Given the size and diversity of the African continent, choosing just 3 destinations for this bucket-list was no easy task. Of course, the places that top your must-see list will depend on your personal interests and preferences, but here’s a look at 3 of Africa’s most evocative, iconic and unmissable spots.
1. The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Kenya’s Maasai Mara is a wonderland of spectacular scenery, colorful culture, and unparalleled wildlife-spotting opportunities. The park connects to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, and together, the two parks create the ultimate safari destination. This is your best bet for spotting the Big Five in a single morning, and for witnessing East Africa’s famous wildebeest migration. In the Maasai Mara, hot-air balloon safaris offer a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
2. Victoria Falls, Zambia
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is defined by plunging, roaring water falling beneath a mystical veil of spray. The falls’ indigenous name is “The Smoke That Thunders’, and there’s nothing quite like witnessing its power from one of the mist-soaked lookout points. Victoria Falls boasts the world’s largest sheet of falling water, with over 165 million gallons flowing over the edge per minute during peak flood season. The falls are located on the Zambia / Zimbabwe border, and can be seen from either country.
3. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza represent one of man’s greatest architectural feats. Built more than 5,000 years ago, the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the world’s oldest tourist attractions , and the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to have survived the ravages of time intact. There are three main pyramids at Giza; the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. In front of the pyramids lies the Sphinx. These ancient structures inspired the Meroë Pyramids in Sudan.
