Five African Countries You Need To Visit In 2020

3. Rwanda

Few countries have transformed their narrative faster than Rwanda. The country was torn apart in 1994 by civil war and genocide, but Rwandans seem to have removed the tragedies of the era out from their public and collective personas.

The capital city of Kigali is booming, but they don’t call it Le Pays des Mille Collines (Land of a Thousand Hills) for nothing. While there aren’t any fancy beach towns here, it’s a mountain lover’s paradise with its lush rain forests, world-class treks, and incredible wildlife. But if you are looking to take a dip on your holiday, Lake Kivu would not be a bad option. Otherwise, it’s off to Rwanda famed Volcanoes National Park to search for mountain gorillas.

Expert tip: It will certainly catch your attention, but friends of the same sex holding hands is extremely common.

4. Tunisia

For travelers looking for an adventure in North Africa, Tunisia is a short flight from most Western European cities. The country is similar to Egypt and Morocco in that they fade out to the Sahara Desert, are affordable and their residents overwhelming identify as being Muslim. But Tunisia is smaller and easier to get around which means getting maximum experiences during your vacation. You can travel from the tip of the country to the southern regions in a day.

Tunisia has souks for shoppers, historic mosque for those interested in religion, inexpensive food and affordable beach resorts for the frugal and abandoned Star Wars movie sets for the nerds. If you’re into ancient civilizations, the remarkable ruins of Carthage are in Tunisia, just another reason to book a trip.

Expert Tip: With a shared love for blue and white buildings, the Tunisian coastal town of Sidi Bou Said rivals Morocco’s Chefchaouen. The latter, however, is not surrounded by beautiful Meditteranean water.