When Africa’s drumbeat starts to call you, she makes it hard to choose which country to visit. Here are a few options to choose from.
Africa. Five-letters for a continent that offers so much – the hospitality, the dramatic landscapes, the cultures and traditions, the food, the activities. There simply are too many amazing places in Africa to visit, which makes it very hard to choose where to go. In alphabetical order, here are the top 10:
Botswana
Botswana borders the north of South Africa and is placed between Namibia and Zimbabwe. This makes it a landlocked country, so no oceans for you but what they do have are four game reserves to choose from. The most popular way to explore the parks is in a 4WD (with a guide). What is unique to the game reserves in Botswana is the sheer diversity of the landscapes you can see in a relatively small space. Everything from swampland, to savanna, to desert as well as the diverse range of animals this attracts makes Botswana a unique safari destination.
There are many lodges and safari camps in the areas that allow you to enjoy a night under the stars while sipping on wine and listening to the sounds of the night in front of a warm outdoor fire.
Chobe National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are the more popular game reserves ones where you will find a plethora of wildlife including predatorial black-maned lions on the hunt for wary wildebeest, migratory zebras, elephants, rhinos, springbok, and birdlife.
This truly is a paradise for bird lovers. Bird enthusiasts have travelled far to spend time in the Botswana bush in the hopes that they may spot at least a handful of the 500 bird species of the country.
Not many people know that just off the west coast of Africa is the island of Cape Verde. Divided into 10 island groups, and two main regions: Barlavento and Sotavento. The island has an interesting history, colonised by the Portuguese in the 15thth century, the island was used for slave trading and as a port stop for refuelling and stocking up for the long journey ahead. Today, some of the important sites in the slave trade industry have been restored as tourist attractions. One intriguing site to visit is the Salt Mines in Sal. While no longer in operation, the mines are worth of checking out.
The Pedra Da Lume crater is an inactive volcano with a natural salt lake at the base of the crater. It is considered a natural wonder in Cape Verde. Ghostly, eerie, beautiful, and stark are words that come to mind.
It is the people that make a country what it is, and it is no different here. While there are over 50 tribes recognised by the Kenyan government, the best known outside Kenya are undoubtedly the Maasai. The Maasai are iconic when talking about Kenya. They are semi-nomadic people herding goats and sheep who are known for preserving much of their traditional lifestyle. They welcome visitors who are interested in learning more about their culture as it is also a way for them to earn money through those visits. Experience the gentle nature of the Maasai people. They are also famous for their love of singing and dancing, so don’t be surprised when visiting if your hands start clapping, your smile grows larger, and you gasp in delight when the famous adamu “jumping dance” takes centre stage.
Madagascar is a large island off the east coast of Africa, this country is an absolute paradise of epic proportions. Roaming around the natural wonders has a “Jumanji” feel to it (without the chaos that ensued in the movie!). From rainforests, and beaches, to arid plains and high mountains the choices are endless.
Tranquil, colourful, delightful, interesting, unique, and diverse, wherever you go in Madagascar you will find animals and vegetation you have possibly never seen before. One of these unique animals is the lemur, which in these parts is a revered and protected animal.
While the country isn’t that well developed and is regarded as one of the poorest in the world, you will be welcomed wherever you go as the Malagasy people are incredibly hospitable.
Malawi
Despite it being a landlocked country, Malawi’s biggest attraction is arguably Lake Malawi. This 2-million-year-old lake is 587km from north to south and 83km wide. There is so much about it that appeals to all sorts of travellers.
On the water you can indulge in fishing, kayaking, yachting, snorkelling (best time August to January), and swimming. On the lakeshore, the soft white sand is reminiscent of an actual beach. Dotted along the circumference of the lake are various hotels where you can do activities that range from horseback riding to dancing the night away in one of the dance clubs.
Morocco
There are two fantastic ways you can explore the city – either on a day trip on a camel ride or on a hot air balloon, each has its unique qualities that make them unforgettable experiences. The hot air balloon trip is about five hours long and gives you spectacular views of the city and surrounding landscape. The camel ride is a few hours longer and is best done with a guide who will lead you through the Atlas mountain range, the valleys, and farmlands where you will meet some of the local indigenous groups who live in the area.
Remember that the country is predominantly Muslim and while alcohol is sold in main hotels and lodges it is frowned upon elsewhere so keep that in mind and always remain respectful.
South Africa
At the southernmost tip of Africa lies South Africa. Two places that should be given top billing are Cape Town on the west coast and the Drakensberg mountain range on the east coast. Cape Town is known for its iconic Table Mountain where you can take the cable car up to the top to appreciate the spectacular views of the city on one side and the ocean on the other. You can also enjoy light snacks in the little restaurant at the top before heading down.
The Drakensberg mountains are in one word simply majestic and are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dramatic, astounding, breathtaking, and magical are what about sums up the beauty of this mountain range. The mountain range offers an incredible array of activities for the whole family to participate in.
The biggest city in South Africa, Johannesburg, is also worth a visit. Not only is this city vibrant, offering endless choices of nightlife venues, but it is also a home to some of the most important sites in South Africa’s history.
In true South African style, you will more than likely be offered the local fare in the form of a “braai” which simply means barbeque. South Africans love their braais and will use any excuse to light a wood fire with newly made friends.
Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland, now officially called Eswatini, is a small country in southern Africa bordering South Africa and Mozambique. Its main attraction is its traditional culture which tourists flock to enjoy. Ruled by a monarchy, the people of Swaziland embrace their traditions which influence their daily lives. To get a real sense of the culture there are a host of places to visit ranging from craft markets to the Swazi Cultural Village where you will see the pride Swazi people have for their culture.
Eswatini is also known for its national parks, animal sanctuaries, rolling hills and mountain beauty where nature can be fully appreciated.
Seychelles
If you are looking for a relaxing holiday on a fine white beach sand, then Seychelles is the place to visit. Situated north of Madagascar, it is known for having some of the best beaches in the world where you are spoilt for choice with four to choose from: Beau Vallon, Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette, and Source D’Argent.
Seychelles is an archipelago of smaller islands, Mahe being the largest. Seychelles is known for its eco-tourism and one can understand why when you see all the natural beauty that surrounds you on your visit.
The people comprise Creole, French and English speaking and are as hospitable as anywhere else you would find on the African continent. If you enjoy trying new foods, you won’t be disappointed here. From octopus curry to shark chutney and other interesting items in between. For those who enjoy seafood, there is a large variety of seafood eaten in the local cuisine.
Tanzania
Another gorgeous country to visit is Tanzania. A first stop should be to the Tanzanite Experience where you will be educated on the history of this gem that is unique to the country. You will also be given an opportunity to purchase tanzanite while there which will come with its very own certificate of authenticity.
For mountain climbers, hikers and sightseers, a visit to Mount Kilimanjaro is a must. As Africa’s highest peak it is often on many bucket lists of experiences.
For animal lovers, Cheetah’s Rock on the island of Zanzibar is well worth a visit. What makes this experience quite unique is it was designed for animals and people to interact on a level not seen anywhere else.
As you can tell, Africa has a plethora of experiences waiting for you to enjoy. Wherever you go, it is inevitable that without a doubt you will, leave feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity of a lifetime. The memories and experiences you had will make you suddenly realise the essence of Africa now runs deep within you, leaving you forever changed.
