African Destinations to visit in 2020
Africa is a gorgeous continent with scenery and wildlife like nowhere else on earth. The continent is extremely large and has a number of amazing destinations. With so much to do, you will return time and time again. One of the main things people do in Africa is safari.
Here are 5 African destinations to visit in 2020 which you may not have previously considered.
Liwonde National Park, Malawi
Liwonda National Park, Malawi, is in southeastern Africa, it’s bordered by Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Witness wild elephants, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, leopards, and endangered black rhinos in their natural habitat as well as a variety of other animals. Lions were reintroduced to the area in 2018. You can also look toward the sky to see lovebirds and owls. The park is known for being involved in the 500 Elephants Initiative. Authorities have greatly reduced poaching in the area, giving these animals a true chance.
The park has plenty of things to do including boat safaris along the Shire River where you can (safely) get close to hippos and crocs. In 2020, African Parks is launching helicopter rides. See the park from a completely unique view. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
Kakum National Park, Ghana
Kakum National Park in Ghana, in Western Africa, is a great place to see the rainforests of the continent. See elephants, monkeys, antelope, and a wide variety of gorgeous birds. One of the most unique aspects of this park is that the local people created it as opposed to the government. However, it recently became protected by the government. To help provide as much support as possible, this is currently the most protected park in the entire country.
There is a beautiful bridge 30 meters up in the air that gives visitors the unique opportunity to view the gorgeous location from above the trees. This is not for people who have a fear of heights. There is also a gorgeous shrine you can view. It’s a large rock where people used to worship.
Camp in the park with a trained tour guide and go on a night tour to see the parks nocturnal wildlife.
Lake Retba, Senegal
Lake Retba in Senegal is about an hour drive from the capital city of Dakar, making it a must-visit destination if you are in the capital. The lake is truly awe-inspiring because of its unusual yet vivid pink colour.
Lake Retba (or Lac Rose as it is known by locals) is a truly special lake. The color is natural, as opposed to other pink lakes in the world. The high salt levels in the lake a specific bacteria that soaks in the sun, giving the lake the pink coloring. At times when the salt levels are especially high, the lake can appear a dark red. Luckily, the bacteria is not harmful to humans or animals in any way, so feel free to dive into the lake.
More than its pink color, you will be amazed by the gorgeous landscape around it, including mountains. The combination of the pink lake and the scenery around it make for some amazing pictures.
The lake allows people in the area to make a living by collecting salt from it.
While visiting, you can ride around the area in 4x4s or go on a boat tour of the lake. There are also a number of restaurants and markets in the area. You can even stay at one of the campsites.
Compared to the other parks on this list, there isn’t as much wildlife to enjoy due to the high salt content. However, you will still see some animals wandering around.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
As the name of the park suggests, Mhahinga Gorilla National Park is home to a large number of gorillas. Watch the magical creatures as they eat, socialize, and play. There are also a number of different birds to enjoy, too. The park consists of bamboo forests and 3 inactive volcanos. The park was created in 1991.
Most trips to the area last multiple days, but there are plenty of things you can do to fill your days. During your visit, you can birdwatch, track different monkey species to learn more about what they do during the day and even climb the volcanoes. You can also take a dive down into a cave to explore the park from underground. Don’t forget to appreciate the culture of the amazing Bwindi people who used to inhabit the area as hunters and gathers.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Bordering Botswana, Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe. In fact, it is so large that you will have a hard time seeing everything during your visit.
The national park is home to over 100 mammal species, you can see lions, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, gemsboks, elephants, and numerous gorgeous and colorful birds.
There are plenty of cultural highlights in the area as well. You can see ruins from the 18th century. You can also examine rock-carvings from even earlier than that.
Visiting Africa is a once in a lifetime trip for most people. Make the most of it by going to some of the most beautiful locations in the area. While you don’t want to miss some of the amazing cities in the area, too, you really want to experience the beauty of the continent in its natural state. Poachers and development threaten these locations, so it’s best to make the trip while you still have the chance to do so.