Archaeological Site of Carthage, Tunisia

The Carthaginian Empire was centered in Carthage back in antiquity. Now it’s in a suburb of Tunis, Tunisia. It is widely considered one of the first developed civilizations and trading empires (and one of the longest-lived and largest of its time), wielding enormous power and influence in the Mediterranean region during its reign. With a rich history, visitors won’t be disappointed by the excavated ancient city and breathtaking position on the Mediterranean Sea.

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders,” is a magnificent waterfall of the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. By most accounts, it is considered the largest waterfall in the world – 1,708 meters wide and 108 meters high – resulting in a mean annual flow rate of 1,088 tons per second.  There’s an area known as Devil’s Pool near the edge of the falls on Livingstone Island (on the Zambia side) where the brave can take a swim right before the water rushes over the edge when river flow is at the right level.

Cliffs of Bandiagara, Mali

In a land of sandy flats, a series of sandstone cliffs known as the Cliffs of Bandiagara rises 500 meters above the ground and stretches more than 200 kilometers. The end of the cliffs are marked by the highest peak in Mali, the Hombori Tondo, and at 1,115 meters, it creates a seriously impressive landscape. While it’s inhabited by the Dogon people (leading some to refer to the cliffs and surrounding area as the Land of the Dogons), local guides can lead you along the escarpment, giving you breathtaking views of surrounding areas as well as a look into village life in the Dogon communities.

Rainforests of the Atsinanana, Madagascar

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana form six different national parks in Eastern Madagascar: Marojejy, Masoala, Zahamena, Ranomafana, Andringitra, and Andohahela. As an island nation, Madagascar’s biodiversity is unique. Its plant and animal life evolved in isolation since separating from the mainland more than 60 million years ago. It is one of the only places in the world to see the rare lemur in its natural habitat, as well as a variety of primates and other amazing wildlife.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Southwestern Uganda, home to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, supports one of the most varied and astounding ecosystems in Africa. Hundreds of species of mammals, birds, amphibians and more live in the rich habitats of the park, and Bwindi is perhaps best known for half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorilla. The park also serves as the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and is adjacent to the Virunga National Park and Albertine Rift.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti is one of the best-known national parks in Africa, and with good reason. Each year, more than 1.5 million wildebeest (along with a quarter million zebras, gazelles, and a sprinkling of predators) migrate across the vast savannah, making for a serious photo opportunity. For safari-goers, it’s also an ideal place to see the Big Five (lions, African leopards, African elephants, black rhinoceroses, and African buffaloes), as well as thousands of others species of plants and wildlife.

Vredefort Dome, South Africa

The largest impact crater in the world (known as an astrobleme) can be found in the Free State Province of South Africa, site of an impact two billion years ago. The Vredefort Dome is the geological structure created at the center of the impact, resulting in a 300-kilometer-wide (190-mile) crater that is one of the few multiple-ringed impact craters on the planet. It also serves as the center of three towns – Parys, Vredefort, and Koppies. Tourism and agriculture have become the most important economic industries for this region.

Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh, Morocco represents the most important of the country’s four former imperial cities, made up of an old fortified city and its modern outskirts. Its famous red sandstone walls earned it the nickname the “Red City” (or “Ochre City”), and it was and remains a center of culture, religion, politics, and trade. It boasts some world-renowned landmarks that visitors flock to visit each year, including the Jemma el-Fnaa square, the Koutounia Mosque, the Kasbah, and the largest traditional Berber souk market in the country.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia

Back in the 12th century, churches were carved out of  rock in Lalibela, Ethiopia, making it one of the best destinations for rock-cut architecture in the world. Not only were doors and windows carved out; rich frescoes and detailed interior carvings add to the wonder of the buildings. Visitors can explore the churches, which are incredible enough on their own, but may also have the chance to see centuries-old gold and silver crosses and occasionally witness an Ethiopian Orthodox religious ceremony.

Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya

Looking out on a sea of pink, you may think that you’ve entered Hello Kitty Wonderland, but you may in fact be looking out onto the Lake System in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. Three lakes – Nakuru, Bogoria, and Elementaita – are home to the world’s biggest diversity of birds including more than a million flamingos. It is a key location on the West Asian-East African Flyway, meaning millions upon millions of birds flock through here each year on their annual migration from the northern breeding grounds to the warmer southern locations in Africa for winter, giving visitors a thrill and a 100 percent chance of seeing huge groups of feathered friends.