Sights in Africa
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Osun Sacred Forest
The Sacred Forest is a large area of rainforest on the outskirts of Oshogbo. Within the forest is the beautiful Shrine of Oshuno, the River Goddess. In addition to natural beauty, there are many stunning sculptures by Suzanne Wenger (known locally as Aduni Olosa, the 'Adored One'), an Austrian painter and sculptor who came here in the 1950s.
reviewed
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Ts'ehlanyane National Park
This Lesotho Northern Parks–administered national park protects a beautiful, high-altitude, 5600-hectare patch of rugged wilderness, including one of Lesotho’s only stands of indigenous forest. This underrated and underused place is about as far away from it all as you can get and is perfect for hiking.
In addition to day walks, there’s a challenging 39km hiking trail from Ts’ehlanyane southwest to Bokong Nature Reserve through some of Lesotho’s most dramatic terrain. Guides can be arranged. Pony trekking can be arranged through Lesotho Northern Parks with advance notice or through Maliba Mountain Lodge.
For accommodation, there are various campsites, a…
reviewed
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Langata Giraffe Centre
The Langata Giraffe Centre, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, is a sanctuary for the rare Rothschilds giraffe. Here you can observe, hand-feed or even kiss the giraffes from a raised circular wooden structure, and it is quite an experience. It's a good place to get the close-up photographs that eluded you on safari.
reviewed
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Tamarin Falls
Tamarin is awkward to reach, but it's worth the effort for a beautiful, deep, cool bathe at the bottom of a series of seven spectacular waterfalls. They are only accessible via a challenging trail that begins near the Tamarin Falls reservoir, but you will have to explore to find it. It's best to take a local guide from Henrietta.
reviewed
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Lac Rose
Lac Rose owes its name to its pink colouring, caused by a high mineral and salt content, which also makes for very buoyant swimming. It's a popular Dakarois picnic spot, attracting tour groups and, inevitably, souvenir sellers, and has achieved notoriety in modern times as the terminus of the annual Dakar motor rally.
reviewed
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La Pleasure Beach
While most of Accra's oceanfront real estate is rocky and undeveloped, there are several sandy beaches. La Pleasure Beach, also known as Labadi Beach, is about 8km east of central Accra and easily reached by public transport. Unfortunately since the swimming area is so narrow it's a little claustrophobic on weekends.
reviewed
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Cap Skiring
The beaches in the Cap Skiring area are among West Africa's finest. Unsuprisingly, a thriving tourist industry has developed around it, though it remains pleasantly low-key. And just a short drive away from the bustle of the Cap, the tourist bustle gives way to small villages, and the golden beaches are calmer.
reviewed
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Skala du Port
Down by the harbour, the Skala du Port offers cannons and picturesque views over the fishing port and the Île de Mogador. Looking back at the walled medina from here, through a curtain of swirling seagulls, you’ll get the same evocative picture that is used on nearly all official literature.
reviewed
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La Digue
La Digue is home to Anse Source d'Argent, the iconic image of emerald waters, sugar-white sands and sea-smoothed granite rocks. It's also the least developed of the main islands and life here still moves at the pace of an ox cart. It's the sort of place you won't want to leave.
reviewed
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Lekki Conservation Centre
Run by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, this centre has a huge tract of wetlands set aside for wildlife viewing. Raised walkways enable you to see monkeys, crocodiles and various birds; early morning is the best time to visit. There is a conservation centre and a library.
reviewed
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Jozani Forest
A tiny patch of pristine rainforest right in the centre of Zanzibar island, Jozani Forest is home to the extremely rare Red Colobus monkey, the Ader's duiker antelope, and numerous bird species. There's a mangrove boardwalk through the trees and a small education centre.
reviewed
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Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Opened in 2002, this impressive piece of modern architecture is a deliberate attempt to rekindle the brilliance of the original centre of learning and culture. The complex has become one of Egypt’s major cultural venues and a stage for numerous international performers.
reviewed
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Timber Market
If you're walking back to the centre along Cleland Rd, which becomes High St, you could take a detour along Hansen Rd to see the Timber Market. The fetish section is fascinating, with its animal skulls, live and dead reptiles, strange powders, and juju figurines.
reviewed
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Grand Baie Beach
The beach at Grand Baie is nothing special and the bay here is congested with boats. Instead, you're better off heading for La Cuvette public beach beside the Veranda Hotel on the bay's north side. It's not huge, but the sand is good and the water clean.
reviewed
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Camel Safari Park La Baranda
After the water rides and Guanches, how about a trip to the Orient? Camel Safari Park La Baranda has 70 camels and is located in a lush property with palms and avocado and citrus trees and also has a restaurant, bar and small zoo.
reviewed
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Casa de Ferro
Just off the Praça de Independência is the Casa de Ferro, which was designed by Eiffel in the late 19th century as the governor's residence, though its metal-plated exterior proved unsuitable for tropical conditions.
reviewed
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Johannesburg Zoo
The Johannesburg Zoo has a good selection of fierce and furry critters. The Animal Mythbuster tour (R45) is good fun; take it at night (R70) and it includes snacks and fireside marshmallow-toasting.
reviewed
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Fortaleza
The old fort was built by the Portuguese in the mid-19th century near the site of an earlier fort. Inside is a garden and a small museum with remnants from the era of early Portuguese forays to the area.
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Luxor Museum
This wonderful museum has a beautifully displayed collection, from the end of the Old Kingdom right through to the Mamluk period, mostly gathered from the Theban temples and necropolis.
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Praça de Independência
This wide plaza is rimmed on one side by the soaring white spire of the Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Conceição and on the other by the hulking, neoclassical Conselho Municipal (City Hall).
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Msimbati Peninsula
The heart of the conservation area is Msimbati Peninsula, together with the bordering Mnazi Bay. Among its attractions: a lovely palm-lined beach, a string of offshore reefs, and a lack of crowds.
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Sunday Market
The Sunday market at the Arcades Shopping Centre features artisanal goodies that are a step up in quality from markets elsewhere.
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Coco Beach
Packed with locals on weekends, and an amenable seaside setting for an inexpensive beer.
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Marché Plateau
Marché Plateau has been razed, but will be rebuilt.
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Hammam Draghut
Hammam Draghut
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