15. Merzouga, Morocco
Merzouga is a small village that's highly popular with travelers to Morocco. It's actually located in the Sahara Desert and is surrounded by enormous sand dunes. The Berber tribe, who are nomads, call the area home. Join a camel safari in the dunes to sample their lifestyle, and if you visit in the spring, be sure to do some bird-watching.
14. Praslin, Seychelles
Praslin is the second-largest island in the Seychelles. Although there are various luxury resorts you can avail yourself of there, the two main attractions on the island are Anse Lazio and the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve. The former is a beautiful beach with crystal-clear water perfect for snorkeling, while the latter is a palm forest that's home to countless reptiles and birds.
13. Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta can be found at the point where the Okavango River meets the Kalahari basin. It's a truly breathtaking place, and seeing as it's a water source, the whole area is teeming with wildlife. In fact, it's a highly popular spot for safari, and the scenery isn't half bad either. Make sure you go on an aerial tour by airplane to get a bird's eye view of the meandering river and some larger game animals.
12. Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius
Yet another stunning Indian Ocean island makes it on to our list. Located just off Africa's east coast, Mauritius is known throughout the world for its beaches and tropical weather. It's also home to the magnificent Black River Gorges National Park. If you decide to visit, be sure to hike along some of its gorgeous trails. Also, check out the wildlife and the park's beautiful waterfalls.
11. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa, as well as being the tallest free-standing mountain in the entire world. In fact, many people summit this mountain as part of their preparations for taking on mountains in the Himalayas. If you have no mountaineering ambitions, you can try an easier hike around the base of the mountain - there's still plenty of stunning scenery to take in.
10. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
This national park is home to the rarest animals in the world. Note that you need a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to enter it, but once you get one, you'll be able to track mountain gorillas. Bwindi is one of the best places on earth for seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
9. Kruger National Park, South Africa
South Africa is home to many wildlife parks, however, the Kruger National Park is arguably the most well-known. Although some visitors choose to drive off on their own into the park, there are many others that join guided tours or safaris to ensure that they get to see all of the best bits of the park, such as Crocodile River, Masorini village, and wildlife such as lions, cape buffalos, rhinos and African elephants.
8. Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is the fourth-largest city by population in the Maghreb country of Morocco. Its historic district, called the Medina, is a must-visit. The center of the Medina is the main square, called Djemaa El-Fna, where you can watch snake charmers and acrobats while enjoying a traditional Moroccan snack. Also be sure to visit a souk, or outdoor market, to get that authentic Moroccan feel.
7. Luxor, Egypt
The name Luxor is synonymous with Ancient Egypt, not least for the Temple, with its enormous columns and hieroglyphs. The ancient city is also home to many unique museums, such as the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum. Cross over the River Nile to the other side of the city to explore the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.
6. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
The Ngorongoro nature reserve is a breathtaking place. It gets its name from the Ngorongoro Crater, which is found at the center of the reserve. The crater is a volcanic caldera, which is right next to a steep ravine called the Oldupai Gorge. This is one of the best places on the face of the earth to see animals such as buffalos, black rhinos, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest and even Tanzanian cheetahs.
5. Cape Town, South Africa
The stunning city of Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and is the legislative capital of South Africa. To garner a deeper understanding of this amazing place, visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner, and the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Also be sure to ascend Table Mountain to see the unbelievable views over the Cape of Good Hope.
4. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Maasai Mara are one of the most traditional and fascinating ethnic groups in all of Africa, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve is their homeland. The reserve draws thousands of tourists from all over the world each year, and they come to take in the stunning wildlife and learn about the Maasai way of life, culture, and customs.
3. Victoria Falls, Zambia & Zimbabwe
Once believed to be the true source of the River Nile and named after British Queen Victoria, this amazing waterfall is best enjoyed between December and March, as the largest volume of water cascades over it during these months. You can also enjoy it by canoeing or rafting near its base, as well as embarking on a romantic sunset cruise.
2. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Africa is home to numerous wildlife conservation areas, however, the Serengeti is one of the most spectacular of all. The area contains more than 1 million wildebeest, some 200,000 zebras and many cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, gazelles, and much more. A hot air balloon trip or a photo safari in the area is highly recommended.
1. Giza Necropolis, Egypt
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a must-see attraction, as is the Sphinx. Both can be found at the Giza Necropolis, which is the resting place of Khufu and many Ancient Egyptian pharaohs. In addition, numerous museums will put all of the wondrous ancient structures you can see in the area into the perspective and context of Ancient Egyptian history.
