Africa's Ten Most Popular Destinations
Beautiful examples of how tourism and nationalism have had to work together in transformative societies.
1. The Omo River Region
One of the few remaining "untouched" locations on the continent, The Lower Omo Valley allows visitors to step back in geologic history. The area is most known for its abundance of incredible artifacts that predate mankind's ancestors. The vast and serene 165 square kilometers that inhabits south-western Ethiopia has been protected by national law since 1968. It is also considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO. In regards to our species the site has produced a number of significant hominid remains that continue to further compelling evolutionary research. Furthermore, it offers a totally unique experience for the cultural-enthusiast as its earth has historically been used as crossroads that remain to host several different peoples over the course of human history, and it remains to do the same today. Other features that draw tourists to the location every year, of course, is the intriguing wildlife and landscape- encompassing Lake Turkana and romantically terraced hillsides, as well as three brilliant national parks that are home to both big game and exotic birds.
UNESCO. 2008. Lower Valley of the Omo. Accessed July 29, 2015. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/17.
2. Zanzibar
Ancient but evolving, the island off of Tanzania progressively attracts more tourists every year. It presents visitors with versatile adventures like that of fishing or snorkeling off some of the world's best-kept-secret reefs and engaging in the local trade at any of its resilient markets. It, too, is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in regards to the conservation efforts that have been made by the Zanzibari people. Most famous on the island is the waterfront-city of Stone Town which has been carefully developed for the tourism economy. It has incorporated public transportation without building over treasured heritage structures, been able to unify its people by global networking, and is able to sustain its culture through small-scale pedestrian markets. So while the island's history has been led to a modern third-world society, today it stands as an example against the dependency upon first-world nations to transform weaker economies.
Hoyle, Brian. 2002. "Urban Waterfront Revitalization in Developing Countries: The Example of Zanzibar's Stone Town." The Geographical Journal pp. 141-162 .
3. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Inside of Tanzania's most successful national park resides the continent's highest peak- Mount Kilimanjaro. For every 35,000 tourists who climb for a week there are an estimated 11,000 jobs created in the country. You may definitely consider these jobs to be intense, i.e. cooks, porters, and guides, but ever since The Arusha Declaration hard work has been at the core of the country's values. As former President Julius Nyerere stated, hard work is the "root of development." "A poor man does not use money as a weapon" he said. He stood by the belief that money was only a "fruit" or product of hard work. If you can take the challenge, 5,895 meters will lead you to the adored peak Uhuru- which translates to freedom and was significant in creating nationalism among the Tanganyikans who led the country to independence.
Jonathan Mitchell, Jodie Keane, and Jenny Laidlaw. 2009. "Making success work for the Poor: Package tourism in Northern Tanzania." Arusha.
Nyerere, Julius. 1967. The Arusha Declaration. February 5.
4. Virunga Mountains, Democratic Republic of the Congo
As we all know Africa boasts ever-intriguing wildlife, and in the Virunga Mountains lives one of the DRC's most majestic animals- mountain gorillas. Some internationals would argue that they arrive on the continent solely for this experience. However, the park offers much more than simply tourism. In its most recent developments, the park has produced a Congolese group named the Virunga Alliance
that has become totally dedicated to long term plans of a healthy economic and environmental atmosphere within the park. With no less than thirty percent of your entry fee being pushed along towards the building of neighboring communities, the alliance aims to rid thousands from poverty and sustain resources in efforts to create stability in the region. At the forefront of their mission is the priority to keep civilians involved in determining how society should be run.
2015. Virunga Alliance. Accessed July 30, 2015. https://virunga.org/virunga-alliance/.
5. Marrakech, Morrocco
Home to the country's former imperial city, Marrakesh evokes a sense of wonder. The city is one of those that presents an interesting experience for tourists because, like Zanzibar, it is in sort of a transitional economy. There is something for all who visit and for all who call it home. French or Arabic? Both newspapers are printed daily for the people. There is a considerable European population inhabiting the region so the romantic archaeology of the city is impressively influenced by Spanish, Italian, but most commonly French and Arabic- both of which are languages that entire newspapers are printed in daily. For those interested in Morrocco's iconic exports they have the chance to meet the individuals behind it all; weavers, curriers, and potters alike have found much success in their utilitarian trades. And among the art dwellers who reside in Marrakech there is plenty of charm to learn from masters who, as Roger Letourneau puts it in his Social Change in the Muslim Cities of North Africa , still measure things "with their fingers and could not calculate a price based on cost." These respected traditions are supported by the government and maintained for the purpose of sharing the culture internationally.
Letourneau, Roger. 1955. "Social Change in the Muslim Cities of North Africa ." The American Journal of Sociology 527-535.
6. Cape Town, South Africa
This metropolis is arguably the most well-known city on the continent. While its infrastructure is rather modern and its economy is productive, the mentality of its society well into the late 1990s was more dated than others in regards to racial conflicts and civil strife. As most other places on this list have been able to flourish by the help of tourism, this time period saw a lot of political changes in the country, and public historians found Cape Town's tourist experience to be one of more debate than others. The country was only just coming to terms with the fact that their president had been freed after 27 years of imprisonment on Robben Island. Naturally, this site would become quite popular for tourists and locals alike. The tourists, simply out of admiration and a certain respect, wants to connect with the historical significance that the area holds. When a visitor has no personal connection to the area they will attach themselves to the aesthetics of the place, and wealthy companies in the tourism industry of Cape Town have taken advantage of that while under transformation into a democratic state. Hope and optimism are concepts that are sometimes inappropriately used against the masses to reaffirm that a society is thriving or worth their time. The private investors of the tourist areas have sought to promote these aspects of the region's history, but the local public and academically-concerned make sure that a certain consciousness remains continuously apparent throughout the creation of heritage sites. This only adds to the uniqueness of the city because the stories that are told attempt to not be construed but respectfully represented.
Heyningen, Nigel Worden and Elizabeth van. 1996. " Signs of the Times: Tourism and Public History at Cape Town's Victoria and Alfred Waterfront." Cahiers d'Études Africaines 215-236.
7. Djenne Mosque, Mali
This mosque is considered yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mosque has historically offered Djenne a place for the community to congregate and learn Islam. It is the grandest of its kind, and consequently the most prided piece of mud-built architecture produced under the Sudano-Sahelian umbrella. Its age is still a mystery but is estimated to be from the some time in the 1200s when Djenne's first Muslim sultan took power. He was named King Koi Konboro and he is thought to have created the very traditional mosque through the use of native resources. Reconstructed and expanded over time, seventeenth century popular belief was that its galleries could hold half of the city's residents. By 1892 it gained national significance in refute to colonial France. It also has its own holiday- Crepissage (or re-plastering) de la Grand Mosquee- that the locals, of all ages, attend in a kind of homage. Music and teamwork are utilized in the up-keep that is celebrated on these days. To see the interior of the mosque click here
Dainese, Dr. Elisa. n.d. Great Mosque of Djenné. Accessed July 30, 2015. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-africa/west-africa/mali/a/great-mosque-of-djenn.
8. Maasai Mara
Thought to have migrated from North Africa in the mid-1400s, the Maasai people have made their current home on the border of Kenya and Tanzania. This region, the Serengeti, is also home to some of Africa's most popular game and wildlife. With the many economical opportunities that come with welcoming tourists onto this land many have said that there has been equal opportunity for degradation- not only upon the environment but most significantly upon the Maasai's culture. However others like Edward Bruner have joined the conversation through a more open, citizenry comparison rather than through an exploitative debate. He explains that they are more than mere receivers of the tourism industry and instead active partners. The responsible tourist should refuse to accept that all media-related images of Africa are accurate and instead look at this culture as one of humans instead of icons for developmental opportunity. Through this lens, it should be easily understood that these people have not been completely encroached upon by the larger tourist society but realized its economic potential and adapted to it. What makes these people so interesting is their unique ability to balance and promote both aspects of their 21st century lives (and which any person of today's age is often conflicted with)- tradition and globalization. I'm not sure that I could go to work in a Nairobi metropolis, lion hunt, educate English speakers, and tend to family and livestock all in one day. Could you?
Bruner, Edward M. 2001. "The Maasai and the Lion King: Authenticity, Nationalism, and Globalization in African Tourism ." American Anthropological Association 881-908.
9. Victoria Falls, Zambia
The falls are also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya. At 1,708 meters wide and spewing out 500 million litres of water per minute, the site is the largest sheet of falling water in the world. It has been home to several different peoples prior to its early twentieth-century introduction of Zambia's tourist industry. The national parks and government involved attempts to promote the legacies of people like the Leya, the Mukuni, and the Lozi who have been associated with living on the Zambezi River or nearby. Their identities with the landscape have been celebrated by tourists and locals alike with the hopes to include their roles in society as important. Both the falls' culture and economy realizes the need to sustain these people and value the relationship that they have with the environment.
McGregor, JoAnn. 2003. "The Victoria Falls 1900-1940: Landscape, Tourism and the Geographical Imagination." Journal of Southern African Studies 717-737.
10. The Egyptian Pyramids and Sphinx
Egypt's history is known by most the world and still amazes many. Michael Wood, in his journal article on modern Egyptian nationalism, believes that the country's Pharaonic past is one with unattractive features and no potential for success in the tourist industry. This is a rather vague opinion. Regardless of whether the history was inspiring or painful, it should be respected (as in Cape Town). The pyramids maintain significant importance to archaeological studies and transforming societies. The modern nation may find it a bit silly to rally around its old ideals of gods and antiquities, and understandably may have abandoned the ancient practices of being ruled under Pharaohs, but ridding the country of these truths through Egypt's political and tourism scenes does not help to build a new identity. The past, especially those as influential as this, is used as a rather successful tool for young Egyptians and not a void. The archaeological research that remains abundant throughout the nation is done proudly by the Egyptians themselves and it keeps money out of foreigners' hands. So while modern Egyptians don't feel the need to follow their old identity, it is nonetheless a part of them and should not be ashamed of.
Wood, Michael. 1998. "The Use of the Pharaonic Past in Modern Egyptian Nationalism." Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt 179-196.
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