Top 10 Must See African Destinations!
It’s hard not to be fascinated with Africa—the motherland. It’s the birthplace of human civilization.
And the true size of Africa is huge. The United States, India, China, and other countries could easily fit within the continent’s borders.
That’s a fun geography fact, but it’s a less fun fact when trip planning. Africa is so huge, how do you decide where to go? It’s intimidating to not know where to go, let alone why you should go there.
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are our top 10 African destinations.
1. Victoria Falls
Straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia is Victoria Falls. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a waterfall roughly twice the size of Niagra Falls. While it’s not the highest or widest waterfall in the world, it’s considered the largest based on its combined width and height (1,708 meters or 5,604 wide, and 108 meters or 354 feet high).
The falls were named by British explorer David Livingstone. He named them after Queen Victoria. However, the falls were originally called Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders).
The falls themselves are worth the visit, but as an added bonus, you can visit the Victoria Falls National Park (the Zimbabwe protected area) or Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia’s protected area). Hippos, elephants, buffalo, and antelope call the parks home.
2. Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest and largest national park. Odds are when you think of Africa, you think of African wildlife, and there’s no better place to see that than Serengeti.
The park is host to the Great Migration, where drought forces wildebeest to move. Millions of wildebeests migrate from the southern Serengeti to the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya.
Timing a trip during the Great Migration requires some luck. Fortunately, if you miss it, there are still plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, including some iconic animals.
The park’s most famous residents are the Big Five: rhinoceros, leopard, elephant, lion, and Cape buffalo. The term originally referred to the difficulty in hunting these dangerous animals. However, modern-day usage of the term refers to seeing them on safari in their natural habitat.
There are also plenty of opportunities for bird watching. The Serengeti hosts hundreds of bird species.
If you’ve always dreamed of seeing Africa’s wildlife for yourself, why not make the most of it with an African safari? Roam Wild Adventure can pair a trip to the Serengeti with trips to Tarangire and Ngorongoro, creating the ultimate safari experience.
3. Cairo, Egypt
When tourists look into travel to Africa, one of the countries that come to mind is Egypt. The history of ancient Egypt has fascinated people for centuries.
Cairo is worth a visit alone. The most famous landmark is the Pyramids of Giza, a highlight of the country. These royal tombs have fascinated people for thousands of years.
As for how they were built, that’s been a matter of debate for years. But even when we know all of the details, they still stand as a marvel of construction.
Along with existing attractions, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is set to finally open. It’s set to be the largest archaeological museum in the world, with over 100,000 artifacts.
Don’t worry if Egyptian history isn’t your thing. Cairo is the largest city in Africa, and one of the largest cities in the world, so there’s plenty to do.
Souks, or local markets, are great for shopping or just exploring the local culture. Cairo also has a rich cafe culture, so if you appreciate a good cup of coffee, you’ll always have a place to go.
Or you can just walk about and explore. Try taking the Qasr El Nil Bridge, and see the famous Nile River for yourself.
4. Zanzibar
The name Zanzibar sounds exotic—and it is! The autonomous region of Tanzania consists of an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which consists of small islands, as well as larger ones like Unguja (the main island, often referred to only as Zanzibar).
Historically the islands have produced crops such as nutmeg, black pepper, and cinnamon—hence Zanzibar’s nickname of the Spice Island.
As you would expect from a place called Spice Island, Zanzibar has a rich history of cuisine. Due to the region’s history of trade, Zanzibari cuisine has been influenced by Arab, Indian, and Portuguese cuisine, as well as African Bantu cuisine.
Some foods you should try include Zanzibar chocolate (a sesame bar made of honey and toasted sesame seeds), biriyani, pilau (seasoned rice dishes originally from the Indian subcontinent), and mandazi (a friend bread donut).
When you’re done eating, you can recover from your food coma on one of Zanzibar’s many beaches. They’re famous for their white sand and beautiful turquoise waters.
You can also check out Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City. Stone Town is named for its 19th-century architecture. The buildings of Stone Town were built with coral stone, highlighted by richly carved wooden doors.
If you haven’t been to Zanzibar yet but want to, stay tuned. Zanzibar tours are coming soon.
5. Cape Town, South Africa
If Cairo isn’t your cup of tea, there’s always Cape Town. It’s a gorgeous cosmopolitan city, hemmed in by mountains with a gorgeous view of the ocean.
The most famous of these mountains is Table Mountain, named for its flat-topped shape. If you’re feeling lazy, you can take a cable car to the top, or if you want some exercise, you can hike to the summit.
If you’re interested in history, a ferry can take you to Robben Island. The island was the home for many of the country’s political prisoners—most famously Nelson Mandela.
Finally, there are all the other cultural perks of a big city: museums, nightlife, and lots of food. You’re sure to find something to keep you busy in Cape Town.
6. Mt. Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is probably something you’ve heard of people doing. You’ve seen them do it for charity on TV. But why not experience the thrill of the climb for yourself?
Mt. Kilimanjaro is not just Africa’s tallest mountain, it’s also a dormant volcano. Situated close to the border with Kenya, it’s the pride of Tanzania. It has three cones and there are several different routes you can take, ranging from 6 to 8 days in duration.
You can expect a walkable climb all the way – no need for picks and crampons. You’re going to feel it in your thighs and need to do some preparation. But you’ll be rewarded with a view of Africa few people ever get to see.
7. Maasai Mara, Kenya
The Maasai Mara on the Kenyan side of the border with Tanzania is pure Africa distilled into one huge national reserve.
Here you can see lions, cheetahs, zebra, wildebeest – pretty much every famous African animal you can think of. All living in their natural habitat as they have for millennia. Forget the big five, you can see the big ten and more.
Speaking of wildebeest, it’s worth heading to the Maasai Mara to watch the Great Migration alone. This annual event sees around 2.5 million wildebeest, along with antelope and other animals moving en masse across the Mara River. Make sure you’re there between July and October to catch this awesome spectacle.
But animals are not all the Maasai Mara has to offer.
The Maasai people call this place home. No vacation to Africa is complete without experiencing how people live. These hospitable people will show you how they live, cook, dress, and other unique aspects of their culture.
8. Seychelles
If you think a vacation to Africa is all about safari, then think again.
Seychelles represents luxury travel like few other places on earth. Think endless beaches with powdery white sand, flawless blue skies, and turquoise oceans. Sure, we’ve all seen pictures on TV but nothing quite prepares you for its beauty in person.
It’s perfect for a romantic getaway and is a classic honeymoon spot. It’s just a three-hour flight from Tanzania, so why not combine some time in Seychelles with all the fun of African wildlife?
Seychelles also has its own impressive roster of flora and fauna, including Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its stunning mature palm forest.
9. Luxor, Egypt
Back to Egypt again, but this time for a different experience. Cairo is a bustling modern metropolis with a historical past, Luxor is a small, accessible city with one foot firmly in its ancient past.
Did you know that Karnak Temple at Luxor is one of the largest religious sites ever built? Dozens of pharaohs left their mark on this cultural icon. The hypostyle hall is a wonder of the ancient world that still features original paintwork from 3,300 years ago!
Head across the Nile and visit the Valley of the Kings. It’s home to the most famous, but the sadly least impressive tomb of them all – that of King Tutankhamun. But don’t be disappointed – there are tons of outstanding tombs and temples waiting for you on both sides of this ancient waterway.
10. Souks of Marrakech, Morocco
If you thought Africa had run out of surprises, here’s a final curveball for you.
Nestled in the northwest corner of the continent is Marrakech, Morocco. Walking through the ancient souks or narrow market alleyways transports you to a different age. A time of nomadic tribes trading spices and other luxuries.
The smell of those spices and perfumes permeates the air. It’s a paradise for shopaholics and casual browsers alike. This ain’t no US shopping mall and prepare to do a little haggling.
Each souk is named after the products being sold there. Valuable products are traded in the very heart of the souk, with products getting less valuable the further away they are from the center. It’s another side to Africa that you definitely don’t want to miss!
So Little Time, So Many African Destinations
Every country on the continent can offer you an amazing African vacation. But you probably don’t have the time and money for that, so why not settle for a place that has a little bit of everything?
Out of all the potential African destinations, Tanzania has something for everyone, from the culture of Zanzibar to the wildlife of the Serengeti. Or, if you prefer something more adventurous, why not climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? Sightseeing in Africa doesn’t get any better than in Tanzania.
There’s a reason why we fell in love with Tanzania. Contact Roam Wild on +1 866 764 3029 or book now online!