28 Photos That Show Africa's Striking Beauty in Case You Need A Reason to Visit

Africa is a large continent with over 50 countries and, needless to say, a diverse range of cultures, landscapes, landmarks and wildlife. From Cairo to Cape Town, these photographs prove that there’s much to see and many reasons to visit the continent and its islands.

Benin, a tourist-friendly country, is home to one of the best wildlife reserves in Africa, Parc National de la Pendjari, beautiful beaches, and interesting traditions, one of which is the practice of voodoo.

Madagascar is known for its magnificent baobab trees that tower over the rest of the landscape. Close to Morondava lies a popular spot where baobab trees line a long, dirt road.

The Bahariya Oasis in Egypt is approximately 360 kilometres (224 miles) from Cairo and is the site of important archaeological finds, such as the Golden Mummies.

Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya is especially famous for its beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The park is also home to large herds of elephants.

Nkhata Bay, a vibrant town on the shore of Lake Malawi, is becoming increasingly popular among tourists and is ideal for a beach holiday.

Whether you prefer a packed beach bustling with bodies, a quiet surf spot, or untouched stretches of white sand, you’ll find it in South Africa.

Off the coast of East Africa lies an archipelago of islands known as the Seychelles. The islands boast beautiful beaches and coral reefs, and are the ultimate tropical paradise.

Nigeria is the most densely populated country in Africa and its capital, Lagos, is a booming city that offers tourists many restaurants, hotels and clubs.

Kenya is best known for the great wildebeest migration that takes place annually across the planes of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Chobe National Park became Botswana’s first national park in 1968 and is one of the best areas to spot the impressive wildlife in its natural habitat.

Casablanca is any architecture junkie’s dream come true. The city is filled with beautiful mosques combining Moorish and Art Deco styles.

If wildlife is what you’re after, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is the place to visit. The huge estuary is known for its thriving animal and bird life, and offers the ultimate safari experience.

The Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga is known as the world’s largest “green canyon”. The famous route is home to many waterfalls and is also a birders’ paradise.

Situated in the Western Cape, the scenery on this stretch of road is awe-inspiring. The Helderberg Mountain Range is situated near Somerset West and has many great hiking routes.

Whether you find yourself in Cape Town or Madagascar, the African continent is a birding paradise, and all sorts of species can be seen, from lilac-breasted rollers to African fish eagles.

From the massive Kruger National Park to private reserves, Africa’s game reserves offer guests five-star accommodation in the heart of the bush-veld, so expect to get up close and personal with nature.

Mali showcases some of the best examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture in the world – one of the best being the Great Mosque of Djenné.

Cape Agulhas, approximately 220 kilometres (137 miles) from Cape Town, marks the divide between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and is the most southern tip of the African continent.

Moroccan camels are actually dromedaries (meaning they only have one hump) and a typical Moroccan scene involves a caravan of camels trekking across the desert landscape.

Mauritius is the place to go if you’re after an island-style holiday – from amazing cuisine to turquoise waters lapping sandy beaches, it’s no wonder the island is a honeymoon hotspot.

Marrakesh, a large city in Morocco, has held the number one spot on Trip Advisor’s “Most Popular Travel Destinations in the World” list. Buildings are decorated with intricate tile work and visitors should take time soaking in each individual sight.

Mozambique is another popular holiday destination, especially for South Africans. The Portuguese-style food is amazing, the rum flows freely and, what’s more, it’s all very affordable.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a mountain gorilla sanctuary in Uganda, in East Africa, and is one of the few spots on the planet where tourists can view these animals in their natural habitat.

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is the largest mosque in Cairo and, covering 26,318 square meters, the third-largest in the world. It’s also the oldest original surviving mosque in Egypt.

The Lesotho highlands offer vast vistas across the beautiful Maloti Mountains and sightseeing on horse back is a must.

Namibia is known for its famous Namib Desert, and there’s much to do in what seems like an arid region. The wildlife is rich and there are many historic sites to visit.

Blue-and-white buildings are seen all over Sidi Abi Said in Aryanah, Tunisia, and the picturesque structures have become characteristic of the town, adding to its Mediterranean feel.

The Victoria Falls waterfall, situated on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Africa due to it being one of the largest waterfalls in the world.