Ethiopia is an ancient country whose unique cultural heritage, rich history and remarkable biodiversity are reflected in a tally of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ethiopia’s fascinating history stretches back 3,000 years to the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. For the nature lover, one can experience sitting in a field of hundreds of Gelada Baboons or viewing Africa’s most endangered animal, the Ethiopian Wolf. Culturally one can visit the site of the largest obelisk ever erected in the world and then stroll over to one of the most ancient religious sites arguably housing the Ark of the Covenant!

Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. It is famous for gorilla trekking and getting really close to the endangered highland gorillas in the Bwindi rainforest. Other famous National Parks include the Queen Elizabeth National Park – good for viewing the famous tree-climbing lions. Murchison Falls National Park is where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow rock opening to create the strongest waterfall in Africa. This National Park is teeming with elephant, hippos and crocodile as well as the otherwise rare Oribi Antelope. Finally, Uganda is a good destination to  track chimpanzees.

Kenya is synonymous with safaris and it offers some of the best game viewing opportunities in Africa. From the Masai Mara in the South where the annual migrations and spectacular river crossings can be witnessed to the iconic Amboseli National Park with its backdrop to Mount Kilimanjaro. Mombasa and Malindi offer clean beaches with warm clear water and perfect snorkelling conditions. Climb Mount Kenya – a five day trek to the summit and back of the second highest mountain in Africa and then relax and reflect on vehicle-free Lamu Island.

Perhaps it is a cliché, but Malawi really is the warm heart of Africa. Due to it being one of the smallest countries in Africa and being mostly unspoilt by human development, this African treasure offers truly unique experiences. Even though a landlocked country, it is one of the best places for a beach vacation. Lake Malawi offers beautiful long stretches of footprint-free sandy beaches, clear waters still waters and numerous iridescent fish. In addition to the Lake, there are great trekking opportunities on Mount Mulanje as well as wildlife areas such as Liwonde national Park.  

Since the first travellers hundreds of years ago reported seeing a Mountain on the Equator with a snow-covered cap, Mount Kilimanjaro has captured the imagination of millions of people. Today various trekking options to it’s summit are offered. 

As a foil to the Masai Mara in Kenya, Tanzania boasts the larger Serengeti National Park where the migration can be viewed for 10 months of the year.In addition, other game reserves such as Selous, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and of course Ngorongoro Crater offer unique game and bird-viewing opportunities. The Spice Island, Zanzibar, is the destination of choice after a Safari. The island offers some of the best white beaches in the world and all accommodation options to suit every pocket are available. One can also immerse oneself in the historic Stone Town with its narrow alleys and vibrant local night-life.

Zambia for many years played second fiddle to Zimbabwe as an African destination, but after a big push from the Zambian Tourism Authority, the Country stands alone as a unique and interesting tourism spot. Livingstone and the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls is well known but the country also offers superb game viewing opportunities in it’s many National Parks. South Luangwa is one such example and the game is abundant, particularly in the dry season. Kafue National Park, situated in the centre of the country is also a must see game area with its unusual bird and teeming animal life.

Situated in south-central Africa, this mid-sized country is sparingly populated, which makes it the ideal destination for the bold and adventurous traveller. Game viewing in the Okavango, Savuti and Chobe areas is fantastic and lends itself to both self-drive tours and fly-in safaris. A full range of accommodation options are available from wild camping to luxurious 5 star lodges.

Namibia, a land of diversity and contrast. A huge country with a population of less than 2 million, the traveller always has a sense of wide open spaces. The towns are small but very cosmopolitan where people remain deeply connected to their rich, cultural past. On the must see list is the Etosha Pans Wildlife Reserve in the North and the Sossusvlei Dunes in the South. The road network throughout the country is vast and well developed, and so lends itself to self-drive tours.

Zimbabwe is home to the magnificent Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi River and Hwange National Park and is one of Africa’s best safari destinations. Still a wild country but boasting a solid tourism infrastructure and top quality lodges, the country is famous for the quality of its guides and game-viewing experiences. Visiting the mountain ranges in the East of the country is a must including the spectacular Vumba Mountains. Also of historic and scenic interest are the Matobo Hills just outside Bulawayo where there is an abundance of white rhinos. This is also the resting place of the controversial but important Cecil John Rhodes.

Zimbabwe is home to the magnificent Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi River and Hwange National Park and is one of Africa’s best safari destinations. Still a wild country but boasting a solid tourism infrastructure and top quality lodges, the country is famous for the quality of its guides and game-viewing experiences. Visiting the mountain ranges in the East of the country is a must including the spectacular Vumba Mountains. Also of historic and scenic interest are the Matobo Hills just outside Bulawayo where there is an abundance of white rhinos. This is also the resting place of the controversial but important Cecil John Rhodes.

Resting at the tip of the African continent, and dubbed a world in one country, South Africa really is rich in diversity and caters for all. The variety in the landscapes, the cultures  and its wildlife heritage make it the perfect holiday destination. A big attraction is of course the impeccable quality of the Cape Wines and in conjunction with the culinary fare lends itself to gourmet and wine trips.

Angola, is a relatively untouched tourism destination, and at this stage aimed more at the very adventurous traveller. Tourism is mostly undeveloped as the country steps out of 40 years of civil war. Often thought of as one of Africa’s last wild frontiers, Travellers who are 4×4 enthusiasts and are mostly self-sufficient can drive through un-touched, pristine wildlife areas and experience interactions with amongst others the nomadic Himba people. Whilst tourism is developing, lodges and a proper tourism infrastructure are not often encountered. For wildlife enthusiasts however, a draw card is a visit to the highly endangered Central Region to find the rare giant Sable Antelope.