YouTuber Drew Binsky says he’s visited every country on the continent. (Image: YouTube/Drew Binsky / Getty)
An American content creator who has travelled all over picked out five of his favourite countries on the continent, including one that boasts ruins that blow others “out the water”.
Drew Binsky claims to have visited all of ‘s 54 countries and did quick a .
Two years before, when he had just one country left to visit, Drew did a deep-dive on why he prized his visits to countries he chose above all others, starting off with Ethiopa and its famous culture.
“It’s unlike anywhere else in the world, is everywhere,” he said.
“They claim that it actually comes from the country and they serve it in these tiny little cups,” he added. “And it’s so strong you just need one little shot and it will get you going for the whole day.”
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Drew said he also found “incredibly hospitable people”, and that highlights of his visit included the capital Addis Ababa, and the Simien Mountains National Park in the north, “where you will feel like you’re on top of the world”.
He also singled out the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela for praise, as well as the the Omo Valley and the grand architecture of Gondar.
Fourth on his list is Algeria in North Africa, with Drew immediately noted the spectacular remains of the ancient city at Djemila, which Drew said “blows literally any other Roman ruins I’ve seen out the water”.
He was also taken with the ancient city of Constantine, with its picturesque bridges, and the Casbah of Algiers, “where you can find the remains of the citadel, the old mosques”, and “Ottoman-style palaces”.
Meanwhile, Kenya, in third, has “the best safaris in the world” Drew said, giving a special mention to Amboseli in the south and Massi Mara “where you can see the great wildebeest migration”.
Among his other takeaways was the vibrancy and architecture of the capital, Nairobi, the country’s largest city. The quieter surroundings of Kisumu in the West offer a “different vibe”, said Drew, who raved over the freshwater fish he enjoyed there.
Drew put Somalia in second place, a country he said “many people are scared to visit”, but said he had “many great things to say about the country” after going there twice.
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The stunning ancient Roman ruins at a Djemila. (Image: Getty)
Central Nairobi, in Kenya. (Image: Getty)
Among his highlights of Somaliland, a semi-independent region in the North, were the striking, and remote rock art site at Laas Geel, and the beaches and seafood of the coastal city of Berbera.
During his time in the capital Mogadishu, Drew said he encountered “very friendly people” but did note that it is regarded as one of the most dangerous cities on earth.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to parts of Somalia, including eastern Somaliland.
The fifth country Drew was keen to mention is South Africa, saying he loved Johannesburg’s craft beer scene, “amazing coffee” and “exciting markets”, whilst noting that it also has a reputation for being dangerous for travellers.
North of the city, Kruger National Park was hailed as Drew’s “favourite park in all of Africa”.
Drew said at that stage he hadn’t managed to visit the capital, Cape Town, but recommended the coastal city of Durban for its unique cuisine, a mix of recipes brought by South Indian indentured labourers combined with local flavours.
He was also blown away by Sani Pass in the west of KwaZulu-Natal, bordering Lesotho, and its “stunning views of the valley”.
Drew said at the time that he was “itching to get back” to the continent and that it was tough only give five nations to give a special mention, reeling off several others he loved.
You can find the latest official FCDO travel advice