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1) Mount Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaMount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania tops the continent as the tallest point in Africa. At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), it’s one of Africa’s main tourist attractions and thousands attempt to summit it every year. If that’s not extreme enough, it also has one of Africa’s last remaining glaciers. Lake Victoria Kenya Shuttercock2) Lake VictoriaAs the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world (68,800 sq km/26,600 sq mi), Victoria shares its banks and borders with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda providing sustenance through fishing for tens of thousands of people and endless recreation for more. As the world’s 9th largest lake, it contains 2,750 cubic kilometers of water. Come check it out first hand on some of Uganda’s island resorts Wikipedia Commons3) The Danakil DepressionThe Danakil Depression straddling Ethiopia and Eritrea is one of the continuously hottest, lowest, and least livable places on Earth. Three tectonic plates converge here and the few inhabitants that live in the region rely on salt mining to get by. Wikipedia commons4) Lake Assal, DjiboutiLake Assal in tiny Djibouti is similarly extreme as the lowest point in Africa. At -509 feet (-155 meters), the salinity is ten times greater than that of the ocean, making it the world’s largest salt reserve. As desolate and lunar as it appears, camels, birds, lizards, and insects inhabit the area, along with some nomadic Afar people Shuttercock5) Buffelsfontein, South AfricaContrary to popular belief, the coldest place in Africa is actually Buffelsfontein, a nature reserve area by the coast in Western Cape, South Africa, not nearby Sutherland. Bring a heavy jacket if you come in winter (June – August), where the average temperature is -3.8 Celsius (25 Fahrenheit). Trees for the future Flickr6) Debundscha, CameroonAt the end of the Cameroon Volcanic Line you’ll find Mount Cameroon, the largest city, Douala, and the Gulf of Guinea. You’ll also find Debundscha, the wettest place in Africa and one of the five wettest places in the world. With over 405.5 inches (10,299 mm) of rainfall annually, bring a good rain jacket if you’re going to visit this former German outpost and its famous 100-year-old lighthouse. Flickr7) The Nile RiverThe Nile is the longest river in the world, so what could be more extreme? At 6,853kilometers (4,258 miles), the Nile’s waters travel through 11 countries in East and North Africa, providing the gift of life to hundreds of millions of people. Fortunately, there are many areas where you can cruise through ancient ruins (Egypt), white water raft (Uganda), or just enjoy its banks with a relaxing drink. Shuterstock8) Mponeng Gold Mine, South AfricaThe Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa’s North West Province is renowned for being the deepest point in Africa and considered by some to be the deepest mine in the world. At 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), ice and oxygen have to be pumped down to keep the temperature at a breathable 30 C (86 F).8) Mponeng Gold Mine, South AfricaThe Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa’s North West Province is renowned for being the deepest point in Africa and considered by some to be the deepest mine in the world. At 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), ice and oxygen have to be pumped down to keep the temperature at a breathable 30 C (86 F).- See more at: https://afktravel.com/65290/15-extreme-points-africa/9/#sthash.FJf0tNtZ.dpuf  Wikipedia Commons9) Tristan de CunhaThe most remote place would have to be somewhere in the Sahara, right? Wrong. The island of Tristan de Cunha which was first discovered by the Portuguese 500 years ago is 1,491 miles (2,400 km) from South Africa, and the nearest inhabited island is almost equally far. Its 271 people have roughly five surnames, and supplies are brought periodically by passing freight ships. Come here for a true “Lost” experience.
(Michael Clarke Stuff/Wikipedia Commons)
 10) The SaharaWhile we’re on the subject of remoteness, the largest desert in the world (if you don’t count Antarctica) surely deserves mention. At 9,400,000 square kilometers (3,600,000 sq mi), the Sahara is truly massive. But it is also diverse, covering 11 countries, hundreds of different ethnic groups, and some of the most unique flora and fauna in the world. Shuttercock11Tiny Dallol, Ethiopia in the Danakil Depression has the notoriety of being the hottest inhabited place in Africa with average temperatures hovering at a sweltering 96 degrees Fahrenheit (35 C). The few who live in this area are mostly sustained by salt mining and transport via camel caravans. Khartoum, Sudan is the hottest continuously inhabited city on the continent, though  Flicker12) Lagos, NigeriaMany things come to mind when we think of Nigeria–power, prominence, film, music, culture. And people. Lots and lots of people. Africa’s most populous country unsurprisingly contains its most densely populated city, Lagos. With 13,400,000 people in a 738 square kilometer area (285 sq mi), it’s no wonder some of its poorer inhabitants have taken to building on the water for lack of space. Wikipedia Commons13) Mount Nyiragongo, CongoMount Nyiragongo is certainly extreme as it is the largest lava lake on the continent. Located just north of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an eruption in 2002 covered much of the city. When the security situation is stable enough, visitors can climb the volcano with a guide, and even sleep on its rim in small A-frame Wikipedia commons14) The Congo River BasinSpeaking of the Congo, it is also known for being the most biodiverse place in Africa. As Joseph Conrad famously documented in “The Heart of Darkness,” the Congo River provides the water source for much of the interior forests and jungles. With hundreds of plants and animals endemic to the region, many have yet to be discovered as the vast center of the country is one of the most inaccessible regions of the world. Shuttercock15) LesothoLittle Lesotho, so isolated, so cold. Surrounded by South Africa and set deep in the Drakensburg and Maloti Mountains, Lesotho gets more snow per capita than anywhere else in Africa. Because of its elevation, it also receives some of the most lightning strikes as well. That’s a lot of meteorological activity for such a small place!13) Mount Nyiragongo, CongoMount Nyiragongo is certainly extreme as it is the largest lava lake on the continent. Located just north of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an eruption in 2002 covered much of the city. When the security situation is stable enough, visitors can climb the volcano with a guide, and even sleep on its rim in small A-frame bungalows.- See more at: https://afktravel.com/65290/15-extreme-points-africa/14/#sthash.PlSo9uux.dpuf 2) Lake VictoriaAs the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world (68,800 sq km/26,600 sq mi), Victoria shares its banks and borders with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda providing sustenance through fishing for tens of thousands of people and endless recreation for more. As the world’s 9th largest lake, it contains 2,750 cubic kilometers of water. Come check it out first hand on some of Uganda’s island resorts.- See more at: https://afktravel.com/65290/15-extreme-points-africa/3/#sthash.PtfFXwp3.dpuf | 1) Mount Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaMount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania tops the continent as the tallest point in Africa. At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), it’s one of Africa’s main tourist attractions and thousands attempt to summit it every year. If that’s not extreme enough, it also has one of Africa’s last remaining glaciers.- See more at: https://afktravel.com/65290/15-extreme-points-africa/2/#sthash.NoDnIYdN.dpuf 1) Mount Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaMount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania tops the continent as the tallest point in Africa. At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), it’s one of Africa’s main tourist attractions and thousands attempt to summit it every year. If that’s not extreme enough, it also has one of Africa’s last remaining glaciers.- See more at: https://afktravel.com/65290/15-extreme-points-africa/2/#sthash.NoDnIYdN.dpuf |
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