Africa is the second-largest country in the world and covers an area of over 30 million square kilometers with 54 countries. Africa is also the second most populated and is the hottest and second driest continent in the world. There are over 2000 recognised languages spoken in Africa.
Africa is famous for its wildlife with several national parks and has the largest reserves of valuable metals such as cobalt, gold, and platinum. The continent also has about 30% of the remaining mineral resources of the earth. Africa is known for its natural wonders. A continent with unspoiled wilderness, breathtaking landscapes, and animals in their natural habitats. We invite you to come to see wildlife and its best.
The preferred countries for touring in Africa are Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Must-see attractions are places like the Serengeti national park, Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro mountain in Tanzania, The pyramids at Giza Necropolis in Egypt are also worth seeing. Masai Mara in Kenya, The Victoria falls bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe, and also the second-largest canyon in the world which is situated in Namibia known as the fish river canyon. Namibia also boosts the Sossusvlei, Namib desert which is the oldest desert in the world.
Below is an insight about the best places to visit in Africa
CAIRO, EGYPT
Cairo is the capital of Egypt. Cairo’s Pyramids of Giza are an attraction not to be missed and are the most popular. Their pyramids have remained intact for about 4 500 years. Cairo’s Egyptian Museum displays an unbelievable collection of antiquities that will leave you dazzled. Another activity that is not to be missed is watching performances of belly dancing usually performed at Egyptian celebrations and rituals.
Several hotels offer extremely entertaining belly dancing shows in the evenings at dinner. One or two dancers perform different dances and change their outfits for every dance. For jazz music lovers, Cairo Jazz Club offers a sophisticated mixture of live jazz and blues. Dinner cruises are offered on the Nile where you go on a sailing trip and at the same time enjoy a traditional Tanoura show and an open buffet dinner.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town is a port city located on the southwest coast of South Africa. Cape Town is home to 40 species of sharks in its waters. You can go shark diving in cages using any of the many great shark tours such as Shark Diving Limited and Shark Lady. Gary’s Surf School which is the oldest surf school in South Africa offers surfing lessons and has exceptional coaches.
There are also restaurants that are famous for sushi and seafood. For wine lovers, do visit the Cape Winelands, with vineyards and wine estates. Most of the estates and farms offer wine tasting of their wide range of wines. The Galileo Open-Air Cinema is a seasonal cinema that operates from November to April. At this cinema, you get to watch movies in the open under night stars.
For an exciting adventure, make a turn at the Cango Ostrich Show Farm to ride on an ostrich. The World of Birds is the largest bird park in Africa with over 3 000 birds consisting of 400 different species.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA
Serengeti National Park is the most popular national park in Tanzania. The Serengeti National Park is famous for its wildebeest which is more than one million. There is so much wildlife to see of which some are buffalos, impalas, zebras, elands, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards including many other animals and can be viewed throughout the year.
Some of the activities to do at the park are going on game drives, picnics, and hot air balloon safaris. Serengeti is in a warm and dry location with an open grassland in the southwestern area, some shrubs, and trees. Wildebeest relocate to the Ngorongoro area south of Serengeti for the large grassland. The relocation often takes place in December. The OI Doinyo Lengai is the only volcano around Serengeti that is still active and ejects carbonatite lava which turns white when exposed to air.
DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
Dar es Salaam is a commercial port and the largest city in Tanzania located on the Indian Ocean coast. To learn about the tribal heritage of Tanzania and the effects of the colonial periods and slave trade, make a turn at the National Museum and House of Culture for a journey of Tanzania’s past.
The Village Museum displays traditional residents of some of the ethnic groups of Tanzania. The local artisans exhibit their traditional weaving, painting, and carving skills. The Botanical Gardens is one of the few locations with the captivating “coco-de-mer” palm tree external of Seychelles where it originates.
Cocoa Beach is the most popular beach in Dar es Salaam where people go swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and listening to live music. For the best seafood in a pleasurable atmosphere, make a turn at any Samaki Samaki Restaurant. Vegetarian meals are also offered and a range of drinks to choose from.
LAKE MALAWI, MALAWI
Lake Malawi borders Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania and is the first freshwater national park at Cape Maclear. Lake Malawi was discovered by a missionary explorer over 150 years ago and is said to be the third deepest lake in the world. The lake is about 700 meters deep, with a width of 75 kilometers and a length of about 580 kilometers.
Lake Malawi has over 400 species of aquatic animals. There are fishing villages across the shore where fish are caught during the fishing season. The African fish eagle’s largest flock in the world is in Malawi and can often be seen diving in the lake. Some of the common activities done in the lake are water skiing with speedboats, sailboarding, going on boat trips in either a modernised fiberglass speedboat or a traditional wooden boat, motor launch trips, snorkeling as well as kayaking.
ACCRA, GHANA
Accra is the capital of Ghana and is located on West Africa’s Atlantic coast. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park are located in the city’s center as a way of paying tribute to Ghana’s founding father. The park holds a museum tracing of the life of Kwame Nkrumah and several personal items being showcased.
The Mausoleum is the resting place of Kwame Nkrumah and his wife. The National Culture Centre offers basic drumming lessons to their customers who purchase drums. Jamestown is a must-visit while in Accra. It is one of the largest fish harbors in Africa. For Ghanaian traditional delicacies, make a turn at Makola Market for traditional pots, food, and medicine, arrows, and shoes. Ghanaian cuisines usually consisting of jollof rice served with chicken, beef, mutton, or fish are offered at most restaurants in Accra of which two of the best are Buka and Country Kitchen.
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and is the cultural and commercial hub of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian National Park is a spot not to be missed. It exhibits a replica of Lucy and features a wide range of artifacts ranging from modern Ethiopian artwork to clothing. Addis Mercato is said to be the biggest open-air market in Africa with several different sections for food, souvenirs, and clothes.
For a night of fun, Club Illusion is one of the most favored nightclubs in Addis Ababa. It is the perfect place for those who want to listen to non-stop music, dance throughout the night, and drink the night away. Make a turn at Fendika for a taste of traditional Ethiopian culture where dancers perform traditional dances. Do not forget to try out traditional Ethiopian hand-roasted coffee which is available at nearly all the restaurants in Addis Ababa.
DAKAR, SENEGAL
Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and is located in West Africa. The House of Slaves located about 3 kilometers off the coast of Dakar is a museum and memorial of the Atlantic slave trade. The museum memorialises the last exit point of the slaves from Africa. The Grande Mosquée building has a tall minaret which you can climb any other day besides Friday when Muslims go there to pray.
For those fascinated by traditional African cultures and art, make sure to make a turn at the Musée Théodore Monod d ́Art Africain. It has a confined but fascinating collection of ethnographic exhibits focusing on the Basari tribe as well as other tribes of the southwest. There is also a range of masks and musical instruments from across West Africa.
NYUNGWE RAINFOREST, RWANDA
The Nyungwe Rainforest is a natural rainforest and is located in Rwanda’s southwest. Nyungwe Rainforest covers an area of over 1000 square kilometers. The rainforest has about 310 species of birds of which 27 are native to the Albertine Rift and 75 species of mammals.
Nyungwe Rainforest is famous for its chimpanzees with about 400 species. If you have an interest in birds, you can book a guide to identify and learn about the birds that you may see or hear. For a breathtaking view of the rainforest, book the Canopy Walkway tour.
The Canopy Walkway hangs 60 meters above the ground, with a length of 200 meters, and is between the rainforest’s enormous trees. Other activities that can be done are chimpanzee trekking, monkey trekking, bird watching, and cultural area walks with guides. The Nyungwe Rainforest Lodge has a heated swimming pool, treatment rooms, a gift boutique, daily laundry service, wi-fi, and a tea lounge and bar.
NORTH ISLAND, SEYCHELLES
North Island is a splendid private island. North Island is the ideal destination if you want to sit back and relax. Upon your arrival at North Island, you will get to experience the popular “barefoot ritual” which was designed to soothe away the travel distress. The East Beach has an amazing view of the sunrise and sunset.
West Beach serves freshly-baked mouth-watering tapas and pizza as well as an alfresco seafood barbeque. The Piazza consist of a dining area and a bar serving several different cocktails. For the latest trending accessories to complement your lifestyle on the island, make sure to go to the North Island Boutique. Honeymoon Beach is one of the most romantic beaches in the world due to its private location.
For those into yoga, sessions take place every morning while those who want to keep fit can do so at the gym with state-of-the-art equipment. Some of the activities you can enjoy are turtle walks, scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, boating, and island hopping.