AFRICA — THINGS THAT YOU MUST SEE IN AFRICA BEFORE YOU DIE!

By Vivienne Gunning 

The Africa I Know — Soul-Stirring Places I’ve Walked, Felt, and Loved

Africa—vast, vibrant, and endlessly captivating—is a continent that stirs the soul. Its beauty is raw and varied, from cascading waterfalls to quiet deserts, ancient ruins to pulsing wildlife migrations. If you're dreaming of unforgettable journeys, here are one destination that deserve a place on your bucket list at least once in your lifetime:

1. Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe)Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya—“The Smoke That Thunders”—Victoria Falls is one of the most dramatic natural spectacles on Earth. Watch in awe as millions of liters of water plunge into the gorge below, sending up mist that can be seen from miles away.

2. The Great Migration (Kenya/Tanzania)Witness the rhythm of the wild as over a million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle make their epic journey across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. This annual migration is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet.

3. Table Mountain (South Africa)Rising above Cape Town’s cityscape, Table Mountain offers more than just stunning views—it’s an experience. Whether you hike to the summit or take the scenic cable car, the 360-degree panorama is unforgettable.

4. Gorilla Trekking (Uganda/Rwanda/DRC)Step into the mist-shrouded forests of the Virunga Mountains and lock eyes with a mountain gorilla. Trekking to see these gentle giants is one of Africa’s most intimate and moving wildlife encounters.

5. Okavango Delta (Botswana) UNESCO World Heritage Site.Explore the Okavango Delta in mokorro, gliding silently past reeds and watching elephants cross the floodplains at sunset. A serene, untouched sanctuary—wild Africa at its most soulful.

6. The Sahara Desert (Morocco/Timbaktu)Mount a camel and venture into the golden dunes of the Sahara. Sleep beneath the stars, listen to the silence, and watch the sun rise over endless sand.

7. The Pyramids of Giza (Egypt)The last of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza rise from the desert with timeless majesty. Pair your visit with a Nile cruise to experience Egypt’s rich history.

8. Dzanga Bai (Central African Republic)Hidden in the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve lies Dzanga Bai—'the village of elephants.' Each evening, 80 to 100 forest elephants gather at the mineral-rich riverbed. One of Africa’s rawest and most magical experiences.

9. Lalibela (Ethiopia)Carved from solid rock and sunken below ground, the churches of Lalibela are architectural and spiritual marvels dating to the 12th century. Still in use today, they echo with history.

10. Great Zimbabwe Ruins (Zimbabwe)The largest ruins in sub-Saharan Africa, Great Zimbabwe was once a thriving royal city and trade hub between the 11th and 15th centuries.

11. Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)Mount Kilimanjaro rises above the clouds with snow-capped beauty. Climbing Africa’s highest peak is a journey through diverse ecosystems and unmatched silence.

12. Notre-Dame d'Afrique (Algiers, Algeria)This cliffside basilica overlooking the Mediterranean houses a rare Black Madonna and symbolizes interfaith harmony between Christians and Muslims.

13. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire)Modeled after St. Peter’s in Rome, this is the largest church in the world. Its dome rises above West Africa in quiet grandeur and complexity.

14. Roman Ruins of Dougga (Tunisia)Step into the past at the remarkably preserved Roman city of Dougga, Tunisia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features temples, baths, and an ancient theater—all perched on a hilltop with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. A hidden gem for history lovers.

15. Sti Fadma (Morocco)Nestled in the Atlas Mountains, the village of Setti Fatma offers a peaceful mountain retreat. I once spent a cold, unforgettable night here wrapped in blankets, surrounded by stone walls, and warmed by the kindness of locals. With cascading waterfalls and cozy riads and colourful river restaurants, it's a quiet treasure for slow travelers.

16. Canopy Walkway in Nyungwe Forest (Rwanda)In the heart of Rwanda’s lush Nyungwe Forest lies a hidden thrill—a suspended canopy walkway that stretches high above the treetops. As you walk across this swaying bridge, mist rising from the jungle below, you're immersed in a world of birdsong, butterflies, and forever green. It’s both exhilarating and meditative, offering a perspective of the rainforest few ever experience.

18. Stone Town (Zanzibar, Tanzania)On the east coast of Africa, where the air is heavy with the scent of spice and sea, lies Stone Town—the historical heart of Zanzibar. Wandering its labyrinthine alleys feels like slipping back in time. You’ll pass intricately carved doors, bustling bazaars, faded palaces, and quiet courtyards that whisper stories of the Swahili Coast’s rich past. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a blend of cultures—African, Arab, Indian, and Persian—woven into every archway and alley. Whether you're sipping spiced tea on a rooftop at sunset or tracing the haunting remnants of the old slave market, Stone Town is a sensory journey you won't forget.

19. Lake Malawi (Malawi/Mozambique/Tanzania)Shimmering like a sapphire across three countries, Lake Malawi is one of Africa’s largest and most biodiverse lakes. The water is so clear, you can see colorful cichlid fish darting between rocks just below the surface. Whether you’re kayaking at sunrise, diving with freshwater fish found nowhere else on Earth, or simply lazing on the sand with a mango in hand, this lake invites you to slow down and breathe. It’s a different kind of African adventure—quiet, soulful, and wildly beautiful.

20. Roman Ruins of Carthage (Tunisia)Overlooking the Mediterranean from the outskirts of modern-day Tunis, the ruins of ancient Carthage whisper stories of empires and ambition. Once a mighty Phoenician city and later a jewel of the Roman Empire, Carthage is a place where you can walk among crumbling amphitheaters, ancient baths, and temples while the sea breeze carries echoes of civilizations long gone.

21. Snorkel with Whale Sharks in Mozambique — These spotted giants are often 10 m long, are filter feeders — completely harmless, despite their size. There is no frantic chase, no sharp teeth, they feed on plankton and tiny fish.     

22. Sleeping under The Stars in Sossusvlei, Namibia — There are starry nights then there are Sossusvlei! No city lights, just you, the desert and the sky.Silence wraps around you like a soft blanket and The Milky Way stretches overhead in high-definition clarity. In the morning you can go and climb Dune 45 as another Arica - bonus.

A Final Thought Africa isn’t a place you simply visit, passing through—it’s a continent that stays with you, long after you leave.Its beauty is vast, its silence deep, and its stories written across deserts, forests, lakes, villages and city streets.These places I’ve shared are just a handful. There are countless others—moments, glimpses, quiet encounters—that don’t make lists but leave lasting imprints.Sometimes it’s the way dust hangs in the air at sunset, the warmth of a stranger’s smile, or the the sound of a lion roaring in the dark— These are not monuments but the becomes the most monumental of memories.This continent is too immense, too layered, too full of hidden treasures to ever see it all in one lifetime. But perhaps that’s the gift—it keeps calling you back, again and again.