60 days in Africa Itinerary

With swathes of rainforest, tall mountains, and desert landscapes, Cameroon features many of the most iconic African environments within its borders. Ethnic diversity represents one of the main attractions for visitors on holiday in Cameroon, with the country offering an introduction to the rich and varied cultures of the continent as a whole. Unlike many other African countries, Cameroon has remained a largely peaceful place, with different ethnicities living side by side in relative tranquility. Good roads and a decent train service make vacations in Cameroon mostly pleasant experiences, with most places of interests relatively easy to reach.

Much of Niger consists of untouched landscapes, dotted here and there with old caravan towns and abandoned medieval settlements. The mountains of the north and the dunes of the center and south hold a captivating, enigmatic atmosphere, made even more memorable by the mud-brick architecture of the market towns developed over the centuries. Most visitors on vacation in Niger head to the southwest, where an abundance of protected areas rich in wildlife, some of the most scenic views of the Niger River, and the country's capital just beg to be explored.

Landlocked Burkina Faso offers a welcoming atmosphere, varied landscape, and rich cultural heritage. One of the poorest countries in the world, the country features largely undeveloped towns boasting lively music scenes and interesting markets filled with stalls selling handcrafted goods. Tourism in Burkina Faso remains a struggling industry, and with a largely undeveloped infrastructure, most travelers stick to the big cities and arrange short day trips into the wilder areas. The natural areas of the country remain known more for their topography than wildlife, with grassy sloping hills, Precambrian massifs, and rugged sandstone peaks dominating the terrain.

The coastline and the rainforests remain the primary charms of Cote d'Ivoire, with visitors treated to some superlative natural locales during their holiday. Most tourists on vacation in Cote d'Ivoire stay close to the sea, where the larger cities, modern resorts, and long sandy beaches dominate. Head inland and you'll find cool highland areas and thick forests rich in wildlife. The presidential election in 2010 led to unrest and armed conflict--travel to certain areas of the country remains inadvisable.

Lively, cultured, and colorful Mali allows visitors to get familiar with African traditions and witness contemporary African art and lifestyles. Ancient empires built cities along the Niger River, leaving behind them knowledge, beliefs, and traditions, even as the architecture crumbled. Today, the country's world-renowned musical heritage has become central to tourism in Mali, with live performances of ngoni and kora music a highlight for many tourists exploring this west African nation.