10 Best Places to Visit in Africa in 2027

Africa is having a moment. Morocco welcomed close to 20 million visitors in 2025, Egypt has finally opened the biggest archaeological museum on earth, and more African countries are dropping visa barriers for each other every year. If 2027 is the year you finally book that trip, here are the 10 best places to visit in Africa, with what’s new in each one and what to sort out before you fly.

Entry rules below were checked in November 2026. They change often, so confirm with the official immigration site for your passport before you book.

1. Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech hits every sense at once. Spend a morning getting lost in the souks of the old medina, where stalls sell hand-dyed leather, brass lamps and mountains of spices, then cool off in the tiled courtyards of the Bahia Palace or the cobalt-blue Majorelle Garden. As the sun sets, Jemaa el-Fnaa square fills with food stalls, musicians and storytellers.

Why go in 2027: Morocco is investing heavily in hotels, airports and rail as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and Marrakech is one of the cities seeing the most growth.

2. São Tomé and Príncipe

Two small volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea make up Africa’s second-smallest country, and it is still one of the continent’s best-kept secrets. Expect empty golden beaches, rainforest that runs right down to the sea, and old cocoa plantations (roças) you can tour and taste your way through. The needle-shaped Pico Cão Grande is the photo everyone comes home with, and the whole island of Príncipe is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Good to know: It is calm, uncrowded and a favourite for solo travellers. Many passports can enter visa-free for short stays, but check the rules for yours.

3. Windhoek, Namibia

Namibia’s capital is small, clean and easy to explore. See the Christuskirche and the Independence Memorial Museum, eat kapana (street-grilled beef) in Katutura, and pick up crafts at the Namibia Craft Centre. Most visitors use Windhoek as the starting point for the country’s big sights: the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the wildlife of Etosha and some of the darkest, starriest skies on the planet.

Good to know: Namibia now asks travellers from the US, UK and dozens of other countries to get a visa, which you can apply for online or on arrival. We explain the change in Namibia Ends Visa-Free Travel for US, UK and Dozens of Other Countries.

4. Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali is one of the cleanest and safest capitals in Africa, spread across green hills with a café and restaurant scene that keeps getting better. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to understand the country’s history, browse contemporary art at the Inema Arts Center, and shop for fabric and fresh fruit at Kimironko Market. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is about two and a half hours away by road.

Why go in 2027: Rwanda is firmly on the world stage, with Formula 1 set to return to Africa under a 10-year Rwanda deal. Rwanda also offers a visa on arrival to travellers of every nationality.

5. Cairo, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza never disappoint, and now there is a second reason to go. The Grand Egyptian Museum, right beside the pyramids, is fully open and displays the complete treasures of Tutankhamun together for the first time. Give it at least half a day. Back in the city, wander the lanes of Islamic Cairo, bargain in Khan el-Khalili bazaar and end the day on a Nile dinner cruise.

Good to know: Museum entry is by timed ticket, so book online before you go.

6. Antananarivo, Madagascar

Most travellers rush through Madagascar’s hilltop capital on the way to the rainforest. Slow down. “Tana”, as locals call it, has steep cobbled streets, the royal palace complex of the Rova looking over the city, busy markets at Analakely and some of the best food in the Indian Ocean. Lemurs’ Park, just outside town, is an easy first meeting with the island’s most famous residents, and Andasibe’s rainforest is a few hours east.

Good to know: Madagascar went through political unrest in late 2025. Things have calmed since, but check your government’s travel advice before booking and use a reputable local guide.

7. Mombasa, Kenya

Kenya’s coastal city mixes Swahili, Arab and Portuguese history with easy beach days. Walk the carved doorways of Old Town, tour the 16th-century Fort Jesus (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), then head south to the white sand of Diani Beach. You can also pair the coast with a safari: the Madaraka Express train links Mombasa and Nairobi in about five to six hours, passing through Tsavo.

Good to know: Kenya has dropped its electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for citizens of most African countries. Other visitors still need to apply for an eTA online before travelling. Pack insect repellent, especially for evenings.

8. Mahé, Seychelles

Granite boulders, palm trees and water in five shades of blue: Seychelles really does look like the postcards. Base yourself on Mahé for Beau Vallon beach, hikes in Morne Seychellois National Park and the quiet southern district of Takamaka. Then take the ferry to Praslin and La Digue, home to Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

Good to know: Seychelles does not require a visa from any nationality, but every visitor must get a Travel Authorisation online before flying. Use the official government site only, since copycat sites charge far more.

9. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar gives you two holidays in one. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of coral-stone houses, carved doors and rooftop restaurants, with a night food market at Forodhani Gardens. Then there are the beaches: Nungwi and Kendwa in the north for swimming and sunsets, Paje in the east for kitesurfing. Add a spice farm tour and a visit to the red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest.

Good to know: Visitors must buy Zanzibar’s own travel insurance before arrival (US$44 per adult at the time of writing), and mainland Tanzania introduced a similar rule in October 2026. Check the latest requirements before you travel.

10. Cape Town, South Africa

Few cities have a setting like Cape Town. Ride the cableway up Table Mountain, walk the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, meet the penguins at Boulders Beach and drive the coast road to Cape Point. Leave time for Robben Island, the Kirstenbosch gardens, a beach afternoon at Clifton and a day of wine tasting in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.

Good to know: November to March is warm, dry and busy. For lower prices and fewer crowds, try April, May or September.

Before you book

• Check entry rules for your passport. Several countries on this list changed their visa or travel authorisation rules in the last two years. Our guide to African countries offering visa-free entry is a good place to start.
• Buy travel insurance. In Zanzibar and Tanzania it is now mandatory, and it is wise everywhere.
• Ask about vaccines early. Some countries ask for a yellow fever certificate, and malaria tablets are recommended for many coastal and safari areas.
• Mix city, beach and bush. Many of these places pair well: Mombasa with a Kenyan safari, Kigali with gorilla trekking, Cape Town with the Winelands.

Want more ideas? See our 15 Most Unique Beaches in Africa and 15 of the Best Safari Experiences in Africa.

Have you been to any of the places on our list? Where are you heading in 2027? Tell us in the comments.