Media representation of Africa in general has always been in a negative light. Poverty, disease, and wars are the highlighted news and make the headlines. More often than not, the average person who doesn’t live in the continent can’t imagine the amount of development present in Africa. Western media in particular has made it a point to showcase Africa when there is war or a disease outbreak. Any African who travels abroad will tell you how many times they have had to respond to the most ridiculous questions.
Africa is an incredibly beautiful continent that has retained a lot of its natural areas while paving the way for development. Here are 10 Cities in Africa the media won’t show you.
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Knysna, South Africa
Image source: https://www.kayak.com/Knysna.44816.guide
A beautiful, picturesque town located on the Garden Route of South Africa. Knysna is when pristine beaches meet lush forest vegetation and come to life. This creates one of the most beautiful locations on the continent. It is perfect for a quiet vacation with a side of thrill.
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Windhoek, Namibia
Image source: https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/windhoek-namibia-1840/
As the third largest city in the world by area, Windhoek is one of the lesser-known cities in Africa. It’s Namibia’s capital and you won’t be mistaken due to its central location that allows you access to most of Namibia. And did we mention it’s incredibly beautiful?
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Luxor, Egypt
Image source: https://www.earthtrekkers.com/east-bank-of-luxor-egypt-guide/
You probably heard of Cairo, Egypt, haven’t you? Well, there is a less-known gem known as Luxor when you find time away from the amazing pyramids. Find your way upriver to this enchanting city that’s located across the Nile from the Valley of the Kings. Although it might not be as famous as Cairo, Luxor gets quite a lot of tourists every year.
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Durban, South Africa
Image Source: https://www.travelchannel.com/roam-blog/great-stays/durban
Home of the stunning Cape Town, South Africa presents yet another stunning city, Durban. Known as the “warm city”, Durban serves as a refuge to South Africans when the country is seized by winter. It is less crowded than Cape Town and has amazing beaches where you can indulge in just about any kind of beach activity.
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Ibadan, Nigeria
Image source: https://eros.usgs.gov/westafrica/case-study/urban-sprawl-ibadan-savanna-and-forest-habitat
Ibadan is Nigeria’s pride in being one of the most populous cities in sub-Saharan Africa due to its huge markets. Your first visit here might be overwhelming due to the large sprawling nature of the city but just locate Bower’s Tower, located on Oke-Are, the tallest hill in Ibadan. Here you can enjoy phenomenal panoramic views of the city and acquaint yourself.
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Mombasa, Kenya
Image source: https://www.bucketlistly.blog/posts/best-things-to-do-in-mombasa-kenya
This island located on the Indian Ocean is Kenya’s oldest city. Its strategic location led to it being controlled by numerous regimes over hundreds of years. It currently serves to facilitate trade in the East African region. It’s one of Kenya’s prime tourist destinations due to the sandy white beaches, historical locations, and the cultural mix of Swahili, Middle Easter, and Indian.
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Djibouti City, Djibouti
Image source: https://film-fixers.com/filming-in-djibouti-city/
Colonialism shaped Djibouti over the years making it a merging of numerous cultural influences. You can see this in the food and other traditions when you visit the city. Due to this, it gets its name “ French Hong Kong in the Red Sea”.
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Kigali, Rwanda
Image source: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200105-the-most-inviting-city-in-africa
Pictures don’t do justice to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. This extremely clean and beautiful city came to life after the tragic genocide in 1994. There is a memorial at the center of the town. Kigali is also the place to visit if you want to see the rare one of mountain gorillas.
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Timbuktu, Mali
Image source: https://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/12/world/africa/timbuktu-world-heritage-threat-inside-africa/index.html
You won’t believe it, but yes, Timbuktu actually exists. This Mali city is located north of the Niger River in the northern Sahara. It actually was one of the most important trade posts in the Tuareg trading routes across the desert. Although today it might be slightly impoverished, this city was once known as the City of Gold when the French first landed here.
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Kumasi | Ghana
Image source: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/geography/kumasi.php
Can you imagine a city in a rainforest area? The serenity and beauty of nature define Kumasi, the Ghanaian city also known as Garden City. Kumasi has a booming horticulture which makes the city even more stunning. It is known as one of the healthiest cities in Ghana. Its history is also rich as it is known as the home to the seat of the Asante King and the houses of the Golden Stool.
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