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Africa Tours & Travel Guide
Expansive and diverse, Africa is a land unlike any other. Offering the chance for incredible wildlife viewing, an African safari is the classic bucket list item. But Africa also offers so much more, like meeting local tribes, wine-tasting, and scenic ocean drives. Let Stride be your guide for finding the perfect trip, combining both comfort and excitement.
Africa adventure traveler, I presume? You’re not alone. Doctor David Livingstone, Henry Stanley, Sir Richard Burton, Ferdinand Magellan . . . explorers have long been drawn to the wonders of Africa.
But your trip will be worlds easier than that of past adventurers. Stride has found the best African tours: vacation packages that showcase the continent’s top attractions, offering adventures, photo ops and memories galore.
The “Mother Continent” - Africa - is the Earth’s oldest inhabited continent and, as such, holds much appeal for active and adventure travelers. For those seeking rich, raw landscapes teeming with unfettered wildlife and interactions with cultures so different from those regularly encountered, Africa is a bucket-list topper.
Africa is, well, large. Let’s break it down. There are eight physical regions of Africa: the Sahara, the Sahel, the Ethiopian Highlands, the Savannah, the Swahili Coast, the rainforest, the African Great Lakes and Southern Africa.
Each has its own flora and fauna populations. As you research and prepare for a guided Africa safari, it helps to understand the geography of this vast continent. Here’s a primer on the regions of Africa:
The Sahara
Ergs and regs may at first glance seem like Boggle attempts gone wrong, but they’re actually distinct physical features of the mighty Sahara. The world’s largest hot desert is 3.3 million square miles, including ergs (huge sand dunes), regs (sand and gravel plains), hamada's (rock and stone plateaus, including the Atlas Mountains) and oases (springs or wells).
Read more about the Sahara desert and the most beautiful deserts around the world >>
The Sahel
Between the Sahara and the savannahs to the south lies the Sahel region, an area of barren plains that stretch for 3,300 miles across the African continent. One of Africa’s longest rivers, the Niger, is in the Sahel, but is quickly becoming desert after decades of drought and agricultural and forestry practices.
Savannah
Almost half of Africa is covered by savannah or grassland (5 million square miles). The Serengeti Plains are here, well known for their prime wildlife viewing and the annual wildebeest migration. The Serengeti lies between the Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
Swahili Coast
The Swahili coastline runs 1,000 miles from Somalia to Mozambique along the Indian Ocean. While not a prime wildlife-viewing area in Africa, the coast is knowns for its mangrove forests, barrier islands and coral reefs.
Rainforest
Visitors to Africa won’t see as much rain forest as in past centuries due to development and agricultural practices. Most of today’s African rain forest is in the central region of the continent along the Congo River. There is a wide variety of wildlife within the rainforest, including 400 bird species, butterflies, elephant, gorilla, black colobus monkey, okapi and 60 species of amphibians.
African Great Lakes
Surrounding the Great Rift Valley, the African Great Lakes can be found in nine countries. The geographical history here is fascinating, dating to when the African continent separated from Saudi Arabia. The resulting cracks in the Earth’s surface later filled in with water, creating massive lakes. There are seven Great Lakes in Africa, including Lake Victoria, the continent’s largest lake and the southern source of the Nile River. Look for wildebeest, hippos, crocs and more wildlife in the African Great Lakes.
Southern Africa
Numerous wildlife reserves dot the rugged landscape of Southern Africa, providing homes to lion, elephant, baboon, rhino, zera, impala and springbok. The geological characteristics of this wildlife-rich region of Africa include Kaapvaal craton, bedrock that is move 2.6 billion years old, as well as the Drakensberg mountains.
The second-largest continent, Africa is definitely big in size -- but to many outsiders it’s an even bigger mystery. We’ll fix that. What adventuresome person hasn’t dreamed of taking an African safari, gazing upon the pyramids of Giza, haggling in a Moroccan souk or trekking across the Sahara? It’s time to get your “Dr. Livingstone on.”
A safari is the first thing that usually comes to mind when you think about visiting Africa. Translating as “to journey” in Swahili, “safari” tours offer opportunities to see animals found nowhere else.. The big ten of African wildlife are elephants, lions, hippos, Cape buffalo, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, cheetahs and leopards. But don’t overlook the thrill of possibly encountering a mountain gorilla, watching an ostrich sprint across the Savannah, or looking up to see a long-tailed widow bird streaking through the air.
When considering the top wildlife sightings in Africa, one can think about it a couple of ways: the best places on the African continent to view wildlife of all kinds, or the main animals you will see when you are visiting Africa.
First, let’s look at what are generally considered the best countries in Africa to view wildlife, from cheetahs to giraffes:
Botswana: If you want to see elephants in the wild, head to Botswana, and in particular, Chobe National Park. Explore the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve as well, expecting to see the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino and buffalo, as well as hippo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and antelope.
Tanzania: An excellent Tanzania safari will include a guided drive through Serengeti National Park, hopefully timed with the great migration of two million wildebeest as they move from the Maasai Mara to the Serengeti - a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife-watching experience. Head to Ngorongoro Crater and watch for rhinos, elephants, buffalo and lions.
Namibia: Want to see giraffes? Take a wildlife tour in Namibia, to the white saltpans of Etosha National Park, where you see herds of these gentle creatures. The whole country is a spectacle, with its massive Namib Desert and striking red sand dunes. Head to Sossusveli to see gemsbok and Skeleton Coast to spy on hundreds of seals.
Rwanda and Uganda: Just about everyone who dreams of a safari in Africa has envisioned getting up right up close to a gorilla. The best places in Africa for gorilla trekking are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
South Africa: With several national parks that are reputedly malaria-free, South Africa is home to all of the Big Five wildlife in Kruger National Park. Other wildlife-rich parks in South Africa include KwaZulu Natal and Madikwe Game Reserve.
Kenya: Safaris in Kenya showcase the popular park, Maasai Mara, a highlight of many guided African wildlife tours. Look for lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, elephant and more throughout the country, that lives up to its reputation as the home of the classic safari. From the Mara to the Tsavo and Amboseli, there are wildlife-rich parks and private conservancies perfect for the wildlife lover.
Now, let’s look at the actual animals you’ll see the most in Africa. Of course, this depends on which country and which game reserve you visit, but in general, you can expect to see:
The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest park and offers the most quintessential of Africa safari experiences. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the massive wildebeest migration in June and July and a favorite destination for hot-air balloon safaris. Look for four of the Big Five wildlife, including black rhino, plus cheetah, spotted hyena and jackal.
Mala Mala Game Reserve
This private game reserve is set within Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa and borders Kruger National Park. Guided safaris in Mala Mala offer easy sightings of the Big Five.
One of Africa’s most famous safari destinations, the Delta is home to several private reserves and the Moremi Game Reserve. Guests can head out on safari on foot or by dugout canoe (mokoro) for a unique way to view Botswana wildlife. The Okavango is a top bird-watching destination in Africa and showcases four of the Big Five.
Moremi Game Reserve
The best place for wildlife viewing within the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve offers classic jeep safaris as well as dugout canoe (mokoro) safaris. All of the Big Five are present here, plus large concentration of waterbirds, wild dog, impala, blue wildebeest and Burchell’s zebra.
Lower Zambezi National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park is an excellent choice for canoe safaris on the Zambezi River. Offering a completely different vantage point on the wildlife you’ll see, canoeing on the mighty Zambezi is a thrilling and distinctive way to experience an African safari. Four of the Big Five are here, minus the rhino.
Ngorongoro Crater National Park
Where can you see all Big Five animals in one day? Ngorongoro Crater is the likeliest spot. The wildlife is so dense and there is so much variety that you will see an incredible amount of animals every time you head out on a day or night safari. This is one of the best places in Africa to spot the black rhino. And if you love flamingos, this is the place to be. Head to Lake Magadi to see huge flocks of these wonderful pink birds.
Sabi Sand National Park
The top wildlife viewing in South Africa is in Sabi Sand National Park, bordering Kruger National Park. There are several private game reserves on the park’s acreage. Look for all of the Big Five animals on your Sabi Sand National Park guided safari. If you only have time for a short Africa safari, choose Sabi Sand in South Africa, where even over the course of two days, you will likely see all of the Big Five, as well as lions and cheetah.
One of Africa’s most famous safari parks, the Mara offers spectacular wildlife viewing all year. The annual wildebeest migration runs through the park in September and October. Hot-air balloon safaris are popular in the Maasai Mara, giving you a birds-eye view of the wildlife-rich savannahs. The Maasai Mara is a top place to see leopard and cheetah, who are generally more relaxed in this environment, making them easily observable.
Explore Chobe National Park by boat and come face to face with elephant and buffalo who have come to the water to drink. Chobe is a favorite birding destination, and as for wildlife, four of the Big Five are here (no rhino). Look for hippo and crocodile, lion, spotted hyena, leopard and cheetah, all lying in wait near the river’s edge, waiting to pounce.
One of Africa’s most famous safari parks, Kruger National park is home to all of the Big Five in large concentration, as well as amazing birdlife. You’re likely to see elephant and buffalo throughout the park, while the white rhino is becoming increasingly rare.
Imagine your perfect Africa safari. Bumping over the plains and savannahs in a custom-built vehicle, stopping to gawk at an abundance of wildlife, seen barely anywhere else on Earth. Here’s the thing. Those daydreams, those visions of romantic Africa and safaris from the grand era of travel … they are exactly what overland Africa tours are all about.
Adventure travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, photography buffs, lovers of wildlife and nature … guided overland tours of Africa were built for you. You’ll see wildlife up close, meet native residents, see scenery like nothing else you’ve experienced … all in the capable hands of expert Africa tour guides and naturalists.
An Africa overland tour is really the best way to see the most of the continent. Typically, one travels to Africa over the course of two to four weeks to capitalize on all there is to see. In this time frame, you could venture all the way from Zimbabwe to Kenya, from the Serengeti to Zanzibar.
Overland tours of Africa are meant to take the guesswork out of your adventure. Thoughtfully prepared itineraries, stays at wilderness lodges, transportation throughout various African countries, visits to local family homes - it’s all been specially designed to maximize wildlife sightings and cultural immersion during your Africa tour.
Speaking of who’s in charge … Africa overland tours run the gamut from extremely basic, to comfortable, to ultra-luxe, yet they all boast expert tour guides. You’ll likely have everything from a chef and jeep driver, to a lead guide and accommodation support person on your Africa overland tour with you, ensuring that every detail has been taken care of. You’re far from home, in a land so very different from that home, that the peace of mind that comes from an expertly crafted Africa tour is priceless.
Remember, Africa is big, with a capital “B.” This means the other “B”: bus. Your Africa overland tour will include a lot of transfer time by bus - typically one that has been outfitted for your tour group only.
Bring lots of entertainment (books, podcasts, Netflix series), but also take advantage of the downtime to just gaze out the window at the raw, natural landscapes passing by, glimpsing everyday life in villages and markets. This is also a fantastic time to get to know your overland tour guide, Africa and wildlife experts who will enthusiastically answer all of your questions.
A few more tips to consider for your Africa overland guided tour:
Your Africa overland safari will likely be a highlight of your life’s travels. Prepare for the unexpected, be open to possibilities and get set to experience wonder like never before.
There is so much more to Africa than an abundance of wildlife. Travelers seeking a cultural trip to Africa have countless opportunities to witness tribal traditions, learn about the continent’s history and meet indigenous people.
The leading Africa guided tour companies can arrange for behind-the-scenes visits to museums, visits to artisan workshops and archaeological dig sites, and meals with local families.
Among the best cultural experiences in Africa are:
1. Touring the birthplace of civilization
Africa tours focusing on history and archaeology typically include a visit to the birthplace of civilization, also known as the Cradle of Humankind. The significant site is home to around 40 percent of Earth’s human ancestor fossils, some as old as 3.5 million years. Travelers interested in science and fossils will enjoy the Sterkfontein Caves, where one can see Mrs Ples and Little Foot, both major paleontological discoveries.
2. Meeting indigenous people throughout Africa
If history, culture and local people are important on your Africa tour, look for opportunities to visit villages and townships along the way. Ethiopia is a top destination for Africa cultural immersion - there are approximately 80 languages spoken throughout the country.
Look for tours that visit the culturally rich Oma Valley area, where fascinating tribes live along the massive Omo River. Visit with the Hamar tribe, the Dassanech or the Mursi, each a distinctive microcosm of African culture.
3. Meeting the Kalahari’s San Bushmen
Get to know southern Africa’s oldest inhabitants - the San Bushmen of the Kalahari - on an Africa tour focusing on cultural interactions.
The San Bushmen are thought to have lived in Botswana for more than 20,000 years, passing down traditions and hunter-gatherer techniques through the generations. Learn of these rituals and traditions through face-to-face meetings on your guided Africa tour.
4. Visiting Stone Town in Zanzibar
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town (Mij Mkongwe in Swahili) was originally the capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate and heart of the spice trade. Africa history tours will unveil Stone Town’s darker side, when it was home to an open slave market. Look for the varying Arab, Euopean, Persian and Indian influences in the cultural opportunities and architecture throughout Stone Town.
5. Touring District Six in South Africa
Learn about the destruction of Cape Town, South Africa’s District Six community. Formerly an impoverished community of 55,000, the residents of the community were forced to evacuate in the ‘70s and live in the Cape Flats. The apartheid government tore down many of the buildings in District Six, hoping to sell the land for a pretty penny.
This plan never came to fruition and today, as then, District Six is a barren area. Your South Africa tour operator can arrange for a visit to the enlightening District Six Museum.
6. Learning about apartheid
History buffs can delve into South Africa’s apartheid era at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. It’s an opportunity to understand this dark period of the country’s history, an era of racial discrimination that also paved the way for the rise of Nelson Mandela.
7. Touring one of South African’s oldest wine estates
South Africa wine tours celebrate the wine culture of the country with visits to Groot Constantia. The wine estate dates back to the late 1600s and is still fully operational. Tour the estate by bus for the best vineyard views or venture into the Groot Constantia wine cellar on a guided tour and learn the techniques of wine making.
8. Visiting the Himba villages of Namibia
Visit northern Namibia and tour the Himba villages of the raw and wild Kaokoland region. The striking Himba people are unused to western visitors and so you can expect to be observed just as much as you observe. Consider a game-viewing tour in Etosha that includes encounters with the Himba, as well as a stop at the Sossusvlei dunes.
9. Marveling at the Maasai
Kenya and Tanzania cultural tours often include encounters with the Maasai herdsmen, who seem as tied to the landscape as the cattle and predators who roam here. Ask your Africa tour operator is there is an opportunity to attend a jumping dance (or adumu) while you’re in Maasai territory. It’s a real highlight of Maasai culture, with impressive jumping feats.
10. Honoring the souls of the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields
Take a break from the big game parks of South Africa and visit thesomber KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields. Your South Africa tour guides can explain the significance of the white-washed stones scattered throughout the battlefields. Africa history tours often include the site of Isandlwana, which marks the spot where 1,300 British Empire troops were met with the spear-wielding Zulu army.
To the 47 countries on the African continent, one can add 6 more - the islands of the African coast. For those seeking a different kind of African holiday, or are hoping to combine a safari with a trip to the African coast - these 6 sovereign nations hold much appeal. The six African island countries are Cape Verde, Madagascar, Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and Mauritius. Instead of elephants and giraffes, think white, sandy beaches and crashing waves. There is wildlife on the African islands, to be sure, just not the Big Five.
Here’s a primer on the six African islands, the best way to see the stunningly beautiful African coastline:
• Pack some warm clothing for high-elevation areas, such as Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,000-feet-plus) and Ngorongoro Crater (5,900 foot elevation). And nights can get downright chilly anywhere in Africa, even near the Equator.
• The African sun is hot. Bring wide-brimmed hats, lightweight long sleeve shirts and, of course, good sun block for your safari.
• Be prepared to get up early and out into the game park as near to sunrise as possible, while the air is still cool. That’s when the animals are up and about – but not all the competing safari vehicles will be.
• As a buffer against long hours of riding on bumpy, unpaved roads, consider bringing a seat cushion along. Cameras take a beating, too, especially from the dust (protective plastic bags help).
• As for keeping the camera steady in a safari vehicle, a tripod is best but bean bags (if supplied by your driver/guide) fit easily across the edge of roof openings and reduce shake.
• Bring a good pair of high-powered binoculars – you won’t regret it.
• Don’t ignore some of the “lesser” creatures in the wild, such as hyenas and lizards, or the bird life: ostriches, cranes, flamingos, secretary birds (named for their quill-like feathers) and nest-knitting weaver birds.
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