Where in Africa should I go?

My mother and I visited Tanzania a few years ago and we would love to return to Africa. We want to go to a relatively "safe" country but even farther off the beaten trail than Tanzania. We are primarily interested in culture as opposed to animal life which we covered on our first visit. We were thinking of Senegal, Mali, Benin, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda. Which do you recommend?

If you are interested in culture, like you say, I'd go to Mali or Ghana. In Mali you can see the Mosque of Djenne and the river and the entire town, which is amazing and beautiful. Then you can go to Dogon country and trek with the Dogon and to their villages - one of my all-time favorite experiences. There are colorful and friendly markets all over the country, including the one in the capital, Bamako. And then you could even do a camel safari out in the desert, or go see the ancient city of Timbuktu.

In Ghana, along the coast there are several really interesting slave "castles" which you can tour to see the places where many slaves left the West African coast. In Kumasi, there's the largest open air market in West Africa (and one of the coolest markets I've ever been to in the world - probably my very favorite, actually). There are nice beaches on the coast, and near the coast there's a rain forest you can go to with a tree top rope bridge course that's really neat.

I wouldn't go to Senegal right off - there is great culture there, as far as music, dance, drumming, food, clothes, etc. But the Senegalese tend to be really aggressive, and so it can be intimidating to new travelers to Africa. They're okay once you get used to it - lovely, actually - but it wouldn't be my first choice.

I also really liked Togo, although there's not so much to do there, but it's pretty and nice to just have a lazy trip in the tropical heat and get to know people. I think Benin would probably be similar. Burkina Faso is also like that. Not much to see, but great friendly people.

Let's see - in Uganda and Rwandi you are more likely to get killed.

Why not go to South Africa or Botswana?

I'm not sure if they are the safest countries at the moment, and it is unfair to many of them as some are among the poorest in the world, and their food will be taken for the expense of your trip.
How about Namibia? There are beautiful sand dunes, with a nice heat and phenomenal safaris, with the amazing Windhoek as the capital.

I would not advice to visit Botswana, Rwanda or Uganda (there no much to see esp if you have already visited Tanzania), if is the matter of culture expo I would say South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland is better - esp when there is special traditional events - inquire within your local travel agent to organize or to get in touch with local authorities i.e His Highness of Swazi or something similar. Zulu land also offers beautiful scenery, safe to travel and society offers pure Bantu rich Culture, people are very friendly. You have mentioned about Senegal. Mali and Ghana - I have not visited but they are also good!

Morroco

Ethiopia!! Nice country been there. And you won't get killed in africa only if something bad happens, just like in america.

Just go to Ethiopia

Mozambique!

It has an amazing culture, great scenery, great food, and definitely off the beaten track!

Especially if you go to Northern Mozambique, the only way you can get there is to fly in from Dar es Salaam or Johannesburg on bi-weekly flights or take a bus trip that could last a week from any where you have ever heard of!

The beaches there are incredible, some of the best diving you could ever dream of, the people there are super nice, very safe (I lived there for a few months and never encountered any problem).

Basically, anything you could ask for. It has an amazing portuguese influence which gives it a latin feel in the middle of Africa.

Best beaches, best seafood, best people, best country.

ETHIOPIA..... it is really great in here specially if you are interested in culture also animal life you should come here you will love it

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