The Kind of Travel That Stays with You—Welcome to Africa
Africa is the second-largest continent in the world by land mass, with an area of 30.37 million square kilometres. It holds some of the world's most magnificent landscapes, making it a destination for tourists worldwide.
Aside from the mind-blowing physical structures like savannahs, mountains, waterfalls, and so on, Africa is also a home for wildlife exploration, where you can observe and discover animals in their natural environment.
However, Africa's soul lies in its people, who have different cultures and traditions. Tourism in Africa encompasses witnessing the beauty of nature and immersing yourself in the culture of the people in it.
A Young, Diverse Continent Full of Life and Stories
Africa has a population of over 1.4 billion people, mostly young. It has over 3000 ethnic groups and 2000 languages, creating diversity throughout the continent. This cultural variation makes Africa attractive for tourists interested in different traditions.
There is so much to unfold about the histories of the different ethnic groups. The growing population has made Africa thrive in sectors like music and art. Musical concerts and traditional festivals are now attractive options for travelers.
Africa's Cities Are Just as Magical as the Wild
Aside from visiting savannahs or waterfalls, the continent is home to urban cities that travelers can explore. Let's take a look at some of the major cities in Africa.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, located between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. Cape Town is the oldest city in Africa and has many historical landmarks. It has many urban centers where one can go and have fun and explore the finest seafood.
Cairo, Egypt
The Egyptian capital is one of the most exciting cities in the world. Despite the chaotic energy within the city, it is one of the most visited places in the world. The capital takes you closer to exciting places like the pyramids of Giza, the River Nile, and the Egyptian Museum.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is one of the most lively places to visit in Africa. Here, you can check out the churches associated with Emperor Haile Selassie and visit the national museum to learn more about the country's history.
Essaouira, Morocco
This city is located on Morocco's Atlantic coast and is one of the most beautiful places to be. Its resort beach attracts tourists from different parts of the world. This city is also a home for mouth-watering food, music, and design.
Places You'll Tell Stories About for the Rest of Your Life
There are a lot of exciting places for tourists and photographers to explore in Africa. Here are some of the best places you should have on your bucket list.
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, also known as "The Cloud That Thunders" or Mosi Oa-Tunya, is one of the most mind-blowing waterfalls in the world, located on the Zambezi River. It has a width of 1078 meters, spanning between Zambia and Zimbabwe and a height of 108 meters, making it one of the largest waterfalls in the world. It is an attractive option for tourists interested in activities like bungee jumping and white-water rafting.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
These are some of the most famous structures ever built and have existed for over 4500 years. They were built as tombs for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. The architecture of these structures is a sight to behold and has become a center of attraction to tourists and photographers.
Mountain Gorillas, Rwanda
You appreciate the beauty of nature when you see mountain gorillas and observe the rainforest ecosystem in places like the Virunga Mountain range in Rwanda. You also get to understand the importance of wildlife conservation.
Sahara Dunes, Morocco
Sahara Dunes, which spans across North Africa, especially Morocco, is one of the best places to visit. Tourists can engage in different activities like sandboarding and camel trekking while appreciating the landscape.
Riding Safari, Kenya
Tourists who would love to have a thrilling experience exploring the wild on horseback will appreciate Riding Safari. It is a great choice for tourism if you want to have an alluring experience with animals.
Want to Know Africa - Sit Down, Share a Meal, Hear a Story
Tourists do not just travel to observe the landscape and wildlife of the continent. They also love to immerse themselves in the different cultures of Africa. They want to know what it means to be an African. Africa has an impressive cultural heritage with over 3000 ethnic groups.
After observing the physical beauty of the continent in the morning, most tourists spend the rest of their day visiting villages and talking to members to learn about their culture. You can learn how people of some ethnic groups dress, the kind of food they eat, and even pick up new languages. You can also improve your knowledge of the history of some ethnic groups.
What's Getting in the Way of Africa's Tourism Dream
Despite Africa having these exciting structures, wildlife, and culture, the continent is facing some problems concerning the sustainability of tourism. Let's take a look at some of these challenges.
Infrastructure Deficiencies
Africa is filled with countries that are yet to be developed. Poor infrastructure in these countries has made access to tourist centers difficult. For instance, poor roads or transport networks discourage travelers from checking out certain tourist centers because the journey might be too stressful, and they might get tired before arriving.
Some tourist centers also do not have accommodations to host people who come around for an adventure. This has prevented people, especially those who stay far away, from exploring these centers.
Environmental and Climate Change
Africa, being the continent with the second-largest population in the world, is hurting its environment. The majority of the population takes on jobs in agriculture and commits to practices like overgrazing and deforestation.
Also, the urbanization of some countries has converted some tourist parks into industries and homes. Aside from the conscious efforts made by man, climatic changes have also disrupted the ecosystem. Changes like drought, increased temperature, and excessive rainfall have affected wildlife and have caused many animals to either die or migrate.
Security Concerns
Tourists are sometimes scared to travel to Africa and visit some places. Generally, the continent is safe, but there are conflict zones. This situation makes people from other continents question their decisions regarding visiting certain tourism reserves.
Protecting What Makes Africa So Special Starts Now
Africa is rich in breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, making it an ideal place for tourism. The future of tourism, however, seems to be cloudy due to some challenges.
Climate change, urbanization, and agricultural practices are posing dangers to the endowment of the continent. To prevent these threats, the government must make an effort to conserve the beautiful nature of the continent.
Practices like bush burning that harm wildlife and natural vegetation must be stopped. Infrastructures that can make tourist centers more attractive must be put in place to encourage travelers to visit.
Conclusion
Africa is an exciting place to visit during vacation at any time of the year. You get to experience beautiful scenery and learn more about the people and their way of life.
However, the growth of tourism in Africa faces some challenges. Failure to address these challenges can cause irreparable damage to the continent's physical beauty and make it a less attractive option for travelers.