Category: Where to Go

Gorilla trekking is one of the best wildlife adventures that one can ever take in Africa. There are a few destinations where travelers can go gorilla trekking! There are only three countries that host the endangered mountain gorillas; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the existence of just three countries, many travelers face a problem of selecting which country they should visit to enjoy gorilla trekking. Here is a quick comparison between these countries.

There are a multitude of questions that need to be thoroughly stripped before choosing which country to visit and enjoy a gorilla safari in Africa. Under normal circumstances, gorilla trekking go on differing from country to country and experience differs as well. Some of the rampant questions under the spot light here include; which is the best place to do a gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda? Which is more viable and cheaper: Bwindi Forest or Volcanoes national park? Is tracking Rwanda better than Uganda? So such questions are some of the many that we are going to digest under this article.

Gorilla trekking or tracking whatever you may call it is one of those thrilling moments that one should always vie to do before one dies. The excitement that comes with setting the eyes on a wild mountain gorilla is really enticing. Yet in the same intellect, that magical one hour spent with the gorillas does not come cheaply considering that a permit goes for US$750 in Rwanda and $600 in Uganda – but it is unusual to find someone who regretted the financial outlay due to the fact that the experience is far reaching than the amount paid for the permit.

Only 8 persons can visit a given gorilla family per day. In Uganda, eighteen families have been habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and one gorilla family has been habituated in Mgahinga National Park. Therefore Uganda can host 144 persons tracking the mountain gorillas on any day.

Rwanda can also permit 96 persons per day. All else being equal, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a slight edge over the rest because its gorillas are the most wholly habituated, and they are often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing easier.

The major challenge with tracking gorillas in Rwanda is certainly the price of the gorilla permit at US$1500 compared to Uganda’s US$700 per permit. However, Rwanda’s pride is in the ability for one to do the gorilla trek even in one day and fly back home which is impossible for Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is located 116 km from Kigali and can be driven in just 2 hours. On the other hand, Bwindi is located 500 km from Kampala/ Entebbe Airport and a drive can take 8 hours plus. In that sense, you will spend at least 3 days for your gorilla trek tour. If a tour operator is making you a tour package, they shall definitely have to consider this cost and include it in your tour cost.

However, the long drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is quite enchanting with great scenery all through like the Equator, Lake Mburo National Park (for some Queen Elizabeth National Park with abundant wildlife), terraced mountains with flowing rivers, and a lot of rural Africa. This is not so really the case for the drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park.

Therefore you will certainly need to spend more on transport and time to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda than it is for Rwanda although this cost is compensated for by a cheaper gorilla permit.

Besides, some sections of the roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are not so comfortable to drive on yet in the case of Rwanda; you drive on smooth tarmac at least up to the Volcanoes National Park head office. Not to mention though, the roads leading from Volcanoes park office to the gorilla trek trail-heads can only be accessed with a raised 4×4 vehicle.

Comparison of the Addons to the Gorilla trekking experience

On a gorilla safari in Rwanda, tourists enjoy a traditional dance perfomance by the SACOLA before taking a gorilla trek in the Volcanoes national park. In general, the experience can only be different due to the way a particular gorilla family behaves in front of the trackers, how long and tough one has to track before reaching the gorillas and the way the park staff conduct the exercise. Personally, I found the Rwanda gorilla tracking package more charming than the Ugandan one on the tracking day. Should we say that this’ because of the gorilla permit price difference? Anyways, on your gorilla tracking day in Rwanda, you will definitely get more than that. At about 7:00 AM, tea/ coffee dispensers with cups are laid for visitors going for the trek. You are free to take as much as you wish. As visitors are enjoying the tea/ coffee, they are entertained by the lively traditional dance troupe (SACOLA Traditional Dancers) who bring on a wholesome Rwanda traditional cultural experience that all visitors enjoy.

However, you can get this in Uganda in evenings (at a fee) from the various traditional cultural groups that are near the park. In addition the drive from Kampala to Bwindi is a very fabulous one traversing at least another national park (either Kibale or Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for tree climbing lions and many other big mammals, or Lake Mburo National Park) and not to miss- the Equator. In a way, even before you arrive Bwindi you have had a bit of the ‘Pearl of Africa’ as is fondly known. To many, driving along paved eucalyptus avenues to the gorillas in not the best deal. Indeed many to purchase tour packages combining both Rwanda and Uganda, first doing Gorillas in Rwanda and then crossing to Uganda to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for the BIG 5 safaris and chimpanzee tracking among other tours.

Let’s compare the tour costs in general

Because of the long drive one endures from Kampala to Bwindi, the general cost is increased (even when you travel by public buses). It even increases more because you have to travel 2 days (to and from Bwindi). However, the increased cost is countered by the low cost gorilla permit of US$600 ($350 in April and May 2014). A low budget 3 days gorilla trek tour in Uganda goes for about $1250 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport). The two days Rwanda gorilla trek costs about $1220 ( with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) and a three days Rwanda gorilla tracking tour costs is about $1280 (with gorilla permit, accommodation, and transport) . Costs samples got from Gorilla expeditions website effective Jan 2014.

Lastly, if you are not travelling just to see the mountain gorilla, and you want to include other activities in your visit, Rwanda may not be the best choice. Many tourists have continually had to cross to Uganda after their Rwanda gorilla trek to tour other reserves like Queen Elizabeth National Parks so endowed with abundant wildlife one cannot see in Rwanda. This is why probably folks continue enduring the long drives to Bwindi yet there is an easy way out.

At the end of the day – the ultimate jury are those who are looking as to which country to visit in order to track Gorillas – it is not Rwanda, not Uganda, not the Democratic Republic of Congo but where their pockets and hearts choose. If you precisely want the mountain gorillas and nothing else, go for a one-day gorilla trek especially in Rwanda but if you are a one who wants it and all of it, go for the long drive in Uganda – you won’t regret.

Today most travelers want to see money value in every holiday vacation they take, making the demand of budget holidays high across Africa. Being one of the most beautiful continents with a lot to see and explore, many travelers find peace, joy and unforgettable experience every time they visit year round. Taking into consideration the prices of public transport, car hire services, accommodation, meals, park entrances and free attractions, East Africa is the most amazing and cheap region to explore for any exclusive Africa Safari holiday at any budget without breaking the bank.  The region has countries like Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania the most attractive in wildlife, gorilla trekking, mountain climbing, chimpanzee trekking, Bird watching, beach holidays and many more.

Tanzania-Land of Wildlife and Mountains

The Land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and Serengeti  and a main tourist hub for those planning to visit for massive wildlife viewing, mountain climbing, beach break and cultural excursions. It’s one of the inexpensive countries in Africa offering friendly costs with value in every tour aspect of its visitors. Tanzania is a place that tourists enjoy before and after their Tanzania vacation holidays. Dare salaam and Arusha are the major cities for spending more time after Tanzania safaris and vacations. Did you know Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa covering 937,062 sq km south of the Equator? It borders Rwanda Burundi and Congo (DRC) in the west, Kenya and Uganda in the north and Zambia, Malawi in the south making it easy for interested in exploring other countries in the region. However, Tanzania caters for all travel interests like wildlife, beach holidays, honeymoon, family adventures, mountain climbing birding to mention but a few since its one of the great wildlife gems in Africa. Mountain Kilimanjaro is one in a million and the many wildlife parks like Serengeti, Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorogoro etc.

Kenya- the Magical Land of Wildlife

Kenya is the best budget camping and luxury safaris destination in Africa for wildlife lovers especially those to Masai Mara, Amboseli, Nakuru, Tsavo Aberdare and many other Kenya wildlife park. The Masai Mara community is something you can’t miss out while in Kenya on your Kenya wildlife safari. Also Kenya tour operators offer a wide range from Kenya Budget Safaris to Joining group safaris, budget camping ,student safaris, beach combined holidays among others at pocket friendly prices any time of the year. Also the country has several budget hotels of all kinds, campsites for those interested in backpacking travel. With affordable park fees, transport and accommodation all Kenya attractions are a quick add up for any budget Kenya safari any time of the year. However, to catch up with the great wildlife migration in Masai Mara, July-October is the best time to visit Kenya. Time when massive wildlife cross from Serengeti to Mara and make high risk river crossings.

Rwanda-the land of thousand hills

With its historical treasures and beautiful landscapes, Rwanda is a cheap, impressive country for travel in Africa. There is a lot to explore in Rwanda for free including the multiple cultural attractions, Lakes, Rwanda genocides, Butare Museum etc. Besides, even when it comes to world most exciting wildlife adventures, Rwanda offers the shortest and cheapest in volcanoes national park. Public transport is cheap, car hire services are available making it easy for tourists to move around and connect to different tourist destinations in a cheap and affordable way. However, I recommend private transport for those heading out to track Rwanda gorillas in volcanoes national park because it’s easy to connect to the park head quarters and where the trek kicks off from. Remember, Rwanda’s prime attraction is mountain gorillas and most tourists to the country come to see mountain gorillas on different Rwanda gorilla trekking holidays. If you travel during the low tourist seasons, you will certainly enjoy great discounts on hotel rates but not on Rwanda gorilla permits though the park has plans of revising the prices during low season months.

Uganda – The Pearl of Africa

Uganda is a home for many budget safaris though most famed to the world for being the best budget gorilla trekking destination in Africa year round. Great discounts for gorilla and chimpanzee permits are found here in all primate parks including Bwindi forest, Mgahinga national park, kibale forest National park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national park. However, other Uganda parks offer great affordable experiences to travelers across the world. Imagine rafting the all with a bungee jump break in the afternoon on the source of the Nile at less than $200 dollars, seeing gorillas at $450 dollars, trekking chimpanzees at $50 dollars and also viewing wildlife at $20 dollars. What a great destination Uganda is in Africa with lots of fantastic adventures.

Located between the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains in Congo, the Virunga National Park is a protected landscape covering 3000 square miles of exceptional diversity. Set some 85 years back to be the nation’s first national park, Virunga is now a World Heritage Site although the civil war has swallowed many wild lives here.

Among the tourists, the park is famous for its poaching mountain gorillas and the diverse ecosystems such as the Lake Edward’s western shores of Lake Edward, grassland plateau, marshland, plains, mountains, alpine meadows, volcanoes such as Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, lava plains, and glaciers. So, you are really bound to enjoy every bit of moment spent here, which will seriously get to you something new to see and do. Coming to the wildlife, the Virunga National Park is the home of several mammal, bird, and reptile species whose statistical figures with regards to the quantity are the highest as compared to the continent’s any other protected area.

Spotting mountain gorillas is one of the most jaw-dropping activities here accomplished via the stunning Gorilla Safari. You can easily spot this creature despite the fact that it is now a rare creature and all thanks goes to the successful conservation effort of the park. If there is something that you will remember throughout your life, it will be your experience of spotting the Mountain Gorilla for the first time. And this is possible only via Gorilla Trekking wherein your park ranger will guide you to reach the current site of a Gorilla family. This site keeps on changing as these creatures do not bother of the zones or borders. And if you are lucky to come to the park when they thrive within the park borders, you can spend 60 minutes in just watching them. This trekking is only specific to Africa; so do take this chance as you might never get it again. Guided trek, mountainous landscape, rare, but a magical experience, and funny play of the creatures are some of the main features of this activity in the park.

Besides gorillas, you can also look for savanna and forest elephants, Okapi, buffaloes, chimpanzees, giraffes, as well as endemic birds. For the bird lovers, the Virunga National Park is like a paradise with more than 700 species such as herons, darters, gulls, pelicans, weavers, warblers, egrets, ibisis, geese, ducks, bitterns, skimmers, cormorants, open bills, shoebills, francolins, and ospreys. To see these, look for wetlands and some dedicated areas by asking the park rangers. And then there is something for the botany lovers too: dense rainforest, mangroves, low level woodlands, additional savanna grasslands, and flooded forests.

High concentrations of wild animals can be seen along the rivers. In the savannah, you will be able to spot buffalo, elephant, antelopes, hippopotamus, lions, and various monkeys; while lower Rutshuru shows off several pelicans. The slopes of the park mountains as well as the Semiliki Valley houses chimpanzees, gorillas, and okapi.

Besides trekking, you can choose from a myriad of activities on your trip to the Virunga National Park; such as sand boarding, sky diving, and white water rafting for the adventurers and bird watching, hiking, and exploring the local culture for the leisure fans. Just remember that the adventure activities are optional and take them up only if you want a chill to run down your spine. While you are in this park, do spend some time to explore the adjoining Mount Hoyo zone as the home of the folks of the Bambuti Pygmy tribe, waterfalls, and caves.

Concerns

Intense poaching for the meat industry to prosper as well as land invasions were recently on peak, but now are under control.

Reaching the park

It is easy to reach here from the nearby Kinshasa International Airport in not more than an hour.

Tip

The park is in the east region of the state, which is very well known for crimes like hijacking. So, always come here with a guided tour.

Come to the land of the best surroundings of the ideal adventure regions in this part of Africa. The Parque Nacional do Iona or the Iona national Park, is a verdant stretch of ideal travel pleasures to all who visit this part of the world. Ensconced in the best ambience of the Namibe province this is one region in Angola that would enchant the tourist to the maximum.

Around 200 km from the Namibe city, Iona national Park is a lovely expanse of around 5850 square miles and is in fact the largest national park in the country. When Angola was not independent and fought the Angolan civil War, then Iona was a paradise for animals and was a game destination. But illegal poaching and lot of nefarious activities have damaged the beauty of the park. This park has a unique plethora of flora and fauna and also is famous for its rock formations. Iona is today Angola’s largest and oldest wildlife zone and has been proclaimed as a reserve in the year 1937. In the year 1964 it was upgraded to a national park. The Portuguese Angola authorities have recognized it thus ever since.

Situated in the south western part of the province of Namibe, this is surrounded naturally by the Atlantic Ocean in the western side, the Cuenne in the south, the Curoca River in the north and the est. Iona national park forms a total blocked vegetative area along with Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and the Namib Naukluft National park and has many sand dunes and also has a beautiful coastline.

The altitude here, alters from base sea level to around 800 m above at the Posto do Iona. The height is even greater in the Tchamalinde Mountains. There is a slope here, and the rainfall thus has a gradient and it ranges from100 mm to around 300 mm. The sand spit, the Baia dos tigres and the Cunene River cover the protected area and there is around 200 km of the coastline of the Atlantic. Many small semi desert ecosystems form the natural landscape of the Iona national Park and it is a lovely sight to see the calcrete plains, the open woodland, the desert grasslands and the beautiful regions of arid shrub land and the lovely savannah which dominate the entire area.

After the poaching and other activities were curbed, the Big Five of Iona national park include the Springbok or Gazelle, the Ostrich, the Kudu, the Oryx and the cheetah, the mountain zebra, the klipspringer, the impala, and the quelengue. Though there is an empty landscape, yet the park has some animals found the favourite sight here being the Springbok.

With an intriguing collection of flora, the fascinating Welwitschia Mirabilis which is one of the oldest living plants in the world, this is also a lovely hub of rock formations. The park is very well known for its avifauna and has the best sights of great sand dunes which lie near the coast. The birds are normally sighted near the river basins and the coastal regions.

The Mucubal and the himba are the main tribes living here in the park. The Kimbundu groups are also a group to reckon with here. With the farmers and herders who live here in this secluded region, the area is supposed to be the most culturally intact in the African region.

With beautiful sights and the loveliest travel delights, the Iona national park comes across as a great destination for all those who come to this part of the world. Visit the Iona national park and enjoy the sights of the wildlife and flora here.

Gorilla trekking is described as a life changing experience. Mountain gorillas are listed as the world’s most critically endangered apes by IUCN. Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo are the only countries in the entire world where these charismatic wild creatures are protected. There are lesser than 900 individuals that still live in the wild today, all of which distributed within the very few remaining tropical rain forests in Africa.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda offers visitors two options to track the critically endangered primates in the wild. Several operators offer gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda occur only in the thick tropical rain forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The two protected areas are found in the misty valleys of Kabale, Southwestern part of the country which is about 9-10 hour drive from Kampala. Gorilla trekking is only done in habituated groups whereby there are 11 habituated families that have been set for tourism in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and only one is found in Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi has four tracking areas and they include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo sector. Each of the tracking sectors features gorilla groups.

Buhoma area is one of the busiest sectors of Bwindi National Park both in terms of tourist activities and accommodation facilities. The habituated gorilla families for tourists to trek include the Mubare aka Mubale gorilla family also known as the M. Group, Habinyanja (H. group) and Rushegura also known as the R. Group.

Ruhija sector is still a developing area especially in terms of accommodation but it also features three gorilla families for tourists to trek while on safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The habituated gorilla groups to track in this area include the Oruzogo, Kyaguriro and Bitukura gorilla family.

Rushaga sector features as the exceptional gorilla trekking area in Bwindi. It is in Rushaga that Gorilla Habituation Experience takes place. For gorilla trekking safaris, the habituated groups include Nshongi gorilla family, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye and Mishaya gorilla family.

Nkuringo sector of Bwindi has only Nkuringo gorilla group for visitors to track and in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park there is Nyakagezi gorilla family. Gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Uganda is relatively cheaper, the trekking permits are sold at US$700 per person for foreign non residents, US$600 for foreign residents and US$80. This mainly applies in the peak season especially in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During these months, the demand for gorilla permits is high and visitors are encouraged to book for their permits early enough.

During the low season Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offers opportunity to other visitors who may not be in position to track gorillas during the peak to also achieve their dreams in Uganda. In April, May and November, permits in Uganda are obtainable at US$450 for foreign non residents, US$400 for foreign residents and shs.150000 for East African residents. For visitors who may need to extend their stay in Bwindi, there is Gorilla Habituation Experience where you will spend all the four hours with the apes in the wild. For this adventure, the permits cost $1500 foreign non residents, $1000 for foreign residents and shs.750000 for East Africa residents.

Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park is the best tourist destination for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Located in Northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is accessible about 2 and half to three hour drive from Kigali International Airport to the park. There are ten habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes national Park set for gorilla tourism. They include Sabyinyo, Ugenda, Umubano, Hirwa, Susa A and Karisimbi (Susa B), Bwenge, Kwitonda, Amahoro and Agashya (Group 13). A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda cost $1500 per person and applies to all visitors.

Virunga National Park

In Democratic Republic of Congo, gorilla trekking is best done in the Virunga National Park Eastern part of the country. It features eight habituated gorilla groups for visitors to track and they include Munyanga, Humba, Kabirizi, Mapuwa, Rugendo, Lulengo, Bageni and Nyakamwe gorilla group. Gorilla trekking permits in DR Congo cost $400 per person. Besides, there is also Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. The Virunga National Park is normally reached from Rwanda and visitors can spend about 4 to 5 hours drive. However, note that DR Congo is still recovering from political unrest.

In conclusion, gorilla tourism is best done in Uganda Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. A trek to see the endangered mountain gorillas is a life time experience Gorilla trekking is a strenuous experience that requires you to be physically well to hike through the thick forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park.

You always wish to venture into a place from where you can carry lot of interesting stories to tell your friends and kids. African Safari in someway or the other promises all the adventure that other destination just boasts, it is the place where you would find the wild side of the earth.

Safaris are one of the most exciting and varied vacations that anyone could possibly imagine and the chance to do your own safari is one that no one should pass by. There are a great number of considerations that you need to make when it comes to organizing your safari and one of the most important relates to the exact location that you choose for your trip.

There are a number of national parks to choose from all of which have their own characteristics and are home to different types of wildlife. Everyone has their own preferences and it really depends on the kind of safari you want and what you are hoping to see. The Serengeti is one of the most popular options as it is a beautiful place with some stunning and impressive animals.

When it comes to choosing the location of your African safari, you will need to perform some thorough research so that you can make an informed decision. Serengeti is one of the best national parks that receives a good number of tourists all year round and here are the reasons as to why you should consider visiting this great world known park;

You should come here not only to enjoy flora and fauna but also to witness the wonderful culture that prevails in the region. This is the place which you should visit if you want to see the real Africa. The place is really valuable rises from the fact that two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere reserves have been established in this place. The place has astonishing charm and it has inspired numerous filmmakers, poets, photographers, writers and other people with creative head. The park witnesses migration of animals every year thousands of wild beast and zebras move from one place to another.

Serengeti the Tanzanian National Park should be your place to visit if you want to fulfill your instincts of watching wildlife unperturbed. In the local Maasai language Serengeti means ‘endless plains’, the park covers an area of about 15000sq km. It is the largest reserve in Tanzania and also counted among the world famous national parks. It was first established as a game reserve in 1921 and then in the year 1951 it was proclaimed as a national park.

Flora and fauna:

Serengeti is home big groups of antelope which includes patterson’s eland, klipspringer, dikdik, zebra, gazelles, lion, impala, leopard, cheetah, hyena and other bigger mammals like elephant, rhino, giraffe and hippopotamus. The place gives you the chance to watch a great wildlife.

You would even find here more than 500 bird species.

Apart from great collection of birds and animals, you can also see agama lizards and rock hyraxes in and around the park. There are also 100 species of dung beetle which you can see in the park.

Here you would also find diverse environmental conditions, you can see from savannah to grass plains and woodland to black clay plains.

Famous activities:

• Bird Watching
• Adventurous Walking Safari
• Interesting Safari Game  Drives
• Memorable Balloon Ride

Plan Your Safari

Where it is located:

It is in the northern part of Tanzania. The park is so famous that every Tanzanian citizen can show you the way.

When to visit:

There are shorts rains in the months of October and November and this is the ideal time for you to go and explore the wild Tanzanian Park.

Where to stay:

• Kleins Camp
• Sabora Plains Tented Camp
• Faru Faru River lodge

• Sasakwa lodge
• Migration Camp
• Nomad Tented Camp
• Olakira Camp
• Sayari Camp
• Ndutu Camp
• Lemala Serengeti Camp
• Grumeti  Camp
• Suyan Camp

How to reach:

Kilimanjaro International Airport is the closest airport to the National Park. There are charter flights available from Mwanza, Arusha and Lake Manyara. If you feel like coming from train then you can board a train from Moshi Station and then coming to roadways there buses available from Arusha Bus Station.

People tend to think of Africa as a country, not a real continent, but with 54 countries calling it home, the topography, landscape and the activities might vary radically by region. In order to make it easy for you to plan a trip, below are some of the most popular countries and best places to go in Africa, and what to see and do there, when to go and where to stay.

1. Uganda, East Africa

In Uganda, you wouldn’t miss the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as in Mgahinga National Park. The experience with the mountain gorillas in Uganda is truly amazing. Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla family with its five silverback gorillas. It has a certain attraction since it boasts one of the highest concentrations of silverbacks with in a family. The safaris are so small; only 8 people are allowed to track a particular group per day. You have 60 minutes with them and believe me it goes really fast. The juveniles here are so playful and are always running up and down. Bwindi and Mgahinga can be visited at any time though it would be great to visit during the dry season. In addition to the mountain gorillas, you can also see he Batwa pygmies, who are the oldest inhabitants of the central African rain forest.

2 & 3. Kenya & Tanzania

Kenya and Tanzania are normally combined into one trip and these two countries are considered among the best places to go in Africa because they have where you can view the great Migration, where about 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles that make a migratory circle from the Masai Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti in Tanzania and back again. Even though you don’t go during the migration, Kenya and Tanzania has got some of the most extensive populations of wildlife in all of Africa; get to see over 50 elephants in the herd and the big five animals including the buffaloes, lions, leopards Rhinos and many more. Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro which is a great hiking destination.

4 & 5. Zambia and Zimbabwe

Visit these countries and see the Victoria Falls, the largest water falls in the world. You can as well enjoy white water rafting down the Zambezi River, chock full of crocs and the hippos. Zambia has got fantastic walking safaris in wonderful national parks like in South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi., you can as well enjoy canoeing and fishing in addition to the game drives and walks. The national park can be visited during winter season which is the peak season.

6. Namibia

In Namibia, you can climb some of the highest sand dunes in the world and have a hot air balloon. The scenery is so dramatic and vaults Namibia into the discussion for one of the best places to go in Africa. Get to enjoy the breathtaking land scapes. You can have a stopover and enjoy a living Desert tour, a ghost tour and an over flight of the skeleton.

7. Botswana

The country’s focus is on high end, low impact tourism and its luxurious properties have got crowds. This is where you can get to enjoy up close wildlife experiences. The land scape is so stunning with the Okavango delta which will give you detailed traditional game drives by vehicle, you will be able to go out in Mokoros, the traditional dugout canoes that bring you eye level with the game. Game viewing here gets better in winter from June through September.

8. South Africa

You get to experience the shark cage diving and Malaria free zones as well as the flavours of Durban, the commune of Indian culture in Africa that rests right on the Indian Ocean. The private game reserves be plentiful in South Africa, which makes it so easier to see the Big five animals so up close and in a limited time frame. You can also go on wine tours or get in some hiking up Table Mountain on its own, one of the best places to go in Africa for a day trip. The country can be visited any time of the year for game viewing.

9. Egypt

You shouldn’t miss the pyramids and taking a cruise up the Nile River which is a good adventure. Egypt is the cradle of western civilization and few experiences can measure up the massive scale of the pyramids and the sphinx. Egypt is a year round destination and the most comfortable temperatures are between October and April.

10. Morocco

Get to visit the famous spice markets and entrench yourself in Arab culture. Enjoy the traditional cities of Marrakech, Tangier, Fez and Rabat which offer a look into ancient traditions. Morocco offers different types of experience including a camel trek in the Sahara desert and slept under the stars having a cup of tea with the nomadic Berbers to learn about their life style. More so, you can visit the Djemaa El Fna which is the largest market in Morocco and the biggest square in Africa. You can as well have a walk around the square in the evening when musicians, dancers and the story tellers are out. Morocco can be visited throughout the year.