Africa is world’s second-biggest continent, and it is full of incredibly varied, beautiful places to visit, from expansive landscapes to ancient cities to beautiful beaches and surfing spots, like Jeffrey’s Bay in South Africa, and this , there is no better place to explore.

In the northern part of the continent, there are numerous cities and landmarks brimming with history and unforgettable architecture, such as Morocco’s of Taroudant, Tunisia’s roman ruins of the , which date back to the third century, and the .

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For animal lovers, there are numerous expansive reserves and national parks bursting with wildlife. South Africa’s Kruger National Park might be the most famous because it is home to Africa's Big Five (, lions, leopards, buffalo and rhinoceros), but in in Botswana visitors can see the largest elephants in the world. Ghana’s Kakum National Park , brimming with birds and other creatures.

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So when is the best time to go? It depends on where you go. “Cape Town and the southwest of South Africa is great to visit in December to February, with a warm dry climate similar to that of Italy, but not quite as hot,” said senior meteorologist for weather.com, Jonathan Erdman. Meanwhile, according to Erdman, the winter dry season is a great time to visit sub-equatorial African countries like Kenya and Tanzania.

So join us, as you click through the slideshow above, as we take a tour of some of the most beautiful places to visit in Africa.

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