Top 6 African Destinations to Discover | Uniresa

Over 307 million tourists traveled abroad in the first quarter of 2026, about 6 million more than during the same period in 2025, according to UN Tourism data. Brought to you by Uniresa, your online apartment booking platform.

This remarkable growth confirms an excellent 2025, which saw international tourist arrivals reach 1.52 billion—nearly 60 million more than in 2024.

In Africa, arrivals continued to rise in the first quarter of 2026 (+4%), driven by North Africa (+18%). Sub-Saharan Africa also recorded an increase of around 4% over the same quarter.

Six African destinations tourists love

Africa is drawing more and more travelers thanks to its cultural diversity, stunning landscapes, and rich heritage. From idyllic beaches to wild safaris, each destination delivers a unique and memorable adventure. Whether you love nature, culture, or exploration, the continent is full of fascinating places to see. Here are six African destinations that tourists love and that deserve a spot on your next travel itinerary.

Global momentum

| The year 2025 proved to be a banner year for international tourism.

Europe welcomed 130 million international tourists in the first quarter of 2026, a 4% increase compared to the same period last year, while Asia-Pacific grew by 3% and the Americas by 2%, according to UN Tourism.

After rising in January and February, international arrivals dropped by 37% in the Middle East, affected by the conflict involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.

2025, a vibrant year

Performance in the first quarter confirms the strong rebound of global tourism seen since the post-Covid-19 recovery.

The main destinations remain Europe, with 793 million international tourists in 2025, the Americas with 218 million, Asia-Pacific with 331 million, the Middle East with 100 million international visitors, and Africa, which attracted some 81 million tourists in 2025 thanks to its diverse attractions, safaris, cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and sunny beaches.

Tourism export revenues: a record 2.2 trillion USD in 2025.

Total tourism export earnings (including passenger transport receipts) are estimated at 2.2 trillion USD in 2025, according to UN Tourism.

Here are the top African countries drawing the highest numbers of international tourists, brought to you by Uniresa, your online apartment booking platform.

1- Morocco

The kingdom has become the top tourist destination in Africa, welcoming nearly 20 million visitors in 2025.

Tourist arrivals in Morocco have doubled in a decade, rising from 10 million in 2015 to 19.8 million in 2025, according to official government figures.

The country overtook Egypt, which previously led the rankings. This achievement stems from a proactive strategy to expand air travel links with major tourism markets.

Key source markets highlight the kingdom's strong appeal among international travelers: France (+11%), Spain (+12%), the United Kingdom (+18%), Belgium (+10%), and Italy (+21%), according to official data.

The tourism sector now accounts for 7.3% of Morocco's GDP and generates nearly 124 billion dirhams (11.5 billion euros).

2- Egypt

Moving to second place, Egypt recorded 19 million tourists in 2025, up 21% from 2024 according to data from Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy.

The minister praised "Egypt's competitiveness as a safe destination, alongside the success of our strategy to offer diverse travel experiences while improving service quality."

Demonstrating how closely tourism relies on air travel, charter flight traffic in the country jumped by 32%. Millions of travelers continue to flock to iconic sites like the Pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened in 2025.

The Egyptian government aims to attract 30 million foreign tourists per year by 2028.

The tourism industry contributed approximately 15.3 billion USD to the national economy in 2024, according to official figures.

3- Tunisia

| Tunisia crossed the threshold of 11 million tourists in 2025.

Tunisia reached a key milestone by welcoming over 11 million tourists in 2025, confirming a strong rebound across its tourism industry.
This milestone solidifies the country's place among Africa's most favored travel destinations.
While it ranks behind Morocco and Egypt in overall arrivals, Tunisia keeps making solid progress. According to Tourism Minister Sofiane Tekaya, AAMAX this growth reflects concerted efforts to revive the sector.
The country is focusing on diversifying its travel options, blending Mediterranean beaches, cultural heritage, desert tours, and wellness tourism. This approach attracts new markets and caters to diverse visitor profiles. With this strong momentum, Tunisia can look forward to setting new tourism records in the coming years.

4- South Africa

Tourists take photos of downtown Cape Town from an open-top bus on February 9, 2010, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and national parks, South Africa remains a premier international tourist draw.

In 2025, the country welcomed 10.48 million international arrivals, a 17.6% increase compared to 2024 and an all-time record, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

To turn tourism into a key engine for wealth and job creation, the South African government approved a Tourism Growth Partnership Plan.

This initiative aims to streamline entry procedures through an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for key source markets, while expanding international flight connectivity.

In 2024, tourism contributed 9 billion dollars to the Rainbow Nation's economy.

5- Kenya

With its remarkable wildlife and scenic landscapes, Kenya is one of Africa's top travel destinations.

In East Africa, Kenya remains the primary tourist hub. According to Tourism and Wildlife Minister Rebecca Miano, the country welcomed 7.9 million visitors in 2025, up from 7.6 million a year earlier.

In 2025, Kenya's tourism sector generated 500 billion Kenyan shillings (about 3.84 billion dollars) in revenue, a 10% gain over 2024.

To ease transit through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, authorities eliminated electronic travel authorization fees for African nationals, while the Kenya Tourism Board launched a global campaign titled "A Journey Through the Wild Heart of East Africa" in partnership with BBC StoryWorks.

6- Tanzania

Two tawny eagles (Aquila rapax) perched behind a tourist safari jeep in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.

Tanzania is a premier travel destination. Blessed with famous national parks and exceptional biodiversity, the country continues to attract millions of international travelers. In 2025, 5.9 million tourists visited the country.

Tanzania now targets 8 million annual arrivals by 2030 and aims to raise tourism's share of GDP from 17% to 20%.

The industry generated roughly 4.2 billion dollars for the Tanzanian economy, based on official reports.

FAQ – Tourist Destinations in Africa

1. Which country is the top tourist destination in Africa?
Morocco is currently the leading tourist destination in Africa, with nearly 20 million visitors in 2025.

2. How many tourists visited Africa in 2025?
Africa welcomed around 81 million international tourists in 2025.

3. What are the most visited African countries?
Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania are among the most popular travel destinations.

4. Why do travelers love visiting Africa?
For its diverse scenery, white-sand beaches, wildlife safaris, vibrant cultures, and historic landmarks.

5. Which African destination is best for a safari?
Kenya and Tanzania are world-famous for their incredible safaris and abundant wildlife.

Source: BBC