Most Incredible Once-in-a-Lifetime Trips in Africa

Africa is huge. To see all of its 54 countries and every notable attraction would take a lifetime. For those with the time and budget, though, there are certainly dozens of noteworthy sites to visit.

Most travelers venture to Africa to explore its wildlife, but there’s more to the continent than searing sunsets and fertile plains. Indeed, some of the most memorable experiences are significantly less cliché and located some distance from the continent’s famous reserves.

Getting to all of the continent’s top attractions will be difficult, but if you’re compiling an ultimate Africa bucket list, these 15 are a good place to start.

The history of Ancient Egypt is still taught in schools around the world, but there’s no better way to understand the importance of this nation than by visiting it in person. At the pinnacle of the country’s history — and tourism trade — are the pyramids of Giza. Though it may be the oldest surviving Seven Wonders of the World, the country’s pyramids are still shrouded in mystery.

The only way to truly feel the mysterious power of these seemingly impossible stone structures is to stand at their bases and take them in with your own eyes. Although some describe the Egyptian tourism experience as tiring and stressful, the 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid — at more than 450 feet high and with a volume of 91 million cubic feet — is a humbling sight for even the most jaded of travelers.

Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is also known as the Smoke that Thunders — a name you can only truly appreciate when you stand in the dense mist of the falls.

Although this is neither the widest nor highest waterfall in the world, its combined width makes it the largest. It measures some 5,600 feet across and 350 feet high, which means it’s equipped to deliver the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

There are several ways to experience the falls. Adrenaline junkies may choose to get up close and personal with the water, either on a rafting trip or by bungee jumping from the bridge. But even a stroll along the walkways and bridge is a thrilling experience.

Djenné is a fascinating ancient trading city in Mali that dates back to the 13th century, with a rich and tumultuous history. It has been inhabited since 250 B.C. and later became a market center and gold trading link. It was also one of the global centers of Islam between the 15th and 16th centuries and many structures remain that reflect this and the pre-Islamic era.

Djenné’s Old Town and its ancient mud houses are protected by UNESCO and are among the most famous structures in Mali. There are four archeological sites in the old towns that have facades surviving from the 3rd century, making it a fascinating window back in time.

Although a remarkable place to visit, political tensions are endangering the history of the area and can make travel through the area uncertain.

The Atlas Mountains in the northwest of Africa are massive — they span some 1,500 miles across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and separate the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline from the Sahara Desert. Although they are an impressive natural feature in their own right, their vast size means they are also home to a wide variety of wildlife, climates and varying terrain.

Most visitors experience the mountains from Toubkal National Park, which surrounds the highest peak in the range, Toubkal, which stands at 13,671 feet. The mountains conceal some of the world’s most remote villages, which until recently existed without electricity or running water.

This is all starting to change, however. These days, intrepid tourists venture into the mountains for the stunning landscapes and solitude. Most outdoor enthusiasts head towards Imlil, which is equipped with a hotel and is popular for skiing and mountain climbing.