Our little red dot of an island is as far removed in scale and landscape as one can imagine, from the exotic and sprawling continent that is Africa (though interestingly enough, there is a settlement in Limpopo, a province in South Africa, which is also called Singapore!)
A group of 54 countries, Africa is home to numerous cultures, ethnicities and people. It is also rich in natural resources, world heritage sights and how can we forget? Amazing wildlife.
Tourists may make it a point to pop by the Singapore Zoo if they ever are in the country, but that’s nothing compared to how animal lovers from all over the world make pilgrimages to Africa just for the opportunity to witness its jungle safaris and endless adventures first-hand.
Lions, elephants, giraffes and many more animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, can be spotted here on a safari. If wildlife safari isn’t exactly your thing, there are innumerable handicrafts, delicious food and humble people that add to the allure of this continent.
Here are five of the most beautiful countries in Africa that you should definitely put on your bucket list.
Madagascar is an island country off the eastern coast of Africa. This country is rich in biodiversity, so much so that you can go from a hilly terrain to a blue ocean in just a few hundred kilometres. Some of the animals like tomato frogs and ayes-ayes (yes, these are real names!) are exclusive to this country alone.
The country has a 5,000 km long coastline and one can enjoy a wide variety of water sports here. You can also find numerous restaurants and some of the finest hotels here, making this an ideal vacation spot.
If you’re looking for a blend of tradition and modernity in your vacation, Morocco is the place for you. Ancient cities in the midst of the Sahara Desert is what you should expect when you travel there. You will see a number of nomadic tribes dressed in traditional clothing roaming the deserts (albeit with mobile phones in hand).
Morocco is also home to the world’s largest living medieval Islamic city, Fez. Here you can shop for intricately woven carpets in the shouqs or relax in one of the many saunas which are known as hammams.
This landlocked African country is best known for its gold mines, being the third largest producer of gold in the world. However, the art and culture of this country is what draws tourists here.
Mali is a thriving country with cities like Bamako, where Ngoni and Kora musicians play to the crowds of dancing Malians. The picturesque city teamed with beautiful mosques, music bars and landscapes is a must visit on every travellers list.
Seychelles is Africa’s tropical paradise. It is a group of about 115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean. Plush hotels, comfy spas, golden sunsets, white beaches and topaz waters make this the ultimate destination for honeymooners and beach bums.
