#1 Algeria is the largest African country and the tenth-largest country in the world. The country has a diverse landscape and lots to offer in terms of sceneries. One of the main attractions in Algeria is the Saharan region with its never-ending sand and mysterious and lively cities within. Algiers, the capital city of the country, was founded by the Ottomans and is rife with beautiful historical architecture. The ancient Casbah is a winding urban maze with streets flowing through the old town like streams. Still in Algiers, there’s the Dar Hassan Pacha, which was once the city’s oldest mansion. #2 Even though the country has been in news headlines for the wrong reasons, it is important to note that it is one of the countries in Africa with some of the most spectacular nature sites. The country boasts of an expansive coastline of Atlantic Ocean beauty and a beautiful blend of grasslands, savannas, tropical forests, among others. Angola is among the fastest-growing economies in the world and so is Luanda, its capital city. Lying on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the city’s beautiful scenery of the ocean is disrupted by busy ships and highrise buildings, giving it an attractive city skyline. #3 Having played a key role in the development of the African slave trade, and as the birthplace of voodoo arts, Benin offers a small but important part of the complex and rich
history of the continent. The Ouidah Museum of History in Ouidah contains a wealth of objects and illustrations of historic and cultural significance, which, together, gives the visitor an intimate understanding of the region’s past. The museum is located within the compound of the Portuguese Fort in Ouidah. In its earliest days, the Portuguese conducted trade for slaves within the walls of the compound, and throughout its history until it was taken by the Kingdom of Dahomey, it served as the site of the diplomatic presence of Portugal in the area. After the fort became property of Dahomey in 1961, the Dahomean Government began restoration, and in 1967, the fort became the Ouidah Museum of History. #4 Even though it is landlocked, Botswana is home to some uniquely beautiful landscapes. The Okavango Delta, a vast inland river delta in the North, is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Africa. The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta and is an oasis of islands, wildlife, and lush green vegetation located in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. In 2014, the Okavango Delta became the 1000th site to be officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. #5 One of the main attractions and must sees in Burkina Faso is Sindou Peaks with its natural landscapes and abundant wildlife. The Sindou Peaks are one of Burkina’s most unforgettable sights. Millions of years ago, these brown, sandy cones were underwater and they’ve been shaped by the elements ever since. On the border with Ghana is Tiebele Village, home of the Kassena people of Africa, one of the oldest ethnic groups of the country, and, as such, there are a great number of traditional mud huts and architecture, all of which are beautifully decorated. The houses here are built entirely from straw and mud, but they are decorated with character and pride, making them a great scene to witness. #6 Burundi may be one of the smallest countries in mainland Africa, but it packs a lot of stunning nature into such a small space. Rusizi River National Park is just one of the tourist attractions in Burundi, located just outside of Bujumbura, the fascinating Rusizi River National Park. The plains surrounding the river are flooded periodically, bringing hundreds of animals to the area for its vital life source. Hippos are just one of the many animals to frequent the area and are one of the most sought after by tourists. The park, with its clear skies, is a true bird-watchers paradise. The migratory birds that visit the park include rare and beautiful species from both Asia and Europe, such as sandpipers and plovers. #7 Cameroon, on the Gulf of Guinea, is a Central African country of varied terrain and wildlife. Its inland capital, Yaoundé, and its biggest city, seaport Douala, are transit points to ecotourism sites. Mandara Mountains is a volcanic range extending about 120 miles along the northern part of the Nigeria-Cameroon border from Benue River to the south to Mora in the north. The mountains rise to more than 3,500 feet above sea level. During the colonial period, they provided the border between the British and French Cameroons. Today, the mountains are very popular to hikers. #8 Cape Verde is a nation on a volcanic archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. It is a popular holiday destination and known for its Creole Portuguese-African culture, traditional morna music, and numerous beaches. One of the coolest attractions in the archipelago is Cidade Velha, an old town in the southern part of the island of Santiago. Cidade Velha is the old capital and the oldest settlement in Cape Verde. The town was the first European colonial settlement in the tropics. Some of the meticulously planned original designs of the site are still intact, including a royal fortress, two towering churches, and a 16th-century town square. Today, Cidade Velha is an Atlantic shipping stop and center for Creole culture. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site 2009. #9 Even though the country has been in news headlines for the wrong reasons, it has another side that has been less highlighted – the beautiful flora and fauna within its borders. In the midst of the ravaging armed conflict which tore the country apart, elephants, gorillas, leopards, and chimpanzees found safety in an extraordinary place – Dzanga Sangha, a true natural sanctuary for the emblematic species of the Congo Basin. Hidden in the middle of the tropical forest, this World Heritage Site endured and prevailed. Activities that can be done in the rainforest include gorilla tracking, Agile Mangabey tracking, observing forest elephants, saline tours, and pirogue rides, as well as many others. #10 A largely semi-desert country, Chad is rich in gold and uranium. One of the most popular tourist attractions to this fifth-largest African nation is the Zakouma National Park, which was founded in 1963, covering an area of 305,000 hectares. It is located south-east of Chad, 45 km from the nearest town, AM Timan, and 800 km from N’Djamena, the capital of Chad. The fauna of the park includes 44 species of large mammals and 250 species of birds. Civil wars and poaching once ravaged the area, but it has since been rehabilitated thanks to the efforts of the local government and other development partners. It is common to see large herds of giraffes, lions, wildebeests, primates, and elephants roaming freely. #11 One of the most common holiday destinations is Comoros, which is a volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast in the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique Channel. The nation state’s largest island, Grande Comore (Ngazidja), is ringed with beaches and old lava from active Mt. Karthala Volcano. Mount Karthala is the most notable feature of the Grande Comore as it is an active volcano and the highest point of the Comoros at 2,361 meters above sea level. Its eruptions have created a spectacular landscape on the mountains. During calmer days, the volcano is a popular hiking, walking and trekking spot. While the ascent can be challenging, the views from the top are unmatched with flora and fauna unique to Comoros. #12 The Republic of Congo, or Congo-Brazzaville as it is commonly known, is home to immense undisturbed natural attractions. The country has in its borders very impressive historic landmarks and remnants of days past, especially in the capital where beautiful mosques and basilicas stand side by side. The main attraction in the country is the Odzala National Park. which holds some of the most guarded wildlife secrets in the world. The park is a true ecotourism paradise offering an outstanding mix of flora and fauna. Within the beautifully-painted ancient forest that dates back to 1935, there are numerous intertwining walking and hiking trails that lead to beautiful savannahs and wildlife-filled areas where the rarest of species can be spotted, including lowland gorillas, elephants, monkeys, spotted hyenas, bongos, lions, buffalos, leopards, and many other mammals and birds. #13 Democratic Republic of Congo is a vast country with immense economic resources. Nestled in the far northeast corner of the…
54 Awesome Sights to Explore in Africa
