Africa – the name itself reminds me of the song from Toto. There are tourist attractions in Africa that are well worth being on their bucket list for every traveler. The second biggest continent, Africa, possesses a wide variety of vegetation and culture. Whether it is the beaches and the bars or the game drives and hikes, travelers can’t get enough of Africa.
Whether hot or windy, Africa successfully makes you feel closer to nature. Witnessing the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo on your game drives makes you calm while being out in the wild.
With 54 countries with equally beautiful places in each state, it is pretty hard to choose destinations to put on your bucket list.
Worry no more; I am here to help you pick the right one. Join me while we get lost in the top 10 destinations of Africa.
1. Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
While watching National Geographic or Discovery Channel, you have probably seen a big herd of Wildebeests, Gazelles, and Zebras make a trip from one place to another for food and water.
That my fellow travelers are called the great migration from Serengeti, Tanzania, to Masai Mara.
Masai Mara National Park is situated in the southwest of Kenya along the Tanzanian border. It is one of the most famous safari destinations in Africa for its excellent concentration of wild animals.
It is home to all the Big Five members and houses more than two million wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes. This national park is also home to over 450 species of birds.
Masai Mara is famous among all the National Parks in Africa because one can witness the Great Migration and encounter Leopards and endangered black rhinos on their game drive.
Besides that, Masai Mara is also famous for its other activities like:
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Nature Walks
- Photographic safaris
- Cultural experiences
Entry Fees: The entry fees are $80 for foreign adults and $40 for children.
You can find several lodges and tented camps for your stay while on your trip to Masai Mara. Some of the nearest camps are Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp, Klien’s Camp and Serengeti Under Canvas.
2. Table Mountain, South Africa
If you have South Africa on your bucket list but can’t choose where to go—Table Mountain is the answer.
Table Mountain towers 1086 meters above Cape Town, South Africa. This mountain does not discriminate. It welcomes both nature lovers looking forward to being awe-spired and the adrenaline junkies looking for adventure.
Visitors are permitted between 9 AM to 6 PM. You have three options to reach the Tabletop: Travelling on a cable car, hiking through the trails, or abseiling.
After you reach Table Mountain, there are a lot of activities waiting for you. You will get to experience abundant flora and fauna and learn about them. It also has a stunning view of Cape Town.
You can also see Robben Island from the top, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years.
Entry Fees: The entry fees for a one-way ticket on a cable car for adults are $5.34, and the return ticket is $10.68. The entry fees for one-way tickets for children are $2.67, and the return ticket is $5.34.
3. Victoria Falls, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
Also known as Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is also one of the World’s Seven Wonders. The beauty of the vegetation and the clouds formed by the roaring water can be seen from both sides of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
You may be thinking that there’s nothing more than sightseeing and taking photos while you’re in front of the curtain of water. Here’s good news: many other activities will make your trip to Victoria Falls worthwhile such as:
- Go white-water rafting
- Check out the local flora and fauna.
- Hike your way to Victoria Falls
- Bungee Jumping
- Helicopter flight
- Gorge Walking
- Sunset tours, and so much more.
Since this beautiful place falls between two countries, you have two options on how to reach there:
FROM ZIMBABWE: You can fly from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Victoria Falls on a two-hour flight.
OR, FROM ZAMBIA: You can fly to Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, or from Johannesburg to Livingstone Airport (also known as Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport). From there, it is just 6 miles from Livingstone.
Tourists need to apply for KAZA Univisa, which allows you to travel between Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana for 30 days.
It is a hot place with lots and lots of rain and water. You are encouraged to put sunscreen on and bring waterproof gears and jackets. Sunglasses are a must too. You should carry your own water bottle as there won’t be places selling clean drinking water near the border bridge.
Entry Fees: The single entry cost is $30 (as of May 2018).
Opening Hours: Summer: 6 AM- 6 PM and Winter: 6:30 AM – 6 PM
4. Amboseli National Reserve, Kenya
Amboseli National Reserve is another beautiful place in Southern Kenya.
Yes, it may not be as big as the Masai Mara National Park, but you will surely be astonished by Mount Kilimanjaro’s grandeur view as a backdrop to the beautiful reserve upfront.
‘Amboseli’ means ‘salty, dry place’ in Kenya’s native language. You can find lush primeval swaps to dry places in the same reserve.
Amboseli National Park is the best place to see the free-ranging elephants up close. This reserve has more than 1500 elephants, 40 species of birds, and over 80 different mammals.
For Kilimanjaro’s best view, you will have to be an early bird and go on an early-morning game drive. The best time for game viewing is from June to October.
But if you are an avid photographer and want to take the best photos while on your game drive and bird watching process, November to May is the best season to go since the skies will be clear of dust.
However, road conditions can deteriorate due to the rain.
Besides game viewing, you should also visit the Masai village and soak in their culture and history.
Entry fee: The entrance fee is $60 per non-residents of Kenya, valid for 24 hrs. If you have a car, you need to pay a separate $2.83 per vehicle for 24 hrs.
5. Essaouira, Morocco
Located in Morocco’s western region of Marrakech, Essaouira is an old city (Medina) designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001. It has a rich history of its existence.
Most people think about Marrakech when they think about traveling to Morocco. So why go to Essouira instead? Because Essouira takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city area and touristy areas and serenades you with the same authentic cuisines, markets, rich history, and beautiful views of Morocco. Essaouira is an excellent place to relax and lay back.
If you’re a fan of the Game of Thrones series, Essaouira is the place you would want to visit. Essaouira was depicted as the kingdom of Astaphor in the series, and yes, it is as beautiful and culturally rich as you had seen on the screen.
You can either fly or take a bus from Marrakech to reach Essaouira.
There are plenty of activities to do in Essaouira like:
- Explore the Medina, formally known as Mogador.
- Try the seafood from the coasts of Morocco.
- Try a traditional Hammam—a middle eastern version of steam bath
- Walk on the beach
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try windsurfing or kitesurfing.
- Visit the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdullah Museum
- Immerse yourself in Morrocan culture and sign up for a cooking class.
- Have a drink viewing the sunset at the beach.
6. The Sahara Desert, Africa
A trip to the African continent and not having the Sahara desert on the list is a big NO. The Sahara Desert is bigger than many countries combined, and it is not as easy to reach there as you might think.
It is listed on the World Heritage Site, and trust me, you would want to experience the feeling of standing on the top of the vast dunes and soak in the feeling of being amidst the land where you don’t see an ending.
According to many travelers, it is easier to fly to Morocco and book a Sahara desert tour, which will allow you to stay in the Sahara dunes for the night.
There are one-day or two-day trips from Marrakech. You will need at least five days to explore the Sahara Desert.
The Sahara can be visited all year round; however, you should skip the hot summer months of July and August since it is a hot place.
Sandstorms are more frequent between January and May.
You may be thinking there is nothing besides going to Sahara and just camping, but wait, there are more activities in the store like:
- Go to the Atlas Mountains because Sahara is not just deserts and sand.
- Visit the UNESCO Mud-villages built by Berbers ( The natives of Africa who have Sub-Saharan, Arabian, and Black African ancestry)
- Climb the dunes
- Drive along the canyons and oasis
- Stay in a desert camp and sleep under the stars, and wake up to the view of the vast dunes.
- Walk around the oasis and get lost in the beauty of the natural lagoons and palm trees.
7. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, is Uganda’s smallest national park. It is home to the Batwa’s – the original inhabitants of the forests.
As the national park’s name suggests, it is a place that protects the rare gorillas and endangered golden monkeys.
Mgahinga is the best place for hiking and walking in Uganda with gorilla sightings and the view of the three volcano mountains: Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhuvura.
It is mandatory to have a park ranger with you.
So besides hiking and taking photos of the gorillas, here are some of the activities that you’ll want to do on your visit to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
- Go on a Batwa Trail and know the lifestyle of the inhabitants of Uganda.
- Go on a Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Tracking
- Mountain climbing
- Nature walks
- Volcano hiking
- Garama Cave explorations
- Birding trip to Mgahinga
The best time to visit Mgahinga is from June to August or December to January as the grounds are not slippery and muddy due to the yearlong rain.
Entry fee: The cost of a gorilla permit is $600 per person, including park entrance fees, park ranger fees, conservation fees, and government taxes. It also provides a security fee as you will need this while walking at a national park. Food and accommodations are excluded.
8. Spitzkoppe, Namibia
You cannot only travel to Namibia and not visit the incredible bald granite peaks of Spitzkoppe. Located between Usakus and Swakopmund in the Namib Desert of Namibia, Spitzkoppe is one of the tourists’ hotspots where you can hike and chill at the same place.
You must arrive at Spitzkoppe in daylight to witness the sunset. If you are not a camping person, you can make a reservation at a lodge.
However, if you decide to camp, you will wake up to the magnificent view of the vast landmark of Spitzkoppe.
One of the attractions of Spitzkoppe besides hiking and camping are the cave paintings which date thousands of years back. The paintings depict animals, and it was used as a communication method by the nomads.
The activities at Spitzkoppe are:
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- History walk
- Sightseeing
- Chilling at a restaurant/bar
Entry fee: The entrance fee for adult day visitors is $5.37 and $2.69 per child. The cost per vehicle with nine passengers is $6.04. The price for camping on site is $12.96 per adult per day and $8.73 per child per day. After paying the small entrance fee, you can choose to set up your camp wherever you want.
9. Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt
The Great Sphinx of Giza is located on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the mystery behind its archeologically precious sculpture is an experience to be witnessed by your own eyes.
The Great Sphinx is a limestone statue of a reclining sphinx (a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion). It is situated close to three large pyramids called the great pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaura (Mycerinus).
The Great Sphinx of Giza sits on the Giza plateau in front of Giza’s great pyramid and shimmers with the rising sun each morning. You must visit this historically rich place and experience the camel rides and the pyramids, which fascinated Napoleon.
You can travel to Giza by bus, taxi or metro. A one-way trip from Cairo to the Pyramids will cost you no more than $3; however, you need to show your bargaining skills to the local Egyptians.
Entry Fee: The entrance ticket for the Pyramids of Giza is $5.
10. Lamu Island, Kenya
I have saved the most relaxing place in Africa for the last. I’ve written about all the national parks, safaris, and the colorful Masai Tribe of Kenya. But, there is more to Kenya than just that.
Lamu Island is a small city just off the shore of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. It is historically rich and influenced by Arab culture. It is also one of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlements in East Africa.
The Swahilis are the people who originated from the Bantu-speaking inhabitants and settled at the coast at the beginning of the first millennium.
Lamu Island is also a UNESCO world heritage site. If you’re looking for a quick break from your hectic schedule and want a real vacation, then here are some activities that can make your vacation fruitful in Lamu Island:
- Relax at Shela beach
- Watch the sunset on a traditional Dhow boat at Manda Island
- Shop Swahili items
- Eat Swahili food
- Go for dolphins or turtle watching
- Visit the ruined city of Takwa
- Or, just walk around Lamu town.
So these are the top 10 destinations of Africa I’ve curated for you. Africa indeed takes pride in its majestic wildlife, the beautiful glistening beaches, and its rich history. It is hard to pick a destination, while you’d select all of them if you can.
What places have you visited in Africa? Do you recommend any place that should be on our list?
If you have never visited Africa, which one do you want to include in your list?
