Africa is a vast and diverse continent with many attractions for travelers. From wildlife safaris to cultural heritage sites, there is something for everyone. But if you are looking for some hidden gems and secret spots that only locals know about, you might want to check out these amazing places in each country:
- Algeria: The M’zab Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the culture and architecture of the Ibadi sect, a branch of Islam that dates back to the 8th century. The valley consists of five fortified towns built on rocky hills, surrounded by palm groves and desert landscapes. You can explore the mosques, markets, houses, and cemeteries that reflect the unique history and identity of the M’zab people.
- Angola: The Kalandula Falls are among the largest waterfalls in Africa, with a height of 105 meters and a width of 400 meters. They are located on the Lucala River in Malanje Province, about 85 kilometers from the city of Malanje. The falls offer a spectacular view of the lush green scenery and rainbow-colored mist. You can also swim in the natural pools at the base of the falls or hike along the trails nearby.
- Benin: The Royal Palaces of Abomey are a group of 12 palaces that were built by successive kings of the Dahomey Kingdom between the 17th and 19th centuries. The palaces are decorated with bas-reliefs, sculptures, and paintings that depict the history and culture of Dahomey, one of the most powerful African kingdoms in pre-colonial times. The palaces also house a museum that displays royal artifacts, weapons, and costumes.
- Botswana: The Makgadikgadi Pans are one of the largest salt flats in the world, covering an area of about 16,000 square kilometers. They are part of an ancient lake bed that dried up thousands of years ago. During the rainy season, they become a wetland habitat for migratory birds, flamingos, and pelicans. During the dry season, they turn into a barren landscape of shimmering white salt crystals. You can camp under the stars, drive across the pans, or visit the nearby villages of Kubu Island and Gweta.
- Burkina Faso: The Ruins of Loropéni are the remains of a fortified settlement that dates back to at least the 14th century. They are located in the southwest of the country, near the border with Ghana. The ruins cover an area of about 11 hectares and consist of stone walls, gates, and towers. They are a testimony to the power and wealth of the Lohron or Koulango people, who controlled the gold trade in the region.
- Burundi: The Kibira National Park is a dense rainforest that covers about 16% of Burundi’s land area. It is home to a rich biodiversity of plants and animals, including chimpanzees, monkeys, antelopes, and birds. You can hike through the forest trails, enjoy scenic views from the mountain peaks, or visit the tea plantations and waterfalls nearby.
- Cameroon: The Mandara Mountains are a cluster of volcanic hills that rise above the savanna plains in northern Cameroon. They are inhabited by various ethnic groups that have preserved their traditional ways of life and culture. You can visit their villages, admire their architecture, and learn about their customs and crafts. You can also explore the Rhumsiki Valley, which offers a stunning panorama of rocky pinnacles and green fields.
- Cape Verde: The Fogo Volcano is an active stratovolcano that dominates the island of Fogo, one of the 10 islands that make up Cape Verde. It has a height of 2,829 meters and a crater of 9 kilometers in diameter. The last eruption occurred in 2014, creating a new cone and lava flow. You can hike to the summit of the volcano, visit the lava fields and villages, or sample the local wine and cheese produced on the fertile slopes.
- Central African Republic: The Dzanga-Sangha National Park is a protected area that covers about 4,000 square kilometers of rainforest in the southwest of the country. It is part of the Sangha Tri-National World Heritage Site that spans Cameroon, Congo, and CAR. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, gorillas, bongo antelopes, and forest buffaloes. You can also interact with the Ba’Aka pygmies, who live in harmony with nature and offer guided tours, cultural performances, and hunting expeditions.
- Chad: The Ennedi Plateau is a sandstone massif that rises above the Sahara Desert in northeastern Chad. It is known for its spectacular rock formations, canyons, arches, and caves that have been sculpted by wind and water erosion over millions of years. The plateau also harbors a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including crocodiles, leopards, hyenas, and gazelles. You can admire the ancient rock art that depicts the life and culture of the people who inhabited the region thousands of years ago.
- Comoros: The Mohéli Marine Park is a protected area that covers about 40 kilometers of coastline and 15 kilometers of coral reefs around the island of Mohéli, one of the four islands that make up Comoros. It is a haven for marine life, including turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, and rays. You can snorkel or dive among the colorful corals, swim with the friendly turtles, or watch the humpback whales breach and sing.
- Djibouti: Lake Assal is a salt lake that lies 155 meters below sea level, making it the lowest point in Africa and the third-lowest point on Earth. It is also one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, with a salinity of about 34.8%, which is 10 times higher than that of the ocean. The lake is surrounded by a white crust of salt that contrasts with the black volcanic rocks and the blue water. You can walk on the salt flats, admire the salt crystals and formations, or float effortlessly on the dense water.
- Eritrea: The Dahlak Archipelago is a group of more than 100 islands that lie off the coast of Eritrea in the Red Sea. Only four of them are inhabited, and most of them are untouched by human activity. The islands offer a pristine environment for wildlife, including birds, reptiles, fish, and coral reefs. You can explore the islands by boat, camp on the beaches, or dive among the shipwrecks and marine life.
- Gabon: The Loango National Park is a wildlife paradise that covers about 1,550 square kilometers of coastal forest, savanna, wetlands, and lagoons. It is home to a variety of animals, including elephants, hippos, gorillas, chimpanzees, buffaloes, and antelopes. The park is also famous for its surfing hippos that can be seen swimming and playing in the ocean waves. You can enjoy safari drives, boat trips, fishing excursions, or whale-watching tours in this unique park.
- Ghana: The Kakum National Park is a tropical rainforest reserve that spans 375 square kilometers in southern Ghana. It is one of the few places in Africa where you can walk on a canopy walkway that hangs 40 meters above the forest floor. The walkway offers a bird’s eye view of the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit the park, including monkeys, butterflies, birds, and reptiles. You can also hike the nature trails, visit the cultural village, or camp in the forest.
- Lesotho: The Sani Pass is a mountain road that connects Lesotho and South Africa. It is one of the most scenic and challenging routes in Southern Africa, with steep gradients, sharp curves, and stunning views. The road climbs up to 2,876 meters above sea level, where you can find the highest pub in Africa. You can drive up the pass with a 4×4 vehicle, or join a guided tour that includes hiking, horse riding, or mountain biking.
- Madagascar: The Avenue of the Baobabs is a dirt road that runs between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina in western Madagascar. It is lined with about 25 giant baobab trees that are up to 800 years old and 30 meters tall. The trees are a remnant of a dense forest that once covered the area, but have been cleared for agriculture. The avenue is a spectacular sight at sunrise and sunset when the trees cast long shadows and glow with golden light.
- Namibia: The Deadvlei is a clay pan that lies in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the oldest and largest deserts in the world. The pan was once a lake that dried up about 900 years ago, leaving behind a cracked white surface and dead camel thorn trees. The trees are blackened by the sun and contrast with the orange dunes that surround the pan. The Deadvlei is a surreal and haunting landscape that attracts photographers and adventurers.
- Rwanda: The Volcanoes National Park is a protected area that covers part of the Virunga Mountains, a chain of volcanoes that straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. The park is best known for its population of endangered mountain gorillas, which can be visited on guided treks. The park also hosts other wildlife, such as golden monkeys, buffaloes, elephants, and various birds. You can also hike to the summit of some of the volcanoes, such as Mount Bisoke or Mount Karisimbi.
- Senegal: Lake Retba or Lac Rose is a salt lake that lies north of the Cap Vert peninsula, about 30 kilometers from Dakar. The lake owes its name to its pink color, which is caused by a type of algae that produces a red pigment in response to the high salinity of the water. The lake is also a source of income for many locals, who harvest salt from its shores. You can visit the lake by boat, bike, or camel, and even swim in its waters if you don’t mind the saltiness.
- Zambia: The Devil’s Pool is a natural rock pool that forms at the edge of Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The pool is only accessible during the dry season when the water level drops and a natural barrier prevents swimmers from being swept over the falls. The pool offers an exhilarating experience of swimming at the brink of a 108-meter drop, with stunning views of the falls and the Zambezi River below.