Africa Trivia

100+ Best Africa Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: February 10th, 2025

Explore the vibrant continent of Africa with these 83+ intriguing trivia questions and answers! From historical landmarks to fascinating cultures, challenge your knowledge and uncover the wonders of Africa.

African Countries Trivia

Question: In which African nation do 99% of the people party so hard by the Nile’s banks that they practically live in its valley or delta?

Answer: Egypt

Question: Which African country is so island-chill that it basically inspired the animated escapades of some wacky zoo animals?

Answer: Madagascar

Question: Dust off your explorer’s hat! What percentage of the African continent is blanketed by the vast Sahara Desert, enough sand to build a million sandcastles?

Answer: 25%

Question: For most of the 20th century, Zimbabwe had a different name—hop in our time machine and guess which throwback moniker it went by?

Answer: Rhodesia

Question: Prepare for a splash: which breathtaking natural wonder roars dramatically between Zambia and Zimbabwe?

Answer: Victoria Falls

Question: If Africa’s countries lined up for a roll call, which one would shout “Here!” first?

Answer: Algeria

Question: The Kissi, the Meru, and the Kikuyu walk into a café—actually, they’re tribes in which East African country known for epic safaris?

Answer: Kenya

Question: Which ancient civilization in Africa built sky-high pyramids, had legendary pharaohs, and basically invented #KingAndQueenGoals?

Answer: Egyptian

Question: Bamako might sound like a cool dance move, but it’s actually the capital of which West African country?

Answer: Mali

Question: Which African nation, often seen in the giant family photo of the Commonwealth, is known as “Africa in Miniature”?

Answer: Cameroon

Question: Looking for elbow room? Which African territory is so spacious it claims the title of the continent’s least densely populated?

Answer: Western Sahara

Question: If Indiana Jones wanted to explore the ruins of ancient Carthage, near which modern city would he find them?

Answer: Tunis

Question: Which of these countries is on the African continent and also boasts Cleopatra’s old stomping grounds?

Answer: Egypt

Question: Which popular holiday destination, named for a chirpy little bird, lies just off the coast of Western Sahara?

Answer: Canary Islands

Question: Among these African nations, which one takes the top bunk on the continent’s northern edge?

Answer: Egypt

Question: Cue the exotic drumbeat: The island of Unguja goes by a much cooler name—what is this spice-scented African paradise called?

Answer: Zanzibar

Question: When it comes to hustle and bustle, which African city claims the gold medal for largest population (and possibly the loudest traffic)?

Answer: Lagos

Question: Which of these places is actually a real-life African country (and not the fictional Wakanda)?

Answer: Uganda

Question: Which of these is an actual African river where you might raft your way to adventure—if you can dodge the crocodiles?

Answer: Zambezi

Question: Geographically speaking, which African giant is so massive it could host a never-ending desert rave?

Answer: Algeria

Question: Which “K” stands tall above all else in Africa, a majestic summit perfect for an epic #PeakSelfie?

Answer: Kilimanjaro

Question: Which enormous African desert is so vast it makes you double-check your water bottle supply every time you see it on TV?

Answer: Sahara

Question: We dare you to guess: after which natural feature is the African country of Niger named (hint: it’s wet, not dry)?

Answer: River

Question: Which of these countries is definitely in Africa, often associated with dense jungles and Tarzan vibes?

Answer: Congo

Question: If you hopped on a boat from Mauritius, which African neighbor is the closest (and might just say, “I like to move it, move it”)?

Answer: Madagascar

Question: Pop quiz: how many humans out of the global crowd call Africa their home sweet home?

Answer: 1 in 8

Question: In 1980, Robert Mugabe stepped into the spotlight of which African nation—making international headlines in the process?

Answer: Zimbabwe

Question: Among these African countries, which one chills below the scorching sands of the Sahara Desert?

Answer: Zimbabwe

Question: Picture yourself sipping coconut water in Zanzibar: it lies off which coast of Africa—east, west, north, or south?

Answer: East

African Cities & Cultures Trivia

Question: Which North African country is so timeless it practically invented pyramids, with Cairo as its bustling capital?

Answer: Egypt

Question: Which of these African countries is so landlocked, it probably dreams of a secret beach?

Answer: Ethiopia

Question: In 1962, Algeria said "au revoir" to which colonial power to gain independence?

Answer: France

Question: Freetown sounds like a superhero’s hidden utopia—but it’s the capital of which African country?

Answer: Sierra Leone

Question: Lagos, once the capital city of an African giant, is famous for Afrobeat legends in which country?

Answer: Nigeria

Question: Feeling spicy? Marrakesh, known for vibrant souks and mint tea, belongs to which magical African kingdom?

Answer: Morocco

Question: Which African city, perfect for your next selfie, is watched over by the majestic Table Mountain?

Answer: Cape Town

Question: Pack your history books: the Boer Wars took place in which part of Africa—north, south, east, or west?

Answer: South

Question: Which of these African countries is the southernmost spot on the continent?

Answer: South Africa

Question: Nile, Congo, Zambezi—these rivers run through Africa, but which one definitely does NOT?

Answer: Ganges

Question: Africa’s lowest point is Lake Asal—where can you find this super-salty landmark?

Answer: Djibouti

Question: Nigeria’s population wins first prize in Africa. Which country proudly claims second?

Answer: Ethiopia

Question: Where in Africa can you sail across Lake Volta, so vast it could star in a pirate movie?

Answer: Ghana

Question: Which African country used to answer to the name Nyasaland (sounds like it’s straight from a fantasy novel)?

Answer: Malawi

Question: Which African nation has no king or queen in sight, making it a presidential playground?

Answer: Tunisia

Question: Which African country’s name means “free,” basically living every traveler’s dream motto?

Answer: Liberia

Question: “Let’s work together!” That’s the rallying cry (motto) of which African country?

Answer: Kenya

Question: Ghana is perched on the Gulf of ______—(hint: it’s not “Mexico!”)

Answer: Guinea

Question: Think you’re tough enough for the Kalahari Desert? It lies in which African country?

Answer: Sudan

Question: Parlez-vous français? Which African country might greet you with a hearty “Bonjour”?

Answer: Côte d’Ivoire

Question: In 1985, Live Aid rocked the world for African famine relief at which iconic London venue?

Answer: Wembley Stadium

Question: Which of these was NOT a former name of an African country—maybe just wishful thinking?

Answer: British Guinea

Question: In which year did Nelson Mandela make history by becoming President of South Africa?

Answer: 1994

Question: Which religion holds Africa as a spiritual state rather than just a geographic place?

Answer: Rastafarianism

Locations & Comparisons Trivia

Question: Dallas, Texas might be famed for big cowboy hats and even bigger attitude, but which African city lines up with it perfectly on the latitude map?

Answer: Tripoli

Question: The island of Madeira may conjure up images of scenic getaways and sweet wine, but it lies off the coast of which African country?

Answer: Morocco

Question: Which African country once witnessed the Mau Mau movement shaking things up, creating ripples in its history books?

Answer: Sudan

Question: The Evergreen State (Washington) might be home to rain and great coffee, but it’s about the same size as which African country?

Answer: Senegal

Question: East is beast! Among these African nations, which one is furthest to the sunrise side of the continent?

Answer: Ethiopia

Question: Of these South African cities, which one is the easternmost champion, perfect for catching a beach sunrise?

Answer: Durban

Question: We’re flipping the compass—of these African countries, which one stretches farthest toward the Atlantic horizon on the west?

Answer: Mali

Question: If you’re feeling the heat, the Dallol volcano is scorching in which African country?

Answer: Ethiopia

Question: Which of these African nations can boast a Red Sea coastline (bring your snorkel if you dare)?

Answer: Sudan

Question: Known in the past as South West Africa, which country embraced a new name and identity?

Answer: Namibia

Question: For nearly 40 years, Colonel Gadaffi—famous for his striking outfits and strong rule—held sway over which African nation?

Answer: Libya

Africa Politics Trivia

Question: Of which African country was Joao Bernardo Vieira the “big boss,” leaving his political footprint for years to come?

Answer: Guinea-Bissau

Question: The famous Paris-Dakar rally originally revved to a finish in Dakar, the capital of which West African country known for its vibrant music scene?

Answer: Senegal

Question: Which petite African kingdom is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it the donut hole of the region?

Answer: Lesotho

Question: Which of these capital cities is located in Africa, famed for its blend of German colonial charm and stunning savanna landscapes?

Answer: Windhoek

Miscellaneous Africa Trivia

Question: How many more countries can you collect in Africa’s sticker book compared to South America’s? (Hint: it’s not just one or two more!)

Answer: 40

Question: Which African nation is like a linguistic buffet, offering over 200 different languages to sample?

Answer: Cameroon

Question: In 1895, which European country stormed in and took control of Ethiopia, leaving a rather uninvited “Ciao!” behind?

Answer: Italy

Question: Which political party claimed victory in the 2009 South African General Election, continuing a legacy that stretches back to Mandela himself?

Answer: ANC

Question: In the 1936 Olympics, Jesse Owens sprinted and jumped to global fame. Which country proudly claimed him as their own?

Answer: United States

Question: Which of these mountain ranges in North Africa is so grand, it might make you think you’ve stumbled into a fantasy adventure map?

Answer: Atlas Mountains

Question: Which city’s name translates to “white house” in Spanish, long before any presidential drama found its way there?

Answer: Casablanca

Question: Table Mountain in South Africa isn’t a product of volcanic madness but rather a slow and steady carving by Mother Nature. Which type of mountain is it?

Answer: Erosional

Question: Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (smoke that thunders!), this astonishing African wonder has a more formal British name. What do we call it?

Answer: Victoria Falls