What makes you choose one African country over another for a trip?

Title: What Drives Your Choice of an African Destination for Travel

When planning a trip to Africa, how do you decide between destinations that offer seemingly similar experiences on paper? What factors weigh most in your decision: wildlife encounters, landscapes, culture, safety, ease of travel, cost, or the allure of visiting somewhere that feels distinct from your usual itineraries?

This topic often highlights how some destinations can be overlooked simply due to unfamiliarity. Take Rwanda as an example. It offers safari experiences, mountain hiking, rainforest adventures, vibrant urban scenes, and lakeside getaways, yet it also presents unique considerations—such as activity costs and route planning—that can influence your choices.

For travelers familiar with the continent, which destinations surprised you the most—whether in a positive or negative sense? For first-time African travelers, what information do you wish you had before selecting your destination?