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Best spiritual destinations in Africa

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Touba
Spiritual heart of West Africa’s pilgrimage
7.9
Amadou Bamba founded Touba in 1887 and also founded the Mouride order. The Great Mosque was completed in 1963 and its Lamp Fall minaret is 87 metres tall. The Grand Magal draws around two million pilgrims each year. Touba is the Mouride holy city and holds Bamba's burial site.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Wander Souk Sidi Yaya for spices and textiles
  • 🥇 Attend a traditional wrestling match in courtyard
  • 🕌 Explore Touba Mosque, world's largest religious complex
Luxor
Ancient wonders on the Nile
7.6
The Opet Festival once carried the statue of the god Amun from Karnak to Luxor Temple. An avenue about 2.7 kilometres long linked the two temples. Over a thousand sphinx statues lined it. Part of Luxor Temple later became the Abu Haggag Mosque. Amun was worshipped with his wife Mut and son Khonsu.
Highlights:
  • 🌙 Marvel at the majestic Luxor Temple by night
  • 🏛️ Visit the vast and impressive Karnak Temple complex
  • 🏺 Explore the ancient tombs of the Valley of the Kings
Victoria Falls
The Smoke That Thunders
7.5
The Lozi name Mosi oa Tunya translates as the smoke that thunders. The Tonga name Shungu Namutitima means Boiling Water in local usage. Older names Seongo and Chongwe mean the place of the rainbow. Spray often rises over 400 metres. A moonbow can appear in the spray at full moon.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
  • 🪂 Bungee jump from the historic Victoria Falls Bridge
  • 🌊 Admire the thundering Victoria Falls from lookout points
Essaouira
Atlantic Breeze, Blue Medina, Bohemian Vibe
7.4
The Gnaoua Festival of World Music has been held since 1998, usually in the last week of June. The medina became a World Heritage Site in 2001. Its mellah holds old synagogues and a large Jewish cemetery. The name Mogador is linked to Sidi Mogdoul, a Muslim saint buried there in the Middle Ages.
Highlights:
  • 🐟 Explore the bustling fishing port and feast on fresh seafood
  • 🌅 Watch the sunset from historic Skala du Port ramparts
  • 🏘️ Wander through Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina streets
Lalibela
Stone churches echoing centuries of faith
Eleven rock hewn churches stand in four groups at about 2,500 metres above sea level. Tradition credits King Gebre Meskel Lalibela, who reigned from about 1181 to 1221. UNESCO declared the site a World Heritage Site in 1978. Genna on 7 January brings multi day processions, music and rituals.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Attend a local church service in traditional attire
  • 🚶‍♂️ Explore the ancient monastery complex on foot
  • 🏰 Visit Lalibela's rock-hewn churches at sunrise
Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's Roof, World's Highest Freestanding Volcano
The Chagga people call the two main peaks Kipoo and Kimawenze, now rendered Kibo and Mawenzi. A Chagga legend tells of a man named Tone who angered the god Ruwa. His fleeing cattle created hills, including Kibo. Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 metres on the crater rim of Kibo.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise over the Serengeti plains from above the clouds
  • 🥾 Hike through rainforest and alpine desert zones on the ascent
  • 🏔️ Climb to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Africa’s highest mountain
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