Africa
Kenya »
Kenya receives about one million tourists a year and for most the very name, Kenya, means one thing - safari. There are four major national parks and reserves ranging
from Amboseli where you can spot elephants against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the freshwater Lake Baringo, where twitchers have recorded more than
450 species of birds. Travelling by road can be very enjoyable, especially if you spend the nights sleeping under the stars or sipping sundowners in a luxurious tented
camp, but it's not the only way to view game. Have you considered the peace and tranquility at dawn on a ride in a hot-air balloon? It's a superb way to view the animals
without the crowds. Other ways to relax and while away your holiday are sunbathing and lazing about on the coast. Base yourself in the historic town of Mombasa with
gorgeous beaches within easy reach, Diani being the most popular. The island of Lamu with its distinctly Arab influence is worth a visit, once known as the
'Kathmandu of Africa,' it's still very peaceful.
Namibia »
There's so much to see in this vast and wonderfully wild country, your only challenge might be fitting it all in. At first glance the endless sands of its lunar landscape would
seem uninhabitable, yet it is home to a wealth of animals in the Etosha National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa. To the west is the dramatic Atlantic coastline
and the desolation of the aptly named Skeleton Coast, where shipwrecks line this treacherous stretch of rocky coast. Venture onwards into the scorched desert to Sossusvlei and
the world's highest and arguably most striking sand dunes, forever shifting with the wind. The journey south will take you to the remarkable Fish River Canyon, the world's second
largest and the renowned Kalahari Desert. This is all a world away from the quiet and picturesque capital, Windhoek, set in the highlands, with charming European and African
characteristics. A vast thrilling country, the ultimate land of discovery - this is one African destination not to be missed!
South Africa »
Your interests will help decide your schedule while in South Africa. So if you love good wine, head for the Western Cape to sip on fine vintages amid beautiful scenery. If political
history fascinates you, Robben Island is a must to see where Nelson Mandela spent nearly 20 years as a prisoner. Tapping your feet and singing along to live music is a great way to
meet the local people and Johannesburg has some of the best nightlife in the country. Sub-tropical Durban, on the other hand, has a very Indian feel and it is here that you'll find
mosques, bazaars and curry houses. If you love sunshine, fresh air and the great outdoors, there are wonderful places to camp, hike and swim. In the Drakensberg Mountains, you can
wear out your walking boots on steep mountain paths, then sleep the night in a cave where bushmen have carved their paintings. And if you're the kind of person who never goes
anywhere without a good pair of binoculars, then South Africa is a living feast. You can watch whales in the southern Cape; spot lion and other big game in the many reserves and
marvel at the wild flowers that fill the west coast. Post-apartheid South Africa has bloomed into one of the world's greatest destinations.
Tanzania »
Your African holiday isn't complete without a safari, then Tanzania is the place to be. Imagine blue skies overhead, clouds of brown dust on the horizon and the distant rumble of
hooves. It's the wildebeest beginning their annual migration across the vast plains in the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Gazelle, zebra and antelope can also be found in
massive numbers on these gently rolling north-eastern plains. Northwest, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, adorable chimps are waiting to greet you. In Selous Game Reserve - probably
the largest game park in the world - it's time to meet huge numbers of elephant, buffalo, crocodile and hippo. But Tanzania is also famous for its mountains. When you've had your
fill of bouncing safari vehicles and strenuous climbs, switch to a more leisurely pace on the island of Zanzibar, the spice capital of Africa. Allow yourself to be charmed by the shy
smiles of the modest Swahili people as they share their delicious seafood dishes cooked in coconut. Or explore the lesser known 'green island' of Pemba. The beaches are vast,
pristine and empty offering excellent diving - and a refreshingly low number of tourists!
Zambia »
This is Africa at its best, combining spine-tingling safari with world famous sights and now an extreme sports menu that'll leave your head spinning and your throat hoarse. The land of
the legendary walking safari, South Luangwa National Park is an absolute must on your list. Look out for hippos lounging in mud, watch waterbirds wading through the shallows, and see a
pride of lions send nervous antelope scurrying for cover as you wander through the wilderness. Away from the game reserves, feel the spray emanating from Victoria Falls and the power of
the plunge as you teeter on the brink of the world's biggest waterfall. With 19 national parks, 17 waterfalls, 6 major lakes, nearly 300 different mammals and over 700 bird species,
Zambia is like an enormous treasure trove crammed with all the gems that make this mighty continent so unique. A patchwork of forests, savannah and marshland dotted with watering holes,
it boasts some of the most spectacular scenery on the continent. How you see it all is up to you. All you need is your sense of adventure, a hefty dose of enthusiasm and plenty of film
for your camera, and you'll have the time of your life.
Botswana »
Botswana offers the ultimate in Southern Africa with spine-tingling safari, world famous sights and now an extreme sports menu that'll leave your head spinning and your
throat hoarse. If your perfect picture of Africa is a scene of roaming wildlife and sweeping savannahs, Botswana captures it perfectly, but here in the heart of Southern
Africa you will find huge contrasts. The majority of this landlocked country is dominated by the arid Kalahari Desert, though much is blanketed with vegetation, and it is
the captivating waters of the Okavango Delta, a fascinating labyrinth of lagoons, which most associate with this unspoilt destination. From the crocodiles and buffalo of
the Delta to the elephant herds of Chobe, you'll swap 4x4s for boat and canoe to discover the wealth of wildlife and magnificent scenery in each. Come and discover the
ultimate African getaway.
Mozambique »
Mozambique has to be one of Africa's best kept secrets. Mile after mile of milky white sands that squish beneath your bare feet. A sea so vivid it could be made up of a million
tiny emeralds. Coral teeming with so many exotic sea creatures that a mask and flippers will form an integral part of your holiday wardrobe. In the last 10 years, Mozambique
has enjoyed something of a renaissance among holidaymakers who are lured to its shores by tropical beaches, thriving coral reefs and a scattering of islands that look as if
they've been plucked straight from a Bounty advert. For a break from the beaches, get yourself along to one of the animated street markets to shop for some African sculptures.
Explore towns crammed with colonial architecture or simply pull up a stool in a bar looking out to sea and enjoy a platter of the famous piri piri prawns. A taste of the exotic
doesn't come any better than this tropical, beach-rich treasure.
