BY ONYEKACHI VICTORIA PHILIP
Tourism in Africa started in three major stages:
A. Exploration Era (1800s).
Before tourism existed, Africa was visited by:
European explorers
Missionaries
Colonial officers.
They traveled to:
Discover rivers, mountains, and resources
Map unknown territories.
Example: explorers like David Livingstone made Africa known in Europe.
B. Colonial Safari And Hunting Era (Late 1800s -Early 1900s).
This is where African tourism actually begins.
In places like Kenya and Tanzania:
British aristocrats came for big-game hunting
Wildlife like lions, elephants, and buffalo attracted wealthy Europeans.
This was called the Safari Era.
NOTE: Tourism was not for relaxation,it was for hunting and adventure.
C. Colonial Leisure Tourism (1900s–1940s)
As railways expanded, tourism slowly shifted:
Wealthy British settlers and officials began visiting Africa for leisure.
Hotels and rest houses were built in colonies.
Coastal areas like Kenya’s Mombasa and Egypt’s Nile regions became popular.
In Egypt:
Tourism grew around pyramids, temples, and Nile cruises.
British travelers came for exotic historical sightseeing.
D. Post-Colonial Tourism Expansion (After Independence).
After African independence:
Countries started promoting tourism for income
Safari parks were created instead of hunting grounds.
Wildlife conservation became central.
Examples:
Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
Maasai Mara (Kenya)
Kruger National Park (South Africa).
Tourism in Africa started from colonial systems but changed over time:
Era
Purpose of Travel
Exploration
Discovery & mapping
Colonial safari
Hunting & adventure
Leisure tourism
Rest and sightseeing
Modern tourism
Wildlife, culture, economy