1. Karnak Temple Complex - Egypt
The Karnak Temple Complex, the largest and most impressive temple site in Egypt, is probably the largest religious complex anywhere in the world. It is located near Luxor, a region that is also home to many other impressive sites including the Sphinx and the Pyramid of Giza. The complex is a conglomeration of three main temples and several smaller ruined temples. It took dedicated work across the reigns of 30 different pharaohs to complete the temple, and no wonder - the main temple alone covers an area of 65 acres, with the Great Hypostyle Hall large enough to accommodate the Cathedral of Notre Dame! This main temple, the Temple of Amun, is the largest and most impressive – it’s the only temple that is currently accessible to tourists as this is still an active archaeological site.
2. Fish River Canyon - Namibia
The second largest river canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, the spectacular Fish River Canyon is a stunning natural wonder, carved out of the Namibian Desert. Over 500 million years old, the dimensions of this ancient landscape are truly incredible:
- Over 160km long from north to south
- 27km wide
- Over 550m deep
3. Wildebeest Migration, Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Parks - Kenya & Tanzania
Could this mass migration be the most spectacular natural event in the world? The annual migration of over 2 million wildebeest, zebra and antelope takes place within the plains of the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. The animals start their migration from the south of the Serengeti, following the rain and fresh pastures to the northern border with Kenya, the Mara River, which represents the greatest hurdle of the migration. They are followed by many predators, and also have to face the threat of the crocodiles that lie in wait in the Mara River.
The Wildebeest migration is a spontaneous and rather unpredictable event, governed by climate and rainfall, and the exact date varies from year to year. The best time to catch the migration in the Masai Mara is from July to September - when the animals congregate to cross the river into Kenya.
Want to find out more about the Great Migration and the delights of a Kenya safari? Get inspired with our quick introduction to what you can expect. To discover more about what awaits you in Kenya and Tanzania, check out our guides to each reserve:
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Read all about the marvellous Maasai Mara National Reserve and and learn about the how to enjoy the best Kenya safari
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Get the inside scoop on the Serengeti National Park and get a taste for the incredible wildlife that is awaiting you
The stunning Ngorongoro Crater is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the world’s largest unbroken, unflooded volcanic caldera - formed when a giant volcano exploded here and collapsed on itself, about three million years ago. The resulting depression is huge; about 19 km across, it has a total floor area of 260 square kilometres and a depth of 600m from floor to rim. The crater is considered a “natural” enclosure for wildlife and forms the Ngorongoro Conservation Area - home to many animal species including the Big Five, including an especially high concentration of lions.
Want to find out more about the Ngorongoro Crater? Get inspired by our detailed information on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
There are our 12 - which one jumps out at you? Of course, creating the perfect African adventure - a trip that combines the places that you want to see - requires meticulous planning. It’s very valuable to work out your priorities when planning your trip. Kenya safari? Tanzania safari? Something else?
What inspires you? The Big Five, the Pyramids or the Great Migration? History or nature? The natural world moves at its own pace, and there are no guarantees - so it’s important to learn everything you can when crafting your dream escape. That’s where we come in.
We want to help you discover something really special. All of our safaris are designed with local expertise - so we know where and when the most beautiful places to visit in Africa are at their best. Start planning your adventure today.
5. The Virunga Mountains - DRC/Rwanda/Uganda Borders
The mountain range includes eight major peaks; the highest is Mt. Karisimbii, while two of them, Mt. Nyirangongo and Mt. Nyiragira, are still active volcanoes.
6. The Great Pyramids at Giza - Egypt
The Great Pyramids at Giza need no introduction! They are the most recognizable icon of Egypt, together with the Sphinx. Most of the pyramids (there are over 100 pyramids in Egypt) were built as tombs to preserve the mummified bodies of the dead pharaohs, and keep them safe and undisturbed in their afterlife. The Great Pyramid was built from 2.3 million stone blocks, weighing in at an unfathomable 5.9 million tonnes - roughly equivalent to 590 Eiffel Towers! Typically, these massive resting places functioned on two levels - as decadent statements of wealth and power, as well as dedicated monuments to the gods and their power (and, importantly, their judgement). The most treasured possessions of the pyramid’s residents were buried with them for comfort in the afterlife, and in some cases, animals and even slaves were interred with them, for company and assistance on their journey.
The greatest of these pyramids is the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Pharaoh Cheops), found at Giza, a few kilometres south of Cairo, at the same location as the great Sphinx - a half-human, half-lion statue considered to be one of the world’s largest and oldest statues. 7. Valley of the Kings - Egypt
This is where the mighty Kings of Egypt and their attending elite were laid to rest for over 500 years, between the 11th and 16th centuries BC. Situated near Luxor, on the west bank of the Nile River, this part of the desert valley is known to be home to at least 63 tombs - including the burial site of Tutankhamun. As early as Roman times, it was a big attraction to visitors.
Many of the tombs were home to uniquely rare treasures, but unfortunately, the tombs were repeatedly plundered over the centuries and most of these gems have been stolen. The Valley of the Kings rose to fame in 1922 after the discovery of the intact tomb of Tutankhamun. Today, it is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. It is quite possible that many more tombs will be unearthed in the future.
8. Obudu Cattle Ranch- NIGERIA
Obudu Mountain Resort (formerly known as the Obudu Cattle Ranch) is a ranch and resort on the Obudu Plateau in Nigeria. It was developed in 1951 by Mr. McCaughley, a Scot who first explored the mountain ranges in 1949. He camped on the mountaintop of the Oshie Ridge on the Sankwala Mountains for a month before returning with Mr. Hugh Jones a fellow rancher who, in 1951, together with Dr Crawfeild developed the Obudu Cattle Ranch. Although the ranch has been through troubles since, it has very recently been rehabilitated to its former glory. A recently added cable car from the base to the top of the plateau gives visitors a scenic view while bypassing the extremely winding road to the top.
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