By 2025, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt will dominate the ranking of the most visited African countries, ahead of Kenya and Tanzania, which confirm their status as safari giants. Other destinations such as Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia complete the Top 10, with increasing visitor numbers and a growing economic impact on their national economies.
A Continent on the Rise in Tourism
The African continent is experiencing a continuous increase in international arrivals, driven by improved infrastructure, simplified visa requirements, and promotional campaigns targeting Europe, North America, and Asia. Safaris, cultural heritage, coastal tourism, and business tourism structure the offering, with significant benefits in terms of foreign exchange and direct and indirect employment.
South Africa, Morocco, Egypt: The Top Three
South Africa is the most visited African country, attracting over 10 million tourists to Cape Town, Kruger National Park, and its diverse urban and cultural offerings, generating nearly $9 billion in revenue by 2024. Morocco follows with over 8 million visitors, drawn by Marrakech, Fez, and the Sahara Desert, while Egypt attracts approximately 7.8 million tourists to the Pyramids of Giza and the Temples of Luxor, generating nearly $8 billion annually.
Safaris and Nature: Kenya and Tanzania Lead the Way
In East Africa, Kenya surpasses 2 million visitors thanks to the Great Migration to the Maasai Mara, its Indian Ocean beaches, and a tourism sector that contributes approximately 10% of the national GDP. Tanzania, with 1.8 million tourists, capitalizes on the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar, with high-end safaris alone generating over $2.6 billion in revenue.
The Maghreb’s resurgence
In North Africa, Tunisia attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors to the ruins of Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and its Mediterranean resorts, with the sector showing strong growth since 2024. Algeria, with nearly 1.2 million tourists, relies on its listed Roman sites and the Sahara (notably the Tassili n’Ajjer), which contribute several hundred million dollars in revenue.
West and the Horn of Africa gain ground
In West Africa, Nigeria and Ghana each exceed one million visitors, driven by business tourism, cultural festivals, and a vibrant urban scene. Ethiopia closes the Top 10 with around 900,000 arrivals, benefiting from its religious heritage (Lalibela, Timkat) and cultural tourism which can generate up to $700 million per year.
