Africa is blessed with among the rarest and most stunning animals on the planet — a incontrovertible fact that entices vacationers to guide safaris year-round.
However safaris solely scratch the floor of what the continent has to supply.
From wine excursions to vibrant coastal cities, different experiences await those that are keen to transcend sport drives and delve deeper into the core of the continent.
Mountains, dunes and rivers
For many who love mountaineering, Africa is blessed with many peaks — from Morocco’s Mount Toubkal to the continent’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
However there’s additionally Mount Nyangani in Zimbabwe, which has a skywalk atop the Mutarazi Falls, the nation’s highest waterfall.
South Africa’s Desk Mountain may be climbed in a matter of hours, however adrenaline junkies might want to bungie bounce from Johannesburg’s Soweto Towers, or the Bloukrans Bridge alongside the nation’s well-known “Backyard Route.”
Bungy leaping at Soweto Towers, a decommissioned energy station in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Thomas Janisch | Second Cell | Getty Pictures
Africa is good for vacationers who crave journey, stated Zina Bencheikh, managing director for Europe, the Center East and Africa at Intrepid Journey.
She recommends Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha Nationwide Park, which has two geological zones known as the “Small Tsingy” and “Large Tsingy,” which within the native language of Malagasy, refers to a spot “the place one can’t stroll barefoot.”
“Large Tsingy Trek will not be your standard hike!” she stated, describing it as a “labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest fabricated from rock.”
The limestone formations of Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha Nationwide Park.
Carlo Morucchio | Reda&co | Common Pictures Group | Getty Pictures
In Namibia, vacationers can climb the long-lasting Dune 45 to admire the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei, discover the eerie white clay pan of Deadvlei, or hike by way of the picturesque Sesriem Canyon.
At Victoria Falls, alongside the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, vacationers can whitewater raft, bungee bounce or swim on the Satan’s Pool, which is on Zambia’s facet of the falls. Related adventures may be present in Jinja, Uganda, the place the River Nile begins.
Sizzling air balloons are a well-liked and adventurous option to discover too, with a chook’s eye view of the berber villages of Morocco to Kenya’s Masai Mara.
Discover the seashore
African seashore cities mix magnificence and tradition, in locations like Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt.
Mombasa, a coastal metropolis in Kenya, is one instance.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla go to Mombasa’s Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, on Nov. 03, 2023
Samir Hussein | Wireimage | Getty Pictures
“Right here, you may expertise African, Indian and Arab cultures in a single place. Fort Jesus is certainly one of Mombasa’s notable websites and was constructed by the Portuguese in 1593. In lower than 200 years, the fort modified palms 9 instances,” stated Luciemarie Swanepoel, proprietor of African Sky of Diamonds Excursions & Safaris.
She recommends visiting Zanzibar to wander the Stone City’s labyrinthine alleys together with Kenya’s Swahili Coast, the historic Gede ruins, and the UNESCO-named Mijikenda Kaya Forests.
The rooftops of Zanzibar’s Stone City.
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“Madagascar … is one other island gem, with seashores like Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie boasting palm-fringed coasts and vibrant coastal villages,” stated Swanepoel.
Durban and Cape City are two of one of the best seashore locations in South Africa, she stated, including that vacationers can kitesurf, snorkel, kayak or seek for dugongs and whales there.
Go on a cruise
From budget-friendly houseboats to luxurious all-inclusive boutique lake cruises, Africa has a spread of distinctive boating experiences.
Cruises alongside the Nile, Zambezi and Chobe rivers, in addition to a cruise alongside Rwanda’s Lake Kivu, come extremely really useful, as water journeys can provide a spectacular viewing platform for wildlife.
A ship on Botswana’s Chobe river at sundown.
Peter Unger | Stone | Getty Pictures
“Throughout a river cruise, you could spot a herd of elephants wading by way of shimmering water, witness nice buffalo gathering alongside the water’s edge, and even observe crocodiles stealthily slicing by way of swimming pools. A whole lot of hippos additionally wallow within the river with simply their nostrils poking out,” says Kate Powell, normal supervisor of the houseboat firm Zambezi Queen Assortment.
Vacationers may cruise between villages, fish, and bask within the tranquil waters.
“One can discover the Manambolo River on a pirogue, or picket dugout canoe, underneath the shadow of towering rock cliffs [or] cease to discover a cave and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba, stated to be the earliest inhabitants of Madagascar,” stated Intrepid’s Bencheikh.
Along with being a well-liked cease for world cruises, East and South Africa have their very own ocean cruise routes which observe the coastlines and go to offshore islands. Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC have cruises departing from Africa.
Maritime journeys in Africa enable guests to expertise the continent’s wildlife, cultures and landscapes from a novel vantage level, stated Kevin Bubolz, Norwegian’s vice chairman for Continental Europe, Center East and Africa.
“In Port Elizabeth, the Penguin Island Cruise tour is a standout expertise. You may journey to the world’s largest colony of African penguins of their pure habitat,” he stated. “In the event you’re fortunate, you may also catch a glimpse of playful humpback and bottle-nose dolphins.”
Wine excursions
Nations like Morocco, Namibia and Ethiopia have established wine areas. However South Africa is the continent’s crown jewel.
“South Africa is famend for its world-class wine areas, with the Western Cape being the guts of the trade,” stated Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, Cape City’s tourism and commerce company.
“The areas round Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl comprise the well-known Cape Winelands, the place guests can tour historic estates, style award-winning wines, and be taught in regards to the winemaking course of.”
The wine nation of Franschhoek, outdoors of Cape City, South Africa.
Michele Westmorland | Corbis Documentary | Getty Pictures
Not solely is Stellenbosch among the finest locations for wine excursions, it is also a culinary sizzling spot, recognized for its progressive meals scene. Elmarie Rabe, the advertising and marketing supervisor at Go to Stellenbosch, advises vacationers to pick wineries which can be dedicated to sustainable and natural practices.
“Additionally take into account the touring distance between farms, as Stellenbosch stretches over 60 sq. kilometers,” she stated.
The perfect time to go to is through the harvest season from late January to March, when the vineyards are in full swing. However each season has its personal appeal, she added.
“Spring gives lush landscapes and superb climate, whereas winter is ideal for having fun with daring pink wines by the fireside. Summer season gives sunny days good for out of doors wine tasting,” Rabe stated.
