Why Africa may be the most beautiful continent to explore

Did you ever learn about the Seven Wonders of Africa?

No? That’s fine, I don’t remember learning about them either.

Since visiting Cape Town a few times last year, I have been on a mission to see the best of the mother continent. From South Africa to Kenya, Somaliland to Nigeria and beyond, I’ve had an incredible time doing some amazing work and seeing some of this continent’s most beautiful – and unique – places.

With amazing kind and welcoming people to stunning landscapes, there are only a handful of experiences that are on par with being with your kind and the honour of being shown their world. While I still haven’t pinpointed my favourite destination on the continent – the views of Cape Town really do it for me at the moment though – I have been scouring locations, virtually, for a list of cool places I would love to visit -or revisit. That’s how I came across the Seven Wonders which seriously convinced me that Africa may be the most beautiful continent to explore.

I did not grow up with that idea and to be honest, on some days I hate the underperformance of our leadership. So much that I want nothing to do with it but when the sun goes down and it rises again, no matter where I am, the sights and sound of the continent fill my cup. Bountifully.

I am looking for those waking up moment where your alarm might be the sweet chirping of some birds, a light breeze from the outdoors and a view you cannot help but sit up for: undulating mountain ranges, colourful flowers (and violas!), little something running across a path out there… “This is what life should be like” moments.

If that is you, or ever was you, you really need to visit multiple countries on the African continent because it truly is the most beautiful place to explore.

So, choosing where to go on can be challenging. Hopefully, this list is a good start?

Choosing where to go

Now we know there are 55 countries – debatable depending on who you speak to of course. So telling you to “visit Africa” is quite vague – and annoying – so hopefully, this gives some ideas of iconic places to include in your itinerary.

Back to the glorious sights of Africa.

The Seven Natural Wonders of Africa

The Nile River

The Nile is about 6,650 km (4,130 mi) long. Many of us hear the Nile and think of Egypt. But it is the primary water source for Egypt as well as Sudan. And, catch this, its drainage basin covers eleven whole countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, and Egypt. Eventually, it meanders its way to the Mediterranean Sea.

For the longest time, it was believed to be the longest river in the world but some researchers are contending that title with the Amazon river. Until it’s settled, let’s claim this as the longest discovered river please, thank you very much.

Anyway, it is beautiful, and I look forward to seeing it in 2022. 😉

2. Mount Kilimanjaro – a wonder from all angles

I remember seeing the tip of Kilimanjaro from the sky. It was the first time breathtaking felt like an understatement.

The clouds were set right, the sun blindingly setting on the horizon and there it sat, majestic, beautiful, intimidating and yet inviting. Oh, it was a wonder to behold.

Mount Kilimanjaro with a height of 5,895m is the highest mountain in Africa, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, and the fourth most topographically prominent peak on Earth.

As the highest free-standing, it is the highest mountain that tourists can climb without advanced mountain-climbing equipment or previous experience of such heights. So, if that kind of adventure tickles you, go right ahead. I have said highest too many times for you not to catch the hint is your personal problem 😂.

Will I climb it, nope! Do I want to sit in a Safari lodge and just stare from sunrise to sunset, yes, please!

In both Kenya and Tanzania, it is a major tourism magnet and due to its worldwide popularity, both governments have invested in road infrastructure to improve accessibility to Kilimanjaro National Park. Easiest to get there I believe is via the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

3. The Sahara Desert – an absolute wonder

Calling all Alchemist lovers!

The Sahara Desert is the hottest desert in the world. With an area of 9,200,000 km² (3,6mn sq mi), it is the third-largest desert after Antarctica and the Arctic. (First time I ever heard those were deserts…)

As one can imagine, rainfall is infrequent and erratic. Wikipedia will tell you that the average annual rainfall ranges from very low in the northern and southern fringes of the desert to nearly non-existent over the central and the eastern part. The temperatures over the desert are high high; some have said above the 50-degree mark. Nights are cooler and the coldest parts can reach freezing temperatures. Talk about the wonders of nature! It’s the range for me.

There is typically camel led 3-day tours from Marrakech in Morocco so totally good to explore. All I can tell you is to pack those bottles of water and stay hydrated. In 2022, we can exchange pictures!

4. The Red Sea Reef

Along the coast of Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea is the infamous – but totally unknown to me – Red Sea Reef.

Did you read that and say “never heard of it,” Yes, me too. But today we are learning so no judgement here!

The Red Sea Reef is one of the best diving spots apparently- I mean look at all those colourful fish that show up when you search it on Google! Sorry, I do not have pictures on here because I could not find them from my go-to websites so you will have to use Dr Google for glimpses. Perhaps people don’t go enough for there to be a lot of pictures floating about for free? In any case, I will not go to jail because you want to see a picture on my blog. Nope. Consult Dr Google, please. 😘

Totally unrelated but kind of is. Once I went snorkelling, and it was one of the most incredible and amazing experiences ever, but I am not sure I will do it again. It doesn’t agree with my confidence and stretched me beyond ‘outside my comfort zone’. Yes, that phrasing is intentional. That kind of stress is not healthy, but if it’s your thing, that’s your business. You better jump in there when it’s safe to and say ‘Hello” to Nemo and Dory for me.

5. The Serengeti Migration – legendary and deserving of its place on the 7 wonders list

The Serengeti is really one of the wonders of the world and I could pretend to write about it but nothing beats a lived experiences – and I do not have that, yet. Asilia does quite a great job describing the cycles of the Serengeti Migration, more commonly known as the Great Wildebeest Migration, check it out

Spanning Tanzania and Kenya (where it includes other conservations like the Masai Mara), the Serengeti Migration is one many in the oddest corners of the world may have witnessed in one form of the other. How? TV.

The scenes of many a wildebeest trotting across the brown dusty plains of Eastern Africa with Sir David Attenborough (or whomever) in the background were the exact ones that made many gasp in awe – and led others to believe safaris were all there was to the African continent. 😒

But seriously, don’t you find those adventurous tales of prey and predator so fascinating? Remember this one?

Back to business. Let’s be serious.

The Serengeti Migration is actually an African ecosystem that hosts the world largest terrestrial mammal migration and has been deemed ‘the greatest show on earth’.

Each year, over a million wildebeest, quarter-million zebra, several gazelles and thousands of other animals follow the age-old route in search of grazing and water. No surprise that it is one of the wonders of the world.

And as the never-dulling moments of National Geographic show, the yearly trek is always filled with triumphant, saddening, and fatal tales as preys and predators collide, many die and many are born, replenishing the circle of life – just like the ever-moving circular migration. Nature really is something else.

To see many of these animals, the Serengeti Park in Tanzania is the place to be. One will find them all – lions included. So go on adventurous you.

6. Ngorongoro Crater

never heard of it. The Ngorongoro Crater lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation area west of Arusha in Tanzania. It is a World Heritage Site (read big deal for conservationists).

Known for game viewing, the crater, according to the World Atlas, was formed some 2-3 million years ago when a massive volcano exploded and collapsed on itself. Today it is the biggest inactive and intact unfilled volcanic caldera in the world.

The crater region, as one of the wonders of the continent, has many species of flora and fauna – big and small – and occasionally witnesses the passing by of the Great Migration too! It’s one of the things you must just see.

This I want to visit. Adventure anyone?

7. Okavango Delta

Don’t ask. Found in Botswana, the Okavango Delta is a swampy inland delta that forms where the Okavango River reaches a tectonic trough in the central part of the Kalahari basin. A lot of English there but it is also one of the Natural Wonders of Africa so it must be great. I was old with that picture of the cousin of the cat in the third picture – look at that!

What I found interesting as that the water that runs in the delta actually never joins the sea; it just evaporates. Pretty unique ecosystems we have on the continent, right?

Anyways, the African bush elephant, hippopotamus, cheetah, lion, buffalo, kudu, rhinoceros, and baboon are among few animals species one encounters within this area. As with the Ngorongoro Crater, the sheer size and magnificence of the Delta made it worthy of the ranks of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

BONUS: Table Mountain: One of the world’s 7 Wonders of Nature (different thing)

We have been talking bout the Seven Wonders of Africa, Table Mountain though is in the Seven Wonders of Nature – it’s global! This was my aha moment – my awakening. This is when I became unwavering in my thought that Africa is the most beautiful place to explore. It must be.

Cape Town, South Africa! Whew, that was dreamy! To be fair, let me say the tourist sites I visited were divine. Some parts of Cape Town can be heartbreaking and revealing of the injustices of time past – and still present.

More on the dual views of CPT

Adding that caveat because Cape Town inherited a legacy of apartheid spatial planning that plays out starkly on the drive from the airport towards the touristy ends. One will see changing views of corrugated iron homes packed closely together on either side of the highway.

As you get closer to the city and the priceless tourist sites, there is a progressive formalization that grows on you. The houses start to look more organized, luxurious and ‘better’, gourmet restaurants pop up, and sky-high buildings line the blue skies, and suddenly, Cape Town becomes a vibrant world-class and international city. It is rather interesting and telling of the political economy of the land.

Nevertheless, visiting Cape Town is quite the interesting experience. Below are some images from one of my visits to Cape Town, South Africa where I was convinced was the closest I could get to heaven with my feet still on brown earth…

I remember visiting Table Mountain for the first time like it was yesterday. I was all smiles for days afterwards – and still catch myself in similar states when I think long enough about it. It really does something to you. I mean I was above clouds for crying out loud – literally speaking! No wonder it was added to the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Every person must see it; you just must.

Actual deets? Fine

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. The main feature is the level plateau approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) from side to side, edged by impressive cliffs and sights to die for – see above. Big deal.

The plateau is also flanked by Devil’s Peak ( east) and Lion’s Head (west) and forms the beautiful conspicuous backdrop to the city of Cape Town.

Conclusion – Seven Wonders and the case for tourism

Africa is beautiful – in more places than one. All the above are the reasons – and more – why I say that Africa may be the most beautiful continent to explore. In fact, it is the most beautiful I have seen so far.

More seriously, tourism is one of the most promising sectors for many African countries. It offers a possibility for the creation of a large number of jobs for nationals. Ever heard of “industries without smokestacks”? Those are according to John Page, activities that are tradable, have high value-added per worker, have the capacity for learning and productivity growth, and some exhibit scale and agglomeration economies but without the billows from chimneys. Read more here – it’s quite fascinating.

Yet, for tourism to be successful, it will require African countries to address key operational and strategic challenges.

For instance, most African tourism markets are difficult to access and are plagued by security concerns. Our governments, and private sector operators, must collaborate to develop domestic tourism offerings and complement that with policy and practices that will attract people. Making it easy to acquire visas, for instance, is one way to help. Countries like Rwanda are zooming ahead to make it easy for African nationals to visit.

Covid-19 happened too?

Yes, there are valid concerns that tourism may never return to a pre-Covid-19 ‘normal’ but, the need to adapt offerings will be imperative to save countries that depend on tourism – like Mauritius – and those that could really use some job creation opportunities.

We need to reorganize and rethink how to leverage these value propositions. We may, for example, begin to advocate, market and incentivize local travel. With the right health and safety protocols in place, citizens, as well as businesses, could be encouraged to orient themselves and their money towards the local tourism markets. Such is needed.

THE END

Have you been to any, or all, of these places yet? Which is your favourite and would you like to visit first?

oh, thanks for staying till the end. I hope you enjoyed the read – and images. Tourism is one of those things that must work for Africa.

If you haven’t yet, check out other interesting blog posts on here. You can start with:

• IS VIETNAM JUST SMARTER? – SOMETHING OF A FRUGAL AND RARE TALE ( LITTLE HACK)
• DO YOU KNOW 7 AFRICAN COUNTRIES OFFHAND? DO THIS FUN PUZZLE – SIMPLE AND CAPTIVATING – This one was FUN!
• THE SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE TRUTH BEHIND END-OF-SERVICE BENEFITS (EX GRATIA) FOR MPS IN GHANA

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Noelle Wonders

Marie-Noelle is the creator and curator of Noelle Wonders - a blog created to pose questions, exchange ideas, explore power asymmetries, and humanize topics around growth and development.

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