Angola is a country that has a lot to offer; extensive beaches, beautiful wildlife parks and remnants of Portuguese colonialism. It is a country for advanced travelers, because outside the capital Luanda it can be risky. As in other African countries with a lot of savanna and grassland, Angola was home to a variety of wild animals, including the elephant, rhinoceros, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and various species of primates, birds, reptiles and insects. However, many of the larger animals were shot during the Civil War. And in the past there were also large rainforests in the country, but these have largely disappeared as a result of the cultivation of the land for agriculture.
Botswana is the safari country par excellence! Wild nature safaris, game drives, the ‘Big Five’, Okavango delta and Kalahari desert. The major attraction of the northeast is the Chobe National Park. A canoe safari on the Zambezi and the World Heritage Site on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the world-famous Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River makes a free fall of approximately one hundred meters over a width of two kilometers is also highly recommended. Get to know the fantastic natural beauty, the impressive animals and the traditionally living people in the south of beautiful Africa during a tour of Botswana!
Hidden deep in the mountains is “ the roof of Africa ”, the mini-state of Lesotho. Protected by the craggy peaks, Lesotho is an oasis of tranquility. Drive over the Sani Pass, one of the most spectacular and highest road trips in southern Africa, and be mesmerized by the vistas at Sehlabathebe, Lesotho’s only official national park. It is of unparalleled beauty, but also very difficult to access. A challenge for a hiker who wants something different. Bird watchers can best spot the birds at the Mountain Road, which is home to some of the rarest of birds.
Madagascar is a unique country; an isolated island more than 500 kilometers off the coast of Mozambique. It is not a touristic destination, but it is full of variety: in landscapes, tribes and experiences. It is ecologically one of the richest countries in the world and its fauna and flora are simply impressive. 90% of all known lemurs (a diverse group of prosimians) live there, in addition to half of the world’s chameleons, in a unique setting of cacti, baobabs, aloes and a quarter of Africa’s flower varieties. The population is a special mix of Africans and Asians. The landscape is fascinating, from the fertile highlands in central Madagascar to the arid steppe in the south. A visit to this special African country is a travel experience you will never forget.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, but progress is slowly being made in the distribution of AIDS drugs and efforts are being made with some success to establish Malawi as a tourist destination. The exceptional bird population, Lake Malawi and the pristine safari areas are mainly used for this. The most famous park is the Liwonde National Park, which is home to herds of elephants and antelopes. Herds of hippos bathe in the Shire River. Other parks include Kasungu National Park, Nyika National Park, Lake Malawi National Park, and Vwasa Marsh Game Reserve. Many leopards, jackals and zebras live in the south. Many special native flowers grow in Malawi, such as exuberant gladiolus and dozens of varieties of orchids.
Mauritius is a large, green island with wonderful tropical temperatures. The island is largely surrounded by vast, white beaches, the clear azure blue Indian Ocean and impressive coral reefs with a wealth of exotic animals. In addition, you will find remote picturesque villages, impressive rock formations and an extremely friendly population. It is a perfect island to visit after traveling through Africa.
Mozambique, about 20 times the size of the Netherlands, has a lot of untouched nature. There are beautiful national parks, such as Gorongosa, the impressive Chimanimani Mountains, the Bazaruto Archipelago off the coast of Vilanculos with coral reefs, dolphins, flamingos and turtles, Maputo Special Reserve, Limpopo National Park (part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Peace Park) and the undiscovered Banhine National Park and Zinave National Park. The Niassa Reserve, on the border with Tanzania, is known as Mozambique’s reserve with the largest game population. Niassa Reserve is twice the size of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, with the big difference that Niassa has not yet been discovered by mass tourism.
In addition to a few game reserves, a holiday in Mozambique is mainly dominated by the sea. In many places you can dive and snorkel and the towns along the coast are almost all worth a visit. You will find colorful markets, shops, old colonial buildings from the last century and you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and the warm sun. Mozambique with some 3,000 kilometers of coast is a true paradise for the adventurous traveler!
Namibia is the land of the vast plains, deserted beaches and deep canyons, of the surreal landscapes, peace and space, of the clear blue sky by day and the clear starry sky at night. The sun-drenched land boasts amazing flora and fauna, dazzling landscapes and a diversity of populations and cultures. Visit the Namib Desert, the Kalahari, Damaraland, Sossusvlei, the world famous Etosha National Park and the Himbas.
Swaziland is known for its many nature parks and game reserves with untouched nature where you will encounter animals such as rhinoceroses, zebras, hippos, giraffes and crocodiles. In addition, in Swaziland you will find impressive mountain landscapes, beautiful waterfalls, special rock formations, swamps, authentic African villages and a number of specific locations such as the Ezulwini Valley, also known as the Valley of the Kings . The area around the capital Mbabane is westernized, but outside it most people still live in a traditional way in corrals, which consist of a few mud huts grouped around a yard. The Swati are friendly, hospitable people.
Zambia is often referred to as Africa’s best kept secret because it is not yet visited by the masses of tourists. Yet Zambia has a lot to offer visitors, such as the mighty Victoria Falls, many national parks and game reserves and beautiful lakes. This makes Zambia called the real Africa and a real animal kingdom, with 225 species of mammals and seven hundred species of birds. The Victoria Falls are at least as beautiful from the Zambian side as they are from the Zimbabwean side; yet relatively few tourists in Zambia go to the falls. Another tip for adventurers is the emerging South Luangwa National Park, which is home to a large population of elephants.
Zimbabwe is known for its beautiful vistas, pristine patches of rainforest and wildlife parks. Lions, giraffes, eland, waterbuck, zebra and other game are found in reasonable quantities in these game reserves. The greater kudu is the national animal of Zimbabwe. Attractions of the country are Lake Kariba, the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls on the border with Zambia. In the Hwange National Park you will find the largest herds of elephants and buffalo in Africa. In Lake Mutirikwi National Park, near Masvingo, the rare white rhinoceros, oribies and nyala still live. The people of the country are hospitable and friendly. All in all, Zimbabwe is a wonderful travel destination!
South Africa is a country with an impressive past. Travel in this country from one landscape and climate to another and get to know the different cultural groups, each of which speaks its own language. Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria… many special cities in a nutshell. A visit to one of the many game-rich parks such as Kruger and Mlilwane is something you should not miss. You will undoubtedly encounter the most special animals here.
