Top 10 : african destinations for summer 2023

Kenya: Safaris as attractive as ever

It remains a safe bet. In response to the demand for a change of scenery, Kenya’s flora and fauna, showcased by safaris and turnkey tours offered by tour operators, is exploding. Visit the national parks and spot the Big Five; meet the Maasai; or Far Niente on the white sandy beaches of Monbassa… Kenya welcomes visitors from all over the world, including 1.32 million tourists in 2022, an annual growth of 74.5%.

Tourism is Kenya’s second largest foreign exchange earner after agriculture. It is home to one of the world’s most authentic safari destinations, with attractions ranging from sandy coastal beaches, diverse flora and fauna, game parks, cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. Over the years, Kenya has remained a competitive destination for both domestic and international tourists. Before the pandemic, the sector accounted for 7.9% of the country’s GDP by 2019.

According to the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism, inbound tourism earnings between January and August 2022 grew to 167 billion shillings, about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars, compared to 691 million dollars in 2021. Kenya’s tourist arrivals surged 91 per cent during this period. Kenya currently ranks 78th globally on the Travel and Tourism Index.

Egypt: Dive into the heart of a thousand-year-old civilization

The pyramids have not aged a day and continue to attract thousands of tourists from all over the world. As a result, the number of tourists is expected to increase by 46% to around 11.6 million in 2023, approaching the all-time high of 13.02 million in 2019.

Um-al-Dunya, the ‘Mother of the World’ in Arabic, is home to a wealth of unrivalled tourist and historical attractions, and thrives on archaeological treasures and wonders, making it a classic vintage of history and civilization. History and culture buffs come from far and wide to explore the pyramids, the Sphinx and other millennia-old wonders of Egyptian civilization in Islamic, Coptic, Roman, Greek and African colors.

South Africa: Unrivalled

South Africa’s natural and cultural diversity makes it a must-see destination for international tourists. The country is rich in natural resources such as its parks and nature reserves, landscapes, wildlife, non-recreational resources and cultural resources ranging from archaeological sites to entertainment facilities. In addition to its highly attractive national parks, the destination also attracts extreme sports enthusiasts. South Africa also has vast stretches of golden sand beaches, sea to mountain roads and vineyards as far as the eye can see.  The Rainbow Nation has also become a popular destination for business travelers. And it’s a destination that’s constantly renewing itself: while “luxury” tourism is on the rise, a number of players in the sector are also developing their ecotourism offerings.

Morocco: a complete offer

Over the years, Morocco has confirmed its position as one of the continent’s top tourist destinations thanks to a well-thought-out strategy. With the modernization of its infrastructure, the country’s tourist offer has diversified to cater for all tastes. From the lovers of beaches, spas and exoticism, who are seduced by the thousand and one charms of Marrakech, to a more privileged clientele that prefers Essaouira, a tourist jewel thanks to its natural, historical and cultural heritage, which has made it a major tourist destination, not to mention the thrill-seekers who are seduced by a trek across the Saharan dunes. ….

Now that the country has turned the page on the pandemic, with arrivals expected to rise to 11 million by 2022 – an 84% recovery rate compared to 2019 – it is regaining its appeal and exploring other niches to remain one of the continent’s leading destinations.

Zanzibar: as mythical as ever

Known for its vast wilderness, safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania is also home to the tropical islands of Zanzibar. A blend of East African and Arabic influences, where English, Swahili and Arabic are commonly spoken, the island is famous for Stone Town, an 18th-century Swahili trading town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can wander the narrow streets, browse the still thriving market and confront historical justice and injustice at the site « where the slave trade finally ended ». Zanzibar is surrounded by white sands and crystal-clear waters where visitors can sunbathe or snorkel. Zanzibar scored 32.3 points with the Tourism Sentiment Index, ranking 16th in the world. And let’s not forget the mythical beaches!

Also not to be missed is the Stone Town off the coast of Zanzibar, a complex maze of whitewashed earth and buildings dating back to the European colonization of the island of the same name.

Ethiopia : To discover

Ethiopia has been one of the fastest growing destinations in the post-COVID recovery period. Ethiopia has experienced 3% growth compared to the pre-pandemic era, driven largely by ecotourism.

Geographically, historically and culturally, Ethiopia is a land of diversity and discovery. From its unique vistas of rugged terrain and rift valleys to majestic waterfalls and alpine peaks; from its 12th to 15th century rock-hewn churches nestled in Ethiopia’s little explored highlands, to its world-class museums telling of Ethiopia’s rich past, not to mention its restaurants serving a wide range of ethnic cuisines, Ethiopia, one of the world’s oldest civilizations, is waiting to be discovered.

Ghana: Marketing that works

The strategy adopted a few years ago is bearing fruit. By developing cultural tourism with a focus on ‘back to basics’ and targeting African Americans in particular, Ghana has carved out a real niche.

According to Gordon Clark, vice president of business development at ForwardKeys, West and Central Africa are benefitting most from Africa’s newfound popularity, and Ghana specifically has led travel bookings in the American market due to the “increase in airline seat capacity leaving from the States. In Clark’s view, this has attracted a « more premium travel crowd. »

In response to this trend, local authorities have built more upscale hotels and invested heavily in standardizing tourism facilities to cater for the big spenders and boost the country’s competitiveness. Quite simply, Ghana is brimming with unexplored potential and it’s only a matter of time before its picturesque coastline and lush nature reserves appear in the mainstream media.

Mauritius

« Mauritius was made first and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius ». This maxim, attributed to Mark Twain, applies perfectly to Mauritius.

Paradise in more ways than one, from its sandy beaches, mountains and waterfalls to a volcanic crater, coral reefs and giant tortoises… Whether it is a cultural stroll through the old town of the capital, Port-Louis, or kitesurfing at a world-famous spot, or an initiative in Sega dancing, a local musical culture, Mauritius is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

Botswana: Land of Safari

Botswana’s tourism focuses on game reserves, wildlife and wilderness tourism. Its wild landscapes attract nature lovers from all over the world. Places like the Kalahari Desert and the lush Okavango Delta are almost always on tourist lists. South Africa is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including the black-maned lion and Cape buffalo. As a result, it is one of Africa’s top safari destinations, renowned for its luxury camps and lodges.

Tunisia: a resurgent tourist destination

According to easyJet, one of Europe’s largest low-cost airlines, demand for travel to Tunisia has increased more than any other country in its catalogue since 2019. Is this a sign that the destination is making a comeback after years plagued by a series of crises due to the local and international context?

Bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia is a country with more than 3,000 years of history and boasts the charm of Mediterranean cities as well as its Berber, Arab and African cultural heritage…

From the ruins of Carthage to the thalassotherapy of Sousse, the authenticity of Mahdia and the Sahara, Tunisia is also looking to renew its tourist offer. Gone are the days of mass and budget tourism in Hammamet, and to get back into the race and develop tourism that is more conducive to the country’s socio-economic development, the sector’s players are experimenting with new niches and attracting new customers.