20 Places For Black People To Travel To Before Europe & Asia

As crazy as it sounds, I did not know black people traveled before I went to college. Growing up poor, the only traveling the black people I knew did was down south to visit Grandma. That’s it. Along with learning that black people, including myself, loved to travel, I learned to appreciate my African heritage and the diaspora - Thanks Howard! So this post is dedicated to 20 international destinations that all black people that love to travel should put on their list (before Europe and Asia)!

1. Lalibela, Ethiopia

Via thousandwonders.net

Ethiopia is the birthplace of mankind, so after you stop by the National Museum and meet Lucy in Addis Ababa, you have to take a trip up north to Lalibela. It’s home to over 10 churches built in the ground out of stone and is Ethiopia’s second holiest city. Whether you are religious or not, these beautiful monolithic rock churches are a sight to see and will leave you captivated.

2. African Renaissance Monument, Senegal

Via forecastpublicart.org

This 160 foot tall bronze statue of a strong black family is sure to be #FamilyGoals after you see it. Since its unveiling in 2010, this statue has been a sign of independence for the people of Senegal. And according to Malawian President Bingu of Senegal, the statue represents standing tall and taking destiny into our own hands for African people wherever we may be.

3. Pyramids and The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

Via gohighbrow.com

These are some of the greatest attractions the world has to offer. Our ancestors built the pyramids when Egypt was the richest and most powerful place in the world and the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. The Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest monolithic structure in the world, and despite its nose being gone, it still represents our African History. You can also visit the Nile, the largest river in the world while you’re here, or while you’re in any of the other African countries it flows through.

4. Nubian Pyramids, Sudan

Via traveladventures.org

Many people are already very familiar with the pyramids of Egypt, they are big, they are beautiful, and they were built with the strong black hands of our ancestors. But we tend to give less attention to the more than 200 Nubian pyramids built by the original Kushites ;)! Sudan is home to many small pyramids built 800 years after the ancient Egyptian pyramids. The pyramids were built as tombs to Kings and for the queens and warrior queens. Visit the famous Meroe site and experience one of Africa’s most hidden gems.

5. Robben Island, South Africa

Via breitbart.com

We were very blessed to have even lived while Nelson Mandela was still alive and although most of us were never able to meet him, we can still visit where he spent much of his life, his cell on Robben Island. There we can also visit the Robben Island Museum and take in the atmosphere of this World Heritage Site. There are many more attractions to see while in South Africa, but this is a must!

6. Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Via nomadtours.co.za

The Grand Canyon is a beautiful site to see and if you are ever making your way towards Vegas, you should definitely take a trip there. But the Fish River Canyon, should be on that list, too. Located in south Namibia, it is the largest canyon in Africa and it is also home to it own hot springs, known as Ai-Ais (eye-ice). Planning this trip can involve zipling and even staying at Kalahari Lodge!

7. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Ghana

Via ghananation.com

Prime Minister and President Kwama Nkrumah led Ghana as the first African country to achieve its independence and served as symbol of for Africans across the diaspora. Visiting Ghana wouldn’t be complete without paying homage to him at these two locations. While there are many other amazing things to do in Ghana (beaches, markets, WEB DuBois Center to name a few), make sure you visit our brother Kwame Nkrumah while you’re there!

8. Loango National Park, Gabon

Via anastasia-photo.com

It is one of my wildest dreams to go on a safari and be among the wildlife in their natural environment. I know it’s yours too! So why not choose Africa’s Last Eden, the Loango National Park in Gabon, as your option. This safari covers a forest, a beach, a savannah, and a swamp all in one so you will get to see gorillas, whales, and elephants! Located along the Atlantic Coast, this safari trip will give you a taste of everything and you will fall in love with one of Africa's unappreciated gems.

9. Goree Island, Senegal

Via edgymix.com

Goree Island, Senegal is home to Maison des Esclaves, the House of Slaves and it’s Door of No Return. The museum was opened over 50 years ago to memorialize the final exit point for slaves from Africa. This is one of the tougher places on this list to visit which makes it that much more worth it. It is believed that more than 1 million slaves traveled through this point before leaving the continent of Africa for the Americas.

10. Victoria Falls, Zambia

Via zambiatourism.com[gallery-1]/1/

Ever been or wanted to go to Niagra Falls, well take a trip to the largest falls in the world instead, Victoria Falls in Zambia. Known as “The Smoke that Thunders,” the breathtaking beauty will leave you awed, and watching the sunset of the falls is probably the closest you’ll get to serenity anywhere on Earth. There are a few national parks along the falls too and you’ll get to enjoy animals while they enjoy the falls, too.

11. Sahara Dunes, Morocco

Via makashfa.wordpress.com

Dubai is beautiful and all but Morocco has it’s own set of dunes to ride through on camel back. Moroccan legend says that the Erg Chebbi dunes were created by God as a punishment for turning away a traveler from the desert. Now the people of Merzouga will never turn away tired travelers again. The giant hills of serenely smooth sand are one of Morocco’s greatest sights and worth the trip!

12. Nairobi, Kenya

Via ugandaserenesafaris.com

The capital city of Kenya, Nairobi is already one of the top African travel destinations, and for good reason. It’s safari experience is like none other. You can visit the rhino sanctuary and visit the orphan-elephant rescue center in Nairobi National Park. The area is filled with more beautiful wildlife and a host of museums. Three of the best features are the Ngong Hills, National Archives, and the Bomas of Kenya living museum where you can see more of the beauty Kenya has to offer and learn about Kenyan tribes, traditions, and culture.

13. Mount Kilmanjaro, Tanzania

Via intrepidtravel.com

I’ve climbed a few mountains in my day, but none have come close to Mount Kilmanjaro in Tanzania! The mountain is the largest in Africa and is home to three dormant volcano cones. If hiking is your thing, and you are fit enough to do it, definitely add this mountain to your list. If you’re like me and aren’t really ready to risk life and hike it, the park and hotels are still worth this visit. Maybe stop by on your way to the Serengeti!

14. Serengeti, Tanzania & Kenya

Via naturalhighsafaris.com

The Serengeti is located in Tanzania and Kenya and stretches 12,000 square miles. It’s classified as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa because it’s the site The Great Migration, the largest territorial mammal migration in the world. Aside from witnessing what could be the greatest thing on Earth for nature and animal lovers, the Serengeti is still the best park in Africa. You can see crocodiles in the Grumeti River or travel to the Ngorongoro conservation area, home to the Ngorongoro Crater.

15. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Via theguardian.com

Okavango is the most famous tourist attraction in Botswana. It’s one of the world’s largest inlet water systems and is one of the most sought after wilderness destinations in the world. Moving from dry land to the wetlands, you’ll get to see elephants, zebras, cheetahs in the wild. It’s not set up for a lot of tourism, but thugging it out in the wilderness is what dreams are made of, right?

16. Afro-Brazilians, Brazil

Via gettyimages.com

We all know we have melanin brothers and sisters in Brazil, and we should visit them more often. Brazil has it fair share of tourist attractions to visit from the Amazon Jungle and River or any other the other tropical rainforest that the country has. The beaches are endless and beautiful, but the most beauty will come from the people. Brazil is home to the most people of African descent outside of Africa. Brush up on your Portuguese and join in on their natural hair parades or just stop in and connect with our distant relatives.

17. Bob Marley Museum & Mausoleum, Jamaica

Via onpoint.wbur.org

We are all probably very familiar with Bob Marley for many reasons: his love of love and peace, his timeless music, his love for ganja, and Jamaica! The island has a lot of places designated in remembrance of the reggae musician including his mausoleum and the Bob Marley Museum. The museum is the site of a failed assassination attempt on Bob Marley, but to this day remains a must see for all travelers to Jamaica. The Bob Marley Mausoleum is located in Nine Mile, Jamaica and is home to the birthplace and final resting place of Marley.

18. Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada

Via dailybuzzy.com

This underwater sculpture park is a collection of concrete cast figures off the coast of Grenada in the Caribbean sea. Although it was not created as a representation for slaves during the Middle Passage, it surely resonates through our blood that way. You can access the sculptures by boat and may even witness some coral reefs in the area. The sculptures are just one of the many stops to make while visiting beautiful Grenada.

19. Havana, Cuba

Via tuchmantravelguide.com

Havana, Cuba makes the list simply because we actually can visit it now. Thanks to President Obama, Americans can now comfortably and legally visit Cuba. Smoke cigars? Visit a cigar factory and get a real Cuban. Like to drink? Visit a rum factory. Need a beach, check. Good food, check, check. More beautiful black people, check, check, check! I am just finally happy that Cuba is an option. Don’t forget to find Tupac while you’re down there. Hint: Find Assata first.

20. Carnival, Trinidad & Tobago

Via torontolime.com

One thing I learned while traveling abroad and meeting different types of black people was that the turn up is always real. But the turn up may be the realest here; Trinidad and Tobago Carnival! When Trinidad and Tobago is not parading in the streets for Carnival, they are counting down the days and preparing to. The costumes are the most beautiful things to sight, and who doesn’t love a bunch of people dancing in the street to Soca music? I’ve been to Mardi Gras but it holds no match to Carnival. What better way to end our international tour than at Carnival!