As the second-largest continent on the planet, it should come as no surprise that Africa has a hidden wealth of stunning landscapes and diverse scenery. From sun-soaked beaches and rolling sand dunes to lush rainforests and rapid rivers, Africa is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to embark on a remarkable adventure.

Although it may be tempting to visit iconic landmarks like the Egyptian Pyramids and South African wildlife parks, we recommend stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring some of the continent’s lesser-known places. In this list, we’ll cover some of the most off-the-beaten-path remarkable destinations that are worth visiting during your trip!

1. Rhumsiki Rock, Cameroon

Photo by alvise forcellini/Flickr

Scattered amongst the lush green hills in a remote village in Cameroon are massive volcanic rocks, towering over the landscape like ominous creatures. The largest of them all is Kapsiki Peak, a 4,016 ft tower-like outcropping that can be seen for miles around.

2. Hoggar Mountains, Algeria

Photo by Mohammed Amri

At over 2 billion years old, the lunar-like landscape of the Hoggar Mountains is one of the most remarkable places in Africa. The dramatic peaks and barren landscapes are also home to an abundance of wildlife, including sheep, gazelles, and even the endangered African wild dog.

3. Tundavala Gap, Angola

Photo by Fenda da Tundavala

The Tundavala Gap is a wide crack in the middle of the Serra de Leba mountains in Angola. As you gaze through the opening of the plateau, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of rocky outcroppings, rural villages, and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean.

4. Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

Photo By: 2630ben/Shutterstock

As one of the largest salt flats in the world, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is known for its unique setting in the middle of a dry savanna in Botswana. Recently, archeologists discovered human DNA and tools buried beneath the salt pans, which are believed to be over 200,000 years old.

5. Maletsunyane Falls, Lesotho

Photo By: mbrand85/Shutterstock

Plunging off a massive basalt cliff in Lesotho, the cascading stream from Melatsunyane Falls stands over 630-feet tall. The walls of the surrounding basin are so large that the water makes a reverberating echo that can be heard for miles around.

6. Church of Saint George, Ethiopia

Photo By: LouFrance

This monolithic structure in Ethiopia is possibly one of the coolest churches and most remarkable places in Africa! The Church of Saint George sits below ground level and was carved by hand into a single piece of volcanic rock.

7. Nabiyotum Crater, Kenya

Photo By: Shaan Hurley/Flickr

The Nabiyotum Crater is actually a collapsed volcano that sits in the middle of Lake Turkana in Kenya. Due to its remote location, getting to the crater is a long and treacherous journey (it’s a 50-mile winding ride across unpaved roads), although any traveler who makes the trek will undoubtedly be rewarded with some amazing views.

8. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique

Photo By: Ivy Yin/Shutterstock

This chain of six small islands off the coast of Mozambique is a colorful swirl of white sand beaches and turquoise-blue waters. This tranquil slice of paradise is known for its vibrant color feel system and plentiful opportunities for surfing, fishing, and sunbathing.

9. Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, Madagascar

Photo By: Pierre-Yves Babelon/Shutterstock

The towering gouged caverns and protruding limestone rock formations of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is one of the most unique landscapes in Africa. Thrill-seekers shouldn’t miss the suspended rope bridge, which is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous footbaths on the planet.

10. Domes de Fabedougou, Burkina Faso

Photo by Maarten van der Bent

While there are plenty of unique rock formations around the world, we guarantee you haven’t seen anything like the Domes de Fabedougou! The smooth, layered appearance was formed by wind and water millions of years ago, creating what looks like a field of rocky rolling hills. They’re small enough to climb – which we recommend doing because the view from their peaks are spectacular!

11. Boa Vista Dunes, Cape Verde

Photo by Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock

The island of Boa Vista has an otherworldly landscape of rolling sand dunes and desert-like beach. Besides being a great destination for soaking in the sun and hitting up the beaches, it’s also an island that attracts sea turtles and humpback whales during the spring.

12. Sao Nicoláu Carbeirinho, Cape Verde

Photo By: Heidi De Koninck/Shutterstock

Located on the eastern side of Sao Nicolau in Cape Verde, the Carbeirinho rock formations look like they belong on the moon rather than an African island. The swirls and layers of this rocky outcropping provide a unique background against the crashing of ocean waves.

13. Legzira Beach, Morocco

Photo by Mb-world

When many people think of Morocco, they picture barren desserts and bustling village quarters. But relatively few people know about Morocco is also home to some pretty spectacular beaches as well. Legzira is one of the most remarkable, with its black pebble beach and towering red rocks and arches.

14. Ngwenya Mine, Swaziland

Photo By: Felix Lipov/Shutterstock

Dating back 43,000 years, Ngwenya is home to the world’s oldest mine. It was once here where you could find specularite, a glittery mineral that was used to decorate the chiefs of the surrounding tribes. During your visit, you can enter the cave and gaze into the mine from the top viewpoint.

15. Lake Malawi, Malawi

Photo By: By mhenrion/shutterstock

Lake Malawi is the world’s fifth-largest freshwater lake that is home to almost 1,000 different types of fish. The lake is meromictic (has multiple water layers that don’t mix), which creates multiple types of ecosystems that allow different species to flourish.

16. La Cascade Waterfall, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Photo By: jbdodane/Flickr

The tiered streams flowing from La Cascade Waterfall is a hidden gem mostly known to locals of the Ivory Coast. It’s a great place to go for a swim, although the best views of the waterfall are from the neighboring Mt.Tonkoui and Mt.La Dent de Man mountains, which can be easily hiked.

17. River No. Two, Sierra Leone 

Photo by Maada S. Kpenge/Shutterstock

As far as beautiful beaches go, River Number Two could possibly be the most stunning one in Africa. Located on the western coast of Sierra Leone, this golden sand beach is located at the mouth of the river, after which the beach was named, and is perfect for a day of sunbathing or swimming.

18. Okavango Delta, Botswana

Photo by Christo Ras

Unlike other river deltas (which usually flow into an ocean or body of water), the Okavango Delta in Botswana doesn’t empty anywhere. It’s an inland delta, which means the water essentially floods into the savannah. Because of its unique landscape, the Okavango Delta is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of Africa.

19. Ennedi Plateau, Chad 

Photo By: Hannes Rada/Flickr

The four-day-long journey to the Ennedi Plateau might be a long trek, but it’s worth every minute just to visit this stunning canyon. At the base of the rocky outcrop is a waterhole, where you’ll find hundreds of wild camels (and even a few crocodiles) filling up on water before heading back out into the unknown.

20. Nimba Mountain Range, Liberia

Photo by Jomaglobalofficial/Instagram

Snaking along the border to of Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, the Nimba Mountain Range is an expansive 26-mile long granite stone, lowland forest, and savannah grasslands. The most recognizable landmark is the Mount Richard-Molard peak, which is almost 6,000 feet high.

21. Ubari Oasis, Libya

Photo by WikiImages

Nestled in the middle of the Sahara Desert’s orange sand dunes is a glistening lake surrounded by lush palm trees. The Ubari Oasis is located in one of the driest and sunniest places in the world, although the tranquil waters provide a refuge for the nearby villages and tribes.

22. Ogbunike Caves, Nigeria

Photo by StSommie

The history of the Ogbunike Caves is a somber one, as it was once used as a hiding place for refugees during the Nigerian Civil War. However, it now attracts tourists and those on a spiritual journey, who flock to the caves to admire its eerie and ominous structure.

23. Sindou Peaks, Burkina Faso

Photo by Guewenn

Marked by towering cone-like rocks and outcroppings, the Sindou Peaks provides the perfect setting for outdoor adventure. There are numerous hiking trails and walking paths in the area, all of which boast magnificent views of these fascinating rock formations.

24. Caves of Hercules, Morocco

Photo By: By Diego Delso/Wikipedia

Steeped in mystery and legend, the Caves of Hercules is supposedly where the ancient God once slept during one of his adventures. Although part of the cave is man-made, it’s still an impressive sight to see with its carved ridges and stunning peekaboo view out towards the ocean.

25. Wadi El Weshwash, Egypt

Photo By: Study In Egypt

Situated high in the mountains of South Sinai, this magnificent green lake is one of Egypt’s coolest hidden gems. After a somewhat strenuous hike, you’ll reach Wadi El Weshwash, where you can unwind and go for a swim in the warm, refreshing waters.

26. Lake Assal, Djibouti

Photo By: Dave Primov/Shutterstock

This craterous lake in Djibouti is one of the hottest bodies of water on the planet. During the peak of summer, the deepest part of the waters can reach up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it’s relatively cooler on the surface, which means you go for a swim or float (the high salt content means it’s extremely boyant).

27. Chebika, Tunisia

Photo By: d1kej/Shutterstock

Chebika was once a vibrant village in western Tunisia, although a devasting flood in 1969 resulted in the entire population to flee. It remains abandoned to this day, except for the adventurous travelers to visit for its stunning valleys and oasis-like setting.

28. Red Tsingy, Madagascar

The blood-red rock formations of Red Tsingy are some of the most unique and Remarkable landscapes in Africa. Covering the foothills of an equally bright red canyon, the strange appearance of Red Tsingy is a natural phenomenon caused by erosion and dried-up mudflows.

Are you planning an adventure to Africa soon? Which places are you visiting and what are you looking forward to seeing the most? Let us know which Remarkable Places you plan on ticking off your box in the comments below!