Geographical imagination profoundly influences tourists’ motivations and experiences；particularly as Chinese travelers form and construct their visions of Africa. Subject to both social and personal factors，this imagination of Africa evolves through three distinct stages：the initial anticipation，the on-site experience，and the post-trip reflections. Before arrival，Africa’s natural and human geography is symbolically translated into a collective imagination，shaped by tourists’ social backgrounds and individual experiences. Upon arrival，this initial imagery intertwines with the tangible geography of Africa，interacting with personal encounters to forge a second，more nuanced perception. After departing，memories and shared experiences reshape this imagery into a third iteration，subtly influencing the initial imaginings of potential travelers. Africa’s geographical imagery is a dynamic interplay between representation and abstraction，constantly transforming between socio-cultural encoding and individual decoding. This process fosters unique shared cultural imagery and personal experiences，promoting the continuity，iteration，and deepening of these vivid mental landscapes.