Africa is the second largest continent, and with all the land and sea come many cultures, wildlife and natural wonders. The great Nile, the world’s largest river, originates in the heart of the continent. In Africa, you will also find the ancient Egyptian pyramids and experience the great Sahara that stretches out for miles and miles in northern Africa.
Africa has been a popular tourist destination for travelers from all over the world. There is excellent food, lots of wildlife, great beaches and beach sports, a great variety of cultures, thousands of natural wonders, and many languages.
This article outlines ten of the continent’s most popular destinations and attractions. Read on for more information on where to go, how to get there, how to best spend your time, and the best time to visit!
The Maasai Mara, Kenya
Besides being one of the continent’s most substantial economic, educational and technological bases, Kenya is well-placed on the world map for its diverse tourist attractions. The Maasai Mara is one of its central national parks, deep in the heart of the Maasai country.
The Maasai Mara is described as one of the most natural placements of both flora and fauna. The park features beautiful scenery of rolling hills and wild vegetation, not to mention the different types of wildlife you are likely to encounter. Every year, it hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti, which occurs between July and October. The event attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Accommodation is readily available and offers a great view of the savannah with minor encroachment. You also get to meet and interact with the Maasai culture, a Kenyan tribe rich with culture. The park is also far from the country’s capital, Nairobi.
The Victoria Falls, Zambia / Zimbabwe
Between the two southern African countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe run the Zambezi River, which falls an astonishing 108 meters to form the incredible Victoria Falls or locally translated as The Cloud that Thunders. Once considered one of the seven natural world wonders, Victoria has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The waterfall is almost twice as wide and deep as Niagara Falls.
Tourists are advised to visit Victoria falls in April, just after the rainy season, when the river is at its fullest force. Here you can experience the cool mists as you hike along the natural savannah forest that hosts a variety of exotic vegetation and wildlife.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger represents South Africa well on the world tourism map as one of Africa’s largest and richest wildlife and historical heritages. It was the country’s first national park and is one of UNESCO’s International Man and Biosphere Reserves.
As a tourist, you stand to have a great experience at the park. You can opt for a guided tour or a self-drive safari, and you need at least two weeks to explore the park. You can enjoy a wide variety of wildlife, from the legendary big five to smaller and lesser-known species, under the park’s protection.
You can visit Kruger any time, although the dry season between May and November has the most to offer. You can stick to the southern parts if you want to stay within Johannesburg, one of the country’s major cities.
The Pyramids of Egypt, Egypt
Pyramids are considered the oldest structures constructed by man, and the most popular of them reside in Egypt. The Pyramids of Giza, in particular, carry great historical and religious significance, with their complex construction still a puzzle. They represent the culture of the old Egyptian kingdom and are estimated to have been built around 4500 years ago.
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and make a great stop if you are generally exploring the country. Other major attractions, such as the Great Nile and ancient tombs, transport you back to one of human’s most prosperous eras.
The beaches of Zanzibar, Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a province of the Republic of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. It is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and is one of the earliest origins of the Swahili people.
Zanzibar boasts a warm tropical climate year-round and only gets two rainy seasons. You can enjoy a warm sunny day at the exotic beaches and aesthetically-centered resorts while you treat yourself to some rich Swahili art and cuisine. Zanzibar is, in fact, well known for its abundance of spices which are used chiefly in various Swahili dishes.
Did you know that Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar?
The Serengeti, Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site duly protected for its various endangered flora and fauna. It is the largest national park in Tanzania and the genesis of the great wildebeest migration to the Mara in neighboring Kenya.
A Serengeti safari will bring you to some of the most beautiful and rare animals, such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, giraffes, antelopes and apes. You get to drive through the African savannah and experience wildlife in its most natural habitat.
Generally, the Serengeti is accessible year-round, although you might want to reserve between July and October to catch the great Wildebeest migration. Plan your safari between December and February if you are interested in watching birds – this is when you will see the majority migrating from Europe to North Africa.
The Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Amboseli is another tourist and animal conservation park in Kenya that draws in thousands and thousands of people worldwide every year. The national park is near Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. The Amboseli is also known as the Home of The African Elephant for the stunning herds of elephants that can often be seen resting and feeding.
Amboseli is characterized by five habitats that shelter various species of wild animals and plants, including the woodlands and the sulfur springs. You get a stunning view of Mount Kilimanjaro in its full glory, with the animals enjoying their habitats below. You can also interact with the local Maasai community and get insight into one of the country’s richest cultures.
The Sahara Dunes, Morocco
For anyone looking for a stricter adventure, The Sahara Desert should suffice. Welcome to the world’s largest and hottest desert, stretching for miles beyond view. It is a beautiful experience that draws many tourists to the Northern edge of Morocco every year.
A dozen activities help you experience desert life, including the legendary treks with the Berbers. The hotels are artistically designed with rich cultural patterns that are truthfully too elegant to forget. You can also camp out and watch world-renowned athletes come to test their limits.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro should be your next destination if your ideal relaxing vacation involves hiking and climbing. This is the tallest mountain in Africa and stands tall to be seen from as far as Amboseli in Kenya.
Kilimanjaro is a great place for mountain climbing, taking five to ten days to reach its summit and return. It is surrounded by magnificent wildlife and is one of the most symbolic landmarks of Africa. You can also experience the local Maasai culture.
Madagascar
Madagascar is perhaps best known for its film series depicting it as a jungle full of talking animals. It is an actual country that is an island off the East African coast. It is home to the famous animal lemur, cast as the sassy but hilarious King Julien in the films mentioned above.
Madagascar has gone a long way in preserving its natural land and still has many of its original animal inhabitants. It is home to over 100 animal and 19,000 plant species. This includes the Avenue of Baobabs, which features gigantic baobab trees that are said to be more than 800 years old.
There are also a variety of water sports at the beautiful sandy beaches. Make sure to experience the rich cuisine and drinks too.
In conclusion, Africa is full of natural wonders. With hundreds of national parks and natural attractions, you are guaranteed to see the world differently from there. You also get to see just how diverse and rich the cultures are, and the same variety in the animal species. Once is never enough either, there are so many different destinations there, and each has a different experience in store for you.
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