The Republic of Madagascar is an island nation of 18 million people located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world, as well as numerous smaller peripheral islands, the largest of which include Nosy Be and Nosy Boraha. About 165 million years ago the island splintered off of Africa (80 million years ago occurred the break from India). Because this vast island nation has been isolated so long, Madagascar is a biodiversity hot spot. Over 80% of Madagascar flora and fauna are endemic meaning they are found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar's climate is very diverse allowing a great variety of eco-regions. Lush rain forests are found in the humid eastern region. Tropical deciduous woods are seen on the western plains, and in the semi-arid south is the spiny desert, perhaps the island's most amazing region. There are also tropical beaches and warm Indian Ocean waters. Some highlights of the amazing diversity include 1,000 different species of orchids, six species of baobab trees and the famous lemurs including dwarf lemurs no bigger than a mouse, rig tailed lemurs from the Barebty Reserve, the sifake known to leap more than 30 feet from branch to branch and the very unique aye aye to name a few.
Home to the Okavango Delta, one of Africa’s most iconic destinations, the country is a haven for conservation, wildlife and those who seek the road less traveled. The country is a tapestry of diverse habitats that are well-managed by conservation focused companies. From the game-rich maze of waterways in the Okavango to the grassy savannahs of the Kalahari Desert, the options to explore are far ranging with something for every type of traveler.
Drift peacefully in a wooden mokoro as elephants graze in a lily-dotted lagoon or spend the afternoon tracking leopards on a game drive. Explore Chief’s Island in the delta where some of Africa’s densest wildlife concentrations reside. See Africa’s largest zebra migration in the Linyanti Wetlands or sip on a gin and tonic as the sunset illuminates the thousands of elephants that gather along the Chobe River during the dry season.
With many of Africa’s finest camps in Botswana, the in-camp experience is just as memorable. Cool off in your outdoor shower as a giraffe grazes nearby or sample the local flavors as you dine under the stars. Watch the daily parade of wildlife wandering past camp, soak in the plunge pool as elephants stop by for a drink or simply unwind and enjoy the utter tranquility of the bush around you with a good book in hand.
From the Great Migration in the Serengeti and snowcapped peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro to the shimmering turquoise seas of Zanzibar and the wild chimpanzees in the Mahale forests, Tanzania is a country that has it all. Explore the biodiverse amphitheater of the Ngorongoro Crater or walk beside thousands of flamboyant flamingos at Lake Manyara. Drift over the vast herds of wildebeest in a hot air balloon as first light ushers in a new day. Venture into the vast and uncrowded wilderness along the Selous River or come face to face with our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, as they forage through the trees.
Dip beneath the aqua waters as you dive with sea turtles or touch the sky as you traverse glaciers atop Mt Kilimanjaro. Walk in ancient footsteps with a visit to Olduvai Gorge and discover our oldest ancestors. Disappear into a good book as birdsong fills the air around your tent. Wake to the sound of gently lapping waves in your luxurious beachfront bungalow before sampling the flavors of a spice plantation.
A verdant and beautiful, Uganda is hidden away in Africa’s mountainous central highlands. Diverse landscapes support a wide biodiversity of wildlife, from great apes to classic safari animals. Trek through the misty volcanic slopes of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of endangered mountain gorillas. Play with baby chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall Sanctuary as they tug at your shoelaces, climb all over you and give you little kisses.
Venture into the lush forest and fertile grasslands of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spend the afternoon with lions and elephants on a game drive or sip on a local beer as giraffes wander past your tent. Delve into the lowland swamps in search the rare shoebill stork, known for its towering stature and distinctive appearance. Feel the full power of the mighty Nile River as it squeezes through a narrow ravine at Murchison Falls.
A nation as well known for its culture as for its natural wonders, South Africa is a diverse and vibrant destination with something for every type of traveler. Dive into the thriving art, music and food scenes in Cape Town or meander through local shops and galleries during the monthly First Thursday celebrations. Meet the utterly charming penguins at Boulder Beach or take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views of the city below. Road trip along the Garden Route checking out sleepy coastal towns and whale watching as you hike along the coastal trails. Sip your way through the wine lands and unwind in your charming B&B tucked in a vine covered valley amid the craggy mountains.
Escape to the wild to watch leopards and lions in Sabi Sands or watch the sunset with a local beer in hand as elephants mill about the waterhole. Indulge in sumptuous luxury in the heart of the wilderness or ease into the rhythms of life in the bush at your intimate safari camp. Create memories with your kids in malaria-free regions perfect for families or sip champagne with your sweetheart on the ultimate honeymoon adventure.
Located in the heart of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is a fantastic safari destination offering diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Explore the forests and savannah of Hwange on a game drive watching lounging lions and lithe cheetahs or enjoy a sundowner by the waterhole as the elephants drink their fill as well. Boat along the mighty Zambezi River in Mana Pools to a soundtrack of bellowing hippos and bird song as your take in the mountain views.
Relax in the seclusion of your luxurious tent after a dawn walking safari tracking endangered wild dogs in an ancient forest. Feel the mist on your face as take in the magnificence of the iconic Victoria Falls, known locally as ‘the smoke that thunders’. Gain an aerial perspective with a microlite flight, raft through the whitewater canyons below the falls or sip cocktails on a sunset river cruise above the falls.
Still a destination largely off the radar of the wider safari world, Zambia is home to the original walking safari. With vast national parks and limited numbers of visitors, you will often feel like you have the bush entirely to yourself. Venture out on foot with your expert guide as he shares his encyclopedic knowledge of the bush, tracking wildlife by reading the clues left behind on the earth or spend the morning trying to see as many species of birds as possible as you move silently through the landscape.
The country is home to the mighty Zambezi River, which you can explore on boating or canoeing safaris. Feel the mist on your face as take in the magnificence of the iconic Victoria Falls, known locally as ‘the smoke that thunders’. Gain an aerial perspective with a microlite flight, raft through the whitewater canyons below the falls or sip cocktails on a sunset river cruise above the falls.
A land of contrasts, Namibia is a destination of unexpected experiences set against stunning desert landscapes. Drift over a sea of endless dunes in a hot air balloon as first light illuminates the rippling waves of orange below. Hike to the top of the tallest dune before running down the other side into the Dead Vlei, a petrified lake known for its stark beauty. Track rare black rhinos on foot or explore oases and discover the unique desert-adapted wildlife drawn to the promise of water. Watch cheetahs in an all-out sprint at the Cheetah Conservation Fund or go birdwatching along the coast where flocks gather in the thousands. Venture to the far north and visit a remote Himba village, meeting the nomadic herdsmen known for their distinctive use of red clay on their hair and body.
Spend an afternoon around one of the famed Etosha waterholes, teeming with animals gathered from across the national park. See as the herds of springbok and ostrich part to make way for elephants covered in a thick later of ghostly white mud. Take in the sight of a lone oryx climbing a dune, the twin spires of its horns silhouetted in the dusk light. Sip on cocktails around the campfire of your luxury camp as a canopy of a million stars stretches overhead. Visit sleepy coastal towns and peruse boutique shops for local art or sample the freshly caught seafood served in charming cafes.
Perhaps the best-known African country for safaris, Kenya is wonderfully diverse with a wide variety of cultural and natural landscapes to explore. Countless stories have been inspired by Kenya, and many of the continent’s most iconic experiences are found here. From the Great Migration in the Masai Mara to the famed Samburu warriors clad in red, Kenya is a fantastic destination for everyone from families to honeymooning couples.
Watch cheetahs sprint across the savannah in pursuit of a lone wildebeest from amid the millions. Go horseback riding through the forest, seeking out giraffes as they graze the treetops. Meet baby elephants face to face at one of the acclaimed elephant sanctuaries. Spend an afternoon with elephants against the magnificent backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro.
With many family run properties, the camps are cozy and intimate, welcoming you in and making you feel right at home. Soak in your private tub as zebra graze outside your room or sip on a gin and tonic around a roaring fire as you swap stories with your fellow travelers.
