Stunning view of Victoria Falls at sunset, highlighting Africa’s famous natural wonder and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The African continent is a treasure trove for many travel enthusiasts. It boasts natural beauty, cultural diversity and a rich heritage.
All over Africa, there are a number of World Heritage Sites which are considered to be of outstanding universal value and are of special importance.
Here are some of Africa’s World Heritage Sites to visit:
Victoria Falls
Also known as ‘Mosi-o-Tunya’ (the smoke that thunders), Victoria Falls is found along the mighty Zambezi River.
This natural wonder and towering sheet of water plunders down a 100 m vertical drop and is 1,5 km wide. It is said that Dr David Livingstone was the first European to see Victoria Falls. He named this World Heritage Site after his monarch, Queen Victoria. Zambia and Zimbabwe are on either side of the falls, and the site is undoubtedly worth the visit.
Serengeti National Park
Located in Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park is famous for the unbelievably beautiful Safari experience it provides. This World Heritage Site does not just offer a breathtaking landscape.
It also boasts over two million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra. Plus, the wildebeest migration that happens on the site is the biggest of its kind.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
In 1999, iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. The word ‘iSimangaliso’ means miracle or wonder, and the park stretches over 33 200 hectares.
There are many activities to choose from, including bird watching, boat cruises, deep sea fishing, horse riding, whale watching, game drives and more.
Stone Town
Located just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, Stone Town is a Swahili trading town on the tropical island of Zanzibar.
Although Zanzibar is popular for its stunning beaches and warm waters, it is also known as the island of spices. This is where the farming and processing of spices such as cloves, cinnamon and turmeric takes place. In the past, many ships crossed Zanzibar and participated in trade with the Swahili locals. The architecture and spice markets still exist to preserve this culture.
Robben Island
Robben Island is the place where Apartheid struggle icon Nelson Mandela was jailed for 27 years. However, the island has other parts to its history. The first people who were banished to the island were two Malay men who led a slave ship in 1766. Robben Island was also used to house an isolated leper colony in 1845.