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On a continent so wide and diverse and with a culture so rich, it is little wonder that Africa is home to so many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
From desert plains and ancient ruins to tropical paradise and fierce natural wonders, Africa offers a plethora of sites for adventurers, nature lovers and history buffs alike.
To discover the secrets of antiquity, it is almost impossible not to start in Egypt. On the banks of the Nile, the city of Thebes and its Necropolis form one of the world's richest cultural sites. See the Valley of Kings and explore the tombs of Ramses the Great and Tutankhamun; stand before Colossi of Memnon and or wander through the Valley of the Artisans.
Further north is the city of Memphis, and its Necropolis, Egypt's largest archaeological site. Though a popular destination, it is one of the more peaceful sites in Egypt, with space to reflect on this ancient civilisation and its remarkable treasures.
Further west, in Tunisia, see the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre in El Djem. Once capable of seating 35000, only Rome's Colosseum and the ruined theatre of Capua, in southern Italy are larger. The Medina in Tunis is a wonderfully intact example of 10-16th Century Islamic cities, and has more than 700 monuments, mosques, palaces madrasas and mausoleums to wonder through.
Another wonderful Medina on UNESCO's list is located in exotic Marrakesh, and it is home to the famed Kasbah and Koutoubia Mosque. This ancient part of the city was long a major centre of African Islamic culture and has so much to explore.
On the borders of Senegal and Gambia, discover the enigmatic Senegambian Stone Circles. Consisting of four large groups of stone circles, in bands up to 100kms wide, along 350kms of the River Gambia, there are 1000 stone circles. Nowhere else in the world will you find a megalithic site larger or more complex. Forget Stonehenge, the Senegambian Stone Circles are where it's at.
Witness the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras, or try to spot lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceros and buffalo when you visit Tanzania's famous Serengeti National Park.
For mountain enthusiasts, Mount Kilimanjaro is a beacon, beckoning them to its snowy peak. Rising, breathtakingly isolated it is the highest peak in Africa and the tallest free standing mountain in the world. The mountain seems to be a metaphor for this vast continent, 5 distinct climate zones. The lower slopes lead to the rainforest zone, complete with colourful butterflies and birds, monkeys swinging through trees and foraging animals. A little further up and you happen upon the moorland area, covered in heather and beautiful plants and flowers. This lush zone gives way to an unforgiving alpine desert before the summit's arctic zone with its icy wasteland and snowy slopes.
From desert plains to tropical wilderness, travel east of Africa, to the Island of Madagascar. Tsingy de Bemaraha Nature Reserve is home to both pristine forests and limestone pinnacles. These beautiful forests, lakes and mangroves are home to rare endangered birds and lemurs.
Still in the Indian Ocean is the Aldabra Atoll. While close to Madagascar, this is in the territory of the beautiful Seychelles and is home to the Aldabra Tortoise, as well as stunning marine life and birds.
See endangered pygmy hippopotamus, chimpanzees and monkeys in the Tai National Park, found in Côte d'Ivoire. This beautiful reserve is one of the largest areas of rainforest in all of West Africa.
Africa's adventure capital must be the Victoria Falls National Park, on the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe. White water rapids, bungee jumping and elephant back safaris appeal to thrill seekers visiting to see the spectacular Victoria Falls.
South Africa is a melting pot of culture and religion and has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best known is probably Robben Island, a few kilometres off the coast of Cape Town. It is best known as the island political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela, Jacob Zuma and Kgalema Motlanthe spend many years during the Apartheid era.
Today Robben Island is home to a museum, lighthouse and the Moturu Kramat, built to commemorate Sayed Abdurahman Moturu, Prince of Madura. This was an important Muslim monument and many Muslim prisoners on the island would pay homage to this shrine before leaving.
This magnificent continent hosts many other World Heritage sites in countries such as Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritius and Nigeria.
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