people in terms of diversity, richness, and vitality. From desert lands and coastlines, to the famous nature reserves sheltering the "Big Five" game animals, the country has natural charm in spades. The main cities provide a wealth of bars, clubs, shopping districts, and entertainment options to please the most demanding visitors, while traditional life can still be admired and respected in a collection of villages with beehive-style huts and an age-old cultural heritage. When in need of a minute to digest all that's happened during your trip to South Africa, sit down to a braai (traditional barbecue), and a bottle of wine made at one of the country's thriving vineyards.

Mountainous Lesotho lends itself well to an adventurous holiday itinerary. Entirely located above 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in elevation, the country enjoys a cool climate with around 300 days of sunshine each year. Explorations of the mountains form the backbone of many Lesotho holidays. Remote villages located way up in the highlands, only accessible on foot or by horseback, offer a glimpse into the country's authentic culture with their lively markets, traditional eateries, and musical traditions.

To find out how Malawi earned its nickname the "Warm Heart of Africa," just head to one of the country's little villages and ask for a place to stay. The reintroduction of lions in 2012 gave a much-needed boost to Malawi tourism sector, with safaris across the diverse natural landscape increasingly more popular and varied. The Great Rift topography gives the country some of its main scenic features, including one of the continent's largest lakes, a focus of many adventurous Malawi holidays.

With ancient historical sites, the longest coastline on the continent, a rich and varied cuisine, and sprawling desert and savannah landscapes, Somalia has plenty to make it appealing to international visitors. Events in the recent past, however, made holidays in Somalia nearly impossible. The civil war that began in 1991 led to the country being declared a failed state. The introduction of a new constitution and government in 2012 has led to a glimmer of optimism.

Though the size and scale of Tanzania may be overwhelming, the people make it a personable and easy-going place to visit. The bigger cities not only offer good connections to the main natural attractions, but also feature bustling markets where locals sell fresh produce, snacks, and crafts. Smaller villages retain their long-held customs, beliefs, and artistic traditions. With the continent's highest peak, and some of the most animal-rich safaris available, Tanzania holidays tend to dart between the big and bold, and the personal and low-key.

The savannahs of Kenya contain some of the most iconic sights in Africa, stirred in the minds of many when they think of the continent. Big cats, elephants, and rhinos remain major inhabitants of this vast country, with a number of safari centers running trips across the region's World Heritage-listed national parks. Trips to rural villages, where many travelers choose to join up various volunteer projects, represent some of the most inspiring and enriching things to do in Kenya.

South Sudan became the world's youngest nation in 2011, with the splitting of the continents largest state. The civil war that preceded the separation would inevitably leave deep traces on the psyche of the people and the stability of the political situation, but any initial optimism was quickly dimmed with government forces and rebel groups once more at war. The country boasts a fascinating mix of tribes and cultures and provides the setting for the second largest animal migration in the world, with antelopes crossing large swathes of the country. Despite this, holidays in South Sudan appeal to only a few daring travelers--tourism sector remains undeveloped and infrastructure lacking.

One of the oldest countries in the world, Ethiopia was the only African nation not to fall under colonial control. The continued independence left the country with a wealth of undisturbed historical sites and cultural practices--reasons enough to plan a vacation in Ethiopia. Ancient ruins, hill tribes, wild forest areas, gushing rivers, and depressions filled with active volcanoes represent just some of the many Ethiopia attractions worthy of your attention.

Little Eritrea boasts diverse landscapes that include mountains, an arid coastline, and fertile swathes of land to the west. With tourism in Eritrea still a burgeoning industry, the country represents a place of adventure for daring travelers looking to get of that beaten path. The Art Deco architecture of the capital shows off the cultural complexity and interesting facets of the former Italian colony's recent history, while a number of archaeological sites provide evidence of once-thriving ancient kingdoms. The country gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, but the areas bordering Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti remain dangerous and, as a result, off the map for most foreign tourists.

The land of pharaohs, pyramids, sphinxes, and papyrus, Egypt needs little by way of introduction. Visitors find more than a textbook readout of ancient history when visiting the country--the power, scale, art, and mysticism of its centuries-old culture bleed out from each landmark attraction and seep into the everyday life. Bustling markets, the slow-flowing Nile, the vast desert, and inspiring archeological sites often sit right alongside palaces of great excess and historical importance. All ensure you have plenty to see and do during your vacation in Egypt. In the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011, travel to certain areas where conflict and terrorism are deemed likely remains inadvisable for foreign visitors.