Beautiful Countries In Africa To Add To Your Bucket List
By SANJAY SURANA
Vast areas of Botswana have been expressly carved out for conservation. The most famous is the Okavango Delta in the northern part of the country.
Botswana
This area of simple beauty has marshes and plains that flood in certain seasons and a water-filled landscape full of iconic wildlife like rhinos, lions, and cheetahs.
Elsewhere in the country, you'll find the Makgadikgadi Pans, an 11,580 square-mile natural phenomenon that features salt flats, flamingos, and Stone Age fossils.
In Giza, Egypt, a section of Cairo, you’ll find the 4,000-year-old Pyramids of Giza, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today.
Egypt
Cairo is also home to the legendary River Nile, where visitors can take cruises that snake through 10 other countries and explore Luxor's ancient tombs and temples.
The clear waters of the Egyptian Riviera on the Sinai Peninsula are also hugely attractive to snorkelers, divers, and anyone who loves to kick back and enjoy the sea.
Home to the oldest evidence of humans, this East African country has a surreal landscape with lava and salt snakes, neon-colored hot springs, and volcanic formations.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia also contains architectural wonders like the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, churches that are essentially sculptures made by chipping away at the rock in the mountains.
A visit to Ethiopia wouldn't be complete without the delicious food, typically served with the pleasantly sour, wonderfully pliable, and gluten-free injera bread.
The town of Kumasi has a royal palace, and depending on the timing, travelers can get a peek into the life of the King of Ghana when he hosts public meetings.
Ghana
This part of the country's famous colorful fabric can be found at the Kejetia Market, with over 10,000 stalls selling clothing, jewelry, artisanal crafts, and food.
Kakum National Park boasts plenty of wildlife and a series of suspension bridges slung up above a forest of centuries-old trees.
In East Africa, visitors go on world-renowned safaris to spot lions, giraffes, elephants, and black panthers in their natural habitats and meet members of the Maasi tribe.
Kenya
Kenya also boasts plenty of coastlines, the grand Mount Kenya, endless plains, the vast Great Rift Valley, and fantastic beaches on the mainland and islands like Lamu and Diani.
Among the annual highlights is the Mara Migration, when millions of animals migrate from Tanzania to Kenya, most visibly from July to October each year.