A trip to Africa can be so much more than a safari.  Africa is the second largest continent in the world and contains the most countries within its borders. If jungles and vast grasslands come to mind when you think of Africa, you’re missing many of its other distinctive features – scorching desert, towering mountain peaks, sun drenched beaches, bustling marketplaces, majestic pyramids, and the longest river in the world are all part of the African landscape.  Following is a brief summary of the features of the different regions in Africa to help you decide which region appeals to you the most.  There’s no such thing as a bad choice – they’re all fascinating!

North Africa

3 main geographical features – the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert and the Nile River.  Here you will find landmarks like the pyramids and other Egyptian antiquities and exotic Morocco and Casablanca with crowded bazaars and archaeological dig sites.  You’ll see lots of camels, but no elephants!

East Africa

Here is where you’ll find a traditional safari experience – game drives tracking down and observing iconic African wildlife in their unique grassland environment in Kenya, encountering gorilla families in the dense jungles of Uganda, and making camp in the shadow of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

South Africa

Also a region that specializes in game drives, Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools is an excellent place to observe hippos, elephants and other animals clustered around these waterways. Viewing Victoria Falls, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is a breathtaking experience.  Simon’s Town in South Africa is home to a large colony of Cape penguins, and Mozambique’s beaches and Namibia’s giant dunes provide a different kind of African landscape.

West Africa

West Africa is divided into two distinct regions – the northeast being dominated by the dry environment of the Sahara desert, and the humid southwest bordering on the Atlantic Ocean.  This blend of tropical and desert environments fosters great biodiversity, and a large number of unusual plants and wildlife flourish here. Senegal’s Lake Retba with its signature pink waters and the markets and mosques of Dakar are highlights here.

No matter which region you decide to visit, your luxury African safari is dedicated to provide the following features:

• Small group trips, ensuring excellent customer service.  You can also opt for a private safari for just your family or family and friends.
• Endless opportunities for wildlife viewing.  In some areas this will include game drives to make sure you  encounter the Big Five (elephants, lions, cape buffalo, rhinos, and leopards).
• Excellent accommodations in lodges and camps, all offering amenities that you might not expect on safari.
• Included flights between points on the itinerary, saving precious time and affording a birds-eye view of Africa’s impressive and varied landscapes.
• Opportunities to meet local people and learn about their culture and traditions.
• Knowledgeable guides who want to share their love of their homeland, impressing on visitors the necessity for protecting endangered wildlife and conserving their habitat.

North Africa

• Visit Morocco and discover Medina, a blend of ancient traditions and modern cosmopolitan life.  
• Enjoy the elaborate architecture of Bahia Palace in the city of Marrakesh.
• Hike the Atlas Mountains, or discover the Ait Bouguemez Valley. Known as ‘the Happy Valley.”
• Visit ancient Egypt to explore the pyramids of Giza, view the Sphinx, the temples of Karnak and Luxor and experience a camel ride.

East Africa

• Visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the thrill of a lifetime encountering the endangered mountain gorilla in its forest habitat.
• Immerse yourself in the Great MIgration territory of Kenya and Tanzania, tracking the abundant wildlife and visiting a Maasai village to meet local people.
• Explore Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park to avoid crowds and experience the amazing variety of species and ecosystems.
• Visit Nairobi and enjoy local festivals like the Lake Turkana Festival, a colorful event attended by many local tribes, or the Lamu Yoga Festival featuring a typical Swahili dinner and a sunset bonfire.

South Africa

• Your luxury safari will give you access to excellent private game reserves for your game drives.  Choose morning or evening for a drive in the Sabi Sand Private reserve in hopes of catching up with the Big Five.  Take advantage of the Timbavati and Thornybush reserves and an experienced tracker who will present you with game photo ops you wouldn’t have thought possible.
• Visit Capetown and sample the Cape Malay cuisine (characterized by curry flavors) and the favorite local wine, pinotage.  If you’re visiting in January, don’t miss the Capetown Minstrel Carnival, held on January 2nd, celebrating the new year.
• Although the Kruger National Park is most recognized as the premier destination for safaris, there are other less crowded parks that offer spectacular opportunities for wildlife viewing.  Addo Elephant National Park and ISimangaliso Park are two that are worth considering.
• Visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to better understand South Africa’s troubled history.
• Marvel at one of the world’s largest waterfalls, Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Try Quad Biking or sandboarding in the amazing sand dunes of the vast Namib Desert in Namibia.
• Experience Mozambique’s crystal clear waters, known for its excellent diving environment and big game —- FISHING!

• Africa is the second largest continent in the world, covering 6% of the world’s surface.
• It is the hottest continent and second driest, with an average of only 1,000 mm of rain falling annually.  Not surprising, considering that approximately 60% of Africa is desert.
• Africa is home to the world’s oldest civilization, the Egyptian state, dating back to approximately 3300 BC.
• Africa encompasses 55 different countries, whose populations speak over 1,000 different languages.
• Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and the 4th highest mountain peak in the world.
• The Nile is the longest river in the world, flowing from Tanzania to the Nile Delta, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea.

• Currency is different in each country, but credit and debit cards are widely accepted and ATM’s are available except in very rural areas.
• In the North African bazaars of Morocco and Egypt you are expected to “haggle” over the prices for merchandise.  Ask for “the last price” and be prepared to walk away if your offer isn’t accepted.
• Pack lots of sunscreen!  The locals don’t use it, and what is available in stores is extremely expensive.
• The same goes for insect repellant – the mosquitoes can be pesky, and you don’t want to catch malaria!

In predominantly Muslim countries:

• Dress conservatively (no shorts or tops that reveal bare arms).  Women should carry a scarf to cover their hair when visiting mosques or other Muslim religious sites.
• Don’t offer your hand for a handshake unless someone offers theirs first.  In some countries this is considered rude.  Women will almost never be offered a handshake.
• Avoid public displays of affection.

Weather facts

• Africa is largely a dry country, but there are rainy seasons.  In North Africa rain is minimal, and the climate is warm and windy most of the year. 
•  In East Africa the rainy seasons are in April and May and again in November and December, and temperatures are moderate although the humidity is high. 
•  In South Africa average daytime highs rarely exceed 85 degrees in the summer months (November – February) and winter temperatures almost never reach the freezing point.  Rain showers during the winter months (May – August) often occur briefly in the afternoon, followed by sunny skies.