Africa, for most people who have not been here, has a strong mysterious color, people are full of curiosity about Africa, and there are also many misunderstandings and prejudices. With the opening up after the epidemic for 3 years, more and more people want to travel or business in Africa, in order to let you and Africa have a better "encounter", Xiaobu feels that it is very necessary to publish articles to remove some common African "prejudices".
When you think of Africa, it's so hot
When he returned to China, Xiaobu heard the most frequent phrase "Wow, why didn't you tan?" There seems to be a misconception about Africa, which is that it is hot, there is always a big sun, desert everywhere, lack of water, no rain.
Jacarandas bloom on the roadside in October in Johannesburg
Nairobi, the perfect combination of modern city and natural greenery
But in reality, the African continent is not all hot deserts and grasslands, it all depends on the geography and season. In the 2017 ranking of the world's top 60 spring cities, Johannesburg in South Africa topped the list, and Kunming, the flower capital we know well Chinese also ranked third. Two other African cities, Nairobi, Kenya, ranked fourth, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ranked eighth, with three African cities in the top 10 alone. If we simply use a country to represent Africa, this bias tends to occur, so when we talk about Africa, Xiaobu suggests that we can identify countries or regions as precisely as possible.
When you think of Africa, it feels dangerous
Most countries in East and Southern Africa are as safe as many other tourist destinations in the world. Tourism accounts for a very large proportion of the local social economy, so the local government takes safety very seriously, and residents and small traders are very welcoming to tourists.
However, this does not mean that nothing has happened. Just like in many other cities and countries, you must be careful when traveling to avoid problems.
When traveling, do the basics of self-protection, and then relax and enjoy your time there, you will face the kindest and most enthusiastic people, and the most pristine nature.
Isn't going to Africa just seeing animals?
Miss by a mile. Friends who think this way can be said to know only one and not the other. Comparing Africa to a masterpiece created by God himself, it can be said that cute, free animals add vivid embellishments to the continent, while dignified, elegant landscapes crochet the framework of the entire painting and also set its base color.
Twin Peaks: A Song of Ice and Fire
I believe you have all heard of the equatorial snowy mountain Kilimanjaro, which stands on the savannah on the border between Kenya and Tanzania, and its top is frozen all year round, adding a touch of white to the equatorial blue sky. But maybe you don't know much about another famous volcano in Africa, Niragongo Volcano on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which is an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains in central and eastern Africa, known as the "devil's crucible", and one of the world's worst temper volcanoes. Kilimanjaro's climbing does not have a high threshold, as long as healthy adults or teenagers can climb, but this Niragongo volcano... At present, due to the security situation, it is not recommended to go for the time being.
Victoria's Gift: Movement and Quiet
Historically, tens of thousands of explorers have visited Africa, wading through mountains and rivers to try to measure the world with their own feet. In 1855, European explorer David Livingstone dedicated his discovery of an upside-down Milky Way to the Queen, which has since been named Victoria Falls. It is located in the middle reaches of the Zambezi River in Africa, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Between 1860 and 1863, British explorers John Hanning Speke and Grant named a magnificent lake, Lake Victoria, after the Queen of England while investigating the source of the Nile. The lake is currently shared by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
In addition to the above landscapes, the vast Africa also prepares the Sahara Desert, the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, the Cape of Good Hope and soft white sand beaches in South Africa, there is always one that will make you linger.
Because Africa is not one country, but a continent of 54 countries, don't try to arrange too many different destinations in one trip, as the so-called greedy and chewy, the rush of walking around the road will not only be physically exhausting, but also miss the scenery along the way.
Africa, there is no history and no story
It is even more prejudiced to say that Africa has no history, not to mention that it is the homeland of the entire human race. Egypt's pyramids and sphinx are also likely to jump out to show their disbelief. Friends who like to trace history, often like to look for traces of time in the details that others overlook, here Xiaobu gives you two other examples, it is definitely a private collection, niche and fun.
La Ribela Rock Church
Most of the world's buildings are built from the ground up, but several thousand-year-old rock churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia, are hewn down from the surface.
These churches sit in huge pits in the rock. The intricately carved churches resemble massive sculptures, carved out of hard rock like the temples of Ellora. They are striking on the exterior and unique in their interior. It is an extraordinary product of the flourishing of Christian civilization in Ethiopia in the 12th and 13th centuries. It was built around 1000 BC and is known as the "African miracle". UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Stone City, Zanzibar
"Zanzibar", which means "black coast" in Arabic, is a small island in the Indian Ocean from the State of Tanzania, which was once the economic and trade center of the Zanzibar Empire.
Once a colony, Zanzibar was historically occupied by Portugal, Arabs, and the British, and was a transit point for the slave trade. Due to the influence of many civilizations over time, the culture here has gradually become diverse, with stately mosques and tall churches coexisting, and the curiosities of the former sultan's palace quietly displaying the glory of the former royal family. The famous "Stone Town" has countless winding alleys and beautifully carved wooden and stone gates.
In Africa, there are so many beautiful things, so remember to charge your camera every night and record it to your heart's content!
Africa is too big, different African countries have unique charm, if you are traveling, it is very important to find a reliable local travel agency, such as Bobo Africa :), let Xiaobu be responsible for helping you open the way, you just need to sit down and enjoy all the fresh experiences that African travel brings you, maybe there are many life experiences that break through your imagination, but this is also the most important meaning of travel. Looking forward to meeting you in Africa.