Famous landmarks of Africa long have been popular tourist spots and are visited by travelers from across the globe. On the continent where mankind first developed, historical material goes back further than anywhere else on Earth. Fascinating archeological material is matched by modern and natural wonders on scales that dwarf attractions on other continents.
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls
Mosi-oa-Tunya means "The Smoke That Thunders" in Kololo; the location is most commonly known as Victoria Falls. One of the most spectacular sights in the world, the falls are twice the height of Niagara Falls and many times wider; in the rainy season, they are the largest curtain of water in the world. The falls are part of the Zambesi River and mark the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls are part of a national park that covers approximately 25 square miles; animals living wild in the park include buffalo, eland, giraffe, impala, sable, warthog and zebra.
Egypt: The Ancient Pyramids
Egypt, although usually associated with the Middle East because of its geopolitical location, is part of the African continent. The country's famous pyramids are the burial tombs of ancient Egypt's rulers, the pharaohs, and their consorts. At time of publication, 138 ancient pyramids have been discovered, dating from the Old and Middle Kingdoms. The most famous of the pyramids are at the plateau of Giza, on the banks of the Nile near Cairo, where the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx have stood for centuries.
Okavango Delta National Park
The Okavango Delta National Park spans two countries; parts of both Namibia and Botswana are within its boundaries. Meaning "the river that never finds the sea" in Kwangali, Okavango becomes a flood plain almost as large as the country of Wales every year between February and April. The eponymous river delivers countless billions of gallons of freshwater to a delta that is otherwise an arid and apparently lifeless desert. This inundation spurs the greatest migration on earth; everything from the largest game animals to the smallest birds arrive to feast on the new vegetation or prey on the species drawn to it. Even fish appear as if out of nowhere, hatching from eggs that have stayed dormant in the parched and desiccated mud. Visitors see most wildlife between May and October, because as the waters recede the creatures become increasingly concentrated.
Timbuktu, meaning "far away place" in the Berber tongue, is the quintessential desert oasis. Located at a strategic confluence of ancient trade caravan routes, the settlement first flourished in the 14th century. It was home to one of the world's earliest universities, the University of Sankore, which was already flourishing as a foundation stone of the Islamic faith by the 1700s. Because of political upheaval and the unfortunate economic conditions that are prevalent in Mali, Timbuktu is today on the United Nations' list of World Heritage Sites in Danger, but a walk through its bustling streets and markets is a unique experience.
South Africa: Kimberley Diamond Mine
The Kimberley Diamond Mine, known by South Africans simply as "the Big Hole," is the world's largest diamond mine. The company most universally associated with the diamond trade, De Beers, owes its existence to Kimberley. De Beers was founded by Cecil John Rhodes, Prime Minister of the Cape Colony -- later Rhodesia and now Zambia and Zimbabwe -- and patron of the Rhodes Scholarship endowment who made his fortune here. The mine is so large that it can be seen by the naked eye from space. Some of the largest diamonds ever found were excavated here. Visitors are shown a movie explaining the importance of the site, then taken to a viewing platform that overlooks much of the mine; the view is on such a scale that it is almost impossible to process. The tour next descends into a reproduction of a mine that also contains a vault with real diamonds on display. An on-site museum chronicles the history of the mine and the industry in general and explores some of the ingenious ways employees over the years have tried to smuggle diamonds out.
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