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The Natural Beauty Of Africa

Some well-known African landmarks

By Rasma RaistersPublished 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago 7 min read
Top Story - July 2021
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Northern Africa

Egypt

The Great Pyramids of Giza are what interest tourists the most when they visit Egypt. These amazing structures were constructed 4,500 years ago as a final resting place for Egyptian Pharaohs.

The pyramids are located near the city of Cairo and remain the only ones of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World that still remain unchanged since they were built.

Great Sphinx Of Giza

The three most well-known pyramids are the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Another popular attraction here is the Great Sphinx Of Giza that is found right in front of the pyramids.

The Valley Of the Kings is located near the city of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile River. Here you can find 68 tombs with priceless antiquities. This was the final resting place of King Tutankhamon, who was discovered here in 1922.

Morocco

The Sahara Desert is the largest and hottest desert on Earth. It has become a very popular landmark in Africa, Visitors can participate in camel trekking and desert camping.

Dama gazelle

Among the animals here you can enjoy seeing oryx, Barbary sheep, and the Dama gazelle. Your journey can begin from Morocco.

Libya

Leptis Magna in the African country of Libya is referred to as a "little piece of Rome." The ruins date back to the age of Emperor Septimus Severus when areas of Northern Africa belonged to the Roman Empire. The amphitheater, columns and sculpted Medusa heads are among the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Europe.

Western Africa

Nigeria

Zuma Rock is one of the most iconic natural wonders in Nigeria. It is located just 45 minutes from the capital city of Abuja. Supposedly on the side of the rock is a human face with visible nose, mouth, and eyes. Tourists climb for five hours to reach the top of the rock and are rewarded with 360-degree spectacular views.

Senegal

African Renaissance Monument shows a man with a ripped torso standing and holding an infant while with his other hand holding on to a woman. The monument was first revealed in 2010 and stands 160 meters high on a hill in Dakar. The impressive bronze statue is one and a half times the height of the Statue of Liberty in New York City in the US.

The Gambia

Kunta Kinteh Island is located in the Gambia River in Gambia. In the 1800s it was first visited by explorers looking for sea routes to India. Due to the book by author Alex Haley "Roots" and later TV series, the island became popular. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mali

Timbaktu is a town in Mali right on the southern threshold of the Sahara Desert. Since 1998 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and became a popular tourist destination.

The legendary town was an important trading center and an intellectual and spiritual center of Islam in Africa during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Djinbuerreber Mosque

It is also known for being home to the Mosque of Sankore and the famous Djinguereber Mosque. Timbuktu is full of culture and history.

Central Africa

Chad

Aloba Arch in the African city of Chad is considered to be the 4th largest known natural arch in the world. It is located in the Ennedi Range of the Saharian Desert. It was carved from sandstone over many years of erosion.

Republic of Congo

The Virunga Mountains stretch along the borders of three African countries - Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These mountains are home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

Tourists love to hike the major peaks of the mountains - Mount Karisimbli, Nyiragongo, and Nyiragira.

Eastern Africa

Ethiopia

Church of Saint Emmanuel is one of the most amazing man-made sites in Africa and is found in Lalibela, Ethiopia. The former royal chapel was carved out of red solid volcanic rock. Locals call it Beite Amanuel and it is a place of pilgrimage for the Orthodox Churches in Ethiopia.

The Omo River Valley and surrounding national park are located in southwestern Ethiopia. The valley is inhabited by over 50 indigenous tribes. The area attracts many tourists each year.

They come to see the indigenous communities and to explore the depths of the preserved African culture, The tribes living here are pastoralists, small-scale cattle herders, and subsistence farmers.

Among the tribes visited are the Karo Tribe who are expert body painters, the Hamar, and the Mursi Tribes.

Zambia and Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls lies on the Zambezi River where it courses over eight basalt gorges. At the border between the two African countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe, it falls in a single sheet of water and counts as the widest single-sheet waterfall in the world.

Victoria Falls is renowned for being one of the most beautiful landmarks in Africa. Visitors to the falls love to see the misty spray from the falls that showers the surrounding rainforest. Those visiting the falls on the Zambian side can swim and relax in natural pools beneath the waterfall.

Madagascar

The Avenue of Baobabs is one of Madagascar's tourist attractions. It is located in Menabe on the western island of Madagascar. These amazing Baobab trees have been growing there for more than 2,800 years.

These trees are unique to Madagascar and are not found anywhere else in the world. They stand at 30 meters tall. The trees make for fantastic photos, especially at sunrise or sunset.

Tanzania

Zanzibar is part of an archipelago of islands found off the coast of Tanzania. It offers visitors white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. You can enjoy diving and snorkeling. The popular Stone City is also found here.

Pemba flying fox

The island is home to many animals and bird species among them the Zanzibar Servailine genet, the Pemba flying fox, and the Red colobus monkey. You can also enjoy visiting the neighboring islands of Pemba and Mafia.

Southern Africa

Botswana

Okavango Delta is one of few inland deltas that have no outlet to the sea. This area is lovely with marshes, grasslands, lagoons, and forests at the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Annually it gets flooded by the Okavango River. Most of the endangered species in Botswana find their water source here.

Nambia

Sossusvlei is one of the best-known tourist attractions in Namibia and is located in Nambia Naukluft National Park, a large conservation area. Sossusvlei translates to "dead-end marsh." The area cuts off the Tsauchab River and is very dey all year long. Tourists enjoy visiting the landscape. The dunes reach 300 meters in height.

You can get an iconic view with the mix of tall red dunes, white pans, and clear blue sky. Another attraction here is riding in a hot-air balloon offering spectacular bird's-eye views all around.

The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in the USA. It is located in the southwestern part of Namibia. Fish River is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country.

The canyon is part of Ais-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park which is home to many different animals such as zebras, kudus antelopes, wild horses, and more than 60 different species of birds,

Tourists enjoy hiking the Fish Canyon Trail which is considered to be the most challenging hike in Africa. You can swim in the river and relax in the natural hot springs at the top of the canyon.

South Africa

Bourke’s Luck Potholes in Blyde River Canyon were created by rough water that flowed into the canyon. The potholes were named after a gold digger named Tom Bourke. When you walk into the canyon you’ll soon find this unusual natural water feature.

Kruger National Park is one of Africa's largest game reserves. It is located on the northeastern side of Johannesburg in South Africa. Kruger offers visitors access to the "Big Five Game Animals" - the African elephant, African lion, African leopard, black rhino, and Cape Buffalo.

You can see trees like giant baobabs, marula, and fever trees. The park also features archaeological sites like the Albasini ruins which are the ruins of major Portuguese trading posts. To see it all you can rely on experienced guides.

One of the popular activities here is bushwalking and there are many trails to explore like the Wolhuter Trail. Other activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, and golf.

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About the Creator

Rasma Raisters

My passions are writing and creating poetry. I write for several sites online and have four themed blogs on Wordpress. Please follow me on Twitter.

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