Africa is vast, diverse, and filled with places of breathtaking beauty. Whether it’s your first visit to the Dark Continent, or you are a seasoned traveler, here are some of the places you definitely need on your African travel Bucket list:
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is perhaps the most glorious waterfall in the world. Located on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls was named for Queen Victoria; however, the native African name, Smoke that Thunders is much apter. This site is not to be missed – it explodes out from the surrounding Savannah.
Djenné located in Mali is an ancient town constructed of baked African clay adobe. It is rich in history, as the site of a small village, and later a thriving town along the spice and slave trade routes. Pay special attention to the Great Mosque, built by French colonists around the turn of the last century. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Great Pyramids at Giza are perhaps the best-known structure in the world. Visible from space, these ancient sentinels dominate the Valley of Kings in Egypt. Built as an extensive tomb for ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, these labor-intensive pyramids are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the Wonders of the Ancient World.
Table Mountain in the midst of Cape Town in South Africa is a landmark along the Cape of Good Hope. Along with the peaks of Signal Hill, Devil’s Peak, and Lion’s Head, it forms a huge natural amphitheater in which the Dutch settlers of the 17th century first established what would become Cape Town. Sometimes the top is covered by clouds, it is so high. You can take a cable car to the top for a breathtaking view.
The Zanzibar Archipelago is located on the Eastern coast of Africa, along the Indian Ocean in Tanzania. With the golden sandy beaches of Zanzibar and warm azure waves, you can peacefully relax after a long day of sightseeing. On Unguja Island, off the coast, you’ll find the historic Stone Town, the spice and slave trade marketplace from centuries past.
The Rwenzori Mountains in the Congo are mysterious, lush, and breathtaking. Reaching incredible heights into the cloud ceiling, these mountains combine tropical climate at the base with alpine climate at the peak. Africa’s third highest mountain, Mount Stanley, is in the Rwenzori range, as is the highest and most permanent source of the Nile. This peak is named after the famous explorer Henry Morton Stanley.
Serengeti National Park is the best-known park in the world. With diverse wildlife and scenery, it is the backdrop for many African Safaris. Here, you’ll find lions, leopards, giraffe, buffalo, rhinos, and gazelle across plains, woodlands, and savanna. And it’s where every year the Serengeti Migration takes place, with millions of antelope, zebra, and wildebeest heading for green pasture lands in the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
Before you travel, take steps to ensure your safety. Book an appointment for vaccinations in London before leaving for holiday. Although it is possible to have treatment at your destination, many travelers prefer to take care of medical treatment at home, first. If you are planning a trip and departing from London, make sure you schedule your vaccinations in London, as well.
