Called the dark Continent,
Africa is a massive land mass
of land still unexplored and
untamed. Diverse in its people,
religions, languages and
heritage, it should come as no
surprise that Africa is home to
some of the most mysterious
landmarks, geological
formations and man-made
places on earth. Whether in the
deserts of Egypt, the dense
jungles of the Congo or the
beautiful coasts of West Africa,
this continent is home to
some of the most
breathtaking landscapes and
interesting places on earth.

From a set of ancient pyramids
overshadowed by the ones at
Giza to a deadly lake to the
former location of one of the
most ancient of Africa
civilizations to one of the most
breath-taking parks in the
world, Africa has a lot to see
and do for anyone looking to
add a little excitement to their
travels. Often off the beaten
path but always worthwhile,
these ten places might be the
most mysterious Africa has to
offer. They are listed below;

1. Dallol.

From pictures, one might
guess these landscapes are
from the mind of a science-
fiction writer or computer
generated for a futuristic
movie. However, this is actually
a place on earth. A place in
Ethiopia to be more specific.
The city of Dallol was
established in this area of
volcanic activity and holds the
record as being the hottest
inhabited place on earth with
an average temperature 96
degrees. The city is also one
of the most remote in the
world and can take a journey of
a day or more just to reach it.

Today, the city is pretty much
a ghost town in the Afar
Desert. The combination of
railroads and potash mining
needed during World War I led
to the original settlement of
the area, as well as attempts
to dig for salt in the area.
However, the extremely hot
climate and local volcanic
activity made Dallol a less than
desirable place for most. While
the heat and volcanic
temperatures have made the
area popular for those mining
iron oxide, sulfur and salt, it
has also recently become a
destination for tourists who
are seeking something out of
this world.

The volcanic explosion crater in
the Danakil Depression has
created some of the most
astonishing hot springs,
geothermal geysers and
beautiful salt flats in the world.
Be warned, this is a place the
ancient Afar people thought so
dangerous they dubbed it
Dallol, meaning
“disintegrated.” Few
volcanologists even dare come
to this area to study the rare
geothermal wonders in this
corner of Africa.

Those that can brave the heat
can explore the wondrous
landscape must be willing to
go out of the way to get there.
The only means of transport to
the area are either by hopping
one of the trading caravans
that traverses Ethiopia or
renting a four-wheel drive
vehicle and driving across the
sand from the nearest village,
Mekele, which is a day’s drive
from Dallol.
While Dallol is not found in
many books about volcanoes,
it is believed the area’s unique
landscape was formed when
the basaltic magma from the
eruption mingled with salt
deposits and water in the area.
This lead to an explosion of of
rock, asha, water and steam as
well as molten volcanic rock.
The last known eruption was in
1926 and toxic fumes still
emanate in the area as a
result. Needless to say, a trip
to Dallol is not for the faint of
heart.

Oya continue na

2. The Eye of Africa.

Also known as the Richat
Structure, the Eye of Africa
has become a landmark for
astronauts and remains a
mysterious blue circle in the
sands of the Sahara Desert. It
was astronauts who first
caught a glimpse of this
strange land formation and to
this day, scientists are still
unsure what created this
strange landmark. However,
there are no shortage of
theories about how the Eye of
Africa came to be.

Initially, astronauts theorized
the Eye was the creation of an
asteroid impact in the Sahara
desert near the city of
Ouadane, Mauritania. The
structure is about 30 miles - or
50 kilometers - wide
and strangely circular. A
second theory is that the
structure is the remnant of a
volcano, though the lack of a
dome or rock types associated
with volcanoes have caused
scientists to be highly critical
of that theory. Others believe
the rock sculpture was created
when tectonic plates moved
the rock upward out of the
desert, but the nearly perfect
circular rings around the Eye
have also offered evidence
contrary to that theory.

Of course, one of the more
wild theories is that the area is
the ruin of hte lost city of
Atlantis as it is so similar to the
circular, divided island as
described by Plato. The fact
that the area is close to the
Pillars of Hercules as Plato
described has also led some
credence to this theory. There
are those who theorize the
geothermal areas of the Eye
are the ruins of a canal
osystem or a river delta,
especially since the circles are
nearly geometrically perfect.
About 40,000 years ago, there
were huge lakes in the Sahara
desert and the area was still
humid around 65000 BCE.

Of course, it is believed the
Eye is around 100 million years
old, around the time the
Sahara would have been
covered by the sea. While
scientists are still baffled at
how the Eye of Africa was
created, the images of the Eye
as taken from space continue
to intrigue and inspire those on
earth. The origin of this
strange landscape may never
be known.

3. Great Zimbabwe.

These magnificent ancient
ruins are not only a cultural
touchstone for the people of
Zimbabwe but have been
declared a UNESCO World
Heritage site because of their
importance to world history.
The largest collection of ruins
in Africa south of the Sahara,
the Great Zimbabwe is located
between the Zambezi and
Limpopo Rivers and show the
amazing wealth and
architectural abilities of this
ancient African culture.

The Great Zimbabwe was once
the capital city of the Kingdom
of Zimbabwe, believed to have
been constructed around the
1000s. However, it is believed
the occupation of the site
dates back even further as it
was once used as a burial
ground by the ancient Shona
people. The Great Zimbabwe
was settled by the Gokomere
people and eventually the Ziwa
cultures also began farming
and mining the areas around
the city. Evidence suggests
the city was a great trading
center and a center for gold
and ivory. Remnants of
Chinese pottery, coins from
Arabia and glass beads from
other cultures indicate how
wealthy the city was.

The Great Zimbabwe went into
decline and was eventually
abandoned around 14500 AD.
Several suggestions have been
given for the end of this once-
mighty civilization including
climate change, the arrival of
Europeans to the African
continent, a decline in trading,
political instability and famine
or water shortages. By the
time the first Europeans
arrived in the area - Portugues
explorers who went to explore
the ruins in the 1500s - the
city had long been abandoned.

Today, visitors can explore the
granite towers and walls,
soapstone sculptures, and
impressive ancient structures
that remain. Modern-day
residents of Zimbabwe take
pride in this example of their
heritage and much work is
being done to learn more
about this ancient city and the
people who once lived here. A
small museum on the site also
offers visitors a glance at
artifacts that were recovered
from the area, including some
of the pieces that evidence
international tradiing that once
took place within the city walls.

4. Lake Natron.

From blood-red waters to the
ability to calcify animals into
stone, Lake Natron near
Tanzania's border with Kenya is
another African landscape that
seems taken from science
fiction - or possibly even a
horror novel. Despite the
ominous appearance of this
lake, it continues to be a
popular tourist destination and
the base camp for climbing
one of Tanzania's most
impressive mountains.
Additionally, the lake is home
to a very unique ecosystem,
despite is seemingly deadly
reputation.

Natron is actually one of two
saline lakes in Tanzania, the
smaller being lake Bahi, in the
country’s Great Rift Valley. As
the lakes are filled with
saltwater and rains in the area
are unpredictable, the rains
can make the salt levels in the
water raise extremely quickly.
As a result of this rapid
evaporation, the lake leaves
behind high levels of natron
and trona and the alkalinity of
the lake can reach high Ph
levels. It is this rapid
evaporation that gives the lake
its blood red color.

This water can also seemingly
turn animals unaccustomed to
it to stone. The high alkalinity
can burn the skin and eyes of
animals and the deposits of
sodium carbonate in the lake
can mummify these animals.
In fact, this is the same
chemical used by the ancient
Egyptians to mummify their
dead. Of course, animals don’t
instantly die and become
mummified as soon as they
make contact with the lake. It
is believed the calcification
occurs ot animals that are just
unlucky enough to die in the
lake, often times of natural
causes.

In addition to its salt content,
the lake is also extremely hot,
often reaching up to 140
degrees Fahrenheit. Despite
this, there are some animals
who still call the area home. in
addition to algae, the lake is
home to fish and birds. The
lake is the only breeding
ground for the lesser
flamingo, a threatened
species. As a result, the World
Wildlife Fund is working to help
preserve the area from
loggers and other threats to
the lake’s environment. While
the lake may seem dangerous,
humans often hang out around
its borders. The lake is the site
of several campgrounds, many
of which are used as base
camp before climbing Ol
Doinyou Lengai, one of
Tanzania’s highest mountains.

5. Lake Nyos.

While Lake Natron may seem
to be the most dangerous lake
in Africa, it is actually
Cameroon’s Lake Nyos that
holds the reputation for being
the most deadly. One night in
1986, this lake killed about
1,700 people and nearly 3,500
livestock. The incident also left
many others with health
problems because of the
chemicals the lake emanated.
As a result, the Guinness Book
of World Records has dubbed
Lake Nyos the deadliest lake in
the world.

Nyos is a carter lake about 200
miles north of Cameroon’s
capital city of Yaounde. The
lake is on the side of an
inactive volcano and is
impounded by a volcanic dam.
There is a pocket of magma
underneath the lake, which
leaks carbon dioxide into the
water. The water then changes
this into carbonic acid and
makes the lake one of three
exploding lakes in the world -
all three of which are in Africa.
Typically, the amount of
carbon dioxide being emitted
from the lake is monitored for
public safety, but one night in
1986, there was nothing
officials could do to stop the
deadly lake.

It is believed a landslide or
small volcanic eruption on
August 21, 1986 triggered the
sudden release of around
250,000 tons of carbon dioxide
as well as hydrogen and sulfur.
This cloud rose above the lake
and spilled over into the valleys
nearby. The carbon dioxide
then asphyxiated both people
and animals living in the
valleys. Those who were not
strangled by the lake suffered
from coughing, burning
sensations in their eyes and
throats, respiratory problems,
lesions and paralysis.

Some 40,000 people fled the
area and many of those who
were injured by the lake were
taken to the capital city of
Yaounde for treatment. Many
residents made the choice to
not return back to the banks of
Lake Nyos after the disaster.
To prevent any further
disasters from happening
again, scientists are working to
help degas the lake through a
process called outgassing.
Scientists are installing
columns into the lake that
feed out the carbon dioxide in
a controlled manner. The hope
is to eventually degas the lack
completely. Research is also
being done to ensure neither
of the other two exploding
lakes in Africa will experience a
similar disaster. However,
another disaster is looming for
Lake Nyos. The natural dam
created by volcanic rock is
slowly eroding and if it breaks,
it could flood the same valleys
the lake gassed nearly thirty
years ago. Engineers are
exploring how to strengthen
the natural dam to prevent
another disaster.

6. Marafa Depression.

The Marafa Depression in
Kenya goes by many names.
Some have nicknamed it
“Hell’s Kitchen” while the locals
call it Nyari, meaning “the
place broken by itself.” This
large sandstone ridge worn by
erosion now showcases some
of the most beautifully colored
gorges in Africa. This beautiful
area not far from the Kenyan
coast is also the source of
legend for the Kenyan people.

According to local legend, the
area where the Marafa
Depression is located was
once a plain that was home to
a very prosperous village. One
day, the people of the village
received a nightmarish vision
that a miracle was coming and
they had to move their town.
The majority of the villagers
decided to heed these
communal vision, save for one
elderly woman who did not
want to leave her home. The
people moved and later
returned to the area to find
the Marafa Depression where
their town had once been.
There was no sign of the
elderly woman who had stayed
behind.

Another legend states the area
was inhabited by a very
wealthy family with several
heads of cattle. The family was
so rich they allegedly bathed
themselves and their cattle in
milk, but they were cruel and
would not share any of their
wealth with their poverty-
stricken neighbors. This
angered the gods, who
punished the family with a
torrential rain storm that
eroded away their rich land and
the family, leaving the
Depression in its wake.

Of course, scientists say
erosion over millions of years
is the more likely culprit for
the create of the feet-high
sandstone structures in the
Depression. Regardless of the
cause, the area is now part of
Hell's Gate National Park and a
spot to see both magnificent
animal and plant life.
Additionally, the sunset and
sunrise bouncing off the
colorful layers of the
Depression make for some
beautiful sites and
photography. While the area is
not one of the most popular
tourist destinations in Kenya, it
is ranked as one of its most
beautiful. Other sites in the
national park include the
inspiration for "The Lion
King's" Pride Rock, hot springs,
the wildlife and even an annual
wheelbarrow race.

7. Meroe Pyramids.

Most people are familiar with
the astounding ancient
Egyptian pyramids at Giza, but
these are not the only
pyramids that dot Northern
Africa. The ancient Nubian
peoples also built pyramids
outside their city of Meroe,
which are even older than the
pyramids at Giza. In fact, it is
believed it was the Nubians
who introduced pyramid
building to Egypt when they
took over the country in the
700s BCE.

While the pyramids at Giza are
dated to about 2600 BCE, the
pyramids at Meroe and other
Nubian pyramids are belived to
have been constructed about
500 years earlier. The city of
Meroe was the third and final
capital city of the Nubian
empire known as Kush along
the Nile River in the present-
day Sudan, though the
construction of these
pyramids began in the early
days of the Nubian empire
when the capital was at Kerma.
The Kush empire competed
strongly with ancient Egypt,
and while they could be
military rivals, the two also
traded goods, technology,
information and customs.

More than 200 pyramids were
constructed at Meroe in three
separate groups, relating to
the three kingdoms and
capitols of the empire. The
pyramids were the burial
grounds for kings and queens
of the empire, though many of
those buried here remain
unidentified. There are similar
royal burial grounds in pyramid
form at el-Kurru and Nuri,
though Meroe is the largest
burial ground for the Nubians.

Along with the royalty, burial
items include musical rocks
and entire cow to help
accompany the Nubian kings
and queens into their afterlife.
In addition to the pyramids
themselves. visitors can also
explore the ruins of the
ancient city of Meroe, which
was a major powerhouse
because of its proximity to iron
mines as well as its agricultural
importance due to the annual
flooding of the Nile. Several
royal palaces and temples
remain at the site. Today, the
sites are a UNESCO World
Heritage site and
archaeological excavation
continues to learn more about
the ancient Nubians.

this is insightful but without pictures

8. Tiya Stelae.

Quite possibly Africa’s answer
to England’s Stonehenge,
these massive stone
monuments in the central part
of Ethiopia create one of the
most important archaeological
sites in the country. Roughly
160 similar sites have been
discovered in Ethiopia’s Soddo
region south of the capital of
Addis Ababa, and this is the
largest site. It contains 36
stone monuments with 32
stelae with carvings that still
baffle researchers.

The archaeological site takes
its name from the nearby
Ethiopian town of Tiya. The
stone columns are called
stelae, the Greek plural term
for stone slabs erected as
monuments, often for
funerary or commemorative
purposes. They are also called
menhir, a French term for
standing stones. These
megalithic structures are
found in Europe, China and
along the Horn of Africa. One
of the first expeditions to try
and uncover the mystery of
these standing stones took
place by a German
archaeologist in 1935, though
Europeans were aware of the
site for several decades by
that time.

What is known about these
stones is that they were most
likely erected by an ancient
Ethiopian culture, though no
name is certain of this culture.
Tools indicate the area was
constructed in the Middle
Stone Age. What isn’t known
about the stones far exceeds
what is. While many of the
stones depict swords and a
few humanoid figures,
researchers are not sure what
to make of many of the
symbols on these stones.
Some theorize the area is a
funeral site or burial ground as
many tombs have been found
in the same area.

As Ethiopia is an area where
not much archaeological work
has been done, researchers
are just now beginning to
uncover the secrets of this
site and other similar sites
across the country. In addition
to determining the meaning of
the individual standing stones,
these researchers are hoping
to uncover how the site at Tiya
is connected to other sites in
the area. Some are hoping that
oral histories and legends
passed down to nearby people
and tribes can also help them
piece together the history and
purpose of the Tiya site.

9. Nyiragongo Volcanic Lake.

Not only is Africa home to a
lake that calcifies animals and
another that emits poison gas,
but it is also home to a
volcanic lake filled with hot
magma. Mount Nyiragongo is
located near Congo's border
with Rwanda and features a
permanent lava lake at its
peak. The lake is only one of
half a dozen lava lakes known
in the world, but it is often
difficult for scientists to study
it because of political strife
and bureaucracy.

The lava lake in the center of
the volcano is around 700 feet
wide and could be miles deep.
The city of Goma built in the
shadow of the mountain is in
constant danger of eruptions,
but because it is so hard for
scientists to study the lake,
the process of protecting
nearby residents remains a
slow one. It is still unknown
how long Mount Nyiragongo
has been active, but the first
eruption recorded by
Europeans was in 1882. Since
then, the mountain has
erupted 34 times, including
the seemingly continuous of
the churning lava lake. Two of
the most powerful eruptions
occurred in 1977 and 2002.

The 1977 eruption led to the
lava lake draining for several
hours and flooding into nearby
villages and killing 70 people.
The disaster was compounded
by an unexpected eruption of
another, smaller volcano
nearby. In 2002, the eruption
sent lava flows into nearby
villages, Lake Kivu and even
the Rwandan border. An
estimated 147 people died in
this eruption, mostly from
asphyxiation emitted into the
air rather than from the lava
flows themselves.

Presently, the people of the
Congo are a little bit more
concerned with warlords and
constant political strife
plaguing the area and less with
the eruption of the volcano at
the top of Mount Nyiragongo.
Still, scientists are braving the
war-torn country and the
political problems that
presents to do their best and
protect the residents of Goma
and other nearby cities from
further eruptions and lava
flows.

10. Tsingy de Bemaraha
National Park.

The home of some of the
rarest wildlife in all the world,
Madagascar is home to the
beautiful Tsingy De Bemaraha
National Park and neighboring
Tsingy De Bemaraha Strict
Nature Reserve, the home of
the island’s famous lemurs. Of
course, the most famous
feature of this area is the
stone forest or Tsignys for
which the parks take their
name. In the native tongue,
Tsingy refers to the karst
plateaus and limestone
fissures created by erosion.

These limestone peaks in the
canyon created by the
Manambolo River is also home
to several undisturbed forests,
lakes and mangrove swamps.
As a result of its rare
geographical features and the
relative isolation of the island
of Madagascar, this park and
nature reserve are home to
some of the most rare and
endangered animal and bird
species in the world. Animals
that call this area home include
11 species of lemur, six bird
species, two amphibian
species, 17 species of reptile
and one rodent species that
exist nowhere else in the
world. This combined with its
needley stone forest are why
the reserve and park were
declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.

One of the most amazing
things about this area is that
the top of these stone needles
are a completely different
ecosystem from the floor of
the forest. With 90 percent of
the species living in this park
living only in the area, it should
come as no surprise that new
species are being discovered
in the area all the time. in fact,
one of the most recent
species discoveries include a
bat found in 2005, a lemur
named after comedian John
Cleese in 2005 and a new
species of frog found in 2007.

Of course, the long rainy
season and winter snowfall can
make it hard for biologists and
other researchers to get into
the area for study. For tourists,
there are also very few ways to
access the park. The majority
of tourists visit via the road
from the town of Morondava,
which is approximately an 86-
mile, four hour drive.
Additionally, visitors can also
get into the park by Antsalova,
but the only way to reach that
town is by plane. This area also
provides limited access to
some parts of the park.

Source - http://inwanderlust.weebly.com/blog/most-mysterious-places-africa...

Really weird, I'd love to visit one soon.