Wherever you go in Africa, we guarantee you’ll come away with a fresh appreciation for the wonder of this hospitable, colorful, and culturally diverse continent that will make you want to come back repeatedly. Make travel plans with our list of the top destinations in Africa.
1. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, one of the most popular tourist attractions on the continent, is located at South Africa’s southernmost point, not far from the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans converge at the Cape of Good Hope. It is very simple to fall in love with this city on your first visit because it is both culturally rich and aesthetically lovely.
In the city’s center, Table Mountain rises, and along its Atlantic Ocean coastline, stunning white-sand beaches like Clifton and Camps Bay are framed by the spectacular Twelve Apostle rock formations.
In Cape Town, there is a lot to see and explore. There are physical excursions, such as climbing Lion’s Head to see the sunrise. Also, there are significant historical sites to see, such as visiting the melancholy Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years as a political prisoner until the Apartheid regime was overthrown.
2. Zanzibar, Tanzania
When visiting Zanzibar, it’s like entering a different planet where time has stopped, and there is only one city, Stone Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The fishing boats known as Arab dhows still ply the idyllic turquoise sea off the coast of Tanzania, on an island in the Indian Ocean. Wandering through Stone Town’s winding lanes past historic mosques, bustling markets, and riads with elaborately carved entrances, you can lose yourself in its splendor.
The rest of the island is full of beautiful beaches where days are spent lounging on the white sand or snorkeling and diving in the colorful coral reefs encircling the island, away from the bustle of the “city”. More than 500 marine species can be found here, and they are still bursting with life.
3. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
You won’t soon forget the thrill of riding a camel and seeing the sun rise or set over the Giza Pyramids.
Egypt’s most famous landmarks are the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids, which were built in the 26th century BCE.
Cairo, the capital and largest city of Egypt, is a fascinating place to visit and is close to the Pyramids of Giza. Cairo, which is located on the banks of the Nile River, is a busy city that never seems to calm down, even late at night.
Here, a modern metropolis meets old history. A trip to the Egyptian Museum is a must-do while in Cairo.
4. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and Zambia
You’ll understand why locals refer to Victoria Falls as “The Smoke That Thunders” if you visit during the rainy seasons when the water volume is at its highest.
The mist that spews back up like thick smoke and the sound of the water flowing over rock and plunging into a pool 300+ feet below sounds like the roll of thunder. It’s a striking sight.
Victoria Falls, which forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is safeguarded as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located on the powerful Zambezi River. Its waterfall’s length, which results in a 1.7-kilometer-long water curtain as it falls, is just as remarkable as its dramatic descent.
5. Marrakesh, Morocco
Morocco’s stunning Marrakesh serves as the ideal introduction to this interesting North African nation, which is reachable via an overnight ship from southern Spain.
The capital and fourth-largest city of Morocco, Marrakesh, is situated in the west of the country. This walled Medina was a part of the ancient Berber Empire. Spend the day exploring the city’s confusing streets and souks (marketplaces), which are crowded with shops offering everything from spices and jewelry to vibrantly colored traditional apparel and slippers.
One of the most popular sights in Marrakesh is the Koutoubia Mosque, which was built in the 12th century and had a Moorish minaret that is visible from much of the city.
Make a reservation for an early morning hot air balloon flight to get a fresh view of this colorful, frenetic, and incredibly charming city. As you glide above Marrakesh, you will see the sunset on the rooftops ablaze.
6. The Dunes in Sossusvlei, Namibia
Namibia, a unique location in southwest Africa, is frequently disregarded while making travel plans for the continent. There shouldn’t be. The Namib Desert and Sossusvlei are only two examples of the many experiences and unique scenery to be found in the nation.
Sossusvlei, a massive, flat salt pan that is a part of Namib-Naukluft National Park, has been shaped into an alien environment of towering dunes and lonely valleys dotted with petrified dead trees. It is especially breathtaking in the morning when the rising sun illuminates and highlights the sand dunes.
The Skeleton Coast, so named because of the shipwreck skeletons that crashed here along the foggy Atlantic Coast, and Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s best wildlife reserves, are two more top attractions in Namibia.
7. The Sahara in Tunisia
Tunisia is the nation in Africa that faces the Mediterranean Sea and is also its most northerly nation. It is a stunning, sunny location where European and Arab elements coexist.
Tunisia is a well-liked winter sun vacation spot for Europeans due to its lovely coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. The island of Djerba is the ideal location for indulging.
Then explore the Sahara Desert for additional stunning views. Much of Tunisia’s interior is covered in desert, although its most beautiful region is referred to as the Great Erg Oriental. You’ll find a sea of undulating orange sand here, set against a clear blue sky. Explore the area on foot, on a camel, or in a dune buggy.
You may reserve the aforementioned trips from the town of Douz, which serves as the region’s adventure center.
8. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
At a height of 19,341 feet, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro (commonly known as “Kili” for short) is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world. It is a dormant volcano that rises from the Serengeti plains and provides a breathtaking backdrop for wildlife safaris in the area.
Most visitors to Kili do so in order to reach its top. The walk is particularly well-liked because it requires neither mountaineering gear nor knowledge of rock climbing.
You won’t have to contend with the severe weather hazards that come with scaling the tallest mountains on other continents, including Mt. Everest. You must be in the decent physical condition and have acclimated to the altitude. You must join a guided tour, and the climb to the peak takes at least six days.
9. Kruger National Park, South Africa
One of the continent’s oldest conservation areas and a popular safari destination is South Africa’s, Kruger National Park.
The most diverse collection of species may be found in South Africa in this enormous park, which really stretches into Mozambique to the east. Additionally, it is surrounded by affluent private reserves like Sabi Sands Game Reserve, where animals are free to enter and exit.
Kruger is another safari location accessible to people on a variety of financial schedules. Since Kruger is a national park, guests can go on self-drive safaris to explore it and then camp or stay in park hotels.
But, since you’ll be in an open vehicle and with knowledgeable guides, we advise participating in an organized game drive for the best chance of viewing the most animals (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino).
10. Masai Mara, Kenya
The Great Migration is an annual migration of millions of wildebeest and other hoofed animals, including zebra and gazelles, between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. Crossing the Mara River, where many of the grazing animals are preyed upon by lions and other predators, is the most hazardous aspect of this expedition.
The crossing often takes place between July and August. However, the exact date can vary from year to year. Many wildlife enthusiasts dream of witnessing the Great Migration in person, and many schedule safaris to this region of Kenya to do so.
11. Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania
The Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s biggest inactive, empty, and unbroken volcanic crater, was formed about 2.5 million years ago. It is one of Tanzania’s major safari destinations and is regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, along with Victoria Falls.
It is also at one end of the previously mentioned Great Migration route, and during this time of year, huge herds of grazing animals like zebras and wildebeests can be observed here.
12. Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique
A group of islands with some of the most gorgeous beaches in Africa may be found in the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine Park, which is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique.
The primary location is Bazaruto Island, which provides a selection of lodging options, from modest to lavish. But, there are also islands that are uninhabited and others that just have one or two hotels.
These islands are renowned for their exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities in addition to their magnificent white sand beaches framed by coconut trees and sand dunes. The park protects a healthy coral reef system, and the blue water is warm and clean.
13. Okavango Delta in Botswana
Another well-known safari location is Botswana, which is located in southern Africa.
The Okavango Delta is a popular tourist destination in the northern part of the nation. During the rainy season, this substantial interior river delta floods and offers a distinctive safari experience. At that point, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the river in a dugout boat while dodging hippos and crocodiles and keeping a lookout for elephants, giraffes, and other creatures that use the river for drinking water.
A significant portion of the Okavango Delta is covered by the Moremi Game Reserve, which is also home to numerous posh safari hotels. As the entry point to the delta, Maun is a good location to arrange more reasonably priced canoe and land safaris.
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