The most visited countries in Africa in 2026
International arrivals in African countries, from UN Tourism and national statistics. Egypt leads with 15.7 million, ahead of South Africa and Morocco.
The most visited countries in Africa in 30 seconds
- Egypt (15.7 million), South Africa (8.9 million) and Morocco (8.8 million) were the three most visited countries in Africa in 2024.
- Tunisia (8.1 million in 2023) and Algeria (2.5 million) make North Africa the most visited part of the continent.
- East Africa is next: Kenya (2.4 million visitors), Zambia (2.2 million) and Tanzania (2.1 million, Zanzibar included).
- For their size, Cabo Verde and Mauritius stand out: about 2,100 and 1,100 arrivals per 1,000 residents.
2026 ranking of the most visited countries in Africa
The 15 most visited countries in Africa, ranked by international arrivals in their latest official year, with their place in the world ranking of the most visited countries. Click a country for its figure, its year and its source.
15.7 million international arrivals in 2024, all visitors including same-day trips. Source: Government of Egypt, State Information Service (Prime Minister / Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities).
International arrivals across Africa
Every country in the same bands as the world ranking: 10 to 30 million arrivals, 5 to 10 million, under 5 million. Click a band to show or hide it, click a country for its rank and figure.
Why are some countries grey? Many African countries publish no official arrivals figure for 2023 or 2024, and this page shows the 15 most visited of those that do. What this study does not show ↓
The most visited countries by region of Africa
North, West, East and Southern Africa, each ranked on its own, with every country's place in Africa and in the world.
Most visited countries in North Africa
- 1
Egypt15.7#1
- 2
Morocco8.8#3
- 3
Tunisia8.1#4
- 4
Algeria2.5#5
Most visited countries in West Africa
- 1
Ghana1.3#14
- 2
Cape Verde1.1#15
Most visited countries in East Africa
- 1
Kenya2.4#6
- 2
Zambia2.2#7
- 3
Tanzania2.1#8
- 4
Zimbabwe1.6#9
- 5
Mauritius1.4#11
- 6
Uganda1.4#12
- 7
Rwanda1.4#13
Most visited countries in Southern Africa
- 1
South Africa8.9#2
- 2
Botswana1.5#10
Reader service: outside the big cities, a serious illness often means a medical evacuation, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Before you leave for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia or South Africa, check that your policy covers it with our travel insurance comparison.
What the African ranking says
Methodology
The same data as the world ranking: built by HelloSafe's travel insurance team from official statistics only, so every figure can be checked at its source.
Formula Rank = international arrivals in the latest official year · Arrivals per 1,000 residents = arrivals ÷ population × 1,000
- Many African countries publish no official national arrivals figure for 2023 or 2024; they are not ranked rather than estimated.
- Border counts (Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana…) include same-day visitors and, in some countries, citizens living abroad. Compare countries with different definitions with care.
- Tunisia's latest official figure is for 2023. Tanzania's figure includes Zanzibar.
- Arrivals are trips, not people: a traveller who visits twice in a year counts twice.
Questions on the method? Contact us →
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“Egypt is the most visited country in Africa, with 15.7 million visitors in 2024, ahead of South Africa (8.9 million) and Morocco (8.8 million foreign tourists), according to HelloSafe's 2026 ranking based on UN Tourism and national statistics.”
“Four of Africa's five most visited countries are in North Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.”
“Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania each welcomed more than 2 million international visitors in 2024, the highest in East Africa.”
Quotes by Antoine Fruchard, travel insurance expert and author of the study · Contact us
Frequently asked questions
Egypt, with 15.7 million tourists in 2024 according to the Egyptian government, ahead of South Africa (8.9 million) and Morocco (8.8 million foreign tourists).
Egypt (15.7 million), South Africa (8.9 million), Morocco (8.8 million), Tunisia (8.1 million in 2023), Algeria (2.5 million), Kenya (2.4 million), Zambia (2.2 million), Tanzania (2.1 million), Zimbabwe (1.6 million) and Botswana (1.5 million).
Kenya, with 2.4 million visitors in 2024, just ahead of Zambia (2.2 million) and Tanzania (2.1 million, Zanzibar included).
Ghana, with 1.3 million international arrivals in 2024, ahead of Cabo Verde (1.1 million hotel guests).
17.4 million visitors in 2024 according to the Ministry of Tourism: 8.8 million foreign tourists, the figure used in this ranking, and 8.6 million Moroccans living abroad.
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