Big beach in Africa. African tribes, Ethiopia (photo). The beauty of the Seychelles and the beach for golf lovers

West Africa extends south of the Sahara from Mauritania and beyond, along the Atlantic and the Gulf of Guinea all the way to Nigeria's border with Cameroon, where the coastline of the African continent makes a sharp bend that earns Cameroon the nickname "Armpit of Africa." Today the TV channel "Travel + Adventure" tells you about the beaches of West Africa, that part of the continent that is located between the countries of the Maghreb and the "African Armpit".

Along the coast of West Africa, stretching for four and a half thousand kilometers, there are a dozen countries. And almost along their entire length - one long sandy beach. It is interrupted only occasionally by estuaries and ports, and even in large cities it remains practically unchanged.

The coast of West Africa, like Africa in general, is slightly indented. The coastal area is almost everywhere flat, there are few bays and islands, unlike the European Mediterranean or Indonesia and Thailand. Therefore, the beaches in West Africa are almost continuous and uniform and are composed of yellow sand. There are beaches of black volcanic sand, however, there are also in Afika - in the same Cameroon and Cape Verde. But Cape Verde are islands located far enough from the mainland, and Cameroon is already Central Africa.

By the way, it is interesting to note that the name of the capital of Cape Verde, the city of Praia, is translated from Portuguese only as “The Beach”.

On the beaches of West Africa everywhere - the open ocean. Even on the Gulf of Guinea, which is only nominally a bay, but in fact there are thousands of kilometers of open ocean right up to Antarctica with the famous island of St. Helena somewhere in the middle. Therefore, on the coast there is always oceanic freshness and the water in the ocean is clean. Even in the huge twenty-millionth Lagos, which daily dumps tons of garbage into the water. Garbage can accumulate in lagoons and along inland straits and rivers, but it almost does not linger in the ocean near the coast - too large masses of water move here. Unless, a certain amount of garbage can be washed ashore. But ocean water, being salty, perfectly disinfects any waste.

Because of the open ocean, there are always big waves on the beaches of West Africa, which is inconvenient, and sometimes even dangerous for swimming. Some beaches have warning signs that swimming is at your own risk. And, for example, on the popular Labadi Beach in Accra, swimming is allowed only in the immediate vicinity of the lifeguard tower.

However, in the local culture, the beach primarily serves as a place where people come to relax after the hot and humid climate of the African metropolis, to chat and have fun. They bathe little, except for splashing near the shore, and do not sunbathe at all. Since they are not used to swimming, and there is no need for an African to sunbathe. But after all, even here, the indigenous inhabitants of Sochi rarely go to the sea to swim. But on the African beach you can have a great walk, sit in a bar, chat with friends, and kick the ball. On the beaches, birthdays are often celebrated, corporate parties and parties are held, as well as discos and concerts of local musicians.

By the way, the TV channel “Travel + Adventure” from its own experience does not advise you to specifically sunbathe in Africa. The sun is high and hot here, and you can get burned quickly. Better just sit under an umbrella, and tan yourself while you walk along the beach. It is in the north that people catch the sun at the first opportunity, and on the equator, on the contrary, they hide from it.

There are beaches in West Africa that are quite convenient for swimming, for example, such as Tarkwa Bay beach in Lagos. Such places are located in natural bays and gulfs, as a result of which there are almost no waves in them. On such beaches, however, the water is usually somewhat dirtier than in the open ocean. And visitors are often dominated by visitors: Europeans, Chinese, Indians, Lebanese. That is, those who are accustomed to swimming in the sea.

Since there are many beaches in Africa, and for local residents they are a completely ordinary thing, there are never crowds on them. Well, in case there isn't some Takuna Ji's concert today.

Well, if you are a surfer, kiter, diver or a fan of some other extreme water sport, then you can easily find yourself busy on the beaches of West Africa. All this is here, but it should be borne in mind that the prices for such services and for good hotels are quite comparable to European ones.

It is generally accepted that in Africa, many girls and women go topless, and men are also not very burdened with clothes. And, probably, such people are expected to meet just on the beach. But in fact, it's just the opposite. The number of peoples and tribes in Africa that allow themselves such liberties in clothing is vanishingly small. Yes, and they usually live in the depths of the mainland. And on many beaches in West Africa, even in non-Muslim countries, women's swimwear that is too open is considered indecent. And men, in general, are supposed to be in shorts, not short trunks. However, the more Europeans on the beach, the dress code, as a rule, is more democratic.

In general, the beaches in West Africa are for every taste and budget. There are also beaches at expensive hotels or private villas with freshwater swimming pools, bungalows, inexpensive public or private beaches and “wild” beaches, and the latter can be located almost in the city center. In Accra, one has only to go to the backyard of Independence Square, as soon as one finds oneself on a semi-deserted beach, where usually only a few people are chasing a ball. On “wild” or cheap public beaches, however, one should not forget about the usual vigilance, things should not be thrown just like that - no one has yet canceled theft in Africa.

The most optimal beaches in terms of price / quality ratio are usually located in the suburbs: away from the bustle of the city, but not very far to get there. Like, for example, Lekki beach in Lagos.

Previously, on some "wild" beaches in West Africa, one could often see heaps of garbage and sewage. Usually near slum areas. But in recent years the situation has improved significantly. The authorities are taking measures to maintain cleanliness: installing garbage containers and building free public toilets for slum residents. And in Monrovia, for example, there were special beach crawlers who keep order and cleanliness.

On African beaches, you can often see sellers delivering various goods, and musicians. Therefore, here you can get to know the local culture very well without leaving your sun lounger by the ocean. Almost all products of local folk crafts will be brought to you and offered to buy. Wood crafts, various decorations, paintings and drawings, even drums. On the beaches of Lagos, for example, you can buy interesting wooden figurines representing scenes of local life. And on the beaches of Accra - crafts with traditional graphic symbols of the Ashanti culture, called "adinkra". Or a set (board and pebbles) for a traditional board game, called “ovare” here, it is also “mancala”. It looks like backgammon, but the rules have nothing to do with backgammon.

Here you can also taste the famous African palm wine. It is usually not very strong and is much better at quenching thirst in the heat than beer and soda. And it tastes like a well-known drinking mushroom in our country.

And moving away from the official beach to the “wild”, you may well meet local fishermen who go to sea in beautifully painted boats, and usually do not mind talking to a white stranger at all. And you'll probably be able to capture the same great photos of their boats as you did in Travel+Adventures' Travel+Adventures channel's Travel with a Photographer to the Edge of Geography.

Some African beaches are being transformed and given new life. For example, the former public beach Bar Beach, located in the heart of Lagos. It was closed a couple of years ago and expanded, filling the ocean with a large artificial peninsula. Now a new elite business district is being built on it, called “Eco Atlantic City”, almost Nigerian Dubai. They say, however, that this changed the local coastal currents, and the beach of Lekki began to erode. But there is hope that this process will not go far.

The best time on the coast of West Africa is our winter. Because the temperature here is stable, around +30 ° C all year round, but in summer it is the rainy season, and in winter it is the dry season.

Every year more and more Europeans go to rest in the resorts of West Africa, some even moved permanently. More stable and closer to Europe countries such as Senegal and Sierra Leone are especially popular.

I would like to express the hope that Russian tourists on the beaches of West Africa will become frequent guests. Especially considering that the best season here falls on our harsh Russian winter, and flying here is no further than Thailand and Bali.

1. The seller of local jewelry on the beach. Lagos, Nigeria.

2. Labadi Beach. Accra. Ghana.

3. Musician on Labadi Beach. Accra.

4. The boy at the boat. Monrovia. Liberia.

5. Boat. Monrovia. Liberia.

6. Girl with fish. Monrovia. Liberia.

7. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.

8. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.

9. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.

10. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.

11. Crowd at a concert on the beach "At Bernard's". Monrovia. Liberia.

A man from one of the friendliest Ethiopian tribes of Hamer, Africa.

Hamer woman.
On the site beauti-world.ru you can admire a large number of works made not only by professional artists, but also simply by lovers of their craft. Pencil drawings always attract attention, sometimes they fascinate so much that the hand itself reaches for a pencil or brush to try to reproduce something similar.

The girls of the Hamer tribe, located in Africa, drink an alcoholic drink in the morning, which tastes like beer, and lead round dances. The heat and alcohol put them into a kind of trance.

The inhabitants of the Karo tribe are engaged in animal husbandry, they are considered the best masters in painting bodies, as well as preparing for dances and holidays.

Photo of representatives of the Bena tribe, whose traditions are still not fully understood.

Men of the Hamer tribe in the morning go to graze their cattle, armed with spears. Africa.

Mursi are one of the most aggressive tribes in Ethiopia, whose men carry sticks and beat to a pulp those who encroach on their leadership.

The people of the Karo tribe love a strict geometric style - they draw stripes, circles, spirals on the body. They use natural materials for painting: chalk, iron ore, ocher deposits, coal.

The African Karo tribe is the smallest (about a thousand people).

A woman from the Surma tribe, which is located in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. These tribes are fenced off from the whole world by hard-to-reach mountains.

Hamer woman.

Photo of a woman from the Surma tribe with a child.

The tribes of Ethiopia mainly speak Amharic and Oromo.

A woman from an Ethiopian tribe smokes a pipe.

A child from the Surma tribe, whose population lives due to the fact that they are engaged in cattle breeding.

Men and women of the Surma tribe shave their heads to be beautiful, and children adorn each other with patterns.

Unlike the children of other peoples of Ethiopia, the children of the Hamer, Karo and Benna tribes do not ask for money.

The Ethiopian Hamer tribe is interested in communicating with tourists who come to photograph them, touch and look at a white man.

Cattle breeding is well developed in this African tribe. The number of livestock measures the well-being of a family. In the Hamer language, there are about thirty words for different shades of color and texture of the skin of cattle.

Hamer women.

Distinctive features of the Hamer representatives are high cheekbones. They adorn themselves with beads, leather, and wear thick copper necklaces around their necks.

Each tribe of the valley is unique, with its own customs and religions.

The nationality of the representatives of the Hamer is approximately 35-50 thousand people, they inhabit the eastern part of the lowlands of the Omo Valley.

Hamer are Sunni Muslims. They believe that natural objects have a soul, and also believe in spirits that are able to take the form of a person or animal.

In one of the villages, representatives of the Arbore live - a people belonging to the Afro-Asian linguistic group. There are about five thousand of them.

The Hamer tribe has a very interesting rite - "running on the backs of bulls", which men who have reached the age of majority go through before getting married. They must run four times over the backs of the bulls standing in a row. A Hamer man performs the ritual naked, symbolizing the childhood he is about to leave. Cows do not always stand still, so it is important not only to run, but also not to fall, losing balance. After the successful completion of the rite, the young man is classified as a "maza". If he fell, he will train and undergo this ceremony in a year.

The Arbore differ from other peoples in that they wear numerous multi-colored beads. During ritual dances, they sing, believing that this relieves them of the accumulated negative energy.

Before marriage, the girl of the tribe must be virgin.

Representatives of the Hamer tribe have neither surnames nor passports.

A girl gets married at 12.

A Hamer man has two or three wives and many children.

Typically, an African tribal village consists of several dozen round huts standing on stilts with conical roofs. Their frame is knitted from poles, and on top is covered with a thick layer of dried grass and straw.

Inside, the hut is divided into a residential part, a granary and a goat pen. The master's bed was built of stones covered with a layer of clay and straw, and covered with a lot of goat skins on top.

African women braid their hair into a certain number of dreadlocks and smear them with ocher (for beauty and protection from insects).

A woman from one of the Ethiopian tribes drinks water.

The western and southwestern regions of the country are inhabited by various races: Afar, Agau, Oromo, Sidamo, Somali, Kafa, Beja, etc. And if you consider that each race includes up to a dozen different tribes that speak their own dialects, then different languages ​​in Ethiopia will get more than 200.

Almost every man from the African Suri tribe has a Kalashnikov assault rifle, which is always ready to fire.

Not every man can have a wife, not everyone can afford marriage. The groom agrees with the father of the bride about the amount of the ransom. A wife costs 8-10 cows - for Ethiopia this is a fortune.

After the groom has paid the ransom to the bride's family, he builds her own new house, no matter what kind of wife she is. There she brings her dowry (clothing, a few sacks of grain, a dozen chickens and other little things necessary for arranging a new home). The spouse himself does not have his own separate house, he leads a semi-nomadic lifestyle, living alternately in the houses of his wives, which he builds either not far from each other, or in one large fenced yard.

If suddenly the wife dies shortly after marriage, the husband has the right to return his ransom back. If the bride's family has another daughter who has reached marriageable age, then the widower receives her instead of the deceased. Widows do not remarry.

Among the African tribes Surma and Mursi, the labial disc traditionally plays an important social role. The larger its diameter, the higher the authority of the girl and the more in demand she is as a bride.

Women take out discs during meals or at bedtime, but do not part with them outside the home or in public. African women Surma and Mursi often exchange these jewelry among themselves (except for those donated by their husbands).

Hamer woman (Africa) with a pipe.

Chief Karo, who participated in numerous raids and battles.

African tribe Daasanach, whose people since 1983 became Orthodox Christians.

The population of Hamer often goes hungry - droughts lead to crop failures. Africa.

When a member of the Bodi tribe dies, his body is guarded for three days, after which he is eaten by the tribesmen as a sign of respect. Africa.

Chief Hamer. Scars on the skin show the number of enemies defeated by him in battle.

10 most beautiful beaches in Africa: 1. Paje, Zanzibar, Tanzania Zanzibar is famous for its white and clean beaches, which are among the best in the world. Well, the title of the most beautiful one definitely deserves Paje Beach - a great place for those who are looking for solitude, but at the same time want to relax in comfort. Of the advantages of resting on Paje is the absence of sharp low tides, so you can always swim in plenty and at the same time appreciate the purest white sand, and various entertainments (kiting, bars, beach discos) will greatly diversify your vacation. Of the possible disadvantages - a rather low water level. 2. Paradise Beach, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa Republic of South Africa is a real “beach gem” of the Black Continent: it will appeal to both lovers of outdoor activities (for example, diving, surfing, kiting or snorkeling), and those who just want to relax in the background beautiful scenery. For the latter, we recommend one of the most picturesque beaches in South Africa - Paradise Beach. Silence, tranquility and snow-white sand against the backdrop of the azure ocean… What else do you need in order to enjoy life to the fullest? 3. Trou d'Argent beach, Rodrigues Island, Mauritius Mauritius is your choice if you prefer less crowded beaches, such as Trou d'Argent beach on Rodrigues Island. Very beautiful and small beach in the lagoon, surrounded by rocks, with many rare birds that you will not see anywhere else. Only the turquoise ocean, silky sand and you are beauty! 4. Anse Soleil, Mahe, Seychelles This beach is a real treasure of the Seychelles archipelago and one of the most romantic beaches in the world, with amazing sunrises and sunsets and heavenly landscapes. Surrounded by wave-glazed boulders and emerald jungles, Anse Soleil is a must visit for everyone! 5. Grand Anse, La Digue, Seychelles Another beautiful place in the Seychelles, worthy of the epithet "paradise". Grand Anse Beach is everything that we associate with exoticism and tropical bliss: slender palm trees, 500 meters of the whitest coral sand and gentle waves of the azure ocean. Another undoubted plus is the minimum of tourists, which is the best way to contribute to a good rest. 6. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles This beach is the epitome of ideal: no annoying algae that you try to get confused in, no sharp corals. The waves are perfectly stunning, the depth is perfectly deep. Plus, the beach is free. What else is needed? Plus, you can find a secluded place among the boulders, if the neighbors are too overpowered. 7. Nosy Be, Madagascar This beach, located on the island of the same name, boasts a developed tourist infrastructure and the excellent condition of the beach area, which, combined with fascinating landscapes, creates all the conditions for a comfortable stay. 8. Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde Santa Maria is considered the best beach in Cape Verde, and this opinion is quite understandable: the crystal clear blue of the ocean and the amazing beach beckon to laze in the sun, and the expanses of water are ideal for surfing , windsurfing and diving (near the island there is a wreck of ancient ships). 9. Diani Beach, Ukunda, Kenya Here you will find everything for a good rest: white sand, warm waves of the ocean and the opportunity to do water sports. One thing: at low tide, you should be careful not to accidentally step on a sea urchin. 10. Nakupenda Beach, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania Nakupenda Beach is the epitome of a paradise vacation: the azure ocean, gentle sand, low population and vibrant beauty of the underwater world will give you a lot of impressions and a desire to come back here again!

Arriving to rest in a hot country, tourists wonder What are the best beaches in Africa? We bring to your attention a list of the most famous and popular beaches where you will have a great rest and will want to come here again more than once.

List of beaches in the hot country of Africa.

Anse Georgette beach located in the Seychelles. To get to it you need to ride a boat or cross the territory of another resort. The beach is rich in dazzling white sand, which is located even at the bottom of the ocean. A mask, fins and snorkel will come in handy for relaxation. With such accessories, you can dive and explore the underwater world of the ocean. If you do not have your own diving equipment, you can rent it.

In Morocco is Agadir beach, which covers the coast of the southern side of the city. To relax in the nearest cafes and bars, you can rent sun loungers and parasols. It is important to know! There are dangerous undercurrents in the ocean, so you need to carefully watch the kids. Closer to the north side of the beach, lifeguards are on duty during the day from June to September.

In Kenya, there is Tiwi beach. It is considered a budget beach. Here you can admire the coral reefs that lie along the very shores of the beach. Tourists can find great places for snorkeling.

The best beach on the territory of the island of Zanzibar is considered kendwa beach. It has a sandy shore and bottom. Here you can stay in budget houses and even in exclusive luxury hotels. To get to your holiday, you need to fly to Zanzibar International Airport and then take a taxi. It is not advised to go to the beach from April to May and from November to December, as it rains very often during this period.

On the island of Boa Vista you can have a great rest on Santa Monica beach. Its length is 30 kilometers. The shore and bottom are strewn with sand. Hotels are located closer to the airport. To get to the beach you need to fly to Boa Vista International Airport and then hire a car. Santa Monica Beach happily welcomes its tourists all year round. From June to December, the sea is the warmest water.

On the island of Sao Tome in Africa, there are tamarindo beach. There are many trees and palms growing here. And the shore and the bottom are strewn with sand. The best holiday on this beach is from June to September.

In southern Africa, Cape Town is located Boulders Beach. Here tourists can swim in coves with clean and cool water. You can also meet African penguins that hide their eggs right in the sand. It is important not to get too close to the penguins.

On the territory of Mauritius is located Grand Bay beach. Here tourists can skydive, surf, visit beach bars, restaurants and shops. It is impossible to swim near the very shore of the beach, as it is packed with boats. Mauritian beach is the best for those who love water sports and for hedonists.

Now you know what are the best beaches in Africa. And that is not all. On the Internet, you can find many more interesting places to stay in a hot country.

How much do we know about Africa? That this is a hot mainland with unique nature and little-known territory. Do you know about the beach resorts of Africa, of which there are a lot - Tunisia, Morocco and the Seychelles are the most famous. Did you know that the white sandy beaches of Africa are some of the best in the world? We invite you to a virtual tour of the best African beaches.

A beach with white sand, which is absolutely white without any inclusions, makes a truly fantastic impression: greenery and flowers are fragrant all around, and the coastal strip seems to be covered with snow. Paje Beach has one nuance - however, traditional for the entire coast of the Indian Ocean, at low tide to deep water, you have to walk for quite some time. But there is an abundance of entertainment on the beach - cafes, discos and so on.

Wild African beaches - Trou d'Argent - ideal in the classical sense. It is not crowded, spacious, safe, clean, surrounded by rocks from prying eyes, the entrance to the ocean is gentle. Nothing prevents you from enjoying a truly unique landscape. For example, palm trees of the subspecies of Geophorbe Verschaffelt grow only here, on the Mascarene Islands of the Indian Ocean.

Source D'Argent Beach is one of the top 5 best beaches not only in Africa, but all over the world according to BBC Travel. Sand of such a pale pinkish hue is almost never found. And the turquoise color of the ocean and the granite boulders surrounding the beach create a magnificent landscape. It can also be classified as a wild African beach, as civilization will definitely not distract you from your vacation.

Grand Anse Beach is a popular beach on La Digue, also included in the BBC Travel rating. In beauty, it is in no way inferior to the nearby Source D'Argent. And in the nearby island park L’Union Estate, frames of the French film “Emmanuelle” were filmed, because all the surrounding nature contributes to a romantic mood.

Another beach on the Indian Ocean with sand of a specific white and pink hue is Nakupenda Beach. In addition to a relaxing beach holiday, swimming and sunbathing, this beach is just a godsend for those who want to snorkel. At the same time, it is quite safe to admire the underwater inhabitants - they are non-aggressive and non-poisonous here.

The island of Nosy Be is located in the north of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. This is a magnificent combination of beautiful nature and civilization - the island's beach is fully equipped for a civilized holiday. At the same time, here you can see real lemurs, chameleons and turtles, and even touch them - animals do not expect anything bad from people and do not run away. On the Internet, it is easy to find an amateur video from this particular island, where you can see how close tropical animals come to humans.

No less beautiful beaches of Africa are located on the Atlantic coast. The resort Moroccan city of Agadir on the Atlantic coast boasts chic spacious beaches with specific reddish sand. These are well-equipped civilized beaches with sunbeds, umbrellas and a warning system about approaching dust storms that happen regularly in the desert. You can also catch a wave here, which is enjoyed by surfers and lovers of other marine sports.

Sal Island is located in the south of Cape Verde on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the most popular islands in the country. And Santa Maria is the most famous city of the island among tourists. It is here that the main array of travelers stops, visiting neighboring islands with excursions. Santa Maria is a four-kilometer beach with pure reddish sand depending on the lighting. All water activities are developed here: windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving.

Boulders Beach in Falls Bay is a truly unique beach where you can see real penguins. The penguin colony was formed by the standards of nature recently - in 1982. However, these animals liked it here so much that the colony grows every year. Boulders Beach is included in the boundaries of the National Park, including because of the presence of penguins here. People will also like it here: many neat coves protected from high waves, huge centuries-old boulders around the beach area. For the convenience of observing animals, taking photos and videos, wooden platforms were built.

These are perhaps the most beautiful beaches in Africa, which are worth visiting. You will get a lot of impressions, and Africa itself will be remembered for its bright colors, which are not found on the European continent.