Africa is truly a fascinating continent with incredible diversity, rich history, and stunning geography. I’ve always been drawn to African trivia—there’s something exciting about discovering new facts about this amazing continent!
Whether you’re planning a quiz night, looking to expand your knowledge, or just love learning interesting facts, these Africa trivia questions will certainly challenge and entertain you.
I remember playing an Africa-themed trivia game during a family gathering last year, and even my nephew who claimed to “know everything about geography” was stumped by some of these questions! That’s the beauty of good trivia—it can humble even the most confident know-it-alls while teaching everyone something new.
In this collection, I’ve gathered over 100 interesting trivia questions about Africa covering geography, wildlife, history, culture, and famous people. Let’s see how many you can answer correctly!
African Geography Trivia
Africa’s geography is incredibly diverse—from the vast Sahara Desert to the lush rainforests of the Congo Basin and the stunning coastlines along the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. These questions will test your knowledge of Africa’s countries, natural landmarks, and geographical features.
- Which is the largest country in Africa by land area?
Answer: Algeria - What is the highest mountain in Africa?
Answer: Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) - Which desert covers much of Northern Africa?
Answer: Sahara Desert - How many countries are there in Africa?
Answer: 54 recognized sovereign states - Which is the smallest country in mainland Africa?
Answer: The Gambia - What is the longest river in Africa?
Answer: The Nile River - Which African country is known as the “Rainbow Nation”?
Answer: South Africa - Lake Victoria is shared by which three African countries?
Answer: Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya - What is the southernmost point of Africa called?
Answer: Cape Agulhas (not Cape of Good Hope) - Which African country was formerly known as Abyssinia?
Answer: Ethiopia - What large island nation lies off the southeastern coast of Africa?
Answer: Madagascar - Which African country is completely surrounded by South Africa?
Answer: Lesotho - What is the largest lake in Africa by area?
Answer: Lake Victoria - Which strait separates Africa from Europe?
Answer: Strait of Gibraltar - Which African country has Casablanca as its largest city?
Answer: Morocco - What is the capital city of Kenya?
Answer: Nairobi - Which African country was formerly called Rhodesia?
Answer: Zimbabwe - The Zambezi River forms the border between which two African countries?
Answer: Zambia and Zimbabwe - Which African country has Addis Ababa as its capital?
Answer: Ethiopia - What is the name of the large bay on Africa’s western coast?
Answer: Gulf of Guinea
If you’re looking for more geographical knowledge, check out our deep topics to talk about that include fascinating discussions about world geography!
African Wildlife Trivia
Africa’s incredible wildlife is renowned worldwide. From the “Big Five” game animals to countless unique species found nowhere else on Earth, the continent is a paradise for nature lovers. Test your knowledge of Africa’s amazing animals and ecosystems.
- What are the “Big Five” animals of Africa?
Answer: Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros - Which African animal is known as the “king of the jungle”?
Answer: Lion - What is the tallest animal in the world, native to Africa?
Answer: Giraffe - Which snake is considered the deadliest in Africa?
Answer: Black mamba - What is the largest land animal in Africa?
Answer: African elephant - Which African animal has black and white stripes?
Answer: Zebra - What is a group of lions called?
Answer: A pride - Which African animals are known for their annual migration in the Serengeti?
Answer: Wildebeest - What is the fastest land animal in Africa?
Answer: Cheetah - Which African animal has a name meaning “river horse” in Greek?
Answer: Hippopotamus - What is the largest bird native to Africa?
Answer: Ostrich - Which African animal is known for its unique fingerprint-like coat pattern?
Answer: Giraffe - What are baby meerkats called?
Answer: Pups - Which African monkey is known for its distinctive bright blue and red face?
Answer: Mandrill - What is the largest species of gorilla found in Africa?
Answer: Eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) - Which venomous African snake can spray its venom into its victim’s eyes?
Answer: Spitting cobra - What is the national animal of South Africa?
Answer: Springbok - Which African animal has the longest migration route?
Answer: Arctic tern (migrates to Africa seasonally) - What unusual feature do flamingos in Africa’s Lake Natron have?
Answer: They are bright pink due to their diet - Which small African mammal has the ability to detect underground water sources?
Answer: Dik-dik
Want to test your knowledge in other areas? Try our challenging math trivia questions that will exercise your brain in a different way!
African History Trivia
Africa has a rich and complex history spanning thousands of years—from ancient civilizations like Egypt and Carthage to the colonization period and the independence movements of the 20th century. These questions will test your knowledge of Africa’s fascinating historical timeline.
- Which ancient African civilization built the pyramids?
Answer: Ancient Egypt - Who was the first black president of South Africa?
Answer: Nelson Mandela - Which European countries were the main colonial powers in Africa?
Answer: Britain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Spain - What was the name of the ancient trade network that connected East Africa to Asia and the Middle East?
Answer: The Swahili Coast trade network - Which African empire was founded by Sundiata Keita in the 13th century?
Answer: Mali Empire - What was the “Scramble for Africa”?
Answer: The rapid colonization of Africa by European powers between 1881 and 1914 - Which African country was never colonized by Europeans (except for a brief occupation by Italy)?
Answer: Ethiopia - What was the name of the famous female warrior who fought against French colonization in present-day Senegal?
Answer: Queen Nzinga - Which ancient African kingdom was known for its gold and salt trade?
Answer: Ghana Empire - Who was Mansa Musa?
Answer: The tenth Mansa (king) of the Mali Empire, known as one of the wealthiest individuals in history - What was the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885?
Answer: A meeting where European powers divided Africa among themselves without African representation - Which ancient North African city was Rome’s greatest rival?
Answer: Carthage - What was the name of the South African policy of racial segregation?
Answer: Apartheid - Which African country was established in 1847 by freed American slaves?
Answer: Liberia - What was Great Zimbabwe?
Answer: An ancient city and trading center in modern-day Zimbabwe - Which famous explorer is associated with the phrase “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
Answer: Henry Morton Stanley (meeting David Livingstone) - Which ancient African civilization was centered around the city of Meroë?
Answer: Kingdom of Kush - What was the name of the famous Egyptian queen who ruled with Cleopatra VII’s father?
Answer: Cleopatra VI - Which African nationalist leader became the first prime minister of Ghana?
Answer: Kwame Nkrumah - What was the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?
Answer: The forced transportation of African people to the Americas from the 16th to 19th centuries
For those who enjoy testing their knowledge in different areas, check out our collection of video game trivia questions for another exciting challenge!
African Culture Trivia
Africa’s cultural diversity is unmatched, with thousands of distinct ethnic groups, languages, artistic traditions, and culinary practices. These questions will test your knowledge of the rich cultural tapestry that makes Africa so unique and fascinating.
- How many official languages are spoken in South Africa?
Answer: 11 official languages - What is the most widely spoken indigenous language in Africa?
Answer: Swahili - What is a griot in West African culture?
Answer: A storyteller, historian, and keeper of oral traditions - What is jollof rice?
Answer: A popular West African dish made with rice, tomatoes, and spices - Which musical instrument is made from a hollowed-out gourd with strings attached?
Answer: Kora - What is the name of the colorful, patterned cloth traditionally worn in many West African countries?
Answer: Kente cloth - What is Ubuntu?
Answer: A South African philosophy emphasizing community, sharing, and interconnectedness - Which African musical style originated in Nigeria in the 1970s, influenced by American funk and jazz?
Answer: Afrobeat - What is a dashiki?
Answer: A colorful garment worn in many West African countries - Which North African cuisine features couscous, tagine, and mint tea?
Answer: Moroccan cuisine - What is the most widely practiced religion in North Africa?
Answer: Islam - Which traditional African housing structure is made of mud or dung plastered over a wooden frame?
Answer: Rondavel - What is the name of the traditional Maasai jumping dance?
Answer: Adumu - Which African musical instrument is made from a hollowed log with animal skin stretched over the opening?
Answer: Djembe drum - What is the traditional Ethiopian bread called?
Answer: Injera - What is a Baobab?
Answer: A distinctive African tree with cultural and nutritional significance - Which traditional African fabric-dyeing technique uses wax to create patterns?
Answer: Batik - What is Mancala?
Answer: A family of board games played throughout Africa - What type of traditional storytelling incorporates music, poetry, and dance in East Africa?
Answer: Ngoma - What is the significance of kola nuts in West African culture?
Answer: They are used in ceremonies and as a symbol of hospitality
Looking for more conversation topics? Explore our collection of interesting topics to talk about that can spark engaging discussions!
Famous Africans Trivia
Africa has produced countless remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to fields like politics, science, literature, sports, and entertainment. These questions will test your knowledge of famous Africans who have left their mark on history.
- Which South African anti-apartheid revolutionary spent 27 years in prison before becoming president?
Answer: Nelson Mandela - Who was the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize from Africa?
Answer: Wangari Maathai (Kenya) - Which Nigerian author wrote “Things Fall Apart”?
Answer: Chinua Achebe - Who was the Egyptian queen who ruled alongside Julius Caesar and Mark Antony?
Answer: Cleopatra VII - Which Kenyan athlete is considered one of the greatest long-distance runners of all time?
Answer: Eliud Kipchoge - Who was the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature?
Answer: Wole Soyinka (Nigeria) - Which South African entrepreneur founded SpaceX and Tesla?
Answer: Elon Musk - Who was the famous Egyptian pharaoh whose tomb was discovered nearly intact in 1922?
Answer: Tutankhamun - Which Liberian became the first elected female head of state in Africa?
Answer: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Who is the Moroccan-French mixed martial artist who became UFC Champion?
Answer: Francis Ngannou - Which South African activist was known as the “Mother of the Nation”?
Answer: Winnie Mandela - Who was the first African-American to become Secretary-General of the United Nations?
Answer: Kofi Annan (Ghana) - Which Egyptian scientist won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999?
Answer: Ahmed Zewail - Who is the Somali-born model who became a UN ambassador?
Answer: Waris Dirie - Which Algerian-French philosopher and author wrote “The Plague”?
Answer: Albert Camus - Who was the Ethiopian emperor who resisted Italian colonization?
Answer: Haile Selassie - Which Nigerian author wrote “Purple Hibiscus” and “Half of a Yellow Sun”?
Answer: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Who was the South African jazz musician known as the “Father of South African jazz”?
Answer: Hugh Masekela - Which Kenyan paleontologist discovered the nearly complete skeleton of “Turkana Boy”?
Answer: Richard Leakey - Who is the Egyptian soccer player who plays for Liverpool FC?
Answer: Mohamed Salah
If you’re looking for more questions to challenge your friends, try our random questions to ask a guy for some fun conversation starters!
Why Africa Trivia is Perfect for Any Gathering
Africa trivia questions are ideal for virtually any setting—from classroom activities to dinner parties, family game nights, or even road trips. These questions not only provide entertainment but also offer educational value, helping everyone learn fascinating facts about the world’s second-largest continent.
I’ve used these questions at several gatherings, and they always spark interesting conversations. During a recent dinner party, a simple question about the Nile River turned into a 20-minute discussion about ancient Egyptian civilization! That’s what makes trivia so special—it connects people through shared learning experiences.
Whether you’re a teacher looking to engage students, a parent wanting to educate your children about the wider world, or just someone who enjoys testing their knowledge, this Africa trivia collection has something for everyone.
Looking for more ways to test your knowledge? Check out our collection of philosophical questions that will make you think deeply!
Final Thoughts
Africa is a continent of incredible diversity, rich history, and fascinating cultures. I hope these trivia questions have taught you something new about this amazing continent! From the ancient pyramids of Egypt to the stunning wildlife of the Serengeti, there’s so much to discover and appreciate about Africa.
My family and I have had hours of fun testing each other with these questions, and I’m constantly amazed by how much there is to learn. The next time you’re looking for an engaging activity for a gathering, classroom, or family night, give these Africa trivia questions a try!
Did you know all the answers? Which ones surprised you the most? I’d love to know which category you found most challenging or interesting!
For more engaging trivia and conversation starters, be sure to explore our other collections. Whether you’re planning a game night, preparing for a quiz, or just wanting to expand your knowledge, there’s always something new to discover about our fascinating world.