Introducing Africa
How do you capture the essence of Africa on paper without using up every cliché in the book? No other continent comes close to it for scale, variety and pure, raw impact. Africa offers a travel experience a thousand kilometres from the well-backpacked, air-conditioned tourist trails of Southeast Asia or the cash-cow theme parks of Australia or Europe.
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Africa’s natural history alone would make a dozen visits worthwhile – where else on earth can you fall asleep to the sound of lions roaring, or watch a million flamingos take off from the waters of a remote soda lake? Parts of Africa boast scenery so spectacular they’ll damn near blow your mind, but the essence of this incredible continent isn’t in any desert, mountain or lake. It’s the spirit of the people – pushing, shoving, sweating, dancing, singing and laughing – that infects so many visitors with a travel bug so powerful they’ll never stop coming back, sometimes against all sense or reason.
Debate with venerable merchants among the cool, narrow streets of an Arabic medina, dance to the thumping reggae beats coming from a West African market stall, or shoot the breeze with fishermen under Indian Ocean palm trees, and you’ll be struck more than anything else by the honesty, warm-heartedness and vitality of the African people.
Africa’s not always an easy place to travel in. It can be frustrating and challenging at times. Hardships and logistical disasters can happen. But don’t believe everything you see on TV: Africa’s not a hell hole full of civil war, plague, famine and violent crime. It’s a fantastic, enlightening, surprising and intriguing continent. Try it once, and we guarantee you’ll dream about coming back for the rest of your life.
Make it happen
Ready to go? These recommended tours make it easy:
South Africa:
- Go on a safari in the famous Kruger National Park
- Snorkel with Great White Sharks
- Journey through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana
- Discover South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland on a trip from Kruger to Coast
Kenya:
- Travel from Nairobi to Niagara Falls
- Discover gorillas, chimps and game parks
- Hit the road for a Keynya Lodge Safari
- Trek the twin peaks of Mt Kenay and Mt Kilimanjaro
Uganda, Tanzania & Rwanda:
- Experience mountain gorillas in Rwanda
- Summit the Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route
- or follow the popular Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
West Africa:
- Take 36 days off for a Nomadic West Africa Westbound tour
- Take part in an epic 69-day tour from Dakar to Douala
North Africa:
- Trek with the Bedouin in the desert wilderness
- Cruise the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
- Go on a trip in the best of Morocco's north
- Travel through magical Morocco on a family safari
Last updated: Jan 19, 2012
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Africa
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Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Africa
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1 Okavango Delta
Drift through the Okavango Delta, in a traditional mokoro (canoe), Botswana
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2 Cure Salée
Join the Wodaabé as they strut their stuff during Cure Salée, Niger
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3 Djenné’s mosque
Marvel at the largest mud-brick structure in the world, Djenné’s mosque, Mali
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4 Giza
Rustle up a stylish ride at the pyramids of Giza, Egypt
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5 Parc National des Volcans
Take some time out with the mountain gorillas of Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda
