Top 5 most breathtaking vacation spots to visit in Africa

With its diverse history, natural beauty, and rich cultural variation, Africa provides an unparalleled selection of holiday spots.

These locations are important economic, cultural, and environmental resources that contribute to the continent’s appeal on a global level in addition to being havens for tourists.

They are also very significant this time of the year, as businesses and schools close down for the festive season.

Africa is home to monuments from natural wonders to man-made marvels.

The continent also boasts rich and fascinating ecosystems, to say the least, and for these reasons, it hosts numerous God-given vacation spots that can rival any other place in the world.

While the U.S. News & World Report travel rankings include both nations and specific locations, for this list, Business Insider Africa would focus on the locations while excluding the countries.

Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders,” this breathtaking waterfall is a must-see destination for travelers seeking adventure, beauty, and unique cultural experiences.

Among the marvels found in the Southern African country of Tanzania is the famous Serengeti National Park. Situated in this awe inspiring conservation center are millions of wildebeests and zebras traverse the plains in search of greener pastures.

The Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Known for its vast savannahs, diverse wildlife, and vibrant Maasai culture, the reserve offers a quintessential African safari experience.

Often referred to as the “World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum,” Luxor is a city in southern Egypt steeped in history, culture, and architectural wonders. As the site of ancient Thebes, Luxor served as the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom and remains one of the most captivating travel destinations for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

This park located in the northeastern part of South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest and best-known wildlife reserves. It covers almost 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles), providing unique possibilities for animal watching, breathtaking vistas, and immersive safari experiences.

The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based on an analysis of expert opinions and traveler reviews.

The U.S. News & World Report also relies on its in-destination writers and editors for recommendations and insider knowledge.

They use a survey that ask travelers whether they believe a destination belongs on the list.

The User Score for a destination is calculated from the percentage of “yes” votes it receives on a given list.

This user score constitutes 50%, while editor’s scores constitute the remaining 50%.

Editors rate specific locations on a scale of 0 (N/A) to 5 (Phenomenal) in a variety of areas depending on the traits that each location possesses.

Categories include sights, culture, people, food, family, nightlife, adventure, romance, value, and accessibility.

The “average” score for a category is calculated by averaging the editor scores for each category.

The overall scores for destinations are a weighted average of the individual editors’ averages, based on the characteristics that visitors ranked as most significant.