10 most famous Africa tourist destinations
10 most famous Africa tourist destinations : Africa: a continent with snow-capped peaks, enchanted Spice Islands, and savannahs dotted with wildlife. This enormous continent would occupy a lifetime to explore, with fascinating ancient tribal cultures, breathtaking mountains, deserts, lakes, and beaches, as well as the world’s most untamed wildlife. Not sure where to begin? These are the top ten most famous locations in Africa, ranging from breathtaking waterfalls to ideal safari destinations.
Serengeti or Maasai Mara.
Settle in for the best wildlife show on earth, The Great Migration. This annual event takes place in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, where over two million zebras, antelopes, and wildebeest roam the parks, trailing the scent of the rain that brings life. Observe herds as they thunder across the plains, fearing the bites of Nile crocodiles and predators when they bravely cross rivers. Aside from migration, the Maasai Mara and Serengeti are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites with year-round wildlife densities among the highest on the planet, including the coveted Big Five. Take a game drive, a dawn hot air balloon ride, or a walking safari with a Maasai warrior to see animals.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
Explore the depths of the Ngorongoro Crater to find a verdant environment brimming with wildlife. The crater, which is a UNESCO site and one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, was created almost three million years ago by a volcanic collapse. The crater serves as a natural bowl home to over 30,000 animals because of its steep 600-meter walls, making it an excellent safari destination for surefire wildlife sightings. See giant-tusked elephants wandering the forests, watch big cats stalking through the grasslands, and have a picnic by Lake Magadi to witness 500 different species of birds, including flocks of salmon-pink flamingos. This ancient basin is even home to the elusive black rhino.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Experience the full force of Victoria Falls, dubbed mosi-o-tunya (The Smoke that Thunders) by the locals, when you visit. Situated on the Zambezi River, which borders Zimbabwe and Zambia, the falls are frequently hailed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. There are nature trails and lookout points in the nearby national park from where you can witness the world’s largest water curtain plummeting 100 metres into a gorge, shooting spray that reaches 400 metres in the air. There are many thrilling things to do, like helicopter rides, white-water rafting, ziplining, and gorge swings. Staying during a full moon may even allow you to see an uncommon lunar rainbow.
Cape Town, South Africa.
African, Asian, and European cultures have blended together in Cape Town thanks to its interesting but turbulent past; this can be seen in everything from its food to its architecture. In a moment, you might be enjoying vibrant houses and street food in Bo-Kaap, sampling Cape Malay cuisine; in the next, you might be shopping on the V&A Waterfront or touring the thought-provoking District 6 Museum. These days, the city is also cherished for its lively mix of eateries, bars, and a flourishing arts and cultural scene. Take a walking tour of Cape Town’s complicated past with a knowledgeable local guide, or take a boat to Robben Island, the site of Nelson Mandela’s infamous imprisonment. The city offers hiking trails up Table Mountain for expansive views over the Mother City, as well as the white-sand beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, if you’re in the mood for some nature.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Gaze in awe at the icing-sugar-dusted peaks of Africa’s highest mountain: Kilimanjaro. Every year, more than 25,000 climbers descend this enormous free-standing volcano. The eight-day Rongai Route is one of the most accessible if you’ve always wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. You will walk through the mountain’s many ecosystems with the assistance of a guide and a group of porters, passing through alpine desert, moor and rainforest before arriving at the icefields and glaciers that adorn Africa’s roof. On the day of the summit, travel to Gillman’s Peak to witness the sunrise above the clouds, then ascend to Uhuru, which is 5,895 metres above sea level. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can still see Kilimanjaro while on a safari in Amboseli National Park or from the air during a picturesque flight from Arusha.
Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Explore a veritable wildlife paradise at South Africa’s crown jewel, Kruger National Park. With a land area of more than two million hectares, it is one of the best places in the world to see wildlife and a must-visit location on any well-known Southern Africa travel itinerary. With binoculars in hand, spend your days driving on 4×4 game drives through the plains, savannahs, and tropical forests of Kruger, where you can potentially spot the Big Five and various other African creatures. The Kruger offers an abundance of adventure opportunities. Indulge in luxury treehouse accommodations with stargazing baths, experience microlight flights for breathtaking aerial vistas, or venture closer to the natural world with a walking safari. Remember to spend some time relaxing in the pool and enjoying a sundowner at the end of the day.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
Go through the enchantment of Volcanoes National Park, a place where massive volcanic peaks rise from mist-covered rainforests that are home to some of the last remaining mountain gorillas. Despite its modest size of 62 square miles, Rwanda’s most well-known attraction is this protected park, which bears the name of the Virunga Massif, a chain of dormant volcanoes. Join an experienced guide as you trek through the forest in an attempt to see some of the 340 gorillas in the park. Getting a close-up look at massive silverbacks and small, human-sized baby gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience of a lifetime. Trekking the Dian Fossey Trail is a worthwhile experience. It leads to the primatologist’s former research base, where she wrote Gorillas in the Mist and is now interred with some of her priceless monkeys.
Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Experience this UNESCO-listed site by travelling through the Okavango Delta’s labyrinthine waterways in a traditional mokoro canoe. Situated in the north of Botswana, it is one of the biggest inland deltas on Earth and a respite amidst the semi-arid Kalahari Desert. Fed by the powerful Okavango River, the delta serves as a vital link for wildlife, particularly in May when floodwaters arrive and draw large herds of birds, predators, and herbivores. Discover via boat and 4×4 to witness the Big Five and aquatic marvels like basking hippos and Nile crocodiles. If you’re searching for a private, exclusive safari experience, the Okavango Delta also known as the river that never finds the sea is the place to go.
Garden Route, South Africa.
The Garden Route in South Africa consists of winding coastal roads bordered by rugged mountains and the topaz sea. This well-liked 200-kilometer road trip begins in Mossel Bay, just east of Cape Town, and ends at Storms River. It’s a great route for a self-drive adventure. Visit seaside villages and national parks en route to go hiking, spot wildlife, and engage in adventure sports like ziplining and canyoning. Important locations include Plettenberg Bay, where you can go on boat trips to view dolphins and Cape fur seals or walk through nature reserves, Oudtshoorn, where the 20 million-year-old Cango Caves teem with stalactites and stalagmites, and Knysna Lagoon with its jagged heads.
Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Savour the finest of beach life in Zanzibar, an idyllic archipelago in the Indian Ocean known for its spices. Spend your days here swimming in the crystal-clear waters in search of rainbow fish, rays, and elegant turtles, or tanning on the sherbet sands beneath the shade of a coconut tree. Visit Pemba, one of the less-traveled islands where secluded resorts and real Swahili culture reign, for a genuine Robinson Crusoe-style experience. Discover how Zanzibar’s spices are grown and exported throughout the world by taking a spice tour after touring the UNESCO-listed Stone Town, which features mosques, old palaces, and doors carved with teak.
