Crystalbeds Blog

8 MUST-SEE World Heritage sites In Africa

There are vacations, and there are journeys that are life-changing. Some unique destinations offer experiences that make your trip truly worthwhile. Traveling to such places exposes you to a whole new world of cultures, awe-inspiring sights, tantalizing aromas and flavors, and people.

From supernatural stories to cultural legends, every UNESCO world heritage site has a story to tell.

With an endless list of must-visit destinations and over 1000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it might be difficult to decide where to go. Set your worries aside because on Crystalbeds, we’d help you narrow down your search.

Sukur Cultural Landscape: Located in Madagali local government area of Adamawa state, along Nigeria/Cameroon border, The landscape holds with the Palace of the Hidi (Chief) on a hill and the villages below. The terraced fields and their sacred symbols, and the extensive remains of a former flourishing iron industry, is a remarkable physical expression of a society and its spiritual and material culture.
This ancient settlement has a recorded history of iron smelting technology, flourishing trade, and strong political institution that dates back to the 16th century. It was declared a World heritage site in 1999.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area: This is a cultural and natural World Heritage Site, and the home to the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest caldera and the various prehistoric sites. The area also houses various endangered wildlife. It was declared a world heritage site in 1979.

Fort Jesus: This is a Portuguese fort built from 1593 to 1596 on Mombasa Island to guard the old port of Mombasa, Kenya. It was declared a national park in 1958, and a World Heritage Site in 2011 by UNESCO.

Osun-Osogbo Grove: Located along the banks of the Osun river just outside the city of Osogbo, Osun State, the Osun-Osogbo Grove is among the last of the sacred forests which usually adjoined the edges of most Yoruba cities before extensive urbanization.
It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, due to its global significance and cultural value.

Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae: Located along the Nile, the site contains monuments such as the Temple of Ramesses II and the Sanctuary of Isis. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1979.

Robben Island: Located in South Africa, the island was used as a prison, including for political prisoners, a hospital for socially unacceptable groups, and a military base between the 17th and 20th century. UNESCO declared Robben Island a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Victoria Falls: This is a waterfall on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, which provides habitat for several unique species of plants and animals. It is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is considered to be one of the world's largest waterfalls due to its width of 1,708 m (5,604 ft). In 1989 Victoria Falls was inscribed as a World Heritage Site. (Tonga locals call it "Shungu Namutitima" which means "Boiling Water")

Serengeti National Park: The Serengeti national park is home to one of the largest mammal migrations in the world. The annual migration of herbivores and carnivores is one of the most impressive sights to behold.

The park is also the home of the highest mountain in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro. The Snow-capped mountain is surrounded by endless plains of savannah. The park also holds numerous large mammals. It was declared a World Heritage site in 1979 by UNESCO.