| It is difficult to list a top ten African travel | | | | over an area beyond a mile by half a mile. The |
| wonders list without leaving out a number of | | | | pharaohs' final resting places sit on the opposite |
| other superb sights. Here is my list. How many | | | | bank of the Nile in the Valley of the Kings - a |
| have you seen? | | | | stark, empty ravine. |
| 1. Mountain Gorillas of Central Africa | | | | 6. Sahara Desert |
| It is an indescribable experience to spend an hour | | | | Incredibly hot by day and surprisingly cool by |
| visiting an habituated gorilla family in the rain | | | | night, the dry vastness of the Sahara Desert is |
| forests of Central Africa. With over 98% | | | | striking in its beauty. Eroded over the centuries by |
| commonality of DNA with human beings, you can | | | | wind, jagged mountains, rocky escarpments and |
| sense and feel their emotions and familial ties. A | | | | sweeping sand dunes detail a harsh terrain. The |
| family group which varies from 8 to 20 is led by | | | | small oasis towns reveal a battle for survival over |
| an alpha male - the silverback - with a silvery | | | | the many centuries, the refreshing patches of |
| blanket of hair down his back. Seriously | | | | green highlighting the invaluable resource of water. |
| endangered, tourism is their only chance of | | | | 7. Moroccan Cities of Marrakesh and Fes |
| survival. | | | | With their souks woven like ancient mazes, |
| 2. Wildlife Safari in East Africa | | | | Marrakesh and Fes both boast remarkable |
| The African rift valley offers the most | | | | medinas (walled-in areas of the town) which ignite |
| remarkable variety of wildlife to view anywhere | | | | every human sense. Rich in craft shops (tanners, |
| on Earth. Across the protected game parks in | | | | textile makers, dressmakers, jewelers and carpet |
| Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana | | | | weavers), food stalls and teashops (with their |
| and Zambia, seeing the great African wildlife is a | | | | enchanting sweet mint tea), the alluring aroma of |
| special experience to savor. Way beyond reading | | | | spices clash with the nasty odors of the dye pits. |
| National Geographic, seeing in real life a pride of | | | | Every night, Marrakesh's immense Djemaa el Fna |
| lions stalking and hunting down its prey gets your | | | | square becomes a virtual circus of snake |
| heart racing. Vultures and jackals hover nearby | | | | charmers, fortune tellers, jugglers, comedians, |
| for their share of the feast. Many plan to see the | | | | spruikers and magicians as you enjoy the tasty |
| so-called Big Five, the buffalo, elephant, lion, | | | | delights from the variety of fresh food stalls and |
| rhinoceros and leopard, along with the familiar | | | | juice bars. |
| antelope, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest, along | | | | 8. Dogon Villages of Mali |
| with a wide variety of colorful birds. | | | | The Dogon people live in simple villages along the |
| 3. Pyramids and Sphinx of Egypt | | | | imposing 120 mile Bandiagara Cliff. Their strange |
| The Great Pyramids of Giza, just outside Cairo, | | | | adobe (mud-brick) houses are built along the cliff |
| have stood and overseen over 5000 years of | | | | edge providing areas to sleep and relax, common |
| Egyptian history. These giants structures stand in | | | | areas for village meetings and for storage of |
| a stark sandy desert expanse while local touts sell | | | | grain. The houses are remarkably cool in this hot |
| camel rides or their various crafts, souvenirs and | | | | arid area. |
| knick-knacks. The nightly light and sound show | | | | 9. Leptis Magna |
| describes the rich history with colorful lights and | | | | Africa's most significant Roman ruin overlooks the |
| lasers. | | | | dazzling Mediterranean Sea. Being a major Roman |
| 4. Victoria Falls | | | | city in its time, Leptis Magna includes the ruins of |
| The locals describe it as the "The Smoke that | | | | athletic arenas, theaters, markets and temples, |
| Thunders" in their native language, where plumes | | | | along with the traditional central Roman Forum. |
| of spray from the thunderous water can be seen | | | | 10. Zanzibar |
| for miles around as the calm waters of the | | | | The Spice Islands are a haven, providing a chance |
| mile-wide Zambezi River plunges well over 100 | | | | for a relaxing break from African travel and game |
| yards into the deep gorge below. These famous | | | | parks. It has a number of sights with its Arabic |
| waterfalls change mood across the year from the | | | | heritage, the old Stone Town and tropical |
| dry to the wet seasons and often appear with | | | | palm-fringed sandy beaches. The maze of ancient |
| dazzling rainbows in the misty spray. | | | | alleyways and narrow lanes are lined with |
| 5. Nile River and Egyptian Temples | | | | whitewashed houses with superbly carved |
| Small armies of river boats travel the famed Nile | | | | wooden doors. Culturally separate from the |
| River between Luxor and Aswan in central Egypt. | | | | African mainland, small bazaars and gleaming tiled |
| From the cool of the boat, you can enjoy the | | | | mosques provide mouthwatering cultural walks, |
| narrow fertile strip of land being intensively | | | | between relaxing sun-baking sessions on the |
| farmed in much the same manner as it has | | | | beach. |
| sustained the population for centuries. This thin | | | | Africa has a wide variety of attractions and travel |
| strip of greenery is the only break from the | | | | wonders to experience from the Arabic north |
| desolate Saharan sands which seem to extend | | | | through the jungles of central Africa to the rich |
| forever. Luxor's Temple of Karnak is an ancient | | | | jungles of southern Africa. Travel with a spirit of |
| construction on an unequaled scale with pillars, | | | | discovery and enjoyment to experience this |
| carvings, ceremonial lakes and temples extending | | | | wonderful and diverse continent. |