Here’s our list of Africa’s must-visit mountain kingdoms – discover their magnitude, scenery and the creatures that call them home
Category Archives: Travel & Lifestyle
A Sabi Sands leopard safari
Jamie Paterson spends time with the famous leopards of Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, on a specialised leopard safari
15 top African wildlife experiences
The ultimate guide to your African safari bucket list. Here are our choices of 15 top African wildlife experiences on the continent
Safari Season – visit Africa in Jun, Jul, Aug
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in June, July and August.
Safari Season – visit Africa in Mar, Apr, May
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in March, April and May.
Ultimate bush and beach combo safari
Bush or beach? There’s no need to choose! We bring you the best combo safaris featuring epic beach & bush destinations for the ultimate African holiday
The best malaria-free safari destinations
Want to head on safari while avoiding the risk of malaria? Here’s our round-up of the best malaria-free safari destinations in South Africa
Safari Season – visit Africa in Dec, Jan, Feb
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in December, January and February,
Walking with gorillas
Trekking through the ancient rainforests of Bwindi, Uganda to find mountain gorillas brings Ryan Biller face-to-face with a childhood dream
Safari Season – visit Africa in Sept, Oct, Nov
When is the best safari season in Africa? We answer one of the most common safari questions with a comprehensive look at the best African destinations and when to visit them in September, October and November.
Dine out in the bushveld
No African safari is complete without a dining experience out in the wilderness. Here are our favourite spots to enjoy dining in the bushveld
Healing in Hwange
Can an African safari bring healing? Aaron Gekoski heads to Zimbabwe to explore Hwange and Matobo National Parks to find out
Africa under canvas
Camping in the bushveld is an immersive experience. Here are the best tented camps in Africa – from basic budget options to luxurious glamping
Northern Madagascar
Northern Madagascar – biodiversity, lush rainforests, mangroves, azure lagoons, palm-fringed beaches, lemurs and ferocious fossa
Sleep out under the stars
Stargazing under African skies from a comfortable bed will add magic to any safari. Here are our top spots for sleeping out under the stars
South and central Madagascar
South and central Madagascar is popular with tourists who enjoy the spiny forests, elegant sifakas, ring-tailed lemurs and desert canyons
The 7 best places to see leopards in Africa
Want to spot leopards on your next safari? Here are the 7 top destinations for seeing this elusive member of the Big 5
Africa’s 30 best swimming pools
Here’s our list of THE 30 best swimming pools in Africa – to round out your safari. Best views, best sightings, spots for sundowners & more!
6 beers to order on safari
Here’s our guide to the 6 best locally brewed beers from top-class breweries to enjoy on your African safari
The 6 top places to see painted wolves
Looking for the best place to see African painted wolves? We bring you six of our favourite spots to scout for wild dogs
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana casts a spell upon her visitors – a true wilderness, both untamed and austerely beautiful
Africa’s 10 most sublime sundowner spots
Sundowner, anyone? We reveal our top 10 sundowner spots in Africa – best enjoyed with exotic cocktails and delicious snacks
Time with super tuskers
Searching for super tuskers? We spotted three of these legendary elephants in one safari trip – here’s how we did it.
Safari time! Our favourite time of day
Between meals, cocktails, spa treatments and pool dips, when should you head into the wild? Here we recommend our favourite safari time
São Tomé & Príncipe – Africa’s undiscovered paradise
São Tomé and Príncipe – two islands off the west coast of Africa – brim with ecological marvels, captivating history, and welcoming people
Eastern Madagascar
A journey through eastern Madagascar is an adventure for endemic lemurs, birds, reptiles, pristine beaches and ancient forest
Western Madagascar
Western Madagascar boasts iconic images and creatures – fossas, lemurs galore, upside-down trees and rocks with teeth!
Madikwe adventure – a boy in the wild
My name is Luka and I am ten years old – I spent my school holidays learning what it’s like to work as a game ranger in Madikwe Game Reserve
Sensing Kenya – A blind woman’s safari
Imbar Golt is blind. Sensing Kenya, she experiences the wonders of Africa through the smells, sounds, tastes and feels of a camping safari
The Cape safari – off the beaten safari track
The Cape safari experience: fascinating wildlife and malaria-free protected spaces close to Cape Town and the Garden Route
Gombe and Mahale – the chimpanzee forests of Tanzania
Gombe & Mahale in Tanzania combine safari with chimpanzee trekking in the magic forests on the shores of Lake Tanganyika
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy – Kenya’s golden child
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya, is a haven for rare and wonderful wildlife that offers exclusive stunning safari experiences.
The Garden Route – South Africa’s ultimate road trip
The Garden Route is a dramatic meeting of mountains, gorges, forest and the Indian Ocean, interspersed by quaint, sleepy beach towns
Ghosts in the gorges – on the fugitives’ trail
Fugitives’ Drift is a rejuvenating getaway for heart and soul, where the hills breathe history and ghosts whisper in the moonlit gorges. The lodge is a haven of family hospitality in a breathtaking natural setting.
Samburu – home of the Samburu special 5
Samburu – an arid land steeped in rich tradition, where people, livestock, and wildlife thrive side by side, sharing precious resources.
In defense of (some) tourism
How do we rebuild travel after the trauma of 2020? Tourism is a conservation asset we can’t afford to lose and Africa is ahead of the game.
Cape Town – Mother City
Cape Town – the Mother City – offers a blend of a nature-lovers playground, modern city lifestyle, cultural diversity and foodie heaven
Zakouma National Park – jewel of the Sahel
Zakouma – a park returned to vibrant wilderness teeming with life, is a once-in-a-lifetime journey for travellers looking for safari adventure
Victoria Falls – the smoke that thunders
Victoria Falls – the smoke that thunders – is the world’s largest waterfall – a breathtaking place of myth, magic, and romance.
Chobe National Park – Africa’s elephant Eden
Chobe National Park boasts the world’s highest elephant density, lush riverine woodland & vast dry savannas – embodying the safari spirit
Does tourism benefit local people? A Namibian case study
Does tourism always benefit local people? A new study of an established project linking Windhoek to the Zambezi region in Namibia suggests not
Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s Murchison Falls NP: home to a smorgasbord of wildlife and diversity set against the backdrop of the spectacular Nile River
Odzala-Kokoua National Park – biodiversity bonanza
Odzala-Kokoua NP in Congo is one of Africa’s hidden gems – a testament to the resilience of both the continent’s people and her ecosystems
Western Namibia – shades of ochre
Western Namibia is a land of heat, sand, sea and remarkable biodiversity surviving against the backdrop of harsh but stunning scenery
Mthimkhulu Game Reserve – a dream deferred
Mthimkhulu Game Reserve is 8000ha of prime land in the Greater Kruger, 50km north of Phalaborwa. It’s an area with a desperately sad past and a hopeful future. We went to have a look.
Luangwa Valley – vast Zambian wilderness
The Luangwa Valley is a vast Zambian wilderness and playground for tourists seeking an authentic safari experience
Sabi Sands sojourn
Our 2020 Photographer of the Year winners enjoy their safari prize in the Big 5 Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger
Conservation in action – as a tourism experience
Experience conservation activities as a hands-on tourist – two trip reports from Africa Geographic tribe members
KHWAI
Khwai in Northern Botswana is a wildlife haven. Bordering the Okavango Delta, Moremi & Chobe – Khwai is an iconic safari destination
A different safari – photographic hides
Fantastic images from a day in the photographic hides of Indlovu River Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve near the town of Hoedspruit
North Luangwa
North Luangwa in Zambia is remote and wild, accessible only by air or tough 4×4 vehicle – the perfect place for walking safaris
COVID-19 safari during lockdown: we test-drive
What will a Covid-19 safari be like under South Africa’s lockdown rules? We test-drive a lockdown safari in Timbavati, Greater Kruger
Bountiful Busanga
This travel diary to Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park (Zambia) will have you contacting Africa Geographic to arrange your next safari
Maasai Mara
This interesting introduction to Kenya’s Maasai Mara will have you contacting Africa Geographic to book your next African safari
There’s a cheetah on the roof – when wildlife viewing crosses the line
How close is too close? Cheetahs regularly climb onto safari vehicles. Here is why this practice is unethical, dangerous and invasive.
Bangweulu – where the water meets the sky
Bangweulu, where the water meets the sky. This conservation success story is owned by a remote Zambian community of fisherfolk
Lion cub petting & captive wildlife interactions: what tourists need to know
No to lion cub petting and elephant-back riding. Captive wildlife guidelines for tourists – an easy-to-understand list of what to look out for
Understanding Malaria
Malaria is a parasitic disease that is usually spread by the female Anopheles mosquito. Prevention is better than cure, and we provide tips
Greater Kruger
The ‘Greater Kruger’ refers to 344,000 hectares (860,000 acres) of protected land to the west of Kruger National Park that provides a larger area for wildlife to roam freely. This additional land is owned by private and local community property owners.
Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs
When we mention Sudan, most people don’t react positively, either because they don’t know much about the country, or they recall negative news reports about it. Ten years ago, when we visited the “kingdom of the black pharaohs” for the first time, there were very few tourists. Nowadays, fortunately, some prejudices have disappeared, and more …
6 Swahili food dishes you won’t want to miss!
Swahili cuisine is tasty, filling and plentiful. Here are six Swahili dishes you won’t want to miss on your travels in Tanzania.
Uganda birding – 10 best spots
The 10 best birding spots in Uganda, which hosts 1065 species – the ideal place to improve your life bird species list
Experience an art safari in the Big 5 Greater Kruger
Safari report-back: Art safari in Big 5 Greater Kruger with a professional wildlife artist. What my guests had to say. By Alison Nicholls
Klaserie Capers
He emerged silently from the gloom and ambled towards us with that gentle rocking gait that big bull elephants use to cover vast distances with minimal effort. His white tusks glowed in the moonshine, but otherwise, he was just a huge dark grey smudge that loomed larger by the second. The eight of us sat …
The Greatest Spectacle on Earth – Crossing the Mara
The energy in the air is feverish, filled with anticipation and burgeoning adrenaline. The chorus of thousands of voices echos through the dust as the herds make their way towards the banks of this legendary river, signalling what’s to come. If the conditions are favourable, what follows will be the breathtaking pinnacle of nature’s greatest spectacle, …
Continue reading “The Greatest Spectacle on Earth – Crossing the Mara”
A journey with purpose: Supporting conservation in Mozambique
The Journeys with Purpose expedition team head to Mozambique to support its threatened wildlife and connect with the local communities.
Wild Art
Flowers and plants captivate me, skulls, skins and bones fascinate me. To me, they are potent symbols of life and death, inseparable and complementary. Living with my life partner Clive Stockil in the Lowveld wilderness of Zimbabwe, I am an artist and a naturalist, celebrating the indigenous plants and wildlife in the wilderness and in my …
Gonarezhou – Land of Giants
GONAREZOU – a conservation success story and iconic wilderness destination for those seeking true wilderness
Off the beaten track: Camping at the Maasai village of Monduli Juu
Discovering Monduli Juu in Tanzania – an off-the-beaten-track campsite run by the indigenous Maasai people.
Safari!
“AFRICA” – now tell me that you don’t hear Sir David Attenborough’s voice when you read that word. Home to an abundance of incredible wildlife and considered the birthplace of humankind, this continent beckoned wildlife enthusiast Olli Teirilä in a way that he could never have expected. With a passion for adventure and wildlife, Olli …
Maasai Mara – Beyond Imagination
Safari report-back: My journey in the Maasai Mara with professional photographer Arnfinn Johansen and Africa Geographic. By Ivan Glaser
A walk of discovery through Zanzibar’s Stone Town
Stone Town: Exploring the history, architecture and culture through a guided walk in Zanzibar’s oldest town.
St. Helena – Treasure Chest of the Atlantic Ocean
We bounced across the water on the lookout for our quarry. We had been searching for a while now and were starting to lose hope of any success when suddenly there came a shout: “There’s one!” Just below us, swimming effortlessly in the pristine water, was a gentle giant – a whale shark. In no …
Continue reading “St. Helena – Treasure Chest of the Atlantic Ocean”
Walking safari in the Greater Kruger
My Greater Kruger walking safari in Big 5 country – the best way to unplug and get back to basics – by the CEO of Africa Geographic
Finding my purpose on a safari adventure
Connecting ethical adventure travel with the purpose of making a difference. A member from the latest Journeys with Purpose expedition shares her insights.
Best photographic hotspots in Namibia
Namibia is a landscape photographer’s paradise, and in this post we show you where to go to get the most from your photographic safari.
Video: An exhilarating climb to the monolithic church, Abuna Yemata
I’m more than 2,000 metres high – barefoot – toes searching for a grip on the cliff face. A harness around my waist and the advice of our guides are the only things preventing me from injury. Our goal, I know, will be worth it. At the top of this towering rock is Abuna Yemata Guh, a sacred rock-hewn church boasting stunning views of Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
Opinion: The future is here – safari game drives will never be the same again
Our CEO test drives the best electric 4×4 vehicle around, and wants one.
Discovering Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a fascinating country. Rapidly recovering since 1991 from the ravages of Marxism, and only relatively recently discovered by cultural and wildlife tourists, it is one of three countries in the world that has never been colonised. It is the second-most populous country in Africa, after Nigeria, with 105 million people, comprising 80 ethnic groups, …
Maasai Mara – Falling in love again
Safari report-back: My private safari in the Maasai Mara with pro photographer Arnfinn Johansen and Africa Geographic. By Ruzdi Ekenheim
Marrakech: The famed Red City in North Africa
Marrakech is beautifully chaotic with a rich history dating back over 1,000 years to the days when mighty sultans ruled over the walled city. Today it is home to an incredibly pulsating energy that invites you to wander aimlessly in search of stunning architecture, a cup of sweet mint tea and maybe a spicy Tagine.
Video: Sketching a Chobe lioness
Alison Nicholls, our art safari guide, shares a video of her sketching a lioness in Botswana.
Samara – Rewilding the Great Karoo
Recreating a self-sustaining ecosystem and restoring it to its former glory is the vision of Samara Karoo Reserve in the Great Karoo.
Mount Toubkal: The roof of North Africa’s Atlas Mountains
The imposing Atlas Mountains of North Africa stretch thousands of kilometres creating an almost impenetrable barrier between the Atlantic and the mighty Sahara. Within this range lies Mount Toubkal that rises over all – and the reason for our visit.
Comoros – The Forgotten Archipelago
The Comoros. It’s a name that conjures up a rich history of mighty sultans who once ruled over a melting pot of different cultures on islands at the end of the world. A volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast, the Comoros is made up of three major islands, called by their French names: Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Mohéli (Mwali), and Anjouan (Nzwani). Once …
Praslin: The wicked seductress of the Seychelles
Granitic in nature, laid-back in character and absolutely enticing at its core, this is Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles – a place of unparalleled beauty waiting to be explored.
Understanding yellow fever
Yellow fever is a disease spread by the bite of infected female mosquitoes. We take a look at this disease and the readily available vaccine
Serengeti – ultimate walking safari
Safari report-back: My walking safari in the vast Serengeti wilderness – a fantastic experience for adventurous souls. By Simon Espley
Exploring the Jurassic world of Mahé in the Seychelles
Several hours flight due east of mainland Africa a rugged island, covered in towering green mountains and home to wild stretches of coastline, rises from the ocean floor. From afar it looks positively Jurassic, an Eden in every sense of the word. This is Mahé.
La Digue – Laid back in the Indian Ocean
La Digue, the third island of the Seychelles, is the definition of ‘laid-back’. With a population of just 2,000 inhabitants, bicycles outnumbering cars by a 100 to one and the most mind-blowing beaches in the world, La Digue is positively diminutive and absolutely perfect.
Nanzhila Plains – Hidden Kafue Gem
Nanzhila Plains is a hidden gem in the remote southern reaches of Kafue National Park, Zambia. Safari heaven
Magnificent Masoala
Bouncing over a line of assailing waves, our boat speeds away from the riverine town of Maroansetra, bound for the lushly forested Masoala Peninsula. Nosy Mangabe clogs the horizon, a perfectly placed puff of cloud lending the 520-hectare islet the appearance of a smouldering volcano. I almost expect to see dinosaurs wandering the island’s liana-tangled …
SA adventurer returns after 50-day all-women conservation expedition
50 days, four countries and 11,235 km later, South Africa humanitarian and eco-warrior, Carla Geyser, has returned home having led a successful international all-women conservation expedition into Southern Africa.
Kruger Glamping
Glamorous camping (glamping) should be an authentic way of enjoying what safari used to be all about. But not too authentic, right? I mean you don’t want to have to catch your dinner or dig a pit latrine. Sure, do away with the permanent lodge structures, but I still want to feel safe and comfortable. …
Mara Magic
My dream Maasai Mara safari, designed by the Africa Geographic team. By keen traveller and amateur photographer Gavin Duffy
Epic Serengeti
Safari report-back: My luxury Serengeti safari during the wildebeest migration – drama, excitement, awe and wonder. By Simon Espley
3 Epic safaris to do before you kick the bucket
Our 3 epic safaris to do in Africa before you kick the bucket! Life is short and these safaris are the best life investment
Lower Zambezi: where the wild things are
The Lower Zambezi valley, with its majestic escarpment sloping down to meet the Zambezi river, is a remote safari paradise
Kenya’s Shaba National Reserve: Wild Africa at its best
Shaba National Reserve, lying deep in northern Kenya’s expanse, is a stunning wilderness home to dramatic gorges, open plains and extinct volcanoes.
