Africa - Index

Libya

Morocco

Morocco 1966 - Hildegard Kitzing

Morocco 1967

Morocco 1968 by Hellmut Münzner

Senegal

Senegal 1969 by Hase

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe 1975 by Hellmut Münzner

South Africa

South Africa 1975 by Hase

South Africa 1970 by Hellmut Münzner

Tunisia

Tunisia 1970 by Hellmut Münzner

Uganda

Uganda 1971

Historical Travel Photographs from Africa

Most of the photographs from Africa in the Gade Photo Archive were taken by European tourists who travelled to Africa between 1932 and 1992. Before that, the continent was primarily known for ethnological and historical expeditions as well as colonial connections. It was only during the course of the 20th century that Africa developed into a destination for holiday travel. While the North African coastal regions were the main destinations during the first half of the century, safaris in East Africa and beach holidays at the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean became increasingly popular later on. In general, travel destinations can be grouped according to interests:

Cultural and educational travel: Egypt, historical sites
Safari tourism: Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana
Beach and package tourism: Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt
Nature and adventure travel: Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar

The 1930s: North Africa

In the 1930s, holidays in Africa were reserved for a wealthy minority. Most Europeans reached the continent by ship across the Mediterranean. Particularly popular were the French colonies in North Africa, especially Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Travellers were attracted by historic cities, desert landscapes and a mild winter climate.

Egypt also attracted visitors. The Pyramids of Giza, the temples along the Nile and luxury hotels in Cairo were considered exclusive destinations. In southern Africa, wealthy Europeans occasionally travelled to South Africa, which had comparatively well-developed transport connections.

The Post-War Period (1950–1960)

After the Second World War, air travel gradually became more affordable. Morocco and Tunisia developed tourist infrastructures with hotels, seaside resorts and cultural attractions. At the same time, Egypt remained an important destination for culturally interested travellers.

During this period, the first organised tours through East Africa also emerged. National parks and wildlife reserves attracted travellers eager to experience Africa’s remarkable wildlife.

France and Algeria: Historical Connections and Tourism

Algeria held a special position in relation to France. From 1830 to 1962, Algeria was part of the French colonial empire, creating close cultural, economic and linguistic ties. Even after independence, the French language remained widely used in public life, education and tourism. For many French travellers, Algeria was therefore a familiar destination combining European and North African influences. Similar connections existed between France and former colonies such as Morocco and Tunisia, which further encouraged tourism from France to these countries.

The 1960s and 1970s: Safari Tourism

As international air travel expanded, long-distance journeys became increasingly accessible. Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania became especially popular. National parks such as the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve developed into major attractions of African tourism. The television series *Daktari* (1966–1969) likely contributed to growing public interest in African wildlife.

Many European travellers combined wildlife viewing with stays on the beaches of the Indian Ocean. At the same time, the islands of the Seychelles and Mauritius gained importance as exclusive holiday destinations.

In southern Africa, South Africa remained a destination for European visitors, particularly from the United Kingdom and Germany, despite international criticism of apartheid.

The 1980s: Package Holidays and New Beach Destinations

During the 1980s, mass tourism reached Africa on a larger scale. Tour operators increasingly offered affordable package holidays. The Mediterranean beaches of Tunisia, in particular, became an attractive alternative to Spain and Italy for many Europeans.

Egypt, already a long-established tourist magnet thanks to its pyramids and ancient temples, gained further popularity through the development of Red Sea resorts such as Hurghada. These destinations attracted sun-seekers and scuba divers alike. At the same time, Nile cruises and visits to archaeological sites remained important parts of the tourist experience.

The 1990s

Following the end of the Cold War and with airfares continuing to fall, the number of European visitors to Africa increased significantly. Alongside the traditional destinations of North Africa, safari travel remained highly popular.

Countries such as Namibia, which gained independence in 1990, also attracted increasing numbers of visitors with their desert landscapes and well-developed tourism infrastructure. Likewise, Botswana established itself as an exclusive nature destination thanks to the Okavango Delta.

After the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa experienced a strong boom in international tourism. Cities such as Cape Town and the country's national parks became major attractions for European travellers.

Why Africa Never Became a Mass Tourism Destination Like Southern Europe

Despite its spectacular landscapes, cultural diversity and unique wildlife, Africa never reached the visitor numbers of the classic Mediterranean holiday destinations during the twentieth century. For most Europeans, sunny destinations such as Spain, Italy and Greece were much closer and could be reached by car, train or inexpensive charter flights. Journeys to Africa, by contrast, generally involved longer travel times and higher costs.

Corruption, Crime and Political Instability

Political and social instability in various parts of the continent also played a role. Following the independence of many African states, periods of conflict, military coups and economic crises affected perceptions of safety among potential visitors. During the 1990s, the Algerian Civil War led to a significant decline in tourism. Reports of corruption and higher crime rates further damaged Africa's image among some travellers. As a result, many tourists restricted themselves to politically stable regions or chose organised tours offered by established travel companies.

Diseases and Hazards from Wildlife and Nature

Health concerns were another factor that shaped perceptions of Africa as a travel destination. Tropical diseases such as malaria, sleeping sickness, yellow fever and AIDS required special precautions, vaccinations or preventive medication. At the same time, Africa's wildlife fascinated visitors. Lions, elephants, rhinoceroses and other animals were among the main attractions of safari tourism, but they were also regarded as potential dangers.

Africa versus European Mediterranean Destinations

Countries such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece had already developed extensive tourism infrastructures by the 1960s, including hotels, holiday resorts and transport networks. They were generally perceived as safer and easier to reach. Africa, by contrast, evolved more strongly as a destination for cultural travel, safaris, nature experiences and distinctive holiday adventures that differed from the traditional beach holidays of the Mediterranean.

The content on this website was originally written in German. Only later were longer articles translated into English to reach a more global audience. Hopefully, the supporting AI didn’t introduce too many errors in the process. For pages that primarily showcase images, however, the additional effort of creating duplicate versions in two languages is hardly worthwhile.