Africa

Two small wildlife parks in the south – Liwonde and Majete – are relatively accessible and should satisfy your safari fantasies. At Liwonde, you can take a boat safari for a unique experience. Another great wildlife park is in the far north: Nyika. There you’ll see zebras and a range of antelope and bird species among gorgeous rolling hills that resemble the Scottish Highlands. While you’re in the north, stop by the charming town of Livingstonia to get a taste of Malawi’s English colonial history. Lake Malawi, lined with white-sand beaches, is Malawi’s other major attraction. The third largest lake in Africa, its deep, clear water is safe for swimming. Go snorkeling to see the colorful mouth-breeding cichlids that live nowhere else, or enjoy a range of other watersports.

Mozambique is one of the most amazing off-the-beaten-path countries. The country has a gorgeous coastline, friendly people and amazing food. Head to Tofo for surfing, swimming with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, amazing SCUBA diving and some amazing beach bungalows right on the sand. Just up the coast a bit more, visit Vilanculos with amazing sand bars that appear during the day creating a layered look of baby blue water and white sands. It’s simply stunning and not being a tourist favorite by any means, is still raw, gorgeous and somewhat untouched by tourism.

Tanzania is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Africa and has all the wonderful experiences on offer. From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa to the incredible white sand beaches of the Zanzibar archipelago or the amazing African plains of the Serengeti National Park where a million wildebeest migrate annually – you can even take a hot air balloon ride above the park! There is also the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation area, famous for it’s Big 5, access to Lake Victoria – one of Africa’s Great Lakes and some amazing African towns and cities that are packed with culture and give you a taste of African life including Arusha and Stone Town Zanzibar.

Go on a safari and see Africa like Attenborough. Check out South Luangwa National Park, one of the best to visit and choose between dawn and dusk game drives, where you’ll witness an epic African sunrise/sunset and an abundance of wildlife unmatched in most African national parks. Expect to see many leopards (the park is famous for its leopard population), along with every kind of game, lions, elephants, the rare Thornicroft giraffe, hippos, vervet monkeys, crocodiles, and cape buffaloes. South Luangwa River and National Park is one of the only places in Africa which allow real ‘walking through the wild savannah where lions and leopards roam in the morning light’ style safaris!

Ethiopia is one of Africa’s great hidden gems, a hugely off the beaten track destination filled with the most breathtaking landscape, the most incredible ancient history, the most unique culture, the most delicious food and the most welcoming people! There’s so much to see and do here, from hiking to the top of active volcanoes in the Danakil Depression to discovering the ancient rock churches of Lalibela, to visiting the Blue Nile Waterfalls of Bahar Dar to visiting the indigenous tribes of the Omo Valley, that you easily could spend a few months traveling in this dazzling diverse country. It’s one of Africa’s top destinations and is certainly one of the best places to visit in Africa.

Morocco is a vibrant and beautiful country to visit. Each city has its own character and a certain Moroccan charm. Even the chaotic Red City of Marrakesh, which seems to create a love/hate feeling for some people who visit. You’ll fall in love with the lively medina, with its bright stalls and fresh orange juice stands. Over on the west coast, there’s the windy city of Essaouira, famous for being one of the Games of Thrones filming locations. There’s plenty to explore in the city from getting lost walking around the old walls of the city or visiting the daily fresh fish market in the harbour. For the adventurous, there are lots of wind-related watersports to try out.

At its heart are the Virunga Mountains, whose majestic summits tower from 10,049 to 14,787 feet: It’s easy to see why the country is called “the land of a thousand hills.” Most people visit to see the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas, of which around 900 remain in the wild. But these dynamic landscapes, which stretch from Lake Kivu in the south to Uganda’s Lake Edward in the north, rank among the most beautiful, offering plenty of other adventures for active travellers and nature lovers alike. Trek along to see the endangered Golden Monkeys in the Virungas, visiting Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and explore Nyungwe Forest National Park. For history, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and wind down your trip relaxing on the gorgeous shores of Lake Kivu.

Gambia relies heavily on its tourism industry and in recent years’ it’s not had it easy. First, the Ebola crisis saw visitor numbers plummet, despite there never being a single case of Ebola in the country. Last year’s political crisis, when the outgoing president refused to leave office, was the last thing the country needed. While there are many tribal languages, the official language is English, so you won’t have any communication problems. The weather is in the lower 30s throughout the year making it a perfect winter sun destination. Plus, the wide sandy beaches are never overcrowded, there’s a vibrant and colourful local culture and fabulous wildlife to enjoy including over 540 species of birds, baboons, vervet monkeys and crocodiles to name but a few.

Ghana is a great combination of rainforest, wildlife, bustling African markets, beaches and culture. Ghana is joyfully chaotic, friendly, colourful and diverse. You will notice not only the scenery but the buildings change as you travel north – the people change from Christian to Muslim and the landscape changes from rainforest to savanna. Highlights include: Mole National Park which is set on a cliff overlooking a watering hole and is famous for its elephants. You can get up close and personal with them on a walking safari but watch out for the naughty monkeys; There are also Various eco resorts and turtle conservation projects along the coast where you can sleep in mud huts by night and hammocks strung between two palm trees by day.

Bordered on all sides by South Africa, Lesotho is a tiny ‘Kingdom in the Clouds’ with a lot to see. Much of the country is above 3,000m elevation and the mountainous views are hard to beat. It is bordered on the east by the dramatic Drakensberg mountain range which is home to some of the most famous hikes in the world and also the second tallest waterfall in the world. One of the most interesting ways to enter Lesotho is by the Sani Pass, a winding mountain dirt road that eventually leads to Lesotho and the highest pub in Africa

Most visitors base their travels in the country around Victoria Falls town because of a range of activities which center around the Mosi-Ao-Tunya (the locals name for Victoria Falls and translates as ‘the smoke that thunders’) which include bungee jumping, whitewater rafting on the lower Zambezi River, microlight flights, river cruises and so much more. It is in close proximity to the Zambia and Botswana Borders for those considering an overland safari. There are also more incredible National Parks scattered across the country with Hwange, Lake Kariba and Matobo being the most famous. There are also a few of museums scattered around the country and the incredible Balancing Rocks just outside the capital Harare.

Botswana is one of the top destinations in Africa due in part to the variety of incredible natural wonders that are located in the country. The Okavango Delta is where you can bush camp in the wilderness surrounded by elephants and hippos. There are further wildlife spotting opportunities at Chobe National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and whilst the expansive Kalahari is a year round destination, if you time your visit between December & April you may get to witness the Zebra migration. There is also the amazing vanishing Lake Ngami; Kudu Island, located in the middle of the Makgadikgadi Pan (salt pans) which are second only in size to the salt pans of Bolivia in South America.

If you are looking for the best beaches in Africa then Seychelles should definitely top your list. This stunning archipelago lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean 1,500km from the mainland of East Africa. Unfortunately many travellers think the Seychelles is a place for the rich and famous only and out of reach for the normal traveller, but even here you can travel on a budget. There are affordable guesthouses and local food and transportation is not too expensive either. In the mountainous inlands you can find amazing bush hikes with waterfalls and jungle treks. Of course you have to make sure to go to Le Digue, the most famous boulder beach of the Seychelles with the crystal clear water.