Let's face it, the vast majority of holiday travelers to Africa are there for the wildlife. While the animals are sure to be a highlight, there are also some really interesting historical sites that can be a nice break from back-to-back game drives and offer insight into the continent's history and varied cultures.
Here are a few of my favorites in East and Southern Africa that are easy additions to a larger safari.
Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)(01 of17)
The monument of Great Zimbabwe is the most famous stone building in southern Africa. The ruins of this complex of massive stone walls cover almost 1,800 acres of present-day southeastern Zimbabwe. Photo by Lyndsay Harshman.
Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)(02 of17)
Begun during the eleventh century A.D. by Bantu-speaking ancestors of the Shona, Great Zimbabwe was constructed and expanded for more than 300 years. Great Zimbabwe's most enduring and impressive remains are its stone walls. Photo by Lyndsay Harshman.
Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)(03 of17)
These walls were constructed from granite blocks gathered from the exposed rock of the surrounding hills. Photo by Lyndsay Harshman.
Thulamela (South Africa)(04 of17)
The ruins at Thulamela are thought to be an offshoot of the same civilization which built Great Zimbabwe. Discoveries at the site reveal a thriving mountain kingdom that was occupied by 3,000 people who traded in gold and ivory between 1200 and 1600 AD. The prolific trading community were skilled goldsmiths although they also traded in iron that they extracted and smelted from 200 local mines. Recent excavations have uncovered the burial place of an African king and queen with beautiful gold artifacts. The royal citadel accommodated 1,000 people and surrounding the stone walls are signs of numerous dwellings dotted around the landscape. Photo of Thulamela Ruins from Wilderness Safaris.
Thulamela (South Africa)(05 of17)
The ruins of Thulamela are set on the southern banks of the Luvuvhu River near Pafuri in northern Kruger National Park (a stunning and unique area of the park). Guided tours of the ruins can be arranged at Kruger’s Punda Maria Gate. Photo of Lanner Gorge from Wilderness Safaris.
Bushmans Kloof Rock Art (South Africa)(06 of17)
In addition to being home to a stunning property, Bushmans Kloof in South Africa's Cederberg Mountains is home to over 130 unique rock art sites, some as old as 10,000 years. The sites on the reserve may be viewed by guests, archaeologists and researchers. It is a South African National Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Bushmans Kloof.
Bushmans Kloof Rock Art (South Africa)(07 of17)
Bushmans Kloof offers a range of daily rock art excursions to gain insight into the culture of the Bushman who lived in the Cederberg Mountains for millennia. One of the more important sites is Bleeding Nose Shelter, where the paintings stand out in chiaroscuro against white Sandstone. This was probably a ceremonial site, and subjects include eland, small antelope, and rare paintings of birds. A variety of human figures are depicted standing, dancing and shooting with bows. This site takes its name from a painting of a man in the shamanistic ‘trance’ state, with blood pouring from his nose. Photo courtesy of Bushmans Kloof.
Twyfelfontein Rock Art (Namibia)(08 of17)
Twyfelfontein, in the Kunene region of Namibia, contains around 2,000 rock engravings and in 2007 UNESCO approved it as a World Heritage Site. The site is one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. Photo by Dana Allen. Wilderness Safaris.
Twyfelfontein Rock Art (Namibia)(09 of17)
Doro Nawas is one property in the region that offers tours of the site. Photo by Dana Allen. Wilderness Safaris.
Twyfelfontein Rock Art (Namibia)(10 of17)
In addition volcanic activity in the region in prehistoric times gave rise to some notable geographical features including the Burnt Mountain, Doros Crater, the Petrified Forest and the Organ Pipes. Photo by Dana Allen. Wilderness Safaris.
Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique)(11 of17)
Mozambique Island (Ilha de Mozambique) is an island 2.5km long and 4km wide, situated off the northern Mozambique coast, approximately 200km from the closest mainland city, Nampula. One of the first places where Portuguese explorers landed in the 15th century. It is from this island that Mozambique took its name after the colonial government set up its headquarters there in the 16th century. View of the Ilha de Mocambique fort and church - circa 1522. Photoby Lyndsay Harshman.
Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique)(12 of17)
Ilha de Mocambique is accessed by air from the Nampula International Airport (daily direct service from Johannesburg on SAA), then a 2.5 hour road transfer. A half day walking tour of the island is available based from Coral 15.41 Lodge, a luxury boutique property nearby. The island is accessed from Coral Lodge by boat and are contingent on the tides. There are a handful of small, simple guest houses on the island for the adventurous, as well. Most guests find that a half day visit is ample to wander the sandy streets, visit the small shops and the colorful, crumbling buildings. Tours include the historic fort and small church that were built by the Portuguese in the early 1500s. A highlight of a visit to Ilha is shopping for jewelry made from silver coins that have been pulled up from the sunken Portuguese galleons that lay on the ocean's floor off shore. View of the Ilha de Mocambique fort and church - circa 1522 Photo by Lyndsay Harshman
Lalibela (Ethiopia)(13 of17)
The city of Lalibela is, together with Axum, one of the two most important holy cities in Ethiopia, due to its famous rock-hewn churches, the largest monolithic rock-hewn buildings in the world. The city and its churches are considered have been declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Photo courtesy of the Ross School.
Lalibela (Ethiopia)(14 of17)
The city was constructed by King Lalibela of the short ruling Zagwe dynasty after the fall of the Axumite Empire around the 11th century. The churches were carved out of the red granite rock of the Lasta Mountains in only 40 years. The churches are divided into two groups according to their location on both sides of the river called Jordan or Yordanos. Many of the churches are connected with each other by means of narrow underground passages. In the caves and passages and in the churches, priests and monks can be found reading the Holy Bible and praying. Each church has its own unique architectural style and most are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The most elaborate and most famous church is the Bete Giorgis church, in the shape of a perfect Greek cross. Photo courtesy of Kibran Tours.
Gede Ruins (Kenya)(15 of17)
The coast of Eastern Africa is known for Swahili historical sites (Fort Jesus in Mombasa, old town Lamu, Stone Town in Zanzibar, the ruins on Pemba) but the Gede ruins in Watamu (just south of Malindi) are particularly interesting. The ruins are the remains of a Swahili town that traces its origin in the 12th century and lasted through the early 17th century. Experts believe that at its peak about 2,500 people lived in Gede before it was abandoned during the 16th or 17th century. Photo by John Gillis.
Gede Ruins (Kenya)(16 of17)
The ruins are now a National Museum, and are heavily overgrown with beautiful indigenous forest trees, baobabs and tamarind. About 18 hectares of the site have been excavated and the remains of several mosques, a palace, residential houses and elaborate pillar tombs have been revealed. Photo by John Gillis.
Gede Ruins (Kenya)(17 of17)
In addition to a guided tour of the ruins and the museum you can walk along the nature trail network which comprises 40 different species of plants and leads to lesser ruins throughout the forest. The Gede Ruins National Monument & Museum is open to public daily from 7 am to 6 pm.
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