Adventure tours to South America with trips to Peru, Patagonia and through the Amazon rainforests most often come to mind when mentioning exotic trips. But Africa, the birthplace of the Big Five, millions of acres of savannah and picturesque ocean coasts, is much closer to Europe and offers no less exotic. Wildebeest migration and the unique wildlife of Tanzania, the bustling medina of Morocco, the spectacular Zimbabwe waterfalls and colorful African festivals are just some of the experiences you can get when traveling through Africa. But you should not be limited only to these areas. Below are the six African countries that have little-known, but no less interesting sights and conditions for unforgettable adventures.
1
Benin
The homeland of voodoo and the most famous center of the slave trade in the past has an interesting history. Despite years of political instability, Benin is now considered one of the most stable and safest countries for tourists in Africa. The Kingdom of Dahomey once existed here - one of the richest and most powerful in the region. The remains of the heritage of those times can be seen in the city of Abomey - the former capital of the kingdom, where the ruins of temples and royal palaces, now residing under the auspices of UNESCO, are still preserved.
Echoes of voodoo religion can be found everywhere, from roadside “fetishes” and temples to the Grande Marche du Dantokpa fetish market. In the north of the country, there are two national parks - Double Vé (W) and Penjari, which are considered one of the best places in West Africa for observing animals in their natural habitat.
2
Cameroon
This country is often called “Africa in Miniature” for the diversity of landscapes, languages and cultures and represents an excellent tourist destination for exploring the contrasting versatility of the African continent. In addition to official English and French, in Cameroon there are another 230 different African dialects and all kinds of religious movements.
Two resorts of the country are most attractive for tourists: the English-speaking Limbe, where black sand beaches predominate, and Cribi, where the main language of communication is French, and white sand coasts prevail among the beaches. Yaounde attracts tourists with an abundance of museums where you can get acquainted with the history and culture of the country, and the Western Highlands are famous for mountain landscapes, an abundance of waterfalls and lakes. In the north of the country you can visit some of the best nature reserves in Africa, where you can admire elephants, cheetahs, rhinos and other representatives of the African fauna.
3
Gabon
With vast reserves of oil and minerals and a relatively small population, Gabon is one of the richest countries in Africa. Dense rainforests with rich flora and fauna cover most of the country and are one of the most attractive factors for traveling to Gabon.
The country is located at the equator, which determines the warm weather all year round and makes relaxing on the picturesque white sand beaches one of the priority tourist destinations. On the territory of Loango National Park, where the rainforest intersects with the ocean, you can admire elephants and hippos walking along the sandy coast, as well as whales and turtles frolic in the ocean.
4
Sudan
If you want to see the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico, then add to them the pyramids of Sudan, which are less known, but still impressive in their grandeur. In this African country there are much more of them than in Egypt, but those who wish to enjoy them are much less. About two hundred pyramids, the construction of which dates back to about the 6th century BC, are located in the sands of the vast Meroe.
In addition to this, you can visit Khartoum with its ancient temples that arose at the dawn of the birth of Christianity, and colorful bazaars. Here you can also walk along the grassy banks of the Nile. Although the locals are distinguished by friendliness and hospitality, it is still recommended that you familiarize yourself with the rules of conduct in this African country in advance and not neglect the safety tips in Africa.
5
Botswana
This African country offers many advantages for travelers, therefore it is especially strange that few tourists visit it. Botswana is considered one of the safest countries in Africa. Almost a fifth of its territory is occupied by national parks and wildlife reserves. This is an ideal destination for ecotourism with the most budgetary expenses and many unforgettable experiences.
The most attractive area of Botswana is the Okavango Delta, where you can admire nature in all its pristine beauty. Elephants and lions walk freely through the expanses of the wetlands of this reserve. Tourists can live in hanging tents in the trees, which will allow you to watch wild animals at night. You can also order safari tours to explore the wildlife of the plains. There are few tourists here, so you can enjoy the wonders of nature in Africa without the noisy crowds of vacationers.
6
Rwanda
Tourists traveling to this African country should be aware that there is a strict ban on disposable plastic bags and packaging. So it is not surprising that the streets and mountains of the country are spared from pollution by these "benefits of civilization."
When traveling in Rwanda, you should definitely visit the Volcanoes National Park, where you can admire the most famous representatives of the fauna of this country - mountain gorillas. No less exciting is the safari in the Akagera National Park, during which you can admire the notorious "Big African Five."
On this our article came to an end. And what little-known African countries can you recommend for travel? Please write your answers in the comments.
Posted by Skywriter13