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Photo by LuAnne Cadd- Wikimedia

10 Incredible Landmarks and Icons to visit in Africa

There are 55 countries and 8 territories that make the beautiful continent of Africa. Each of these countries has rich and unique culture as well as history.

Travelling through this continent is easy and the people are always welcoming and warm.

You also do not need to worry about language because English and French are the most widely spoken foreign languages in most African countries.

With that said, there are attractions that you will see in this beautiful continent that cannot be found elsewhere.

Most African countries are famous for their sprawling savannahs, incredible safaris and pristine white sandy beaches.

Each of the landmarks and icons in each African country tells of the past historical events or culture of the people.

Some of the incredible landmarks in this continent are the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia, Table Mountain in South Africa, African Penguins in Cape Town, South Africa. Just to mention a few. 

Here are 10 incredible landmarks and icons that are a must-see when you visit Africa.

1. Maasai Mara National Park, Kenya (East Africa)

Kenya is home to one of the famous African landmarks, Maasai Mara National Park. This famous park is in the southern part of the country bordering the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Other than being the home of the Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Cheetah & Leopard), it is more famous for the Wildebeest migration.

The migration, which has been named as one of the great natural wonders of the world, happens between June and August annually.

This vast park also has beautiful exotic birds and is perfect for a safari any time of the year.

Other activities to do in this park include going on a hot air balloon for a more magical experience. At least 500,000 tourists, both local and international, visit this park annually.

2. Avenue of The Baobabs, Madagascar (Island off the coast of Southern Africa)

Photo by Pat Hooper – Wikimedia

The Avenue of the Baobabs, also known as Alley of the Baobabs, is a noticeable group of Grandidier’s baobabs.

These gigantic trees line the dirt road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina.

They have made the landscape of the western region of Madagascar one of the most photographed in the country.

It is one of the most visited places in Madagascar especially in the evening for sunset shots. These trees have been standing there for more than 3000 years.

The Avenue of Baobabs is a conservation area too that is managed by the local community around the area. This makes it the first natural monument in Madagascar.

Thousands of tourists visit this place annually. It is a must-see place when visiting this beautiful island also known for growing vanilla.

3. Al Nayzak, Turquoise for tranquillity, Egypt (North Africa)

At the mention of this North African country, the first great landmarks to cross your mind may be the Pyramids of Giza as well as the Valley of Kings.

There is more to this country, this is a well-kept secret that I will be letting you in on. It is a 20 minutes drive from Port Ghalib.

Al Nayzak is a well-kept secret that not many know about. This is a natural pool with beautiful turquoise water.

The water in this eye-shaped pool is from the Red Sea. Locals believe that the pool was formed after a meteorite hit the coast, hence its name.

This pool is perfect for a cooling swim and diving too. The water is always warm. Camping is also another activity popular here.

Sleep under the stars and enjoy some tranquil moments far from the busy city.

If you happen to visit during the annual Lyrid meteor shower, enjoy the sight of shooting stars that appear as quick streaks across the sky.

4. Ritual dance of the royal drum, Burundi (East Africa)

This cultural phenomenon is a must-see when visiting this tiny East African Country.

Burundi is a land-locked country, its neighbouring countries include Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In 2014, this ceremonial dance was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

This ceremonial dance is a spectacle to behold. The drummers use powerful, synchronized movements and dance while at it.

The men enter the arena singing traditional heroic songs. They then arrange the drums in a semi-circle around a central drum.

The ritual is performed during national or local feasts. Additionally, they do it to welcome significant visitors.

Traditionally, they beat the drums to awaken the spirits of the ancestors and drive out evil spirits.

Burundians proudly relate to this phenomenon as their heritage and identity.

5. Deadvlei (Dead Marsh), Namibia (Southern Africa)

Photo by Ikiwaner – Wikimedia

Namibia’s topography is one that any photographer, nature lover or just an ordinary traveller will marvel at. From dunes by the ocean to vast canyons, the biggest in Africa.

Dead Vlei is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, the highest reaching 300–400 meters.

The landscape here is defined by silhouettes of black dead thorn trees against a white-clay ground. This is part of the Namib-Naukluft National park.

Another beautiful contrast is the red dunes that kiss the icy ocean. These dead trees are believed to be more than 1000 years old.

To get the best shots, you need to get here early in the morning and also to escape the heat during the day.

6. Spitzkoppe, Namibia (Southern Africa)

There is just a lot to see in Namibia, that is why we have another landmark for you.

Spitzkoppe is located approximately 173.9 miles from Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city. This is a group of weathered granite peaks in the Namib desert. 

The rocks are more than 120 million years, the tallest rock being 1,728 metres above sea level. Spitzkoppe is one of the most recognizable Namibian landmarks.

Like most of the other icons in this country, Spitzkoppe is perfect for photography. It is also popular with rock climbers that like to scale it.

Other than daytime sightseeing, you can also camp overnight and enjoy a quiet night under the stars.  

Enjoy incredible hiking, outstanding panoramic views, and wonderful photographic opportunities in this beautiful desert.

7. Timbuktu and the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali (West Africa)

Photo by Ruud Zwart – Wikimedia

When you visit Mali, one place that needs to be at the top of your itinerary is the Great Mosque of Djenne in Timbuktu.

This place dates back to the 12^th century and was part of the trade route used by the Mali empire.

Timbuktu was a very important city during the trans-Saharan trade, Caravans would pass through this city trading salt for gold, ivory, grain, and manuscripts.

Now to the historical significance of this place; it is where the first known library in Africa was located in the Great Mosque of Djenne.

It is for this reason that it is a UNESCO world heritage site. The mosque was also a university, Koranic Sankore University.

Its architectural style is one of the most admired by the Sudano-Sahelian community.

8. Chefchaouen, Morocco (North Africa)

Chefchaouen is also known as the blue city and is located in northern Morocco near the Rif mountains. This is a charmingly unique small-town perfect for history enthusiasts.

As one of the oldest towns in Morocco, this small town has beautiful Islamic and Andalusian architecture.

The city is made up of fifty shades of blue that is fascinating and loved by photographers. You would also love to have your photo taken here with a backdrop of the rolling mountains behind.

It is believed that the inspiration behind the colour is the sky and there is a spiritual tie to it.

Others believe that the colour keeps their homes warm during winter. Whichever is true, what remains factual is that it is a magical town.

9. Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (Central Africa)

Photo by LuAnne Cadd- Wikimedia

Africa is known for its wildlife and this is one of the main tourist attractions in several countries.

The Virunga National park is unique because it is home to some of the most endangered species, gorillas. These apes are only found in Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda.

Of these three countries, the best place to see them is in Virunga. This sanctuary was established in 1925, it also happened to be the first national park in Africa.

Located on Virunga Mountain, the Gorillas are protected by armed rangers due to rampant poaching.  

You will be given security by armed guards to and from the mountains. The best time is between April and November.

Other attractions in this park are the slopes of Nyiragongo Volcano, Nyiragira and Karisimbii. 

10. Cape Coast Castle, Ghana (West Africa)

Photo by Pete Souza – Wikimedia

A good place to learn about the slave trade that happened in Africa is Ghana. This was the last African country the slaves were put before getting on the ship on the Atlantic.

There are several slave castles in Ghana that were built by European traders. The most famous one is Cape Coast Castle.

Thousands of enslaved Africans were brought here before being sold to the British. While they waited, they were kept in dungeons with no windows.  

This 16th-century trading chalet has been converted to the Museum of West African History.