Africa's tourism industry has moved well beyond its post-pandemic recovery phase. Several of the continent's biggest destinations recorded new visitor records in 2025, with Morocco coming close to 20 million arrivals and Egypt reaching about 19 million international tourists.
The latest figures also show some changes lower down the ranking. Kenya has strengthened its position with 2.7 million international visitors in 2025, while Tanzania passed 2.2 million. Zimbabwe and Uganda also remain among Africa's notable tourism destinations.
These are the 10 most visited countries in Africa based on the latest available official tourism figures.
Methodology
The ranking uses the latest full-year tourism figures available as of October 2026, giving priority to official government tourism agencies, national statistics offices and central banks.
Most figures are for 2025, although some countries have not yet published a comparable full-year 2025 figure, in which case the latest available 2024 figure is used.
Because countries do not always use identical definitions for tourist arrivals, international visitors and border arrivals, the figures should not be treated as a perfectly standardized statistical league table.
1. Morocco
Tourist arrivals: 19.8 million in 2025
Morocco remains Africa's most visited country and extended its lead in 2025.
The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism reported 19.8 million tourist arrivals in 2025, a 14% increase from 2024. Tourism revenue also reached a record 138 billion Moroccan dirhams during the year.
Morocco's attraction comes from its unusually broad tourism offering. Marrakech and Fez draw visitors interested in history and culture, while Casablanca provides a major urban destination. The Atlas Mountains, Atlantic coastline and Sahara add completely different experiences.
Its strong air connections with Europe also give Morocco a major advantage in attracting international visitors.
2. Egypt
International tourists: about 19 million in 2025
Egypt came extremely close to Morocco in 2025, welcoming approximately 19 million international tourists, according to the country's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The figure represented roughly 21% growth compared with 2024.
Egypt's tourism strength is unusually diverse. The pyramids and ancient temples remain its most recognisable attractions, but the country also has major Red Sea destinations such as Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.
The Nile, Luxor, Aswan and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025 have further strengthened Egypt's position as one of the world's major cultural tourism destinations.
3. Tunisia
Tourist arrivals: more than 11 million in 2025
Tunisia crossed the 11 million tourist mark in 2025, according to the country's Ministry of Tourism.
By December 22, the ministry reported that more than 11 million tourists had already visited the country, putting Tunisia firmly among Africa's three biggest tourism destinations.
Its Mediterranean coastline remains a major draw, particularly for European holidaymakers. Tunisia also combines beach resorts with archaeological and cultural attractions, including ancient Carthage, historic medinas and desert landscapes.
The country's relatively compact size allows visitors to combine coastal resorts, heritage sites and inland destinations within a single trip.
4. South Africa
International tourists: about 10.5 million in 2025
South Africa recorded approximately 10.5 million international tourists in 2025, an increase of 17.7% from the 8.9 million recorded in 2024.
The result pushed the country above its pre-pandemic tourism level and marked a record year for international tourism.
South Africa's strength is its variety. Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape provide a major urban, coastal and wine tourism market, while Kruger National Park and other reserves attract safari travellers.
The Garden Route, Johannesburg, Durban and the country's mountain and coastal landscapes add further depth to its tourism offering.
5. Algeria
Tourist arrivals: 3.55 million in 2024
Algeria recorded 3,548,405 tourist arrivals in 2024, according to the Algerian Ministry of Tourism.
The figure included approximately 2.45 million foreign tourists and Algerians living abroad.
Algeria's enormous geographical size gives it a tourism offering that ranges from the Mediterranean coast to Roman archaeological sites and the Sahara.
The country's southern destinations, including Tamanrasset, Adrar and Timimoun, have also been attracting growing interest, particularly for desert tourism.
6. Kenya
International visitors: 2.7 million in 2025
Kenya has moved into Africa's leading tourism group after recording approximately 2.7 million international visitors in 2025.
That was a rise of about 9% from the roughly 2.47 million recorded in 2024.
Kenya's tourism identity remains strongly connected to wildlife, with destinations such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo attracting international safari travellers. Nairobi, the Kenyan coast and Mount Kenya provide additional tourism products.
The country's tourism sector generated approximately KSh500 billion in earnings in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.
7. Tanzania
International tourist arrivals: about 2.28 million in 2025
Tanzania recorded an estimated 2,283,685 international tourist arrivals in 2025, up from 2,141,895 in 2024.
The country has one of Africa's strongest combinations of wildlife, mountains and beach tourism.
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area are among its best-known attractions, while Mount Kilimanjaro draws climbers and Zanzibar gives Tanzania a major Indian Ocean tourism destination.
Tourism earnings reached about $3.9 billion in 2024 as visitor numbers climbed to a record 2.14 million.
8. Zimbabwe
International tourist arrivals: about 1.61 million in 2024
Zimbabwe recorded 1,613,901 international tourist arrivals in 2024, according to figures from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
Victoria Falls remains the country's biggest international tourism attraction, but Zimbabwe's tourism offering extends much further.
Hwange National Park, Mana Pools, Gonarezhou National Park, Lake Kariba and the Great Zimbabwe National Monument give the country a combination of wildlife, natural scenery and archaeological heritage.
Tourism generated an estimated $1.2 billion in revenue in 2024.
9. Uganda
Tourist arrivals: 1.37 million in 2024
Uganda recorded 1,371,895 tourist arrivals in 2024, representing a 7.7% increase from the previous year's 1.27 million.
Wildlife is at the centre of Uganda's international tourism appeal. The country is particularly known for mountain gorilla and chimpanzee experiences, alongside traditional safari destinations such as Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Uganda's tourism earnings also rose to approximately $1.28 billion in 2024.
10. Ghana
International visitors: 1.288 million in 2024
Ghana completes the ranking with 1.288 million international visitors recorded in 2024, according to the Ghana Tourism Authority.
Ghana's tourism profile combines coastal heritage sites, historic forts and castles, cultural tourism, festivals and major urban attractions in Accra and Kumasi.
The United States, Nigeria and the United Kingdom were among the country's strongest source markets in 2024, while arrivals from Nigeria alone increased by 25%.
Ghana's international visitors generated approximately $4.8 billion in tourism revenue during the year, according to the Ghana Tourism Authority's 2024 report.
Africa's Tourism Map Is Changing
The latest numbers show how quickly Africa's tourism landscape is changing.
Morocco and Egypt are now operating at close to 20 million annual visitors, while Tunisia and South Africa have both passed the 10 million mark. Further down the ranking, Kenya has strengthened its position with 2.7 million international visitors, moving ahead of Tanzania's roughly 2.28 million.
The continent's leading destinations also show how varied African tourism has become. Morocco combines cities, heritage and desert landscapes. Egypt dominates ancient heritage and Red Sea tourism. South Africa and Kenya are major wildlife destinations, while Tanzania combines safari tourism with Zanzibar.
The numbers point to a continent where tourism is no longer defined by a handful of destinations. Africa's biggest tourism markets are expanding, and several countries are recording their strongest visitor numbers in years.
