Africa
If you have the innate love for adventure and the love to unleash new discoveries and do away with myths and misconceptions, then you
have no excuse to live and die without visiting this second largest world’s continent after Asia, Africa.
We very briefly mention North Africa, one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Egypt and Morocco, but in terms of true nature and unforgettable experiences, you can only find in South Africa.
An amazing video about South Africa from the Youtube channel worldtourism
For centuries, it has been rumored, whispered and even published in great documentaries that Africa is the place of diseases, violence, sub-standard hotels, danger, scarcity and so forth. If you have been once privileged to land in any part of Africa, you know and can tell how broad there is a distinction between misconceptions and reality.
Why travel to Africa
Whether you are up for pleasure and enjoyment in Africa or you are basically planning to land in the land in order to find out the truth about this culturally rich part of the planet, you need to have a clear understanding of the best places to set your foot on arrival. These are the places that will give you the true image of Africa as a continent and Africa as formerly misconceived part of the world.
Similarly, your travel to Africa is a step into comfort zone that is going to give you and your family a great adventure of meeting and learning new cultures as well as enjoy the best climatic conditions any time of the year.
Different African countries have different forms of adventure, right from the magnificent historic temples in Egypt to the best scenes and beaches in Madagascar. Your tour to Africa is a great opportunity and thus worth proper utilization.
Regardless of your personal preferences, be sure to find something thrilling in any, and certainly, most of the African countries.
Here are some places I would unreservedly recommend for you and the specific reasons to visit them:
Top Places to visit in Northern Africa
1. Unleash the mystery in the Abu Simbel temples
These are the great Egyptian temples that have been in existence for centuries since the time of Pharaoh Ramesses II when they were dedicated to him and his wife as well as the Egyptian gods.
Both The Great and The Small temples of Abu Simbel were excavated to radiate magnificence from the sandstone curve. The name Abu Simbel’ came after a boy who directed the first European explorers to the site. These temples have rich history and religion which you will learn best upon paying your visit to the place. These temples are a great treasure to both the Egyptian government, locals and any visitor looking forward to explore and find out more about them.
Relocation from a sandstone cliff (their original site) was intended to rescue them from potential harm that would result from the construction of Aswan high Dam and consequent creation of Lake Nasser which was anticipated to cause submersion of the temples. Thanks to the support accorded to the Egyptian government by the UNESCO and the international community. Since their relocation, they have never suffered any disaster.
I had for a long time wondered how this great relocation was accomplished until out of curiosity I visited the site and met men of history and religion to offer a free explanation. Same to you, you can unravel the mystery by landing at the site and finding out from the friendly wizards of history how the temples were dismantled, moved and reassembled into their exact original form.
In fact, the new location is now more recreating as a result of the surrounding artificial mountain. Visit Abu Simbel and discover what the world has been hiding from your sight for long.
2. Discover the Great Wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania
Both Maasai Mara and Serengeti national parks in Kenya and Tanzania experience mass movements of wildebeests every year as a result of climatic change.
Looking at the peaceful walk of these animals as they abandon their habitat to search for better ones, no other scene offers such a spectacular movement in Africa and beyond.
And the great journey does not just involve wildebeests. Present are also antelopes and zebras taking part in this great migration that occurs annually.
Visit the Maasai Mara plains in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania for a first hand observation anywhere between July and September and watch the animals as they traverse the region between the two neighboring east African countries.
The great migration or the Kenyan safari is attributed to the search for greener pasture and water, having exploited them in the area of exit.
Although many predators including crocodiles attack the animals on their journey, they finally manage to maneuver and reach their destination in great numbers of over
2 million.
Visiting the border of Kenya and Tanzania for this great adventure is safe and secure. Do not be worried of the complicated and seemingly dangerous scene.
You will have friendly and welcoming tour guides to take you through the land and its vegetation.
The guides, mostly from Kenya have a quick and thorough mastery of foreign languages especially English. By the time you leave the place, you will have mastered every single detail about this great migration.
3. Meet Amazing Gorilla in Virunga Mountains
The DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Rwanda and Uganda, all share an amazing scenery by name Virunga. These are volcanic mountains formed in a chain-like manner, radiating spectacular beauty and unique forest vegetation.
It is the home to a highly endangered species of mountain gorilla with unique features uncommon to other species of gorilla. History and science have demonstrated several times that this extraordinary gorilla species has unique capabilities similar to man.
One notable feature about them is their excellent trainable nature.
Only when you have visited Virunga National park will you be able to learn more of the mountain gorilla, its characteristics and great history.
Apart from Gorilla, you will also observe other thrilling wildlife species of chimpanzees, forest elephant and the okapi. The general nature of the place is also an adventure in itself.
One look at the mountain range characterized by eight major peaks such as Karisimbii (the highest peak) will leave you craving for an extension of your vacation. Present are other major active volcanoes of Nyirangongo and Nyiragira mountains which requires utmost safety before visiting, lest a volcanic eruption disrupt your adventure.
4. The Great Pyramids at Giza
Back to Egypt, the great Pyramids are perfectly recognizable immediately you land in Giza.
Formerly built as tombs to preserve the dead bodies of dead Pharaohs, these Pyramids have turned into an exciting place for tourists and a great source of history. If you miss out exploration of more than 100 pyramids, you have no business visiting Egypt.
One amazing feature of these pyramids is the weight of the stone which was used to build them. You might find it a big fiction that the total number of stone blocks that constructed the great pyramid
was 2.3 million with a total weight of 5.9 million tones. But that is the reality which you can only confirm by visiting the place.
These great pyramids were created for two distinct functions, one of them being decadent statements of power and wealth and another one being a place of dedication of power and judgment to the gods. Similarly, do not find it appalling that the pyramids’ residents were buried alongside their most treasured processions, including their animals and even slaves for the purposes of company and assistance throughout their perceived journey after life in the world.
When you are in Cairo, move some kilometers southwards and you will meet the history’s iconic statue that is half-human and half-lion where you will also find the greatest of all tombs, where Pharaoh Khufu or Pharaoh Cheops was buried.
As far as statues are concerned, this is the world’s largest, richest and oldest place to visit.
5. Sossusvlei Namib Desert National Park
Sossusvlei is one huge Namibia’s clay pan surrounded by giant red sand dunes portraying the symbol of Namibia.
It is situated at Naukluft Park, an arid and isolated part of Namibia.
Being the Africa’s largest and the world’s fourth largest conservation area, Naukluft Park is a rich home of different varieties of flora and fauna that are highly
adapted to the arid climatic conditions.
All of the attractions surrounding Sossusvlei are easily accessible as all but the last 5 kilometers of the 65 kilometer drive to the vlei is tarred. Shuttles provide access to the last 5 kilometers, should you not have a 4×4 vehicle.
The vlei is surrounded by high orange-reddish dunes, partially covered by a vegetation comprising grass, bushes, and some tree (mostly of species Acacia erioloba).
Top Places to visit in Southern Africa
Mauritius - Island of Rainbows and Shooting Stars
If you love to sit and watch nature as it beautifies itself, the island of Mauritius is your ultimate destination of your journey to the southern part of Africa. Its situated in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar.
Though small in both size and population, Mauritius boasts as an undoubtedly attractive Indian Ocean island with awesomely welcoming and friendly inhabitants of different cultures. Its bordered by a white-sand coastline occasionally lapped by sapphire waters, giving the real meaning of adventurous life. Whether you are planning a long stay in Africa or you are simply seeking a ton of pleasure
with hospitable people and amazing cultures, you are advised to visit Mauritius and find out how coastal and inland life tastes.
On your trip to Mauritius, do not forget to stop at any of the island’s richly rewarding beaches for dolphin-watching excursions, scuba diving adventures and if you are a fun enough, deep-sea fishing. If you are
afraid of deep waters, here is another way to make the most out of your visit to Mauritius: Nature and its appearance will give you the much you desire. The ample climate, relaxation mood, indigenous pants and animals housed by the largest national park and volcanic summits and so many other explorations will fulfill your expectations for a great trip to such a thrilling region.
Seychelles - Beaches and Best Sceneries
Source of this image: https://www.dreamyachtcharter.com
Seychelles offers some of the best encounters in Africa with its numerous beaches and attractive scenes. A visit to Praslin island, Anse Lazio, La Digue, and among other places in this extremely attractive part of the rich continent of Africa will totally transform your desire for adventure and take your experience to a totally different level.
Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin Island, has all it takes to be set apart as the World Heritage site by a UNESCO declaration.
With extremely beautiful flora and fauna, thousands of travelers assemble at this place just to have a glimpse of what this popular site look like. You might have heard severally of the rare coco de mer palm but you haven’t yet had an opportunity to taste its nuts. All it takes is your visit to Seychelles and get an opportunity to enjoy the world’s largest nut.
Have you heard of the Seychelles bulbul, black parrot and fruit pigeon? These are the rare species of birds that originate from Seychelles and all about them is the sophistication of nature. In your stay in Seychelles, do not forget to visit Aldabra Island situated in the outer circle of archipelago. It is another world’s heritage site confirmed by UNESCO.
Other than being a heritage site, it is a home for the massive population of giant tortoises, attracting tourists and visitors from all walks of life. If you are a lover of indoor attractions, you will have all you desires accomplished by the national Museum of History and the Seychelles Natural History Museum.
Madagascar
Your plan to visit Madagascar is as perfect as your desire to tour Sainte-Marie white-sand beaches and Andasibe dense rainforests for to discover the gift of nature.
Madagascar is a mysterious place of wonderful wildlife which under the guidance by Madagascar specialists, you will be able to learn what is actually implied by true nature. Traverse the high montane rainforests of the Andasibe National Park and Anjajavy private Nature Reserve and find out the beauty of both amphibians and plant life.
A wide variety of frogs, chameleons and even elusive fossa are vivid, jumping from place to place. In the Sainte-Marie island, the humpback whales are always calving, from June through September. A visit to Madagascar
at this season won’t leave you the same person.
Other places that should never miss on If your travel plan include Isalo National Park, Antsirabe, Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Nosy Komba, Nosy Michie Atsipelago and Ranomafana National Park.
Conclusion
The above described best places to visit in Africa have all it takes to cal your trip a success. If you have ever visited any or some of them, you know what an enriching to Africa is. If you have never, plan to visit
them and for sure, your dreams to have the best out of Africa will come true. There are other places in different countries worth visiting but the above mentioned offer the most outstanding experience to visitors from all parts of the world.