10 African Locations You Should Visit on Your Next Holiday

Africa is a beautiful place surrounded by beautiful countries where you can't get enough of the wonderful places and it's wonderful wonders ( permit me to use that word). By research there are 54 countries in Africa and I'm very sure that in those 54 countries there are wonderful places you would like to visit during the holidays.

If as a tourist, you are finding it difficult to decide on a place you would like to visit or a place you would like to spend your next holiday, then allow me to share with you some beautiful places in African where you would absolutely love to go.

1. The Great Pyramid of Gaza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the 3 pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering Cairo, Egypt. It is the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the World and is believed to have been built as a tomb for Fourth Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC.

The Great Pyramid is the main part of a complex set of buildings that include 2 mortuary temples in honor of Khufu. There are also 3 smaller pyramids for Khufu's wives, an even smaller 'satellite' pyramid, a raised pathway connecting the two temples, and small mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles. Khufu's vizier, Hemon, or Hemiunu, is believed by some to be the architect of the Great Pyramid.

2. The Great Sphinx

It is a large half-human, half-lion statue in Egypt, on the Giza Plateau at the west bank of the Nile River near Cairo. The commonly used name "Sphinx" was given to it based on the Greek creature with the body of a lion, the head of a woman and the wings of an eagle, though this sphinx have the head of a man. It is one of the largest single-stone statues on Earth, and is commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians in the 3rd millennium BC.

Egyptologists believe the Sphinx represents the likeness of King Khafra, who is also credited as the builder. This would place the time of construction somewhere between 2520 BC and 2494 BC. However, limited evidence supporting this theory has made the idea of who built the Sphinx, and when, the subject of much debate.

After many attempts and over many years, the entire landmark was dug out in 1925. Although most of the Sphinx is intact; the nose on the face is missing. Some people believe the nose was broken off by a cannon ball fired by Napoleon's soldiers, however this has never been proven.

3. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and the major waterfall on the Zambezi River in Africa. It is famous for being the largest waterfall in the world, in the wet season. The African people who live around the falls call it Mosi-oa-Tunya which means "smoke that thunders". The water makes a roaring noise as it falls over the cliff and down into the Zambezi River below. A cloud of water vapor is always seen around the falls. It is the largest river in African and one of the longest, it is located on the border between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa, Tourists can bungee jump from a bridge crossing the river downstream of the falls. With strong ropes tied to their ankles, they fall 364 feet until they hang upside down just above the water. 

3. MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania In Africa. It is the tallest mountain in Africa, making it one of the seven summits and is very popular with both experienced hikers and first time adventurers because it is considered to be the easiest of the seven summits. Scaling the mountain requires no technical skills or equipment, such as rope, harness, crampons or ice axe. Therefore, it is a hiking or “walk up” peak, not a mountaineering or climbing peak. It is not only Africa’s tallest peak, but also the world’s tallest free standing mountain. The summit, named Uhuru Point, is 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. 

It was formed from volcanic activity. However, the mountain once had three volcanic cones – Kibo, Shira and Mawenzi.

4. THE VIRUNGA MOUNTAINS

They are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa,which borders Uganda, DRC and Rwanda. The name "Virunga" is an English version of the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means "volcanoes".The mountain range consists of eight major volcanoes. Most of them are dormant, except Mount Nyiragongo 3,462 metres (11,358 ft) and Mount Nyamuragira 3,063 metres (10,049 ft), both in the DRC. The Virunga Mountains are home of the critically endangered mountain gorilla, listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and war, so seeing them would be a one in a lifetime experience.

5. FISH RIVER CANYON

This is a very big Canyon located in the Southern part of Namibia, Africa. It is the largest canyon in Africa where the main ravine is about 160 kilometres long and 27 kilometres wide. It also covers a total area of 5900 square kilometres and 550 meters deep. 

The upper and lower canyon are monuments and it is said that mountain Zebras, Antelopes and Kudu can be spotted there.

6. NYIKA PLATEAU NATIONAL PARK , MALAWI

Nyika Plateau is a beautiful, montane, highland area, lying on the Malawian border, at the eastern-most tip of Zambia. The park is actually an extension of the National Park on the Malawian side, which incorporates the part of the plateau that’s crosses the border.

Separated into two parts; the Malawian side, and the Zambian side – you can’t go between the two sections without exiting the park and crossing the border before re-entering. .

Sitting 2 000 metres above sea level, the views from the Plateau are spectacular with dramatic cloud formations on the horizon. This is surely one of the most beautiful places in Africa.

The higher elevations are open, undulating grasslands with incised valleys, creating panoramic views, slopes of wild flowers, rolling green hills, rocky outcrops, and small, tropical forests. Due to the elevation of Nyika Plateau, it is pleasantly warm during the day as opposed to the intense heat of the valley below.

Nyika’s varied terrain is perfect for trekking, mountain biking and 4×4 adventures. The montane vegetation attracts large numbers of antelope like duiker, eland and roan, and the park even has one of the highest densities of leopard in central Africa! Over 400 species of bird have been recorded in the park including rare species like the rare Denham’s bustard and the wattled crane, as well as the red-winged francolin – endemic to Nyika. Gameviewing on the plateau is enhanced by the varying vegetation and panoramic views. Some of the larger animals include zebra, roan, eland, bushbuck, reedbuck, warthog and leopard. Nyika is also known for its duiker, including the rare red duiker, but they do tend to be quite skittish.

7. BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO, MOZAMBIQUE

The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of six islands in Mozambique, near the mainland city of Vilankulo. It comprises the islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) and Shell. Nyati Island is located further south. The islands were formed from sand deposited by the Save River, which has since shifted its course. Santa Carolina is a true rock island with deep channels and is just 3 km by 0.5 km in size. It has three beautiful beaches with coral reefs close to the shore. The island, also known as Paradise Island is regarded as the "gem" of the islands forming the Bazaruto Archipelago, which is a proclaimed marine national park. Tourist attractions include sandy beaches, coral reefs, and opportunities for surfing and fishing.

If you’re a seafood lover why not visit the Bazaruto Archipelago and feast on some of the world’s best prawns. The Bazaruto Archipelgo is situated in the Indian Ocean so you can expect to see whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, parrots and clown fish. The Bazaruto Archipelago is an amazing island that whispers nothing but luxury and relaxation.

8. OKAVANGO DELTA BOTSWANA

It is a swampy inland delta formed where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough at an altitude of 930–1,000 m in the central part of the endorheic basin of the Kalahari. All the water reaching the delta is ultimately evaporated and transpired and does not flow into any sea or ocean. The delta swells almost three times in size between March and August. It fluctuates between 6,000 square kilometres to approximately 15,000. The Delta has more than 150,000 islands. Some are just a few metres wide while the larger islands can be longer than 10 kilometres. Sadly, some of the animals in the Okavango Delta are endangered. Specifically, the black rhino has a population of just five while the white rhino sits at approximately 35.