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Travel Bucket List: 14 Beautiful Destinations in Africa

Travel Bucket List: 14 Beautiful Destinations in Africa
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in Africa, Travel
07 Oct 2019

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Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay

Has Weezer got you wanting to visit Africa?

With Weezer’s cover of the Toto classic “Africa” exploding on the pop charts in 2019, travel to Africa has been on many minds.

And yes… that is Weird Al Yankovic lip-syncing in their video… it made the video even funnier, and it is totally something Weezer would do. Remember their Buddy Holly video from 1994 where they performed at Arnold’s on an episode of Happy Days?

Back to Africa… here are some great spots to consider when looking to book a trip to Africa.

Botswana

If you’re not a fan of high traffic tourism, then Botswana is for you. One of the safest destinations in Africa, Botswana boasts the largest elephant population in the world. A visit to Chobe National Park will afford you views of large herds of elephants.

The landscape of Botswana is defined by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, which is a playground for many animals during the flood season, including giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas.

There is so much to do in Botswana: Baobab Tree in Gweta, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Makgadikgadi Pans, Mokolodi Game Reserve, Moremi Game Reserve, Nxai Pan National Park, Okavango Delta, Tsodilo Hills, Tuli Block.

Egypt

So many things to do in this beautiful country, rich in history and culture. A visit to Mount Sinai, where Christians believe is the birthplace of the Ten Commandments. A visit to the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx are high on a lot of bucket lists.

With so much to do, you’ll want a well-planned itinerary, that may include some of these hot spots: Abu Simbel Temples, Abydos, Al-Azhar Park, Alexandria National Museum, Amun Temple Enclosure, Badr Museum, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Blue Hole, Cairo Citadel, Cairo Tower, Colossi of Memnon, Coptic Museum, Dendara, Egyptian Museum, Gayer-Anderson Museum, Great Sphinx of Giza, Great Temple of Ramses II, Karnak, Luxor Museum, Luxor Temple, Monastery of St Anthony, Monastery of St Paul, Montaza Palace, Mount Sinai, Mummification Museum, Nile River, Pyramids of Giza, Ras Mohammad National Park, Red Monastery, Saqqara, Siwa Oasis, St Catherine’s Monastery, Temple of Horus, Temple of Kom Ombo, Temple of Seti I, Temples of Abu Simbel, Tomb of Seti I, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, White Desert National Park.

Kenya

With coastlines on the Indian Ocean, this East African country has vast valleys and mountains, with a plethora of wildlife. Rhinos, lions, elephants, and the annual wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle migrations to the Serengeti and back make Kenya a must-visit in Africa.

Lots to see and do in the natural beauty of Kenya: Amboseli National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Chaimu Crater, Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, Falconry of Kenya, Great Rift Valley, Hell’s Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lamu Island, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Malindi, Marafa Depression, Mombasa, Mount Kenya National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mzima Springs, Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi National Park, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve, Sarara Singing Wells, Shaba National Reserve, Tsavo National Park.

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is the world’s 2nd largest island country at 592,800 square kilometers and the fourth-largest island in the world. This biodiversity hotspot is located 250 miles off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean. Over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on in the world. Animals unique to Madagascar include the Fossa, Tomato Frogs, Panther Chameleon, Lowland Streaked Tenrec, Painted Mantella, and the ever-popular Lemur.

So many unique places to visit in Madagascar: Ambohimalaza, Andasibe-Mantadia, Andilana, Allée des Baobabs, Arboretum d’Antsokay, Camp Andrafiamena Andavakoera, Chez Mamy Miniatures, Cirque Rouge, Domaine de La Cascade, Grottes d’Anjohibe, Haute-Ville, Ifaty, Ile Sainte Marie, Isalo National Park, La Fenêtre de l’Isalo, Lemurs’ Park, Mahay Mitia Ala, Maison Blanche, Masoala National Park, Musée de la Foto, Nosy Iranja, Nosy Mangabe, Parc National Analamazaotra, Parc National d’Andohahela, Parc National d’Andringitra, Parc National d’Ankarafantsika, Parc National de l’Isalo, Parc National de Mantadia, Parc National de Marojejy, Parc National de Masoala-Nosy Mangabe, Parc National de Ranomafana, Parc National des Tsingy de Bemaraha, Parc National Lokobe, Parc National Marin de Nosy Tanikely, Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Parc National Tsingy de Namoroka, Piscines Naturelles d’Ambodiatafana, Ranomafana National Park, Réserve d’Anja, Réserve de Nahampoana, Réserve Forestière de Kirindy, Réserve Spéciale Ankarana, Réserve Spéciale d’Anjanaharibe-Sud, Rova, Royal Hill of Ambohimanga.

Morocco

Casablanca, Marrakesh, and the popular Sand Dunes. Rich in history and culture, Morocco is one of the best travel destinations in the world. Known for its fragrant food influenced by the native cuisine of the Berbers, Andalusians, Arabs, and French.

Just some of the amazing spots in Morocco: Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, Art Naji, Bab El Mansour, Bahia Palace, Calligraphie Tifinaghe, Chaouwara Tanneries, Djemaa El Fna, Ecomusée Berbere, Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga, Glaoui Kasbah, Grand Socco, Hassan II Mosque, Jardin Majorelle, Kasbah des Caids, Maison de la Photographie, Melilla la Vieja, Musée de Marrakech, Musée de Oasis, Musée Sources Lalla Mimoun, Musée Yves Saint Laurent, Palacio de Asamblea, Palmeraie, Petit Socco, Plaza de Africa, Royal Walls, Saadian Tombs, Tangier American Legation Museum, Tetouan Museum of Modern Art, Volubilis, Zawiya of Sidi Moussa.

Mozambique

Mozambique is famous for its long Indian Ocean coastline, popular beaches, a 250km stretch of coral islands, and colonial-era ruins. But it is also known for delicious Peri-Peri chicken and Peri-Peri prawns. You can’t have a great trip without great food!

Here are just a few of the amazing places to visit while in Mozambique: Bazaruto Archipelago & Vilanculos, Benguerra, Camões Statue, Casa das Conchas, Casa dos Novios, Cascata, Catapu Forest Reserve, Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano, Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, Chimanimani National Reserve, Chinamapere Rock Paintings, Chissano Gallery, Fort of São João Baptista, Fort of São Sebastião, Goa Island, Gorongosa National Park, Limpopo National Park, Macuti Beach, Maputo Special Reserve, Mt Gorongosa, Mt Namúli, National Art Museum, Niassa Reserve, Palace & Chapel of São Paulo, Parque Nacional das Quirimbas, Pomene Reserve, Praça dos Heróis Moçambicanos, President’s Residence, Quirimbas Archipelago, Wimbi Beach.

Namibia

This West African country gets its name from the Namib Desert, considered to be the oldest desert on earth. Namib is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, situated between the Namib and the Kalahari deserts. These deserts have some of the highest sand dunes in the world! Welcoming over a million tourists per year, Namibia is a popular ecotourism destination.

Some of the awesome stops in Namibia: Canyon Roadhouse, Cheetah Rescue, Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Etosha National Park, Fish River Canyon, Joe’s Beer House, Kalahari Desert, Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Campsite, Moon Landscapes, Otjihaenamaparero Farm, Skeleton Coast, Spitzkoppe, Spitzkoppe Giant Stone Arch, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein Cave Paintings.

Seychelles

Located 932 miles off the coast of East Africa, Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Awaiting you are coral reefs, pristine beaches, nature reserves, Aldabra tortoises, and 275 species of exotic birds. Seychelles islands attract over 300,000 visitors each year.

Some of the must-visit spots are: Anse Georgette, Anse Intendance, Anse Lazio, Anse Source d’Argent, Anse Takamaka Beach, Anse Volbert Beach, Beau Vallon Beach, Curieuse Marine National Park, La Digue Island, Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden, Mahé, Morne Seychellois National Park, Praslin Waterfall, Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, Vallée de Mai, Victoria.

South Africa

Located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful beaches, lagoons, mountains, wineries, populated cities, and plenty of national parks.

There are so many wonderful places to visit in South Africa: Apartheid Museum, Bo-Kaap, Boulder’s Beach, Cape Town, Cape Floristic Region, Chapman’s Peak, Cradle of Humankind, Devil’s Peak, Durban, Groot Constantia, Hermanus, Hout Bay, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalk Bay, Kayamandi, Kingdom of Mapungubwe, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Knysna Lagoon, Kruger National Park, Lion’s Head, Muizenberg, Olympia, Plettenberg Bay, Richtersveld, Robben Island, Stellenbosch, Sterkfontein Caves, Table Mountain, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Vredefort crater, Wilderness Natural Park.

Tanzania

Home to Africa’s highest mountain Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania is known for its vast wilderness areas. Travel and tourism is a big part of this East African nation’s economy. Many people flock to Tanzania to see the “big five” of Serengeti (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros), or to climb Kilimanjaro.

Lots of great spots to visit in Tanzania: Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, Kitulo Plateau, Lake Manyara National Park, Mafia Island, Matema Beach, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Mto Wa Mbu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Hippo Pool, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park.

Uganda

Uganda is truly a place to visit for the wilderness explorer. This landlocked nation in East Africa is one of only three countries in the world where you see mountain gorillas in the wild. Diverse landscapes make it one of the most exciting safari destinations in the world.

There are a lot of unique places to visit in Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Fort Portal, Jinja, Kampala, Kasubi Tombs, Kazinga Channel, Kibale National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Katwe Explosion Crater Drive, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Mutanda, Lake Victoria, Lira, Lubiri Palace, Mbale, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Murchison Falls, Ndere Centre, Nyero Rock Paintings, Owino Market, Rubaga Cathedral, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki National Park, Sipi Falls, Ssese Islands, Ssezibwa Falls, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Zambia

Located in Southern Africa, Zambia is a landlocked nation with lots of national parks, rugged terrain, diverse wildlife, and Lake Kariba – the world’s biggest man-made lake. Located on its border with Zimbabwe is the mighty Zambezi River. On this river is the beautiful Victoria Falls, which plunges 108 metres into Batoka Gorge. White water rafting down the croc and hippo filled Zambezi River is a must do for any adventurer.

There is no shortage of places to go and things to see in Zambia: Blue Lagoon National Park, Kuomboka, Lake Kariba, Lake Tanganyika, Lower Zambezi National Park, Lusaka, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Nsumbu National Park, Siavonga, South Luangwa National Park, Victoria Falls, West Lunga National Park, Zambezi River.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar is located off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. This archipelago consists of many small islands, as well as two larger ones – Pemba Island and Unguja. The warm clear tropical waters and beautiful coral reefs make Zanzibar the perfect destination for snorkelling and diving.

Lots of things to do and see in Zanzibar: Darajani Market, Forodhani Gardens, House of Wonders, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Kendwa Rocks, Mnemba Atoll, Michanwi Pingwe Beach, Nungwi Beach, Old Dispensary, Old Fort, Palace Museum, Pemba Island, Prison Island, Spice Tour, Stone Town.

Zimbabwe

A true adventurer’s destination, Zimbabwe offers an abundance of super fun activities. Bungee jumping off Victoria Falls and white-water rafting on the Zambezi River are just two of the excursions you can do while in this south Africa landlocked country.

Lots to see and do in Zimbabwe: Amanzi, Bulawayo, Chimanimani National Park, Chinhoyi Caves, Doon Estate, Gonarezhou National Park, Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Harare City, Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba, Malindidzimu Hill, Mana Pools National Park, Matobo National Park, Mutare, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Nyanga National Park, Victoria Falls, Vumba Mountains.

Africa

I wanted to end this virtual trip to Africa with a throwback to the original “Africa” by Toto. Enjoy!

Cheers,
Big Daddy

If you would like me to review your product, service, restaurant, or travel destination, please send me an email at craig@bigdaddykreativ.ca or tweet me at @BigDaddyKreativ


Craig Silva

Craig is a husband, father, team leader, travel and food writer, senior youth group coordinator, designer, brander, community builder, volunteer, and social media strategist. He likes to travel, go camping, go on road trips, watch movies, build stuff, operate the grill, and sing with his band. Craig is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and Travel Media Association of Canada. If you are a PR agency or brand and would like Craig to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send him an email.

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Comments

  1. Soozle : October 7, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    Absolutely beautiful!

    Reply

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