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There's some dispute over the etymology of the name 'Africa' but one theory is that it came from the Ancient Greek and Roman words for "warm" and "sunny."

If this is indeed the case, it seems sadly fitting: this is the continent that has been the object, rather than the subject, for much of its history. The continent that has been talked about and done to by outsiders, at the cost of finding its own voice and place in the world.

The tourism industry plays its own grubby role: property ownership and tax domiciliation – especially at the super luxury high-end of the market – are murky subjects. Marketing imagery is still overwhelmingly of black Africans serving wealthy white visitors. Things are changing, but not fast enough.

It almost feels tasteless to attempt to talk about "Africa" as a singular entity. Instead we'd much rather talk about its various regions, countries and locales – on the human scale, where local cultures, stories and heritage have more space to breathe.

One thing we can tell you: despite the tourism industry's emphasis on traditional safari, there's so much more to this continent than staring at the Big Five from an open-top jeep. Come for the wildlife, stay for the human connections, the emerging slow travel scene and the myriad other ways to hear, finally, Africa talking for itself.

Hidden gems in Africa

Atlas Mountains

Jebel Sirwa trek

Mohamed El Guellouti
Mohamed El Guellouti
Experience

The 3,305 metre Jebel Sirwa makes for a moderately challenging climb, mostly for the trail and sun conditions than the elevation gain itself. This trek involves about five days of hiking with mules and a mixture of wild camping and traditional gite homestays. The landscapes here are on the severe side, but the views over the Anti-Atlas range from Jebel Sirwa summit are incredible and even better: you’re unlikely to be sharing them with any other hikers.

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Dadès Valley

Valley of the Roses trek

Mohamed El Guellouti
Mohamed El Guellouti
Experience

The Valley of the Roses detours north from the Dadès Valley at Kalaat M'Gouna and is the heart of Morocco’s rose growing country. This hike follows the M’goun river as it weaves past thick bushes of the valley’s namesake damask roses with a stunning backdrop of traditional Berber villages and the remains of hilltop kasbahs. It’s an easy-going hike at lower altitudes than other Atlas Mountain treks, suitable for all abilities. It’s usually four days’ hiking, with the option of extending the trip into the Dadès Valley. Accommodation is in traditional gite-style homestays. Come in May to witness the rose harvest and local festivals.

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East Africa

Lesser-known gorilla safari locations

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

There are a couple of parks in west-central Africa where western lowland gorillas can be seen in the wild. These are the Congo Republic’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park and Central African Republic’s Dzanga-Sangha Forest Reserve, both of which protect vast tracts of lowland rainforest inhabited by the likes of forest elephant, lowland bongo and chimpanzee. At the moment, these parks only really cater to high-end fly-in gorilla safaris and are difficult to reach on a normal holiday or travel budget.

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Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park (currently closed)

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse national park, home to an astonishing tally of 200 mammal and 700 bird species, will mark its centenary in 2025. Unfortunately, however, the park’s politically volatile location means that celebrations are likely to be muted. Indeed, having closed for COVID-related reasons in March 2020, Virunga National Park has yet to reopen as a result of a fresh outburst of instability and military activity. As and when the park does reopen, it will still probably be a riskier destination than its neighbours. That said, gorilla tracking is experientially comparable to any other park in the region, and it will be relatively affordable if the permit fee of US$400 is maintained. For me, the biggest highlight of this incredible park when I visited a few years back was not gorilla tracking but the incredible overnight hike to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano that hosts a permanent lava lake. In the meantime you may want to support WWF's campaign to prevent oil drilling in Virunga.

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Kahuzi-Biega National Park

For underrated & affordable gorilla treks

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Kahuzi-Biega is East Africa's most underrated gorilla-tracking destination. This little-visited Congolese park is the only place in the world where you can see the eastern lowland gorilla in the wild. As with Virunga National Park, tracking permits cost US$400, the difference being that Kahuzi-Biega is currently regarded to be reasonably safe so it has reopened to tourists post-COVID. For independent travellers, the park can be visited on an overnight or day tour from the Rwandan port of Cyangugu.

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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Uganda's hidden gem

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Mgahinga, set on the Ugandan slope of the Virungas, is my personal favourite among East Africa’s gorilla tracking destinations. True, there’s only one habituated group here, but if you can secure one of the park’s eight daily permits, you're in for a special experience. This is because the group in question is overseen by a trio of massive male siblings, making for superb silverback viewing. In addition, the gorillas here are generally found in bamboo forest or other relatively open areas, hiking conditions are usually quite undemanding, and low tourist volumes give the park a relatively off-the-beaten-track feel. What’s more, the location, below the volcanic Virunga peaks, is utterly spectacular, and other activities on offer include golden monkey tracking and various volcano hikes.

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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Best all-round gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Bwindi vies with Volcanoes National Park as Africa's best all-round gorilla tracking destination. Its densely forested slopes are home to 45% of the world’s mountain gorilla population, and a total of 23 habituated groups means that 180-plus permits are available daily. True, tracking conditions are generally less predictable than they are in Rwanda, and the denser foliage can sometimes make it more difficult to obtain clear views. But this is mitigated by the fact that permits are less than half the price (in other words, you could track here on two successive days and pay less than you would for a single excursion in Rwanda) and by the park’s relative accessibility to independent travellers. Be aware that there are four discrete tracking hubs in Bwindi. Each hub is serviced by its own cluster of lodges, so it is important you coordinate your permit and accommodation booking around the same place. The oldest hub is Buhoma, which usually offers the easiest hiking conditions, is accessible on public transport, and has the widest range of accommodation (from luxury lodges to simple local guesthouses) but is also the most likely for permits to be booked solid months in advance. Nkuringo hub offers the most challenging tracking (almost always bookended by a steep one-hour descent and two-hour ascent). Rushaga has the most permits, with 9 habituated groups resident, so it is good for last minute bookings. Ruhija is the only tracking hub set deep within the park, rather than on the periphery, which makes it highly alluring for other wildlife and birding.

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Volcanoes National Park

Accessible gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs
Experience

Volcanoes National Park, which protects the Rwandan slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains, has positioned itself as Africa’s premier gorilla tracking destination. One reason for its popularity is that it lies a short drive north of the Rwandan capital Kigali, making it a convenient add-on to any multi-country African trip or Big Five safari elsewhere in the region. Another is the association with Dian Fossey; the iconic primatologist worked here for two decades prior to her death, and several scenes in the Oscar-winning movie Gorillas in the Mist were shot here too. In my experience, Volcanoes generally offers relatively easy tracking conditions compared to Bwindi, its main rival, and the range of luxury lodges bordering the park is second to none. A negative for budget conscious visitors is the relatively hefty price tag of US$1,500 for one of the park’s 96 daily tracking permits. Once here, other recommended activities include tracking a habituated troop of endangered golden monkeys, the day climb to the spectacular crater lake at 3,711m summit of Mount Bisoke, and a hike to Dian Fossey’s grave at her abandoned research centre.

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South Luangwa National Park

Chikunto Safari Lodge

Robert Zgozi
Robert Zgozi

There’s some good accommodation in South Luangwa but one of my favourites is Chikunto Safari Lodge, located on a horseshoe bend in the Luangwa River near the Mfuwe entrance in the park’s southern edge. What makes this place really stand out is the six-metre high platform with panoramic views over the river and a private tented suite where you can camp out overnight under the stars. When I visited I found it totally breathtaking. It doesn’t come cheap, but I always recommend it for honeymooners or couples looking for something extra special.

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Liuwa Plain National Park

Wildebeest migration without the crowds

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

Liuwa Plain is home to the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa and, compared to the more famous wildebeest migration in East Africa, this spot is hardly known. Each year in November, with the start of the rainy season, massive herds of blue wildebeest, 45,000 strong, migrate to Liuwa Plains, often mingling with zebras along the way.

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Lower Zambezi National Park

Canoe safaris in Lower Zambezi & Bangweulu

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

Seasoned safari-goers who are tired of the conventional game drive should ditch the 4X4 and get into a canoe for a watery safari in either Lower Zambezi National Park or the Bangweulu Wetlands. For me there is something timeless about travelling through these swamps. I find it a world away from racing around in a safari jeep. Your guide at the front of the canoe, long pole in hand, propelling you through narrow channels, between the thick reeds and papyrus. Silence, except for slight burbles and gurgles as you glide through the water. It’s one of my all-time highlights.

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Kasanka National Park

See the world's biggest mammal migration

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

You’ve heard about the famed wildebeest migration of East Africa, but for the biggest mammal migration on earth you can’t miss the spectacular fruit bats of Kasanka between October and December. I love standing high on the viewing platform overlooking the tiny bat forest at Kasanka and peering into trees that drip with thousands upon thousands of straw coloured fruit bats. As dusk falls, they begin to depart, flocking into the sky and filling the air with their chatter. Millions of bats dart in and out of the trees, like a swarm of overgrown bees, before flying over your head and off to spend the night looking for food. By the time they’re done it's almost too dark to see the ladder down from the hide, so don’t forget to bring a torch! Beyond the bats, Kasanka is home to one of Africa’s rarer antelopes, the shy, secretive, semi-aquatic sitatunga – the park is home to more than 500 of them, making it Africa’s densest and most visible population of sitatunga! The elusive Blue monkey and the little-known Kinda baboon also both call Kasanka home and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter either of these species anywhere else in Southern Africa.

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Africa travel guides

The best places to see the wildebeest migration
Guide

The best places to see the wildebeest migration

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

Sometimes called ‘the greatest show on earth’, the wildebeest migration sees mega herds of almost two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles continuously travel thousands of kilometres in a broadly clockwise direction from the southern Serengeti, north into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, and back again. The migration is one of Africa's classic safari experiences, drawing visitors year round to witness this magnificent spectacle.

The Best Time To See The Wildebeest Migration
Guide

The Best Time To See The Wildebeest Migration

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

By definition, the wildebeest migration is a continually moving and perpetually active phenomenon; where you go depends very much on when you decide to travel. A note on the "route" Beware any safari company that tells you they can guarantee the route the herds will take.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In January?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In January?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

A new year means new life, and the stage for the spectacle this month is around the Ndutu Plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to the south of the Serengeti National Park.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In February?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In February?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

In February most of the migration action takes place in the Ndutu Plains, to the southwest of the Serengeti. Behold the classic image of endless plains, blanketed and dotted as far as the eye can see with grazing wildebeest and their newborn calves.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In March?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In March?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

After a long period of grazing in the Ndutu region, the once green grass is now over-grazed, with little left for the enlarged herd. The time to move on has come.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In April?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In April?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

Long rains mean thicker vegetation and scattered herds, which makes viewing more of a challenge. But the rewards of the low season are lower prices and few other people as the migration makes its way north and into ‘big cat territory’.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In May?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In May?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The long rains taper off and the herds are on the move, heading north towards Kenya. Routes diverge somewhat, but they’ll all funnel through a narrow corridor between two rivers in a dramatic spectacle.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In June?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In June?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The skies are clear, the land dries out, and the herds gain strength and power as the calves mature. But June is no walk in the park.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In July?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In July?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

July is primetime viewing for what many consider to be the main act of the migration theatrics – the crossing of the Mara River.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In August?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In August?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

Welcome to the height of the high season. Everyone has the same idea of witnessing the most action-packed month for river crossings.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In September?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In September?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The September high season in Kenya’s Maasai Mara has its obvious rewards.The skies are sunny, crowds are thinning somewhat, dramatic river crossings are still going strong in Mara side with few crossing between Lamai and Kogatende, predators have hit their stride, and the ‘big five’ are all out in view.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In October?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In October?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The end of the high season means the crowds have (mostly) gone.The migration is straddled between Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In November?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In November?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

In November the ‘short rains’ start to fall in the Mara.The plains return to their emerald green hue, and the migration is on the move southward, back to Tanzania’s Serengeti.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In December?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In December?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The annual cycle of life is turning full circle.The rains have returned, and the wildebeest are on the move back toward the rich grasses of Ndutu.

The best safaris in South Africa
Guide

The best safaris in South Africa

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

I fell in love with South Africa the very first time I laid eyes on it. Like so many safari-goers before me, the love affair began in

The best safaris in Kruger National Park
Guide

The best safaris in Kruger National Park

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

This is safari made easy — perhaps too easy. A park as good and easy to visit as Kruger attracts a lot of visitors and in high season main routes can be busy.

The best safaris in Sabi Sands
Guide

The best safaris in Sabi Sands

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The highlight for high-end South Africa safaris and a place of superlatives, Sabi Sands Game Reserve is in effect a continuation of the massive

Safari in Kwazulu-Natal
Guide

Safari in Kwazulu-Natal

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

Centred on the beach bum surf city of Durban, the huge, and hugely diverse, province of KwaZulu-Natal on South Africa’s east coast doesn’t have the stellar international wildlife reputation of other South Africa safari locations.

Safari in South Africa's North West Province
Guide

Safari in South Africa's North West Province

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The North West Province is one of the more easily accessible South Africa safari locations.

The best Eastern Cape safaris
Guide

The best Eastern Cape safaris

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

In many respects, the Eastern Cape is a microcosm of the best of South Africa.

Safari in the Western Cape
Guide

Safari in the Western Cape

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

If you're going on safari in South Africa, the Western Cape might not feature too highly on your itinerary.

Meeting the cheetahs of the Karoo
Article

Meeting the cheetahs of the Karoo

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson

As we creep slowly through the bush towards a gnarled spikethorn tree, I suddenly catch a glimpse of spotted fur: the large amber eyes of a tiny cheetah cub curiously peering through the prickly branches at us. We move as quietly as possible around the tree, dry, brittle grass crunching underfoot, and find mother Chilli reclining in the shade with her five fluffy four-month-old cubs.

What's it like to be a park ranger?
Article

What's it like to be a park ranger?

Karam Filfilan
Karam Filfilan

Kruger National Park is a harsh environment in which to work. With temperatures regularly reaching 50C, deadly animals and the constant threat from armed poachers, Kruger’s park rangers face some very challenging conditions.

Saving the African rhino
Article

Saving the African rhino

Peter Knights
Peter Knights

In 1993, both China and Taiwan banned the sale of rhino horn, leading to a dramatic decrease in rhino poaching across Africa. Between 1993 and 2008, poaching of rhinos occurred at a low level -- around 50 per year, worldwide.

Is it right to conserve gorillas at the expense of people?
Article

Is it right to conserve gorillas at the expense of people?

The work to save mountain gorillas over recent decades has led to a dramatic turnaround in their fortunes and is something that we are immensely proud of here in Rwanda. But while the gorilla population is stronger than ever before and the tourism industry brings a welcome source of revenue to the country, not everyone has benefited from our success.

Guide

When to go to Morocco

Mandy Sinclair
Mandy Sinclair

Winter hits Morocco in November and lasts until mid-February when the days begin to shorten. While temperatures are warm compared to European or North American climates, it’s worth layering your clothes, particularly as pleasant daytime temperatures tumble once night falls.

Trekking in Morocco
Guide

Trekking in Morocco

Stephen Lioy
Stephen Lioy

Often at low elevations and with reasonably short trekking days, Morocco’s treks may sound like a walk in the park, at least on paper. Reasonably fit and acclimatised trekkers should be able to tackle most of the multi-day options, though don’t underestimate Toubkal Summit at nearly 2,400m of elevation gain in just two days.

Trekking in the Atlas Mountains
Guide

Trekking in the Atlas Mountains

Mandy Sinclair
Mandy Sinclair

The giant of the Morocco trekking scene, there's little wonder that Toubkal and the Atlas Mountains are the country’s top hiking location.

The best time to visit Kenya for safari
Guide

The best time to visit Kenya for safari

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

January & FebruaryThis is a hot and dry period. Animals gather around water holes and river banks which makes for a good period to be on safari.

Wildlife of Uganda: five species to look out for
Article

Wildlife of Uganda: five species to look out for

Sadie Butterworth-Jones
Sadie Butterworth-Jones

With a wide variety of different habitats, including mountains, tropical rainforest, woodlands, grasslands, savannah and freshwater lakes, Uganda offers incredibly biodiverse flora and fauna. It is home to more than 345 species of mammal, 142 reptiles, numerous bird life and — despite being landlocked — 501 different types of fish.

Souvenirs to buy in Morocco and where to find them
Article

Souvenirs to buy in Morocco and where to find them

Sadie Butterworth-Jones
Sadie Butterworth-Jones

A key feature of Moroccan culture is its individual and traditional craftsmanship. With centuries-old souks displaying a huge range of handmade items, Morocco is a shopper’s dream, while its bartering culture offers a worthy challenge to even the savviest of buyers.

What to do in Tanzania besides safari
Guide

What to do in Tanzania besides safari

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

If you're coming to Tanzania, chances are you'll be going on safari.

The time to move has come
Article

The time to move has come

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

Having spent the last decade searching out the best wildlife spectacles the planet has to offer, I thought I’d seen it all. But nothing could prepare me for the first time I laid eyes upon East Africa’s Great Wildebeest Migration.

One magical hour
Article

One magical hour

Sue Watt
Sue Watt

Kurira was the first silverback I ever saw, the big daddy of the Susa group living on Mount Karisimbi in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Rules dictate that humans stay seven metres from the gorillas — but no-one had told Kurira.

The great migration faces extinction
Article

The great migration faces extinction

Dr Joseph Ogutu
Dr Joseph Ogutu

Migratory animals across the world are under threat from the impact of humans. In Kenya, fencing, settlements, farms and other developments are cutting off migratory routes and reducing wildebeest’s territory.

Saving the gentle giants
Article

Saving the gentle giants

Ian Redmond OBE
Ian Redmond OBE

In 1976, fresh out of university, my first job was as a research assistant to Dian Fossey at the Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda. They were fraught times.

The Journal Podcast by Horizon Guides: Revisiting Attenborough's Mountain Gorillas
Article

The Journal Podcast by Horizon Guides: Revisiting Attenborough's Mountain Gorillas

Karam Filfilan
Karam Filfilan

In this podcast, we speak to renowned field biologist and founder of the Ape Alliance, Ian Redmond. He discusses helping Sir David Attenborough meet mountain gorillas in the famous Life on Earth documentary back in 1978; what it feels like to spend a magical hour in the gorillas' company; and the shocking impact of poaching on gorilla families.

The Best Medinas In Morocco
Guide

The Best Medinas In Morocco

Mandy Sinclair
Mandy Sinclair

Morocco is a land that conjures images of the vast Sahara Desert, colourful markets and trendy riads. And with tourism a priority of the government, (the country aims to be one of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world by 2020), this North African kingdom feels safe, secure and on the move.

The best safari in Zambia
Guide

The best safari in Zambia

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

Journey distances and patchy infrastructure can pose a challenge, and it’s easier to fly between parks than drive, which pressures your budget and the environment. The country’s focus is skewed more to high cost/low volume tourism, so accommodation tends to be more on the expensive side, with less options for backpackers and those on a tight budget.

Safari In South Luangwa National Park
Guide

Safari In South Luangwa National Park

Mazuba Kapambwe
Mazuba Kapambwe

The 9,000 square kilometre South Luangwa National Park is one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations, although certainly not one of the most famous. Nicknamed the Valley of Leopards, the main predators here are leopard, lion, spotted hyena and wild dog – with the leopard and wild dog populations being amongst the densest on the continent.

Safari In North Luangwa National Park
Guide

Safari In North Luangwa National Park

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

North Luangwa National Park is synonymous with walking safaris and is my favourite National Park in Zambia. Going on safari in North Luangwa is to glimpse the bush as it once was; wild and untouched.

Safari in Lower Zambezi National Park
Guide

Safari in Lower Zambezi National Park

Mazuba Kapambwe
Mazuba Kapambwe

Lower Zambezi National Park is just over 4,000 square kilometres of unspoilt nature. A relatively undeveloped park, with no paved roads, it’s rare to encounter another safari vehicle.

Safari In Kafue National Park
Guide

Safari In Kafue National Park

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

The colossal Kafue National Park is Zambia’s oldest and largest national park, and one of the wildest in all of Africa. At 22,400 square kilometres, Kafue itself represents 36% of Zambia’s national park land.

Safari in Kasanka National Park
Guide

Safari in Kasanka National Park

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

Kasanka National Park is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks but, with an incredible 480 bird species and 114 mammals there’s a lot to see.

Safari in Liuwa Plains National Park
Guide

Safari in Liuwa Plains National Park

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

The 3,369 km² Liuwa Plains National Park in remote far west Zambia was once the traditional hunting ground of the Litunga (King) of the Lozi people. Liuwa Plain is home to the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa and, compared to the more famous

Decolonising African travel—and travel writing
Article

Decolonising African travel—and travel writing

Mazuba Kapambwe
Mazuba Kapambwe

Travel writing in Africa has always been an overwhelmingly white affair. Early accounts from 19th century explorers like Henry Morton Stanley and fiction writers like Joseph Conrad depicted Africa as uncivilised, mysterious and barbaric, reflecting the racist attitudes that underpinned European empire building.

Gorilla trekking costs
Guide

Gorilla trekking costs

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

Gorilla trekking can cost from USD $1,500 per person on the low-end, to $5,000 and above on the luxury end.

Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?
Guide

Is Uganda or Rwanda better for gorilla trekking?

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

In short, I usually recommend Rwanda to those looking to splash out, or on limited time. I suggest Uganda is a better choice for the more budget conscious, and if you're looking for a bigger variety of activities before or after a gorilla trek.

The best time to see gorillas
Guide

The best time to see gorillas

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

The climate, gorilla trekking conditions, and tourism seasons are more or less the same in both Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla-trekking is a year-round activity, but I find there are some important considerations when timing your trip.

Guide

Gorilla Photography Tips

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

Your hour with the gorillas will fly by and you’ll certainly want some good photos as a memento.If you are lucky you’ll find your gorilla family out in the open on a sunny day in perfect conditions for photography.

Guide

Conservation & Responsible Gorilla Trekking

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

Gorilla families vary in size from fewer than 10 members to 65, with bigger families usually splitting into smaller groups. Mountain gorillas are social animals.

What To Do After A Gorilla Trek
Guide

What To Do After A Gorilla Trek

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

UgandaUganda is a haven for primate lovers. You can track golden monkeys in Mgahinga and chimpanzees in Kibale, Budongo and Kyambura Gorge.

The best safari in Tanzania
Guide

The best safari in Tanzania

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

Best for: Migration safaris & river crossings The big-ticket park is the 12,000-square-mile Serengeti, home to the great wildebeest migration and a healthy population of big cats: lions, leopards and cheetahs.

The Best Time For Safari In Tanzania
Guide

The Best Time For Safari In Tanzania

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson

With the exception of the rainy months of March and April, Tanzania is a great safari destination through most of the year. The dry season – June to October – is the most popular and best for wildlife sightings, but January and February also see a break in the rains.

How to book a Tanzania safari
Guide

How to book a Tanzania safari

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson

There's no denying it, a safari anywhere is an expensive trip – and a safari in Tanzania is at the pricier end of the spectrum.

Masai Mara safaris
Guide

Masai Mara safaris

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The Mara has a huge range of accommodation options. In fact, with over 300 registered camps and lodges, many conservation experts fear that there is too much tourism development.

Safaris in Tsavo East & West National Parks
Guide

Safaris in Tsavo East & West National Parks

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

Combined, Tsavo East and West National Parks cover an enormous swathe of Kenya. Tsavo West alone (the bigger of the two parks) covers an area greater in size than Wales, or two and half times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

Buffalo Springs & Samburu safaris
Guide

Buffalo Springs & Samburu safaris

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

Far removed from mainstream Kenyan safari, the three interconnected reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba have a wild reputation.

Safari in Meru National Park
Guide

Safari in Meru National Park

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The country's forgotten national park – Meru was once one of the most popular of all Kenya safari parks.

Laikipia safaris
Guide

Laikipia safaris

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The Laikipia plateau area of central Kenya is one of the most exciting places in African conservation. The fertile, rain fed lands here were prized by British colonialists as prime wheat growing and cattle ranching territory and much of the area's rich wildlife populations were slowly removed to make way for farming.

Safari In Lake Nakuru National Park
Guide

Safari In Lake Nakuru National Park

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

One of the most popular of Kenya's safari parks, Lake Nakuru National Park is centred on the large Rift Valley soda lake but also encompasses fringing grasslands, acacia woodlands and rocky escarpments.

Safari in Amboseli National Park
Guide

Safari in Amboseli National Park

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

Amboseli National Park is the postcard park of most Kenya safari itineraries.

Safari in Nairobi National Park
Guide

Safari in Nairobi National Park

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

While most capital cities have their collection of attractive parks filled with neatly cut lawns, old trees, meandering paths and perhaps a boating lake, Nairobi has gone one step further. Its biggest ‘park’ is in fact a 117 kmsq swathe of undulating savannah grasslands and acacia woodlands.

Kenya off the beaten track
Guide

Kenya off the beaten track

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler
Kenya safari costs
Guide

Kenya safari costs

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

For a multi-day, mid-range safari visiting some of the big name parks and reserves then you’re looking at around USD $300-600 per person, per day. This includes accommodation in a comfortable, if often uninspiring, safari lodge or camp, three reasonable meals a day, and game drives in a shared vehicle.

Kenya besides safari
Guide

Kenya besides safari

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The most popular add-on to a safari is to throw in a bit of sun and sand time on Kenya’s delicious Indian Ocean coastline. Direct flights link most of the main national parks and reserves with Diani and Malindi beaches.

Safari in Kenya
Guide

Safari in Kenya

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

My first Kenya safari was in 1994 and I’ve been coming back almost every year since in my role as a travel journalist and guidebook author. This is the original home of the safari and, in my view, it’s still one of the finest safari destinations in Africa.

When to go on safari in South Africa
Guide

When to go on safari in South Africa

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

Blessed with incredible geographical diversity, South Africa is truly a year-round destination. Each region offers something unique and it is always a good season somewhere in this diverse country.

Safari in Botswana
Guide

Safari in Botswana

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

Of all the places I’ve been on safari in Africa, I think Botswana tops the list. There is so much to enjoy and, unlike in bigger safari destinations, in Botswana you’ll see a lot more wildlife than other travellers.

The Best Safaris In Africa
Guide

The Best Safaris In Africa

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

There is much more to Africa than safari, but there's no doubt the continent's natural heritage is one of the main draws for international and local tourists alike. For the uninitiated "safari" might mean viewing big land mammals from a 4x4, and while the Big Five game drives remain a cornerstone of the experience, these days there's so much more on offer.

Where To See The Big 5 In Africa
Guide

Where To See The Big 5 In Africa

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The "Big 5" safari beasts – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino – were so named because they were the prize targets of colonial-era hunters. Fortunately, modern safari has become a force for wildlife conservation not destruction, and today's safari-goer is more likely to be shooting with a camera than a rifle (aside from the many trophy hunting reserves, which we resolutely do not cover in this guide).

Trekking in Tanzania
Guide

Trekking in Tanzania

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

I’ve spent my career trekking and hiking in some pretty far-flung places, from Nepal to Norway.

Gorilla trekking
Guide

Gorilla trekking

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Before Sir David Attenborough’s landmark TV programme, Life On Earth, gorillas were seen largely in a negative light, based on King Kong and cheap B-movie monsters. At one point, a survey of the world’s most feared animals featured gorillas alongside sharks and spiders.

Safari in the Bangweulu Wetlands
Guide

Safari in the Bangweulu Wetlands

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

Bangweulu means ‘where the water meets the sky’, and I think it’s a perfect description of this extraordinary, community-owned and protected wetland in northeastern Zambia. For me there is something timeless about travelling through these swamps.

Safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya
Guide

Safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

Zambia is famous for the Victoria Falls, the greatest sheet of falling water on the planet, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and a natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The best time to go on safari in Zambia
Guide

The best time to go on safari in Zambia

Sarah Kingdom
Sarah Kingdom

July to October is dry season and is peak safari season in Zambia, with visitor numbers at their highest. The vegetation has dried out, making it easier to spot animals and, as water sources dry up, wildlife tends to concentrate along rivers and permanent waterholes, making them easier to find.

Safari in the Okavango Delta
Guide

Safari in the Okavango Delta

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

Seen from above, the Okavango appears like a claw, a vast body of water fanning out across, and clutching at, the Kalahari in a vain search for the sea. Every year, rain that fell months ago in the Angolan Highlands filters down through the narrow Okavango Panhandle, then spreads out across the world’s largest inland delta.

Safari in Chobe National Park
Guide

Safari in Chobe National Park

James Gifford
James Gifford

Occupying a vast swathe of territory in Botswana’s north-east, Chobe National Park belongs among the elite of southern Africa’s wildlife destinations. Chobe incorporates two distinct regions: Chobe River (close to the Zimbabwe and Zambia borders), famous for its large elephant herds; and Savute (in the west), where a juxtaposition of contrasting habitats and handful of pumped water holes sustain a melting pot of species.

Safari in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Guide

Safari in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

James Gifford
James Gifford

Measuring 52,000 square kilometres, I think this vast wilderness is a signature Botswana safari experience.

Safari in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Guide

Safari in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

James Gifford
James Gifford

Part of the largest network of salt pans on the planet (the pans cover an area the size of Switzerland), Makgadikgadi Pans is a soulful, spectacular place. Once the lakebed of a vast inland sea, at once wilderness and void, it’s home to some real Kalahari specials when it comes to wildlife.

Zimbabwe safaris
Guide

Zimbabwe safaris

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

I first came on safari in Zimbabwe in 2003 and I’ve been coming back as often as I can, in my role as a travel journalist and guidebook author. When it comes to Zimbabwe, the question people most often ask me is: why? In a region of safari big-hitters, what makes Zimbabwe stand out from neighbouring

Chimpanzee trekking
Guide

Chimpanzee trekking

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Chimp trekking runs throughout the year at most of the national parks and forest reserves described above. Hiking conditions are generally best in the dry season, which varies from region to region, but broadly falls over June to August and December to February in Uganda and Rwanda, and August to October in western Tanzania.

Trekking in the Sahara
Guide

Trekking in the Sahara

Sarah Gilbert
Sarah Gilbert

Temperatures are less extreme from March to May and again from September to November, making these my favourite times to go trekking in the Sahara. In summer, daytime temperatures regularly hit 40°C and above, while during winter, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing.

Safari in Namibia
Guide

Safari in Namibia

Melanie van Zyl
Melanie van Zyl

Researching travel guides, reviewing campsites and finding new ways to photograph its sublime scenery, I've been going on safari in Namibia for over a decade and have visited virtually every corner of this vast and little-known country. Namibia shares borders with some of Southern Africa’s safari heavyweights:

How to get gorilla trekking permits
Guide

How to get gorilla trekking permits

Charlotte Beauvoisin
Charlotte Beauvoisin

A permit is required to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC.

Being a responsible safari tourist
Article

Being a responsible safari tourist

David Blanton
David Blanton

Serengeti – ‘endless plain’ in the Maasai language; endlessly beautiful and in seemingly endless demand by modern tourism. That’s the Serengeti’s blessing, and its curse.

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