Africa has some if the most interesting destinations imaginable. My favorite is Ethiopia, a country that claims to be very different from the rest of Africa and lives up to that claim. However the other regions are in itself diverse enough. A continent with dramatic problems, like overpopulation, poverty, repression and aids, but also a continent where you can find the most optimistic and happy people.

The people, their cultures, the landscapes and the wildlife are my main reason to visit Africa, the accent very much depending on the country. Rituals that are fascinating have survived the ages, like the early form of Christianity in Ethiopia and the Voodoo culture in Togo and Benin. But there is something more, Africa can touch your soul.

Every country lets you learn more about the different aspects of Africa, both physical and cultural. There is no wildlife in Togo, but the very diverse people are fascinating and heartwarming. See the colorful album. Ethiopia is in a class of it's own, the Northerners do not even consider themselves Africans. The deserted landscapes of Namibia, the wildlife in Botswana and the somewhat detached country that Djibouti seems to be. And the duality of South Africa where the wealth and comfort you experience is in stark contrast with how the invisible majority lives.

I have not visited nearly enough of Africa although apart from the countries on this site I visited Kenya, Morocco, Mali, Tunisia and more of Egypt. Images residing in a huge collection of slides.