18 days in Africa Itinerary

Tourism in Rwanda experienced a serious boost in the recent years largely thanks to the country's large population of mountain gorillas. One of only two nations in which the enigmatic, critically endangered gorillas can be tracked, Rwanda appeals to adventurous travelers interested in hiking the hills and equatorial jungles inhabited by the endemic species. The people of Rwanda remain positive about their future, and the political stability that has taken hold since the horrors of the 1994 genocide allows a growing number of international tourists to share in the optimism.

The land of pharaohs, pyramids, sphinxes, and papyrus, Egypt needs little by way of introduction. Visitors find more than a textbook readout of ancient history when visiting the country--the power, scale, art, and mysticism of its centuries-old culture bleed out from each landmark attraction and seep into the everyday life. Bustling markets, the slow-flowing Nile, the vast desert, and inspiring archeological sites often sit right alongside palaces of great excess and historical importance. All ensure you have plenty to see and do during your vacation in Egypt. In the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011, travel to certain areas where conflict and terrorism are deemed likely remains inadvisable for foreign visitors.

Tunisia benefits from its thin, slivery form, with a range of landscapes and climates causing diverse cultures, traditions, and lifestyles to develop over time. The lesser-visited south of the country possesses some major archaeological sites, impressive dunes, and caravans of nomadic peoples crossing the sands. The north contains many of the main cities in the country, located along the historic Mediterranean coast. Carthaginian and Roman ruins are found in and just outside the contemporary urban areas, which themselves blend African, Ottoman, and European influences. Many come for a beach holiday in Tunisia, but those who don't stop there are richly rewarded.

The largest country on the continent, Algeria combines diverse landscapes with cultural intrigue and history. The north of the country has always been the most developed area, with the majority of the population living in cities along the Mediterranean coast. Roman ruins, modern and colonial architecture, renowned museums, and impressive coastal areas in the north represent some of the highlights of a vacation in Algeria. Heading south, the Sahara Desert takes hold. The dunes and nomadic tribes crossing the landscape offer a dreamier, less scripted counterpoint to the urbane north.