Do you ever wonder what the least visited African countries could be? What’s your wildest guess? While not many people visit these destinations, they showcase hidden treasures, natural beauty, unique cultures and attractions. Famous African destinations always overshadow some amazing destinations. Only a dozen people visit them and enjoy their incredible nature. However, this article tells you what you’ve been missing and where to visit next.
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Which are the Least Visited Countries in Africa?
Before we examine the least visited African countries, we should consider some of the major reasons that suppress visits. Any of the following factors could affect annual tourist arrivals in some African countries.
- Complex visa and entry requirements
- Political instability
- High travel costs
- Lack of enough tourism marketing and promotion
- Poor infrastructure
- Limited tourist attractions
Below are the least visited countries in Africa – why only a few people visit and what they have to offer.
1. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea receives 6,000 visitors annually which is low. Among the reasons contributing to low tourism are existential challenges relating to visa acquisition. The entire process is expensive and complex. Travel isn’t cheap either. Political instability and security concerns retards any potential travellers.
Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa. Photo/US Department of State
Nevertheless, it has smooth sandy beaches, beautiful dense forests, and wildlife. Its capital, Malabo has dazzling Spanish-inspired architecture telling a lot about Equatorial Guinea’s history.
2. São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe welcome 10,000 tourists a year, an incredibly low number. It isn’t easy to get to this island nation due to enough flights. Also, its visa acquisition process can be complicated sometimes not to mention its dull tourism facilities.
Despite being one of the least visited countries in Africa, São Tomé has beautiful and untouched sand plates, vivid wildlife and diverse colonial architecture. The islands are ideal for scuba diving, and the large tracts for rain forest together with the serene environment suit ecological tourists and bird enthusiasts.
3. Comoros
Some 21,000 tourists visit the Comoros every year. The country lacks exposure. Infrastructure is deplorable, and its corrupt political system does not make the place attractive to tourists. On balance, this region of the Chilean territory has active and dormant marine volcanoes, magnificent sandy beaches, and abundant sea life. Tourists can climb Mount Karthala, one of the world’s biggest active strato-volcanoes and embrace the African-Arab-French union.
4. Guinea-Bissau
About 30,000 travellers visit Guinea-Bissau annually. Photo/ISDB Org
About 30,000 travellers visit Guinea-Bissau annually. Political unrest, poorly developed infrastructure and insufficient marketing continue to hurdle the country from realizing its full tourism potential. Nevertheless, its biological diversities and attractions; cultural tourism, wildlife, and beautiful beaches run its tourism industry. Guinea-Bissau also offers a great wealth of history and music.
5. Mauritania
Mauritania is among the least visited countries in Africa receiving a paltry 29,100 visitors every year. It doesn’t command a lot of attraction from international travellers because it is politically unstable and lacks the necessary facilities to support tourism. Conversely, its main tourist attractions include extensive desert lands touching the Sahara Desert, and historic caravan settlements such as Chinguetti and She Banc d’ Arguin National Park, for birding enthusiasts.
6. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone gets approximately 80,900 tourists each year. Its tourist attractions suffered through experiences of civil war and the recent outbreaks of diseases like Ebola. It has amazing beaches, a diverse culture and a solid wildlife portfolio. The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a popular destination for tourists.
7. Djibouti
Djibouti is without doubt one of the least visited African countries in comparison to her peers in East Africa. It only receives 63,000 tourists in a year while Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia receive over six million tourists each year cumulatively.
Some of the reasons contributing to its low tourism numbers include expensive transport, few flight connections, and unfavourable weather. Even so, Djibouti has outstanding geo-natural features such as the lowest point in Africa and Lake Assal. Lac Abbe is also fascinating and divers enjoy the Gulf of Tadjoura.
8. Central African Republic
Civile and political strife have dogged the Central African Republic for decades leaving its tourism industry in tatters. This double-layered strife has left critical tourism infrastructure in a wanting condition. It’s even more than a miracle that 71,000 people visit the country annually. Still, it has some lovely wildlife sanctuaries such as Sangha National Park with herds of African elephants and lowland gorillas.
9. Libya
Beautiful Libya before war broke out. Photo/Daily Sabah
Libya was once an amazing country receiving millions of travellers each year but civil strife reduced foreign arrivals to a mere 93,000 annually. It suffices to say that this North African nation fits among the least visited countries in Africa. Save for insecurity in Tripoli and other major cities; Libya is a charming historical site. It showcases the remains of the ancient Roman City of Leptis Magna and the Cyrene, the famous Greek ruins. The Sahara Desert is also a spectacular place to visit due to its amazing landscape.
10. Guinea
Health risks such as the deadly Ebola virus, poor infrastructure and political uprising have crippled tourism. There are only 56,000 foreign arrivals per year. Yet, this West African country has scenic mountains awash with waterfalls and lovely Fulani tribe villages. Its capital city, Conakry is an art and music scene.
Equatorial leads as one of the least visited African countries due to a range of factors among them its complex visa application process. Tourism infrastructure remains inadequate to date. Nonetheless, it has some great things to offer.
