Conakry

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, split between the mainland and Bioko island. Pico Basilé rises above Malabo, and the southern Bioko beaches host nesting sea turtles.

Eritrea

Eritrea's capital Asmara is a UNESCO-listed time capsule of Italian modernist architecture, and the Dahlak Archipelago holds nearly untouched Red Sea reefs. Independent travel is tightly controlled and permits are required outside Asmara.

Eswatini

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) packs rhino tracking in Hlane, the Malolotja highlands, and a living monarchy's ceremonial calendar into one of Africa's smallest countries. It slots neatly into a South Africa road trip.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a rare destination where culture travel still feels like discovery. Rock-hewn churches at Lalibela, the Danakil Depression, the Simien mountains, and a food scene centered on injera and coffee ceremonies.

Gabon

Gabon keeps almost 90 percent of its land under forest and made 13 national parks in one stroke in 2002. Loango is the famous one: forest elephants and buffalo walking ocean beaches, plus surfing hippos in the right season.

Gambia

The Gambia is a river with a country around it, and West Africa's easiest first stop. Atlantic beach resorts near Banjul, river trips past Kunta Kinteh Island, and more than 500 recorded bird species in a country smaller than Connecticut.