Africa

Few people visit Africa only once – it is a destination that permeates your mind and makes you want to return. The ‘migration’ of millions of wildebeest between the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania rates as the best wildlife show on earth. The Zulu battlefields in South Africa tell a fascinating story of the famous leader, Shaka, and his powerful influence over the tribes in southern Africa. Natural attractions such as Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Sossusvlei in Namibia are a photographers’ delight where every minute a different reflection of light changes the image. These are the things that keep you coming back for more.

Geography

The equator runs through East Africa and encompasses various geographical zones. Extinct volcanoes, ocean islands, vast plains, majestic mountains, arid scrubland, and the Great Rift Valley containing vast salt and fresh water lakes. Southern Africa is covers an area of over 4.7 million square kilometres. The region contains the oldest desert in the world in Namibia, the world’s widest waterfall in Zimbabwe/Zambia, the largest national park in Africa (which runs through 3 countries – South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique) and the turbulent point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

Culture

Combining hundreds of different tribal groups in with influences from the European and Asian countries, you will find that African countries are a real melting pot for food and languages. Many tribes still have strong links with their heritage and it is very evident when you come across the Masai in Kenya and the Himba in Namibia.

Wildlife

There is no better place in the world for wildlife than Africa. Both East and Southern Africa offer exceptional wildlife viewing of the BIG 5 in a variety of different landscapes including open plains, silent waterways, desert dunes, never-ending salt pans and free-flowing rivers. There are some indigenous species such as gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra in East Africa; the desert adapted elephant in Nambia; and over 113 species of bird endemic to South Africa.

Climate

The African climate has two distinct seasons – the dry and wet. The dry season is the most popular time to travel because the grass is short, the water sources few and the wildlife tends to concentrate around this precious commodity. In East Africa the dry season ranges from Dec-Mar and Jun-Oct; in Southern Africa it encompasses Apr-Dec; in West Africa it is from Oct-Mar. The days are pleasantly warm, the nights cold and a warm jacket is essential. The rest of the year bright, sunny days are interspersed with tropical downpours. The temperatures are warmer and the landscape is green with lush vegetation and new life.