‘I visited all 54 countries in Africa – these were my top 5’ | World | News

A YouTuber who has visited all all of Africa‘s 54 countries picked out his top five favourite destinations – and one is home to stunning Roman ruins that blow others “out the water”.

Drew Binsky, a content creator from the US whose main channel has more than 5 million followers, did quick a breakdown of his top pics in September 2022.

Two years before, when Drew had just one country in Africa left to visit, he shared a more in-depth video on why some countries stayed with him more than others, listing some of his favourite experiences in each one.

He started off with Ethiopia which he hailed for its coffee culture, described as being “unlike anywhere else in the world”, as he added that “coffee is everywhere” in the country.

Drew said the brew is who tried was “so strong you just need one little shot and it will get you going for the whole day”.

He also met “incredibly hospitable people”, with highlights of his visit including the country’s capital Addis Ababa, and the Simien Mountains National Park in the north, which make you feel “like you’re on top of the world”.

The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela also impressed, as well as the grand architecture of Gondar and the Omo Valley.

Next up was Algeria in North Africa, with Drew singling out the spectacular remains of the ancient city at Djemila for praise.

Despite his extensive travels, Drew said the site “blows literally any other Roman ruins I’ve seen out the water”.

He also visited the ancient city of Constantine, with its picturesque bridges, as well as the iconic Casbah of Algiers, “where you can find the remains of the citadel, the old mosques”, and “Ottoman-style palaces”.

Kenya also made the list, with Drew saying the country boasts “the best safaris in the world”. He gave a special mention to Amboseli in the south and Massi Mara “where you can see the great wildebeest migration”.

The travel vlogger was also struck by the vibrancy and architecture of the capital, Nairobi.

The sprawling metropolis, which is country’s largest city and its urban core, is the nation’s principal industrial centre, and also plays an important role in the community of eastern African states, as per Brittanica.

The city is also surrounded by 70 square miles of plains, cliffs and forest that make up Nairobi National Park.

Drew said the quieter surroundings of Kisumu in the West offer a “different vibe”, as he raved about the freshwater fish he sampled there.

Somalia was also included in the list, with Drew acknowledging that it’s a country “many people are scared to visit”.

Nevertheless, he said he had “many great things to say” about the East African nation after two visits. Highlights of Somaliland, a semi-independent region in the North, included the striking and remote rock art site at Laas Geel.

He also praised the beaches and seafood found in the coastal city of Berbera.

During his time in the Somalian capital Mogadishu, Drew said he encountered “very friendly people” but pointed out 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 and Somaliland, citing the risk of terrorist groups and continuing violence.

The fifth country Drew was keen to mention is South Africa, as he complimented Johannesburg’s craft beer scene, “amazing coffee” and “exciting markets”, whilst noting that it too has a reputation for being dangerous for tourists.

Meanwhile, Drew said Kruger National Park, located north of the city, was his favourite “favourite park in all of Africa”.

Drew said he hadn’t managed to visit Cape Town when the video was made, but recommended the coastal city of Durban for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of recipes brought by South Indian indentured labourers combined with local flavours.

He was also taken with Sani Pass in the west of KwaZulu-Natal, bordering Lesotho, which has “stunning views of the valley”.

Drew stressed at the time that it was difficult to pick out some countries over others, reeling off a number of others he loved visiting.

You can look up the latest official FCDO travel advice for all the countries Drew visited here.