These 3 African Destinations are Some of the Most Exciting in the World for 2024, Say Travel Experts Updated November 11, 2023 | By Deb Hendricks A trip to Africa is a dream of millions of people around the...
These 3 African Destinations are Some of the Most Exciting in the World for 2024, Say Travel Experts
Updated November 11, 2023 | By Deb Hendricks
A trip to Africa is a dream of millions of people around the world. And there are so many different experiences that you can choose from when you travel to this enormous continent.
You can tour wildlife-rich savannahs in the east and the ancient pyramids and rich history in the north. There are vineyards in the south and cultural experiences in the west. You can even enjoy a beach vacation in the island nations of Mauritius or Seychelles.
Each region presents its unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife, culture, and history. They combine to make Africa a continent of diverse and unforgettable experiences.
And 3 of them have been included in National Geographics The Cool List 2024: the 30 most exciting destinations to visit in 2024.
Akagera National Park, RwandaThis list includes destinations from across the globe Europe, North and South America, Australasia. And, of course, Africa.
Africas entries on this list will take you to northern and East Africa, as well as to one of its island nations.
If youre lucky, youll get to visit all three. But many of us are forced to choose when it comes to vacation destinations.
Here are National Geographics 3 picks for Africas most exciting destinations:
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a West African country, tucked up along the Atlantic Ocean. It shares its borders with Guinea to the northeast and Liberia to the southeast. Sierra Leone is known for its stunning coastal areas, its interesting history, and its fascinating culture.
Visitors are drawn to Sierra Leone for various reasons: the country has beautiful beaches along its coastline, including popular spots like Lumley Beach in Freetown and River Number Two Beach.
These beaches offer opportunities for everything we love: relaxation, swimming, and water sports. Bureh Beach has even opened the countrys first surfing school.
Visitors can also visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Youll learn about and observe rescued chimpanzees, Sierra Leones national animal.
The Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary in the Moa River is another highlight. Its an idyllic spot for wildlife, including rare species, where you can go birdwatching, hiking, and perfect your wildlife photography.
Gola Rainforest is a spectacular reason in itself for travelling to Sierra Leone. Here you have the opportunity to try and spot the pygmy hippos. This is one of only 4 countries in the world where they can be found in the wild.
There is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bunce Island to visit, as well. With its historical significance in the transatlantic slave trade, guided tours provide a sobering but educational experience.
These things havent changed suddenly, but what has is the countrys accessibility. In recent years, Sierra Leone has been working to improve its infrastructure to make it easier for travellers to get to and to travel in.
One of the biggest transformations is the opening of the new solar-powered international terminal in the capital city of Freetown. The new terminal expands the airports capacity for passengers by 5x. The facility has room for more aircraft, too.
This has increased the interest of different international airlines in landing here, giving travellers more choices in flights.
A new 5-star hotel is also in the works, and existing accommodations are expanding and updating. While Sierra Leone has long been a worthy destination for travellers, these changes make it a realistic addition to your bucket list!
Akagera, Rwanda
Akagera is a pretty region in eastern Rwanda. Its known for its spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the Akagera River that flows through it.
Akagera National Park is the main attraction, covering an area of approximately 1,200 km (460 miles). The park is one of Rwandas conservation success stories and is a big part of what makes the area an exciting place to visit in 2024.
To understand, you need to know a bit of its history. In the years following the Rwandan Civil War and the 1994 genocide, the country faced significant ongoing challenges. These included the destruction of its natural resources and ecosystems.
But, since the end of the war and the formation of a stable government, Rwanda has made impressive strides in terms of economic development. There has also been social progress and enormous conservation efforts. Where these efforts are most visible is in the Akagera National Park.
In 2010, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) partnered with African Parks, a non-profit focused on protected areas, to revitalize Akagera National Park. Their goal was to address issues like poaching, habitat degradation, and human-wildlife conflicts.
The reintroduction of lions in 2015, after a 20-year absence, was a significant milestone in the parks recovery efforts!
Wildlife numbers in Akagera have seen an exhilarating improvement. The park is now home to over 8000 animals. These include the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinoceros, and buffalo), along with hippos, antelope, crocs, and many others.
Efforts to protect and conserve wildlife have also included community engagement and sustainable tourism. Local communities living near Akagera National Park have been heavily involved in conservation initiatives.
This has helped reduce wildlife conflicts with humans and encouraged support for the parks protection. Today, Akagera provides a unique experience for travellers interested in exploring Rwandas natural wonders.
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
The Andrefana Dry Forests, Madagascar
In the north and stretching along the western coastline of Africas largest island nation, Madagascar, are the Andrefana Dry Forests. The Andrefana Dry Forests are comprised of six parks and reserves that form this continuous landscape.
The Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (now a national park) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. In 2023, it was expanded to include all of the Andrefana Dry Forests.
It now incorporates the Ankarana and Analamerana Special Reserves, as well as the Ankarafantsika, Tsimanampesotse, and Mikea National Parks.
The Andrefana Dry Forests are known for their incredible biodiversity, with endemic plant species and a variety of wildlife. This addition has made the World Heritage Site even more exciting for nature lovers and fans of Madagascars wildlife.
A visit to this region means not only the chance to see the unearthly landscapes of the Tsingys (pictured above). You will also have the opportunity to see an unbelievable assortment of endemic and threatened plant and animal species.
Sifaka lemurOn this list are flame trees and baobabs, as well as endangered birds like the Madagascar fish eagle. and lemurs. The Mongoose lemur and western mongoose lemur are other important animals in the area.
World Heritage status puts the onus on a sites home country to protect that site. And tourism generates revenue that can be reinvested in conservation efforts. Did you really need a reason to visit?
Read more:
?The 89 Most Inspiring and Memorable African Safari Quotes
?The Best Luggage for Safari: Top Bags and Backpacks Reviewed
<p>The post These 3 African Destinations are Some of the Most Exciting in the World for 2024, Say Travel Experts first appeared on Introvert with Itchy Feet.</p>