Oftentimes, Americans get caught up in everything the United States has to offer that they do not leave the country. In fact, the U.S.A has a great amount of places to travel domestically so what’s the point of traveling internationally? Staying within the country requires a lot less planning, and allows people to stay within their comfort zone by not having to learn a new language, or adjust to a new currency and culture. When we listen to the news, most of what we hear are horror stories of what’s happening internationally so much so that the bad exceedingly outweighs the good.

For those who do travel overseas, only 3% of them travel to Africa and less than half of this percentage consists of African Americans. From a young age our negative perception of Africa has been dominated by the narratives of others. Many African-Americans are immensely ignorant in regards to the motherland. Some may simply not care because they do not know their exact roots within the continent, but just because you don’t care to know does not take away the fact that the continent of Africa is a part of your ethnic make-up. Many African-Americans are dignifying the American part of our ethnicity that the African is beginning to just represent the color of our skin. Being ignorant to our own background isn’t hurting anyone but ourselves. Africa is one of the world’s most diverse continents, and each of the 54 countries consist of their own rich history and culture. How could you not want to go?!

Here are some places in the Motherland that every African-American should visit:

1. Vipingo Beach

Vipingo Beach Kisauni, Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa

Looking for a honeymoon location? Vipingo Beach is located in a costal area near Kilifi a town consisting of Swahili villages. The beach is surrounded by fresh green coconut palm trees and crystal clear water. It's very scenic and rarely ever crowded!

2. House of Slaves

House of Slaves Dakar, Senegal, West Africa

Built in 1776 by the Dutch, the House of slaves serves a memorial for the Atlantic Slave Trade.

3. Great Pyramid of Giza

Great Pyramid of Giza Giza, Egypt, North Africa

As many of us may know, pyramids were built for pharaohs and their queens whom were later buried in that same place. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of three pyramids in the city of Giza.

4. Table Mountain

Table Mountain Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain is one of the countries leading attractions and most photogenic. The flat top of this mountain is covered by orographic clouds which forms when the south-easterly winds are going up towards the mountain's slopes in colder air.Try hiking to the top and you'll be able to overlook the city of Cape Town!

5.Plage Quemado Beach

Plage Quemado, Al Hoceïma, Morocco, North Africa

Plage Quemado is located in the center of the Riff Mountains along the Mediterranean coast line of North Morocco. This beach is one of Morocco's top class beaches, many people are oftentimes drawn to this particular location. If you're looking to mix and mingle and meet new people this is the perfect location for you!

6. Stone Town Slave Market

Stone Town Slave Market Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa

The Stone Town Slave Market was the last legally operating slave market in the world. The market contained chambers where the slaves were held under inhumane conditions to differentiate the weak slaves from the strong prior to being sold.

7. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe, South-Central Africa

Victoria falls is one of the worlds most beautiful waterfalls. Those who visit are simply awe struck by the beauty.As the water falls, the mist and spray rise up more than 100 feet higher than the top of the falls giving the illusion of smoke rising out of a deep hole in the earth, which explains the traditional name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders". Don't forget your ponchos!

8.Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans, Tutume, Botswana, South-Central Africa

Believe it or not, that's not snow. It's salt! The Makgadikgadi Pans are said to contain more salt than all microwavable foods combined (that's a lot of salt)! Formerly a lake which dried up years ago, the Makgadikgadi Pans are now one of the world's largest salt flats. Make sure you stay hydrated, it can get pretty dry!

9. Sof Omar Caves

Sof Omar Cave, Bale Province, Ethiopia, East Africa

The Sof Omar cave system was formed by the Weib River over the course of years. As it changed, it carved a new channel through the limestone foothills. It is now known as one of the worlds most extraordinary caverns and one of the longest caves in Ethiopia. If you're looking for something adventurous, here it is. Don't forget your flashlights...and a map of course!

10 .Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park Accra, Ghana, West Africa

Being the first country to gain it's independence, Ghana has an abundantly strong history. Kwame Nkrumah memorial, located in what was formerly known as Old Polo Grounds is where PrimeMinisterKwame Nkrumah gave hisspeech in 1957declaringGhana as the first African country to gain it's independence. The park also houses the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum which contains his grave. Ghana has an endless amount of things to do (Beaches, Cape Coast Castle, Markets, Parks, Etc). If you're looking for the time of your life, the best time to visit would be around the holidays. The rich food, culture, and marvelous people will have you mind struck as to what took you so long to finally visit!