Africa is a vast continent with a wide array of attractions for visitors. From the Sahara and Arab influenced culture of the north to lush rainforests and the vibrant Savannah landscapes of the south, Africa is a popular destination for people seeking unique cultures and vibrant wildlife.
A great way to experience this eclectic continent is to take a guided tour. There are plenty of excellent options available, both for tourists just looking for day trips and those looking for fully guided excursions.
These are the 15 best tours you can take in Africa.
1. Table Mountain Cable Car Ticket & Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Combo
Source: PhotoSky / shutterstockCity Sightseeing have four bus routes across Cape Town and this ticket allows you to access all of them. This is a great way to explore the main attractions in the city without having to worry about transport.
You are also given an audio guide to give you a full tour experience. One of the bus routes takes you to the base of Table Mountain, where you can use this ticket to give you access to the cable car to the top.
This means you can take in the breathtaking views over Cape Town without having to worry about the climb up.
2. Robben Island Ferry Ticket with Hotel Pick-Up
Source: Anton_Ivanov / shutterstockVisit the jail where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during the Apartheid Era and learn about the dark history of South Africa with this tour.
You will be taken around the island and into the former prison with a guide who was an inmate at the same time as Mandela.
You will learn all about how the prisoners were treated, as well as the beginning and end of Apartheid across the country. Free pick-up from your hotel in Cape Town is included.
3. Cairo: Pyramids Viewpoints Tour
Source: Veronika Kovalenko / shutterstockThe Great Pyramids of Giza are by far the most popular tourist attractions in Egypt and this tour gives you a great overview of the area.
Photographers will love the opportunity to capture the ancient landmarks from unique viewpoints, whilst history buffs will delight in learning more about why they were built. You will also visit the Valley Temple, where mummification processes took place before kings were buried in the pyramids.
A stop at the Sphinx is also included, letting you take in all the main sights in the area in one tour.
4. From Cairo: Dinner Cruise on the Nile River
Source: meunierd / shutterstockThe Nile River is another popular attraction for visitors to Egypt; the country serves as the starting point for the more than 4000-mile long river.
This cruise sends you down the parts of the Nile River that run through Cairo, allowing you to take in the city lights and atmosphere from the comfort of the ship. A buffet lunch is provided on board, which you can enjoy throughout the entire cruise.
Live entertainment is also provided, such as an Arabic belly dancer, allowing you to take in some modern Egyptian culture. Hotel pick up and drop off is included.
5. From Victoria Falls: Livingstone Island Tour & Devil’s Pools
Source: StanislavBeloglazov / shutterstockThe world’s largest waterfall by area, Victoria Falls is a truly breathtaking trip to add to your Africa itinerary.
This morning tour takes you on a trip around Livingstone Island, located close to the falls. Here you will be treated to excellent views over the main falls, as well as some of the smaller falls nearby.
Thrill seekers also have the chance to swim in the Devil’s Pools – a natural infinity pool with views across the falls. Your tour finishes up on the island with a traditional bush breakfast.
6. Marrakech: Half-Day Desert Quad & Dromedary Tour
Source: getyourguide.comIf you’re only visiting Morocco for a short trip, this half-day tour lets you take in some of the nomadic culture of the native Berber people, as well as ride across the desert.
You will be provided with traditional nomadic dress as you ride a dromedary (a single-humped Arabian camel) through the palm trees on your way to a Berber village.
In the village, you will be treated to a tea break with locals before embarking on your quad bike adventure through the desert. Pick up and drop off from Marrakech is included.
7. From Fez: Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouen
Source: Olena Tur / shutterstockPopular with Instagrammers, Chefchaouen is known for its bright blue buildings. This 12-hour tour includes pick up and drop off from Fez on a trip to the town.
Your knowledgeable tour guide will allow you to see past the photogenic architecture and teach you about local culture and history. You will also be treated to spectacular views over the Rif Mountains.
You will visit a number of museums located in the town and be allowed four hours of free time to explore at your own pace. The tour ends with lunch in the square before heading back to Fez.
8. Kumasi 4 Hour Traditional Cooking Tour and Class
Source: S Buwert / shutterstockAfrican cuisine is diverse, with many unique flavors and textures. This tour gives you the opportunity to explore a Kumasi food market, learn about the secrets of Ghanaian cooking, and dive into the world of West African cuisine.
All your ingredients are included, and you are taken to some of the best markets in the city to source them.
You will then be shown how to prepare Ghana’s most popular dishes by a qualified local chef. You will sample a wide range of courses – including wakye and koose.
9. From Nairobi: 2-Day Tour of Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha
Source: worldroadtrip / shutterstockKenya is a popular safari destination thanks to its natural beauty and vibrant wildlife. This tour takes you to the Nakuru and Naivasha lakes, where you will have the opportunity to spot lions, rhinos and zebras, amongst other African wildlife.
The two-day tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Nairobi and comes with a knowledgeable driver and tour guide.
You will be taken on a boat trip across the river to bring you up close to the native hippo population. Group sizes are limited to give you a more intimate and personalized experience.
10. Nairobi: Hell’s Gate National Park Full-Day Adventure
Source: Toni Tejon / shutterstockIf you are only in Kenya for a short time, this full day tour is a great way to take in some of the main attractions and cultural experiences in a short space of time.
Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi is included, allowing you to venture out to the national park stress-free.
Your experienced local guide will talk to you about the beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife of the region and give you the opportunity to spot hippos, zebras and other animals.
You will also meet a Maasai tribe and sample authentic Kenyan cuisine.
11. Mount Kilimanjaro: 7-Day Trek
Source: Timaldo / shutterstockAfrica’s tallest mountain is the ultimate challenge for hiking enthusiasts; this tour allows you to safely make your way to the peak over the course of one week.
All accommodation, safety equipment, food, and porters are included in this tour, and experienced guides are on hand to make sure you are fit and healthy throughout your ascent.
This is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, offering diverse landscapes including rainforests, savannahs and mountain climates.
This is not for the faint-hearted; you need a good level of physical fitness to successfully manage the climb.
12. Slave Routes of Zanzibar – 3-Hour Guided Tour
Zanzibar played a key role in the Arab slave trade until it was abolished in the 19th century.
This tour takes you through some important historical sites across the island, where you will learn about the darker sides of Africa’s history.
You will be taken on a walk through the caves of Mangapwani and shown the former sites of slave markets and harbors. Pick-up and drop-off from Stone Town are included, as well as entrance fees.
The tour guide is a local with great, in-depth knowledge of the history of Zanzibar.
13. Antananarivo: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Source: milosk50 / shutterstockMadagascar is still somewhat off the beaten tourist path, but well worth the visit for a unique African experience.
This tour of the capital is with an expert guide, who can help tailor your experience to your desires. The walking tour is a great way to get to know the Madagascan capital through the eyes of a local and will allow you to orient yourself in the city before further travel.
You will also have the opportunity to meet other locals and hear the stories that have shaped Antananarivo and the rest of the island. The tour can last anywhere from two hours to half a day, depending on what you want to see.
14. 5 Day Experience of the Primates in Uganda
Source: getyourguide.comThere are many different species of primate native to Uganda, and this five-day experience allows you to get up close with many of them.
From gorillas to chimpanzees, you will be able to interact with the different species and learn about the conservation efforts being made by local organizations.
This trip also includes a cultural visit to Bwindi, where you can speak to the local community. Accommodation and transport from the airport are included.
15. Douz 2-Day Sahara Desert Trek
Source: getyourguide.comWhilst most tourists to the Sahara opt for Morocco or Egypt, Tunisia is another great option if you are looking for something a little more budget friendly and off the beaten path.
This two-day trek from Douz allows you to venture into the Sahara on the back of a camel, guided by local cameleers.
You will spend some time with the indigenous Berber people of North Africa and settle down for a night under the desert sky. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all provided.