During the 19th century when Europeans were exploring Africa it was known as the ‘Dark Continent’, today however this landmass has had every centimetre mapped and is a well known part of the world, attracting visitors looking for a little adventure in the vast savannahs, deserts and jungles of this beautiful continent. Home to over 50 countries with many languages and cultures, makes Africa an intriguing and exciting travel destination. It is also home to many natural wonders such as the River Nile, the world’s longest river, the Sahara Desert, the worlds’ largest hot desert, and the Victoria Falls, one of the worlds’ most powerful waterfalls, add to this the good beaches, diving in the Red Sea and the vineyards of South Africa, and the list of attractions just goes on and on!! Africa is a ‘must see’ destination.
It is the light of the Africa Region which makes every visit so much more enjoyable, long days of clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine, clear air and warm temperatures enhance the attraction of any activity such as a wildlife safari across the wide Serengeti plains of Tanzania and Kenya where the ancient nomadic Maasai tend their animals and where the huge annual migration of zebra, Thomsons’ gazelle and wildebeest occurs – or a visit to the unique area of the Ngorongoro crater with its plentiful wildlife – or perhaps after some fitness training, make the climb of the snow capped peak of the majestic Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa – or visit the Great Rift Valley where the Olduvai Gorge is located and which is commonly referred to as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ as it was here that the earliest evidence of man has been found – or perhaps a trip to Egypt and the chaotic and colourful city of Cairo, that is well known for being home to the very interesting Egyptian Museum and which stands only a few kilometres from the ancient Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza - or a slow and luxurious cruise along the River Nile where traditional feluccas still sail and where the major archaeological sites of the Temples of Karnak, Edfu, Abu Simbel, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings can be found - or perhaps a trip on the famous Blue Train of South Africa to the beautiful city of Cape Town with its iconic Tabletop Mountain, or a jaunt around the Kruger National Park.
Within the Africa Region there is so much to see, much of which is either limited, such as a visit to the well known and endangered Mountain Gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda, or more difficult, such as a visit to the pristine desert areas of Namibia and the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the Kalahari, the awe inspiring Fish River Canyon and the infamous Skeleton Coast, so called after the large number of whale bones which covered the shore during the heyday of whaling – the medieval city of Gondar, once the capital of Ethiopia – the fabled city of Timbuktu in Mali, which is home the U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site of the three centres of learning which are comprised of the historic Djinguereber, Sankore and Sidi Yahya Mosques, all totally built of mud in the 14th and 15th century - and the massive Roman ruins of Leptis Magna which are located just east of Tripoli in Libya. Then there are the better known destinations such as the popular Okavango Delta which a unique inland waterway that supports a large array of wildlife and is located amidst the dry northern region of Botswana - the traditional souks of the once fortified city Marrakesh, the buzzing bazaars and narrow streets of Fez and the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco – and the U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site of Stone Town, the old quarter of the city of Zanzibar, which was once a major trading port on the east coast of Africa for spices and slaves. Whatever your interest there is something for everyone in this fascinating area of the world.
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