When travellers think of Africa, safaris often take centre stage. But beyond the savannas and big game lies a different kind of journey — one that follows the footsteps of ancient kings, monks, and scholars.
From salt-caravan routes in Mali to stone-hewn churches in Ethiopia, Africa’s ancient cities offer pilgrimages into history, spirituality, and artistry that rival the great heritage sites of Europe or Asia.
Timbuktu, Mali: The Fabled City of Gold and Knowledge
Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu/Senani P at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons
- Legendary for its role as a centre of Islamic scholarship in the 14th–16th centuries.
- Once home to 700,000 manuscripts covering astronomy, medicine, poetry, and law.
- Desert caravans carried salt and gold through here, making Timbuktu a symbol of wealth and learning.
- Today, travellers can explore historic mosques like Djinguereber and Sankore.
Lalibela, Ethiopia: The Stone-Carved Holy City
Lalibela, Ethiopia/Volker Repke/Unsplash
- Known as the “New Jerusalem” or “Second Jerusalem,” with 11 medieval rock-hewn churches carved directly into volcanic rock.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site and a pilgrimage hub for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
- The spiritual atmosphere makes it one of the world’s most awe-inspiring architectural feats.
Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe: The Stone Walls of an Empire
Great Zimbabwe National Monument/Ajeet Panesar/Unsplash
- Once the capital of a powerful kingdom (11th–15th centuries), famous for its dry-stone walls and granite towers.
- At its peak, it was a thriving trade centre linked to the Indian Ocean coast.
- Symbol of Zimbabwean identity and resilience.
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Aksum, Ethiopia: The Kingdom of Obelisks and Queens
Ruins of Dungur (also known as Queen of Sheba’s Palace) in Aksum/A.Savin, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons
- Centre of the Aksumite Empire (100–940 AD) was one of Africa’s greatest ancient civilisations.
- Famous for towering granite stelae, the Queen of Sheba’s palace, and the legend of the Ark of the Covenant.
Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania: Swahili Coast Splendour
The 18th-century Makutani Palace, one of the ruined buildings on Kilwa Kisiwani Island, Tanzania/David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada/Wikimedia Commons
- Once a bustling Indian Ocean trading hub dealing in gold, ivory, and spices.
- Ruins include palaces and the Great Mosque of Kilwa, the oldest standing mosque on the East African coast.
- Offers a rare glimpse into Africa’s maritime history.
Djenné, Mali: The Clay Mosque City
The Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali/Gilles MAIRET/Wikimedia Commons
- Known for the Great Mosque of Djenné, the world’s largest mud-brick building.
- A hub of Islamic learning and Saharan trade routes since the 13th century.
- The city remains vibrant, with weekly markets and mud replastering ceremonies.
Why these cities matter today
These cities matter because they challenge the narrow narrative of Africa as a land defined only by wilderness and wildlife. Instead, they highlight the continent as a cradle of scholarship, trade, architecture, and faith, with legacies that rival some of the world’s most celebrated civilisations.
By visiting and engaging with these places, travellers not only broaden their understanding of Africa’s history but also contribute to cultural preservation and support forms of responsible tourism that keep these ancient traditions alive.
Practical travel tip
While some sites are in regions with travel restrictions, others (like Lalibela, Great Zimbabwe, and Kilwa) are more accessible. For those unable to travel, many preservation projects are digitising archives and offering virtual experiences.
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