Bellafricana published in Travel

Travel Destinations: Vacation Spots in Africa

Vacations are like a break from school, work, or the stress of everyday life but whenever we think of vacation spots, we usually think Paris, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, etc but we never really talk about vacation spots in Africa. 

Africa is actually one of the best travel destinations and vacation spots in the world regardless of how it is viewed by outsiders. From her wildlife to exotic cultures, delicious cuisines, crystal clear beaches, history and artifacts, Africa is one of the best places to be.

Are you planning a vacation but you cannot think of the best vacation spots in Africa to explore and unwind? I have come up with a few top vacation spots in Africa for you to visit, explore and have a wonderful time. Keep reading to find out these magnificent places.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia.

Vacation spots in Africa: Victoria falls
Victoria Falls. Photo credit: Trip Advisor

Victoria Falls, shared by Zimbabwe on the south and Zambia on the north is the largest sheet of falling water, the largest waterfall and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world!

Everything about this place already sounds so amazing as it is actually one of the most beautiful places in Africa! Known as “the smoke that thunders”, it is one of Africa’s greatest wonders as it can be seen over 40 kilometers away; a perfect place for an extraordinary, safari vacation.

Spending your vacation here, you can go swimming in the Devil’s Pool which is naturally formed pool just on the edge of the fall, witness the lunar rainbow that appears under the light of the full moon; one of Africa’s most distinctive sight.

You can  also witness the Victorian Falls Rainforest on the Zimbabwean side which is actually the only rainforest in the world where it rains every single day (I never knew this was actually possible).

During the day, you can go for a walk with rhinos (sounds interesting), go bungee jumping between Zimbabwe and Zambia, or go on micro-light flights above the fall.

Also home to elephants, lions, Buffalos, zebras, kudu, the rare rhino, cheetahs, hyenas, Eland and so many others, you get to witness exotic wildlife in Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls National Park or the Zambezi National Park.

There are just so many extraordinary things to do here and you would leave with so much memories, stories to tell and let’s not forget, amazing pictures! Now I’m eager to take a trip to Victoria Falls!

Luxor, Egypt.

Vacation spots in Africa: luxor Egypt
Temple of Ramsesses III, Luxor. Photo credit: Forbes

Egypt is actually on the list of Africa tourist attractions, and it is also one of my favorite countries of all time. If you are a lover of culture like myself, then this is for you. There is so much history, artifacts, deep rooted culture and captivating stories all in one place! Not to mention that it is a perfect travel destination for a vacation due to the adventure and wonders of this ancient world that awaits you.

Located on east bank of the Nile River, the city of Luxor, also known as “City of the Sun” is packed with history, temples, pyramids, tombs and let us not forget, the longest river in the world, River Nile, which is a must-see.

To start your vacation tour in this “outdoor museum”, you can enjoy a bicycle ride through the villages; along the bank of the Nile, go camel riding (take some sunscreen with you), or enjoy a leisure cruise by the Nile. You can visit the Karnak Temple which has many gigantic monuments, reducing you to the size of an ant when you go to witness the gigantic colossal statuary.

The Valley of the Kings is also another beautiful place to visit not just because it was a resting place for the Kings but, also because of its main attraction; wall paintings (there is a story behind it so you will just have to find out when you get there).

Other notable places to visit are Luxor Temple, Tomb of Nerfertari, Medinet Habu, Luxor Temple, Tombs of the Nobles, Ramesseum, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Abydos, and so on. The list goes on because Egypt has it all! You can spend your vacation touring through this city and you would never get tired because there are so many things to see! 

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Vacation spots in Africa: Serengeti
Photo credit: Serengeti-national-park.com

I doubt Tanzania came to your mind as a vacation spot but, Serengeti National Park, also knows an “The Land that Moves on Forever”  is an extravagant place to visit; and one of the safest cities in Africa.

Due to natural abundance of wildlife, it is home to the worlds’ greatest wildlife like wildebeests, giraffes, elephants, lions, and buffaloes.

Consisting of sunrises and sunsets, plains, sausage trees, swaying grasses, hills, crocodile and hippo-filled rivers, acacia trees and a significant amount of wildlife roaming around, this is the perfect safari destination to unwind and Anjou an “out of Africa” experience.

During the day, you can enjoy some safari game drives, bird watching, balloon rides to get a birds eye view of Serengeti, tour the Maasai tribe village to learn about their rich history and culture, walking safaris or nature walk to see the wildlife on foot, wildlife drive to feast your eyes on so many wildlife and you can spend the night in a camp that allows you feel at one with nature as you listen to the sounds of the wildlife whilst you sleep.

You can also visit the Moru Kopjes, Retina Hippo Pool, and Seronera River Valley.

There you have it! Some of the best vacation spots in Africa to visit for your next vacation and enjoy a memorable time. Have you visited any of these countries, or any other African country in particular? Do you plan on visiting any of these countries for your next vacation? What is your best vacation spot in Africa? Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below!

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Bellafricana published in africa, Destinations, People & Culture, Travel

Tourism The Beauty Of Africa – 3 Things To Do In Cairo

Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187m Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views. Apart from these really cool ”serious” stuff, there are so many fun hings to do in the beautiful capital of Egypt, and I have highlighted 3 things you should definitely do when you get to Cairo.

1. Take a hike

From late March to early June, temperatures in Cairo are springtime perfection, wavering around a median 30°C. The trees are in bloom, students are finishing exams and Cairenes are all smiles and more relaxed. Take in the carefree vibe with a walk through downtown’s cluttered maze, along the breezy Corniche or around Zamalek’s leafy streets. Beware of April’s sporadic sand storms and thunderstorms; if the sky turns a dusty colour, it’s time to duck indoors.

2. Drop in on an arts festival

D-CAF, Cairo’s three-week Downtown Contemporary Art Festival, runs to late April, and it’s spread over multiple sites downtown. The festival fuses performing arts with film, photography and urban vision workshops run by top artists and educators from around the world. Expect cross-genre mashing, such as ‘interactive dance calligraphy performance’. Check out the concert photography workshop, which promises to teach the skill of the ‘killer shot’, or a new media arts workshop, such as the 3D projection mapping audio visual performance training. If you prefer to sit back and take in a film, save a night in mid-May for an art house film at Zawya, which hosts the Cairo Cinema Days festival, showcasing around 40 contemporary award-winning feature and documentary films from across the Arab region. The festival also screens some historic heavy hitter films and has panels and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.

3. Scout out contemporary Egypt in Old Cairo

Old Cairo is home to a trove of historic wonders, from the 7th-century Hanging Church of Coptic Cairo to the millennium-old Mosque of Amr Ibn Al As. But within the Fustat area of Old Cairo stands Darb 1718, an outdoor contemporary art and culture centre that in springtime weather, is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. The centre hosts live music concerts, fashion, art exhibitions, open-mic nights and education workshops. This spring you can get your hands dirty with a pottery workshop and or learn about light refraction and shutter speed at a photography class. April’s hieroglyphics workshop is sure to be a hit.

What other things do you love to do, or are you looking to do in Cairo? Feel free to leave a comment.

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Bellafricana published in africa, Destinations, Life Style, Resorts, Travel

Tourism The Beauty Of Africa : Most beautiful beaches in Kenya

I have always loved pictures of the amazing places in Kenya. Even when asked where I want to spend my holiday, most times I’d just passively say Nairobi. I wasn’t sure what drew me to Kenya, but looking through pictures while putting this article together, I’ll have to say that subconscious just knows how to pull me closer to the things I love. Beaches are a happy place for me anytime, and I have even been jokingly saying that I’d love to have a beach side wedding. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something right? Hahaha….

Although Kenya is justly celebrated for its national parks and wildlife, it’s also home to some of the continent’s best beaches.
Astride the equator on roughly the same latitude as the Seychelles and Maldives, Bali and northern Brazil, Kenya enjoys the same geographical conditions as some of the world’s top sun, sea and sand destinations.
The Indian Ocean is soothingly warm, colored varying shades of green and blue. Coral reefs, many of them protected inside marine national parks, shelter much of the coast, providing habitats for a plethora of sea-life.
There’s enough breeze for sailing and wind-powered adventure sports, but not so much that it’s going to blow you away.
Once upon a time, there wasn’t much in the way of beach side hotels beyond Mombasa and Malindi. Nowadays, however, there’s accommodation at every level, from backpacker hostels to chic boutique properties.
The same goes for the restaurant scene, where a wide selection of places serve modern takes on traditional Kenya cuisine, as well as international dishes.
Most of Kenya’s best beaches are located just north and south of Mombasa in the southeast. The northeast shore is virtually deserted except for exotic Lamu Island and a few hideaways around Mambrui. Read on for the lowdown on the best beaches in Kenya.
Diani
Despite the powder-soft sand and seawater that runs a dozen shades of blue, Diani Beach on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast always has you looking skyward.
At the black-and-white colobus monkeys swinging through the trees and scampering over the roofs of the seaside villas. At the skydivers and kite surfers hovering high above the strand. And — if you’re up early enough — at those incredible sunrises over the Indian Ocean.
Framed by coconut palms, Diani is wide, white and very long. Coral reefs protect the beach from heavy surf, creating perfect conditions to swim, float or snorkel. Beach side bars and cafes provide snacks and liquid sustenance. After dark, some of Kenya’s best coastal nightlife is on offer here.
Diani also makes it easy to combine surf with safari at nearby Shimba Hills National Reserve and Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, both little over an hour away. It’s also an adventure sports hub, renowned for kitesurfing, skydiving and deep-sea fishing.
Overnight digs run the full range, from backpacker hostels and modest B&Bs to beach side boutique hotels like AfroChic, and upscale private villas such as Alfajiri.
Chale Island.
Kenya’s only private island resort floats less than the length of a soccer field off the mainland but feels like it’s a million miles away.
Surrounded by coral reefs and covered in thick tropical vegetation, the island has one main beach as well as several small secluded strands where yours are likely to be the only footsteps in the sand. Except for amphibian fins, that is, because Chale is a nesting place for several species of endangered sea turtles.
The Sands at Chale Island hotel curls around the main beach on the island’s windward shore. Beach bumming is the main activity, but the resort can also arrange snorkeling or scuba diving in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, kayaking in the nearby mangroves, catamaran sailing, deep-sea fishing and excursions up the coast to Diani Beach.
Gazi
Perched along the coast road between Diani and the Tanzanian border, this secluded sandy stretch is known only to the most ardent Kenya beach freaks. Sheltered by Chale Island, the waters are calm and the sand backed by old coconut groves which provide shade for those who find the equatorial sun too strong.
Mangroves thrive at the north end of the beach, accessible via the Gazi Women’s Mangrove Boardwalk, a landmark coastal ecology and ecotourism project. Women from the village manage the site and provide guided tours of the mangroves. The closest hotel is the Cove Treehouses, on the far side of the mangroves from Gazi village.
Kikambala
This lovely stretch of coast between Mombasa and Malindi is a different beast to the rest of Kenya’s beaches. Until a few years ago, the shoreline was more renowned for its sisal (agave) plantations than fun in the sun.
But several new mega-resorts have transformed the beach area into something more resembling the Caribbean. Foremost among these is Vipingo Ridge, a sprawling hilltop compound with incredible Indian Ocean views and the top-rated golf course in Kenya. Also new is the daily Safarilink air service connecting Kikambala with Nairobi and Diani Beach.
Despite the frantic development, you can still find refreshingly empty sands and more modest digs along Kikambala’s southern stretch, as well as further north, around Kilifi Creek.
Lamu Island
The old Swahili town of Lamu is a living museum of the hybrid African-Islamic-Arabian culture that dominated the East African coast for hundreds of years.
Shela Beach on the island’s windward side is long, soft and entirely undeveloped. And because there’s no barrier reef, this is one of the few places along the Kenya coastline where you can hang ten on fairly surfable waves.
Crash at Kizingo resort and spend your evenings wondering the waterfront, popping in for drinks on Peponi’s breezy terrace or the rooftop bar at the old and venerable Petley’s Inn.
Mambrui 
A short drive north of Malindi on the coast road, Mambrui flies under the beach-going radar, a hideaway for those who know the coast well. Steady offshore winds make this another kitesurfing nirvana, but Mambui also lends itself to deep-sea fishing, snorkeling at Malindi Marine Park, long strolls on virtually empty beaches, and quick jaunts into nearby Tsavo East National Park.
There are a few modest hotels in town, but the place to stay is Che Shale out on the cape. Founded in the 1970s and still run by the Aniere family, the stylish seaside escape caters to couples, diehard kitesurfers and those who just want to get away from it all.
Nyali 
Located across the creek from Mombasa, Nyali is Kenya’s most metropolitan beach. Happily, though, the lack of high-rise hotels and urban traffic makes it feel farther away from the big city than it really is.
Behind the long white-sand strip lie upscale beach homes and resorts like Whitesands and the Serena. The coral reefs and sea grass meadows of Mombasa Marine National Park are ripe for exploration by scuba or snorkel.
There are also plenty of urban distractions here: Malls and supermarkets, butterfly and crocodile farms, Hindu temples and even a golf course.
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