Top ten destinations in Africa

Africa is one of the most unspoilt and virgin territory and a real haven for tourists. Whether you are looking for some historical sites, or some luxurious beaches, or some modern towns or the wildest adventures like safaris, Africa has it all. Compared to some of the other continents, Africa's tourism potential is under-tapped. The transformation of potential to reality, as far as tourism is concerned, will serve the best interests of Africa.

So, you have decided to take an African holiday. What are the possible places that one can visit in Africa? Africa offers numerous opportunities for the discerning tourist. This hub looks at the top ten destinations that one must include on their agenda. Agreed, you cannot soak in all the sights in one visit to the continent but keep these ten places on the top of your list and check them off as you complete the African leg of your travels. A trip to Africa is surreal and transforms the way you look at nature. Vast, unspoilt wilderness, pristine beaches, historical monuments and ancient towns, a laidback lifestyle and not to forget good value for money can make for a dream holiday. Go ahead, speak to your travel agent and book the trip of your life!

The Mara is number one on the list. The Mara is the reason people come to Kenya. established in 1961 as a wildlife protection area, the Mara attracts millions of tourists annually. The Maasai Mara is easily accessible from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. For those not wishing to drive through rugged terrain, there are airstrips in the Mara which cater to the flights from Nairobi and the coast of Kenya.

The Mara offers the best opportunity for one to view wildlife in their natural habitat. While the big-5 hold court (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo), the supporting cast of giraffe, zebras, gazelles, antelopes and hippos can keep the shutterbugs busy. The best time to visit the Mara is during July to October when the astonishing spectacle of wildebeest migration is at its peak. While in the Mara go on early morning or late evening game drives to have the best opportunity to sight wildlife, go on a hot-air balloon safari with a 'bush-breakfast' included and soak in all the sights that mother nature has to offer.

Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders, describes in a nutshell this mighty waterfalls. One of the natural wonders of the world, the falls is on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border and can be seen from either country. Over a mile long, during the rainy season over 500 million liters of water plunges into the river Zambezi generating a huge amount of spray that shoots up a thousand feet into the sky and can be seen from 30 miles away!

The falls are part of two national parks - Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe and its unique geography can ensure that one gets a face-on view of the falls to enjoy its spray, noise and the omni-present rainbows over the falls. The best time to visit is between March and May in the rains when the falls is in full splendor.

Currently the Zambian side is the more favored approach due to prevailing political conditions in Zimbabwe. Entry tickets are cheaper in Zambia and the historic town of Livingstone is an added sight. There are numerous activities for the adventurous and include - flying overthe falls in a micro-light, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting on the river Zambezi, kayaking and canoeing. There is also a surprising amount of wildlife in both national parks around the falls.

Anyone who has not seen the Pyramids of ancient Egypt is missing out big time on one of the most astonishing architectural feats of mankind! The Pyramids are the last surviving members of the seven wonders of the ancient world and that alone should whet your appetite.

The town of Giza is just a taxi-drive away from Cairo, the capital city. Giza has three pyramids - Khufu or Cheops, Khafre and Menkaura. Of these Kufu is the largest. Close to the pyramids is the Sphinx - an enormous cat-like sculpture carved out of a single block of stone. The Pyramid of Cheops took 20000 laborers, 2 million blocks of stone weighing 2.5 tons each to build! Climbing up the walls of the pyramids is strictly prohibited. If you are not claustrophobic, take a tour into the pyramids and attend the sound and light show at dusk near the sphinx. A visit to the Pyramid is like stepping back in time and it takes a great effort for one not to be mesmerized by them.

So, where in the world is Timbuktu? Exactly the question many people ask when they hear someone getting banished to Timbuktu! The fun lies in the knowledge that you are about as close to nowhere when in Timbuktu! Timbuktu is in Mali, a Western African country.

Several international flights fly to Bamako, the capital of Mali. From Mali at a distance of 250 kilometers lies Timbuktu and this leg of the journey is bound to elicit the adrenaline surge. The easiest way to get there is by boat down the Niger river. From Bamako there is an old Russian plane that flies to Timbuktu. And in the dry season, a 3-day bone-rattling drive in a bus can take you there from Bamako!

Timbuktu (Tombouctou in French) means a well owned by a woman with a great belly button! At one time it was a famed University town and laden with wealth and riches. However by virtue of being so remote and desolate it was a common target for bandits. It used to me a meeting place for tradesmen to barter their goods and traders used to assemble from all over North Africa. The town also boasted a great university in the good old days. Timbuktu is rightfully the most remote place in the world.

A trip to Africa is incomplete without a visit to Cape Town, South Africa. Perhaps the unforgettable image of this city is the backdrop of the huge Table Mountain that stands smack in the middle of the city and overlooks the harbor. A ride by cable car to the top is exhilarating. The Table Mountain has numerous bird and animal species along with an abundant bloom of flowers.

The city offers myriad attractions like amusement parks, trips to the wine heartlands in the Western Cape, a trip to Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years), for the strong-hearted there is cage-diving to watch the great white sharks, whale-watching trips, numerous shopping malls, the absolutely fantastic Victoria and Albert waterfront area - the list is endless. There are numerous beaches around the city and caters to all kinds of people, nudists included!

With the imperial Atlas Mountains offering a backdrop, the city of Marrakech is a virtual cornucopia of assaults on your senses - noisy, smelly, sweaty - so why is it on the list? It is a fascinating city full of history and extremely beautiful. It is the cultural center of Morrocco and one feels transported back in time after a visit to this city.

If you enjoy some nice market scenes laden with carpet salesmen, fire jugglers, hookah-smoking then get 3 days of Marrakech and enjoy it to the hilt. Take in the tranquility of the Majorelle gardens, the gardens around Saadian Tomb and enjoy a nice, cool cup of mint tea in Riad. Avoid the hot summer months and try to visit between September and May. The city hosts the annual Marrakech popular arts festival in July every year, Fantasia (a horse-riding spectacle in which men and women compete in traditional attires and the Berber tribe Imilchil marriage festival. For those who want to experience skiing in Africa, Oukaimden ski resort is less than 50 miles away and offers the chance to ski down the Atlas mountains.

Standing a majestic 5995 meters tall, Mt. Kilimanjaro situated in Northern Tanzania near the kenyan border, is the tallest mountain in Africa. The mountain offers the chance for even an inexperienced climber to summit the peak. It is the world's tallest walkable peak and the 5 zones of climatic changes that one encounters during the walk is breathtaking. Any one who is fit can climb this mountain and reach the summit - Uhuru (freedom in Swahili) Peak.

The whole climb takes about 5 days but pace yourself to summit it in 5-7 days to avoid the dangerous and often fatal condition called as acute mountain sickness. The trek can cost anywhere between 2000-5000 dollars and get yourself a good tour guide who can offer good and safe chances at summitting. The scenery of the sun rising over the mountain peak at dawn (when summitting is attempted) is unforgettable.

Zanzibar is an island in the Indian Ocean that belongs to Tanzania and is 35 kilometers from Dar-es-Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. The island is made up of two smaller islands - the bigger Umoja and the smaller Pemba.

Zanzibar is well known for its pristine beaches, spices and the historic city of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The warm and turquoise sea offers excellent swimming conditions right through the year and the coral reefs offshore are breathtaking. For thos interested in snorkelling and SCUBA diving, Zanzibar is a paradise. Stone Town was once a slave trading post for the Arabs and is immersed in history. There are several flights daily from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania and Nairobi in Kenya. Zanzibar offers a huge choice of accomodation to suit all budgets.

What are one's chances of seeing mountain gorrillas in the wild? None, if you are not in the Virunga Volcanic Region - an extinct volcanic region within the dense equatorial forests along the common borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the DCR Congo. Diane Fossey, a champion for the cause of gorrillas, worked in this area. There are only 650 mountain gorrillas in the wild and time is running out for us humans to see them in the wild!

The gorrillas can be seen from any of the three countries. Prior permits are needed and sometimes can take a long time unless arranged by your tour operator. The cost of the permit is 500 USD and proceeds go towards the conservation efforts of these gentle giants. To see a male gorrilla (called a silverback) standing up to his full height and beating his chest is a thrilling scene and can send shivers down one's spine! The VVR area has about 300 gorrillas and the rest are entirely in Uganda's Bwindi National Park. To be part of the group that is on a mission to see gorrillas there are several rules to be followed. These include - age more than 15 years, no infectious diseases in the person wishing to see the gorrillas, maintain at least 5 meters distance from the gorrilla, stay for not more than an hour, no flash photography, no eating or drinking in front of them and no touching the gorrillas.

Sadly, efforts at conservation of these gentle giants are failing and recently several gorrillas were shot dead by rebels on the volatile DCR congo side of the park. The plight of the gorrillas is an example of man's greed and attempts to destabilize nature.

Omo in Southwestern Ethiopia is home to more than 50 indigenous tribes. For those interested in African cultures this region is a must see. Due to the remote location many of these tribes still have intact traditional beliefs and customs. Tours are available and this is the only way one can see these tribes. Very basic camps are available and a few days spent in these regions can lead to valuable insight into the lives of primitive Africans. White-water rafting on the river Omo is highly satisfying.

Africa is thus an assimilation of sights that tickles the palate of the compulsive traveler. More and more people are now realising the importance of traveling to places in Africa as an essential part of their voyages abroad. After all life is not all about traveling in subways, eating at Mac's or experiencing some dizzying rides in Disneyland!