Algeria’s capital, Algiers, is a major port city on the Mediterranean coast. It features many buildings and monuments of interest, including the Casbah (citadel), the Great Mosque of Algiers, the Monument of the Martyrs and Notre Dame d’Afrique (a Roman Catholic cathedral). Rue Didouche Mourade has numerous chic shops and smart restaurants along it.

West of Algiers are the tourist resorts of Sidi Fredj and Douaouda. These resorts have the usual tourist hotels, souvenir shops and supervised beaches. There are several desert oasis towns which offer attractions and a break from the heat; Timimoun is on a plateau with views of a salt lake and dunes. El Golea is another oasis town in Central Algeria and is a gateway to the Sahara. The ruins of El Golea Fort are well-preserved.

El-Oued is a fertile oasis town. It is known as the Town of a Thousand Domes due to the style of its house roofs. El-Oued is noted for its carpets and its souk (market). Tlemcen is in northwest Algeria in the foothills of the Tlemcen Mountains. The town’s attractions include the Grand Mosque, Almohad Ramparts, Mansourah Fortress and cooling breezes.

Accommodation options in Algeria range from pensions to five-star hotels. Walk in hotel rates, per night, in Algiers are expensive, making booking in advance essential. Budget choices are cheaper. Houari Boumedienne Airport, just outside Algiers, is Algeria’s principal airport. Most of the bigger towns also have airports. There is a railway line running parallel to the coast. Paved roads run to most major destinations in Algeria.

The capital city of Luanda acts as the core of Angola and by looking around, you can observe the remnants of former colonisation which are to be found in places such as Benfica Market, which stocks everything from ivory to animal skins. Most visitors to Luanda enjoy the pleasant bay area and take a boat to one of Angola’s famous beaches on Mussolo Island.

Other popular places in Angola include Benguela, which is where the beautiful desert beaches of Baia Azul are situated, and the Benguela Railroad, which offers breataking views of the local scenery as it travels across the country. Those really looking to get away from it all head to Kwanza Sul and enjoy the Conde Hot Springs and Bing Waterfalls.

Angola has world class hotels in the capital city of Luanda and other places around the country. Tropico Hotel, Le President Meridien Hotel and Alvalade Hotel are some of the most famous and offer four-star rooms for the same price as a mid-range hotel in the US.

Those coming to Angola fly directly to Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, which is conveniently located just four kilometres from the heart of the capital, Luanda. There aren’t any train or bus links between Angola and surrounding countries but you are able to get in overland by crossing the border from Namibia.

The capital city of Porto Novo has a rich culture, coloured by an interesting history. Local architecture and food have a distinct Brazilian flavour, as many Afro-Brazilians arrived in Porto Novo after emancipation in Brazil. The Porto Novo Museum of Ethnography showcases an impressive collection of Yoruba masks, as well as documenting the history of the city. The da Silva Museum is a museum on the history of Benin.

Abomey, once the ancient capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey, is one of Benin’s chief tourist attractions. A cluster of earthen buildings serves as Royal Palaces during the 17th and 19th century, and constitute one of West Africa’s most famous and historically significant sites. Cotonou is the economic centre of Benin, and has a few notable attractions such as the Cotonou Cathedral, Cotonou Central Mosque and the Ancien Pont Bridge.

Benin is home to some of the best wildlife in Western Africa, and the best time to visit is during the dry season. Pendjari National Park and W National Park are both located in the north of Benin. Pendjari National Park is easy to access and has a good range of accommodation at the site. W National Park is located further afield and is more difficult to access.

Cotonou International Airport on the outskirts of the city provides direct connections to France, Belgium and other African countries. A wide range of accommodation is on offer in Benin, ranging from quality city centre hotels to lodges in national parks. Both the Novotel and Sheraton groups offer luxury resort accommodation in Benin, complete with swimming pools, tennis courts and nightclubs.

Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, has a few noteworthy sights such as the National Museum, but the real fun begins on safari. The Tuli Block area, in the southeast, is popular with birdwatchers, and is a great spot for a horseback safari trip or a mountain bike tour. Ancient rock formations, add a rugged element to the landscape, and date back billions of years.

The Okavango Delta area is Botswana’s main draw, with its exquisite natural beauty and diverse range of fauna. The landscape is mostly grassy plains, tree covered-ridges and an extensive network of waterways leading to lagoons. Francistown is mainly a jumping-off point, but the town has a rich and interesting past. Once a gold town, Francistown still has some working mines, as well as the Supa-Ngwao Museum, which documents the local history.

Serowe is one of the largest villages in Botswana and is also the birthplace of the country’s first president. There are a number of interesting sites in the village including the Khama III Memorial Museum, a small Khama rhino sanctuary and the ruins of an 11th century settlement.

The selection of accommodation available in Botswana is as varied as the wildlife. Visitors can choose a style to suit their needs and their budget. The range includes five star hotels, bed and breakfasts, self catering villas, houseboats, budget motels and caravans. The main gateway to Botswana is Gabarone Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, which serves a number of destinations including Paris, London and Johannesburg.

Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, is a friendly and upbeat city filled with lively nightlife and fascinating activities. The Bangre-Weoogo urban park, considered a sacred forest, is filled with scenic hiking trails and contains a small zoo where visitors can see crocodiles swimming in a marsh. The unique 15- minute Moro Naaba ceremony which takes place every Friday morning at 07:15 symbolises an historic event dating back to when Ouagadougou was the centre of the once mighty Mossi empire. Village Artisanale of Ouagadougou and Gonghin Market are just two among many Ouagadougou outdoor markets filled with unique souvenirs.

Bobo-Dioulasso is Burkina Faso’s second largest city, and many believe it’s even friendlier and livelier than Ouagadougou. Some of Bobo-Dioulasso’s most recommended attractions include the Centre Culturel Française, the Place de la Nation Museum, and the Grande Mosque. The Grande Marché is just the biggest of the many markets found throughout Bobo-Dioulasso, where prices are generally cheaper than Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso’s largest attraction outside its major cities is the Parc National des Deux Balés, located near the southern town of Boromo and home to many roaming elephants.

Burkina Faso’s accommodation ranges from four-star luxury hotels to budget hostels. Most quality Burkina Faso hotels are located in Ouagadougou, while those staying in Bobo-Dioulasso may receive an invitation to spend nights at the homes of friendly locals.

Burkina Faso’s international airport, Ouagadougou Airport, receives daily flights from Paris, Brussels, Abidjan, Casablanca, and Dakar. Visas are required to enter Burkina Faso, and should be obtained well in advance. Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is also required from those entering Burkina Faso from other African countries.

For those in the know, the tropical hideaway of Burundi offers everything from water sports and dining on freshwater fish in plush hotels to more rugged expeditions. For cultural offerings start your explorations in Bujumbura, where museums like the Burundi Museum of Life and the Burundi Geological Museum await. Gitega is Burundi’s second city and of interest for the ibwami (Royal Court) and its karyenda (Royal Drum Sanctuaries).

But it is Burundi’s natural areas that are its biggest draw. Kibira National Park borders with Rwanda and is home to lush vegetations as well as nearly 100 varieties of mammal. Rurubu National Park sees fewer visitors but has equally interesting wildlife. Meanwhile Lake Tanganyika in the southwest of the country is Burundi’s water sports epicentre and where you can indulge in dining on fresh shrimp and beach lounging on its shores.

The capital of Burundi is host to a nice selection of international standard hotels including a Novotel that offer rooms for US$100 upwards a night. Marginally cheaper options exist in Bujumbura for around US$70 to 80 a night. Outside the main cities accommodation is basic and inexpensive with the exception of Lake Tanganyika, which features a luxury four-star hotel.

Visitors can arrive in Burundi via Bujumbura International Airport in the capital, with the airport serving mostly neighbouring African countries as well as Brussels, Belgium. It is also possible to arrive in Bujumbura by ferry from Kigoma, Tanzania.

Although tourism is rare in Cameroon, it is a diverse country with a proud multiethnic tapestry. The capital city of Yaounde is a historical place but doesn’t have as many attractions as places like Kribi, which has beaches, waterfalls and botanical gardens. The King Palaces in Foumbam are worth a visit if you wish to learn more about African history while admiring fine centuries-old architecture.

Dja Faunal Reserve is one of western Africa’s most popular tourist destinations and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you are a keen outdoor enthusiast, the highest mountain on this side of the continent can be admired by organising a daytrip to Mt Cameroon. For culture and tradition, head to Ngoketunija in the northwest region of the country.

Hotel rooms in Cameroon’s largest cities range in price from mid-range to high-end. The further you get from the big cities, the cheaper the accommodation gets and budget rooms are often surprisingly pleasant. Unless you are travelling with a registered tour guide, it’s best not to camp anywhere in Cameroon due to safety concerns.

Due to its past as an old French colony, Cameroon is easy to reach by flying directly from Paris, Brussels or Zurich into Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport. If you are already in Africa, flights can be booked from Lagos, Nairobi and Casablanca as there aren’t many well-known train, bus or boat links to and from Cameroon.

Cape Verde’s capital city, Praia, lies atop a plateau on the country’s most significant island, São Tiago. Although Praia is one of the world’s smallest and most relaxed capital cities, its nightlife is very lively and it’s a mere 10kms away from some of São Tiago’s most beautiful beaches. Even more spectacular beaches await visitors to São Tiago’s second city of Tarrafal, with a lush, green valley just a short distance away in São Domingos.

However, Cape Verde’s true beach paradise is the island of Sal, home to the country’s largest international airport in the tranquil town of Espargos and a thriving network of nightclubs, bars, and beachfront resorts in Santa Maria. Mindelo, located on the island of São Vicente, is said to be Cape Verde’s most vibrant and picturesque city, filled with Portuguese colonial homes. Green Santo Antão and mountainous Brava are particularly popular hiking destinations.

Cape Verde has a wide variety of accommodation to suit all needs and budgets, ranging from four-star all inclusive beachfront resorts to fully furnished rental apartments to quiet rural hideaways where visitors can completely escape from the rest of the world. Advance booking is highly recommended during the high season of April to September.

Visas are required for all foreign visitors to Cape Verde, and must be purchased in advance by those living in countries with Cape Verde embassies. Other visitors may purchase visas upon arrival to Cape Verde. The islands of São Tiago, Sal, and Boa Vista all include international airports handling flights from throughout Europe, North America, and Africa. Boat connections to mainland Africa are infrequent and expensive.

The Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, is beside the River Ubangi. Bangui features modern buildings in the shade of tropical greenery. Bangui’s tourist attractions are Bogonda Museum and St Paul Mission Cathedral. The Central Market and the Arts and Crafts School are also worth a visit.

Further afield, the Lobaye region, 100km from the capital, has several indigenous forest tribes in residence. Take a tour through the Lobaye region and see the tribes’ culture and traditions. Coffee plantations are situated on the edges of the forests.

The Central African Republic has two waterfalls of note: Boali Waterfalls and Kembe Waterfalls. The magnificent Kembe Waterfalls are near the village of Kembe on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s border. About 400km from Bangui are the 5,000-year-old Bouar Megaliths. The Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park is one of several wildlife parks in the Central African Republic.

There is not a great choice of hotels in Bangui. Hotels that are available tend to be over-priced. Boali and Bangassou and other small towns offer guesthouses for tourists. The guest houses are usually cheaper than the capital’s hotels. Western food, including pizza, is available, but be prepared to pay for it.

The principal gateway to the Central African Republic is Bangui M’Poko International Airport. This airport is four miles northwest of Bangui. Domestic flights at the airport use an unpaved runway. Overland entry to the Central African Republic is not really an option because of the country’s security situation. Most roads in the Central African Republic are unpaved.

The capital city of Chad is N’Djamena, which is a port on the Chari River. It is directly across the river from the Cameroon town of Kousséri. A bridge links the two towns. A tourist attraction in N’Djamena is the Chad National Museum, which has artefacts dating from the 9th century and displays detailing local traditions.

Old photographs of N’Djamena Cathedral show that it was once a pleasant building, but it was damaged in the civil war. The Grand Marche, a large open air market is the liveliest place in N’Djamena in the daytime. Zakouma National Park is an arduous 800km trip from N’Djamena. The national park is surrounded by Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve.

The Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad offer camel racing. Hot springs in the mountains are located near Soborom. Accommodation in Chad is limited, which is not really a problem as not many tourists visit the country. N’Djamena has several hotels managed by international hoteliers but rates are quite stee. New accommodation was opened at Tinga in Zakouma National Park in 2003.

N’Djamena International Airport is the principal entry point to Chad. The airport is served by airlines flying to Paris and to other African destinations. Public transport is virtually non-existent in Chad. Most of the country’s roads are unsurfaced, which makes them impassable in the wet season. A hired 4WD with driver is the best way of travelling the country.