Whether it’s your love for animals, the need to experience that warm tropical weather, or the vibrant cultures that attract you to the continent, Africa is definitely a holiday destination of choice.
If you would love to visit the continent someday, but are not sure exactly where you would like to go or what you would like to do, you’ll find all the most amazing choices in this article. And if you have already started building that list, we’ll help you add more options we know you’ll love.
Tanzania: The Great Migration
If the idea of watching as hundreds of thousands of zebra and about 1.4 million wildebeest make their yearly migration ticks your fancy, then Tanzania has to be on your list. The Great Migration could very well qualify as one of the most wonderful natural wonders of the planet. It is a circular grazing path conditioned by how much food is available. In January, the animals move from Ngorongoro Reserve in Tanzania, reach the Serengeti at about June, before reaching Masai Mara in Kenya at about September. Then, they head south once more.
As you might expect, you most certainly would get to see the animals up close from a safari truck, but even better, be sure you don’t miss a chance to see them from the air as you sail over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. There is no doubt this particular one will be one of your favourite travel experiences ever.
Botswana: Special Water-Based Adventures
Now, if you have heard anything about travel in Botswana, you might have heard of the widely known Chobe River. It is no doubt a great location, but if you want an option with less of a crowd, you can spend a long day in a canoe drifting down the picturesque Selinda Spillway. It is entirely enchanting, with the alluring birdsong to delight you.
The Okavango Delta is connected to northern Botswana’s Linyanti Wetlands by this waterway. For decades, it had been dust-dry before it started to flow again in 2009. You’ll not want to miss the crocodiles and hippos who fill Selinda, if you fancy an action-packed adventure, that is.
South Africa: Kruger National Park
If you know anything about safari parks, chances are you have heard about Kruger National Park. You can head straight here to continue your Southern Africa tour after you have hit Botswana. You’ll get a chance to see an impressive variety of wildlife including the Big Five: rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and lion. There are also archaeological sites to explore and bushman rock paintings to admire. Whether you would like a walking safari, a drive through the reserve, or the view from a hot air balloon, you’ll have all the options to choose from. And when you have had your fill, you can go see the city of Johannesburg, which is only about three and a half to four and a half hours away.
Morocco: Djmaa el Fna
The Djmaa el Fna has been called the world’s most mesmerising market and it is easy to see why, with the henna painters, orange juice vendors, date sellers, story tellers, and of course, the snake charmers. Located in the heart of the ancient city of Marrakech, the Djmaa el Fna attracts people who are looking to enjoy an early evening promenade as night falls. The square fills up with mobile restaurants that sell salad, bread, and delicious grilled meats well into the night. It is also after dusk that you find the ladyboy dancers and tribal drummers eager to thrill their audience. This is one experience that is sure to leave you feeling like you are a character in an enchanting novel.
Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda: Gorilla Trekking
This is another one of the less popular, but absolutely terrific adventures you can enjoy in Africa. You can go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Congo, or Uganda to experience the once in a lifetime opportunity to sit in the company of a mountain gorilla family. Be warned though, the hiking is tough, but well worth it. Whichever country you decide to visit, the fun doesn’t end with the gorillas as you can enjoy classic big game safaris, chimpanzee trekking, and boating on ancient soda lakes.
Namibia: Sossusvlei Dunes
The Sossusvlei Dunes are the most exceptional attraction in Namibia, the result of millions of years of nature’s work. It might sound ironic that Sossusvlei translates to “the gathering place of water,” but the dunes were formed by material that was deposited by the surf after having flowed into the Atlantic from the Orange, and then carried north. You wouldn’t want to miss the chance to climb the dune called Big Daddy, because it overlooks the Deadvlei, which is an expanse of white clay filled with the fossils and skeletons of age old camelthorn trees.
While you must already know you’ll need a water bottle for this one, don’t forget to get travel insurance as it could be a life saver if you happen to fall sick due to that glorious African heat. There are lots of good places to buy travel insurance, and to a certain extent the right choice depends on where you are travelling from. In the UK there are great comparison sites like Travel Supermarket. In Australia and New Zealand you might opt to visit this page Travel insurance | Quote and buy online | State NZ and buy online.
Zambia and Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls
Waterfalls don’t get much better than Victoria Falls. It provides a magnificent sight on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. At 108 metres high, the waterfall was once recorded to flow at 12,800 cubic meters per second, which is twice the highest flow recorded for Niagara.
The Kololo tribe who lived in the area in the 19th century called it Mosi-oa-Tunya. If you visit at the height of the rainy season, you will be able to see columns of spray from miles away. You’ll want to stop at the Knife-edge bridge, which presents tourists the best possible view of the Boiling Pot, the Main Falls, and the Eastern Cataract.
