Choosing the top 5 destinations in Africa is no easy task.
Below you’ll find my personal favourite places to visit in Africa. Planning your trip around any of these destinations will be worthwhile.
1. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a highlight of any trip to Southern Africa. The natural beauty of Cape Town makes it one of the most attractive cities in the world. Cape Town boasts beautiful beaches as well as the impressive Table Mountain right in the heart of the city. The restaurants are world class, and so are the wines. Cape Town is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in Africa and has reputation for social tolerance.
Robben Island
Top attractions in Cape Town include:
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront for dining and shopping
Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years
Cape Town’s Beaches
Table Mountain
The Winelands
2. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is one of Africa’s top destinations because of its fascinating history and its incredible beaches. Zanzibar’s location in the Indian Ocean (off the coast of Tanzania) has made it a natural trading center throughout its history. Famous for its spices, Zanzibar also became an important slave trading post under its Arab rulers. The Arab influences are obvious throughout Zanzibar but especially in Stone Town one of the island’s biggest attractions.
stonetown- Zanzibar
3. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
There is nothing quite like getting a thorough soaking from the roaring, powerful Victoria Falls. The spray is so impressive from the look-out points, it feels like you are in the middle of a torrential rainstorm.
The Victoria Falls lie in between Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa.
The Victoria Falls are just over 1 mile wide (1.7 km) and 355 feet (108 m) high. During the wet season over 500 million liters (19 million cubic feet) of water plummets over the edge into the Zambezi River. This incredible amount of water generates a huge amount of spray which shoots 1000 feet into the sky and can be seen 30 miles away, hence the nameMosi-oa-Tunya (Smoke that thunders).
Victoria Falls
4. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza, just outside Cairo in Egypt, represent one of the greatest architectural feats by man. The last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the world’s oldest tourist attractions, built more than 5000 years ago.
There are in fact three main pyramids in Giza; the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), The Pyramid of Kafhre and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaura. Each Pyramid is a tomb to a different King of Egypt.
In front of the pyramids lies the Sphinx, or Abu al-Hol in Arabic, “Father of Terror”.
Egypt -Cairo pyramids of Giza and camels
5. The Masai Mara, Kenya
If you want to see the ‘big five’ in one morning, Masai Mara in Kenya is the place to be. During the dry season from July to October the wildlife spectacle is unparalleled. Nowhere else can you watch the annual migration of over a million wildebeest from a hot-air balloon. The ‘Mara’ is as close to “Out of Africa” as you can get.
Masai Mara Kenya
