Welcome to Africa’s Weird Side
Forget the safari brochure version of Africa for a second.
Beyond the lions, beaches and city skylines, this continent is hiding places so strange they look like CGI. Yet they’re real, touchable, stand-in-front-and-take-a-selfie real.
And right now, African creators are turning these wild locations into viral gold across TikTok, X, Instagram and YouTube.
1. Lake Natron, Tanzania – The “Stone” Lake
At first glance, Lake Natron looks like a normal pinkish lake. But then you see the pictures: birds and bats looking like they’ve turned to stone on the shoreline. Creepy? 100%.
The water is extremely salty and alkaline. When animals die there, minerals preserve their bodies, making them look like eerie stone statues. TikTok creators are doing spooky edits, using horror soundtracks and zooming in on the “stone” flamingos for jump-scare content.
“Africa isn’t a continent, it’s a movie set. Who directed this Lake Natron scene?!”
On X, Natron clips are going viral with threads like “Places on Earth that look fake” – and Tanzania stays on the list.
2. Danakil Depression, Ethiopia – Africa’s Alien Planet
If NASA ever wants to fake a Mars landing, they don’t need Hollywood. They just need Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression.
Neon-yellow pools, toxic gases, bubbling hot springs, salt flats glowing like another galaxy – it looks like the ground is glitching.
This is one of the hottest, driest and lowest places on Earth.
You’ll see creators on YouTube doing “I tried surviving 24 hours in the hottest place in Africa” challenges, mixing danger with clickbait, while travel vloggers on IG flex drone shots over the acid pools.
“No way this is Ethiopia. This is where aliens host meetings.”
3. Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana – The Endless White Desert
Makgadikgadi is so flat and white that at midday it feels like you’re walking on the sky’s reflection. During dry season, it’s a powder-white salt desert stretching to the horizon. During wet season, it floods and turns into a giant mirror for flamingos and zebras.
On TikTok, couples are filming “transition” videos where they jump in their bedrooms and land in a 360° empty white world. Botswana-based creators use it as a backdrop for fashion shoots, dance challenges and even comedy skits about “loading screen” vibes.
4. The Door to Hell of Africa: Erta Ale Volcano, Ethiopia
Erta Ale, in Ethiopia’s Afar region, is a constantly active volcano with a lava lake that glows like a demon’s swimming pool. It’s molten orange, bubbling, angry and hypnotic.
Night-time IG Reels of Erta Ale are going crazy: slow zoom, Afrobeats in the background, and a caption like “POV: Your problems compared to God’s power”.
YouTube travel channels call it “Africa’s Door to Hell” and push long-form documentaries mixed with cinematic drone shots.
“Meanwhile I’m complaining about Lagos traffic and Earth out here just…boiling.”
5. Lake Retba, Senegal – The Pink Lake That Looks Filtered
Lake Retba (Lac Rose) sits near Dakar and it literally looks like strawberry yoghurt. The pink colour comes from micro-algae that produce a red pigment, especially when the sun is bright and the salt is high.
It’s huge on IG and TikTok because it looks unreal. People jump in, scoop the water with calabashes, and do “no filter” challenges just to prove it’s real.
Local workers harvesting salt in the middle of this pink water create some of the most iconic visuals out of West Africa.
“If Barbie was Senegalese, this would be her summer home.”
6. The Crocodile Tree Tombs of Burkina Faso
In parts of Burkina Faso, some communities bury people in hollowed-out baobab trees or on steep cliffs. Combine that with sacred crocodile ponds where the crocs are treated like spiritual neighbours, and your brain starts saying, “There’s no way this is real.”
African TikTok storytellers and animators are turning these traditions into mini horror-folklore episodes. It’s not just for scares; it’s pushing deeper conversations about African spirituality, respect for the dead and our relationship with nature.
7. Meroe Pyramids, Sudan – The Other Pyramids
Everyone talks about Egypt, but Sudan’s Meroe pyramids are like Egypt’s mysterious cousin that doesn’t like attention.
Dozens of sharp, narrow pyramids stand in the desert, looking like video game level design. They belong to the ancient Kingdom of Kush, which once rivalled Egypt.
On X, photos of Meroe go viral under “Africa they don’t show you” threads.
Sudaneses and other Africans are using these posts to educate people on Kushite queens, Nubian history and how deep black civilization runs.
“We have pyramids on pyramids and they told us history started somewhere else. Okay.”
Why These Strange Places Are Blowing Up Online
So why are these locations suddenly everywhere on our feeds?
- Shock value: They look like CGI, so people share out of pure disbelief.
- Short-form storytelling: In 10–30 seconds, creators can go from “This is Africa” to “Wait, WHAT?!”
- Identity & pride: African and diaspora users love flexing the continent’s hidden sides.
- Escape fantasy: In a stressful world, these places look like portals out of reality.
What This Says About African Culture & Tourism
These viral spots show how layered Africa really is. It’s not just wildlife and beaches; it’s science, myth, spirituality and history blending together.
From Ethiopia’s lava lakes to Senegal’s pink water and Sudan’s forgotten pyramids, young Africans are reclaiming the narrative, one viral clip at a time.
Tourism boards are waking up too. Expect more creator collabs, influencer trips and cinematic campaigns using these strange landscapes as backdrops for music videos, fashion shoots and brand ads.
What’s Next for These Viral Places?
Over the next few years, expect:
- More African-led documentaries on YouTube diving into the science and myths behind these places.
- Brand deals sending local creators to “weird Africa” destinations for travel content.
- Stronger conversations about conservation and respecting sacred sites.
- New meme formats: “Where do you want to disappear to?” with shots from Makgadikgadi, Danakil and Lake Natron.
Conclusion
The strangest places in Africa aren’t just geography; they’re content machines, culture lessons and pride triggers all at once. From pink lakes to stone birds, from lava doors to forgotten pyramids, the continent keeps reminding the world: you don’t know half of what exists here. And as long as Africans keep telling these stories online, the algorithm has no choice but to listen.
FAQs
Are these strange places in Africa safe to visit?
Some are safe with proper guides and planning, while others (like active volcanic or toxic areas) require strict supervision or are best admired from a distance. Always use licensed local guides and follow official advice.
Why are these locations suddenly trending on social media?
Short-form video platforms reward surprising visuals, and these spots look unreal. Once a few clips went viral, creators across Africa and the diaspora jumped in, adding storytelling, humour and cultural context.
Can ordinary travellers afford to visit these places?
Costs vary. Some, like Lake Retba or Meroe, can be done on modest budgets with local operators, while remote spots like Danakil Depression or Erta Ale are pricier due to logistics, security and specialized guides.
