7 places and activities to chalk up in Africa

THE beauty of exploring Africa is that the continent has a lot to offer. From Table Mountain in the south to Kilimanjaro in the east, one thing is for sure: you won’t run out of things to do.

If you’re looking for inspiration in compiling a travel bucket list or looking for a dreamy location for your next adventure, then look no further. Here are seven things to do and places to visit that should be on your ultimate travel bucket list.

See gorillas in the wild in Uganda and Botswana

Considering their terrifying size and lumbering gait, gorillas remain one of the most mesmerising animals to see in their natural habitat. They are yet another species we’ve pushed to the brink of extinction, but thanks to conservation efforts, there’s a real chance we can save them.

Make sure you go gorilla spotting with a reputable agency as that will contribute to making sure others in the future will get to see these majestic creatures in all their glory.

Trek Kilimanjaro

The world’s largest free-standing mountain straddles the border between Tanzania and Kenya, offering sweeping views of the mountain forest that encircles its base, and the untamed savanna that surrounds the mountain. You could try to summit it, but even just trekking through some of its more scenic parts is an otherworldly experience. Not for the fainthearted, but it will remain imprinted on your mind.

Be awed by Victoria Falls

Seeing Victoria Falls can feel like being on the edge of the world. At the Zimbabwe/zambia border and twice the height of Niagara, the falls are the world’s largest sheet of falling water, and the spray can be seen from nearly 50km away. The falls are also surrounded by indigenous flora and fauna, so there is plenty to see.

Safari in the Maasai Mara

Stretching across the Kenyan and Tanzanian border, the Maasai Mara is what you think about when looking for somewhere packed to the brim with wildlife of all kinds, including the Big Five.

The landscape is defined by rolling hills, grassy plains and surging rivers, and there are tribes dotted around too, so a visit means a chance to experience the region’s culture as well as nature.

Explore the Garden Route

There are few places where you can go from oyster fishing and seeing whales to hiking through temperate rainforests within the hour, and this is one of them. It also delivers a host of quaint seaside towns to visit.

Ride a camel by the Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are famous, the “It Girls” of travel bucket lists. They’re in many films, but did you know they also serve as mausoleums for three Pharaohs?

The largest pyramid, The Great Pyramid, was built for Pharaoh Khufu. It’ll leave you a little speechless as you spot it cresting over the dunes atop your camel.

Make sure you also look out for the Great Sphinx; it’s the one with the broken nose. Oh, and The Solar Boat Museum, home to one of the oldest ships.

Glide over Cape Town

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is a bit of a mouthful to say, but the view speaks for itself. If you’ve decided you’re not going to climb Everest because it’s a trek and a half, then head to Cape Town and take the 1 000m-high cable car. You get to sit down, plus it takes you over Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature!

The mountain range was given the title due to its unique collection of plants and flowers, plus the architecturally-stunning cableway that showcases ocean views.