Africa is without a doubt the most beautiful continent in the world. Ok, we might be a little biased but nobody can dispute the fact that the continent has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. From the Skeleton coast in Namibia to the pyramids in Egypt, Africa has something to offer every traveller, from history and mystery to breath-taking natural beauty. Take a look at our 10 Wonders of Africa.
Victoria Falls, Zambia – Zimbabwe
Undoubtedly one of the most famous landmarks in Africa, Victoria Falls is charming tourist and locals today just as much is it did when David Livingston first put eyes on it in 1855. When the famous explorer saw the falls for the first time he was so struck by its beauty that he named it after his ruler Queen Victoria. Back then it was quite an honour to be named after a monarch.
Today Victoria falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The combination of its width and height makes Victoria Falls the largest waterfall in the world with only the Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil coming close to it. The falls are best seen from the Zimbabwean side, but if you’d like a bit of an adrenalin rush head to the Zambian side where you can swim in Devil’s pool which is right on the edge of the falls. The helicopter flip over the falls is one of the most exhilaration helicopter rides you can have anywhere in the world, a great flip with a great view.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Situated in one of the most inhospitable environments in the world, the Skeleton Coast is one of the most fascinating places in the world. The Namib Desert collides with the cold Atlantic Ocean on the western coastline of Namibia, here the Skeleton Coast is formed. The Land God made in anger and the Gates of Hell are two names that foreigners and locals gave this coastline because of the savage nature of the surf and the harsh storms that roll through the area.
The coast has claimed over 1000 ships with ship wrecks and hulls lining the coastline. The Skeleton Coast starts at the town of Swakopmund and stretches north for around 300km to Terrace Bay. Massive sand dunes and dangerous rocks make up the coastline while unrelenting surf and countless ship wrecks dominate the horizon. Visiting this place is a truly humbling experience and we believe it is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Africa.
Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
Just like the Skeleton Coast, the Makgadikgadi Pans is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Africa. The pans are situated in the south eastern region of Botswana. The Pans were once a massive ancient lake that stretched across a large part of southern Africa. Today it is barren, dried up saltpan where very little animals and plants can survive. The pans are so vast that looking over it is like looking over the vast open ocean.
There were islands on this ancient lake, today they are rocky outposts that are used as campsites. The best place to stay when travelling through the pans is on either Baobab or Lekubu Island. The ruins on Lekubu Island have a history that stretches back 2000 years to the days when people first inhabited the African interior. If you are feeling a little adventurous, drive onto the pans for a mile or so and sleep under the stars right in the middle of the pans. The stargazing on the pans is amazing but the sunsets are even more beautiful.
Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti, Tanzania
At 5,895 metres above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the highest Mountain in Africa and the highest free standing Mountain in the world. The Mountain offers tourists an exciting and challenging adventure as well as awe inspiring views. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an unforgettable experience that most travellers should have on their bucket list.
After your trip to or up the Mountain, head to the Serengeti where you can view one of the most amazing natural events in the World. For 10 months of the year thousands of Zebras and Wildebeest live in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and for the other two months of the year they live on the Masai Mara in Kenya. The animals migrate between these two location every year and this movement of animals forms the most famous and one of the largest migration in the world. Thousands of Wildebeest cross Rivers, floodplains and hills in search of greener grasslands to feed on. Predators like lions, Leopards and Crocodiles are always lurking close behind. The Serengeti does get very busy especially during the migration with tourists coming from all across the globe to experience the event, but it is still a must visit for every traveller.
The Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
For historical tourism, Egypt is one of the most amazing countries to visit. Many stories and books have been written about the Pharaohs, kings and Queens of ancient Egypt. The country has hundreds of ancient excavation sites scattered across it where the history of the ancient world is being re-written with every new discovery. The most famous of these historical locations in Egypt is without a doubt the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza.
For 3,800 years the Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest building in the world. The Great Pyramid stood at 146.5 meters tall when construction ended in 2540 BC. At over 4,500 years old this structure is the oldest and only intact ancient wonder of the world. It is believed that the pyramid was built for the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu as a tomb. The pyramid is the oldest of the ancient wonders of the world and the only one that is still intact. To this day scientists and historians cannot come to a conclusion as to how the pyramid was exactly built. The Sphinx is the largest monolith statue in the world and its face is believed to be a depiction of Pharaoh Khafra’s face. Today these two structures are arguably the most famous historical structures in the world. Millions of travellers have come to view these ancient marvels over the years. With the mixture of myth and history that surround them, there is no doubt about it that they will continue to draw the crowds for another thousand years to come.
Lake Malawi, Malawi
Dubbed by the famous explored David Livingstone as the ‘Lake of Stars’, Lake Malawi is fast becoming a popular tourist destination among international travellers. Lake Malawi is one of the largest lakes in the world. The lake is a paradise for freshwater divers because it has more tropical fish species in its waters than any other Lake in the world.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the jewel of Malawi’s tourist attractions. Despite the beautiful sandy beaches, the lake is best known for the water sport activities that it offers its visitors. Some of the activities on offer include kayaking, afloat, snorkelling, scuba diving, skiing and sports fishing. There are many locations along the banks of the lake to explore, once you feel like relaxing after a day full of adventure you can lie down on one of the golden sandy beaches that surround the lake to take an island style break!
Sahara Desert, Morocco
The Sahara desert has long been a landscape of danger and mystery. During the course of history many men have tried to cross the desert in search of treasure, some have been successful and some not. Bandits have long been roaming the desert, attacking trekking parties and stealing their possessions. When you visit the Sahara it’s like stepping back in time to a world of mystery and adventure, just speaking about it excites ones sense of adventure.
At over 9 million sq. kilometres, the Sahara is the largest subtropical desert in the world. The vast majority of northern Africa is covered by the Sahara which stretches from the Red Sea in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are the highest and most beautiful dunes in Morocco. This vast ocean of red Saharan sand is best viewed from the back of a camel. Trekking over the Sahara is a true Arabian adventure where you can break away from the shackles of the modern world. If you’re not an adventure traveller don’t worry, the Sahara also has something for you. The view of the sunset and sunrise over the Sahara from atop of any of the massive sand dunes will take your breath away.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, and it is home to one of the highest concentration of big game on the entire continent. The ground drops 600 metres into the basin of the crater where the fertile volcanic ground plays host to a large population of wild animals. The Ngorongoro is one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations, which means it can get very busy on the crater floor.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the most famous attraction of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Archaeologists have unearthed human remains and artefacts that prove that the crater has been inhabited by humans for over 3.6 million years. The crater is arguably the best place in Africa to see the African Big 5, that’s why mass tourism loves coming to the area. There is such a healthy population of wildlife in the crater that it has been given the nickname “Garden of Eden”. The crater is home to a healthy population of the critically endangered black rhino as well as some of the largest big tusker elephants in Africa. If exceptional game viewing is what you are looking for in your next holiday then look no further than the Ngorongoro Crater.
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Sossusvlei is best described as a sea of rolling red sand dunes. Sossusvlei is situated in the southern part of the Namib Desert, at 55 million years old the Namib is the oldest desert in the world. Along with the Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei is Namibia’s most fascinating and most famous attraction. Sossusvlei is a large salt and clay pan that is surrounded by large red dunes.
The dunes around Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert are among the highest and largest dunes in the world some are as high as 400meters. Despite the isolation of the area there is still a lot to do in Sossusvlei. Activities include hot air ballooning, quad biking, nature drives, bush dinners, sunset walks, archery, scenic flights and star gazing. Sossusvlei in native Namibian language means “dead-end marsh”. It was given this name because the dunes around Sossusvlei block the Tsauchab River from flowing any further. Despite the harsh desert conditions in the area, you can still find a wide variety of animals and plants that have adapted throughout the years to survive. When the pan fills in an extraordinary rainy season visitors from all over the world come to view this spectacle as it produces one of the most famous photographic scenes in the world.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
At number 1000 the Okavango Delta is the world’s youngest UNESCO World Heritage Site. Summer rainfall in Angola flows down to the north-western part of Botswana where it forms the Okavango Panhandle. From the panhandle the water flows south into a maze of snaking channels, filling up dried up floodplains and giving life to the Kalahari Desert.
The Okavango is one of the largest inland deltas in the world. What makes this delta different from most other deltas is that it does not flow into the sea. All of the water that runs through the Okavango is either evaporated by the African sun or it sinks into the sands of the Kalahari. The tranquillity and beauty of the Okavango is unmatched. Over 450 bird species live in the Okavango and large animals like elephants, hippos and lions also call this beautiful place home. When the delta swells from the flow of water from the north, it attracts animals from miles around, forming one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
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