If you haven’t visited Africa before, it can be a bit intimidating to decide where to go … there are just so many options!
To help you start the process, we have put together this little choose-your-own-adventure post! Once you know which destinations might be a good fit, reach out and we can help personalize each and every detail!
If you are an Africa newbie …
For Africa first-timers, we recommend visiting South Africa and either Botswana or Zimbabwe.
Starting In Cape Town — you can hike up Table Mountain (or take the 5-minute cableway ride to the top), explore the colorful and singular Bo Kaap neighborhood, shop and dine along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, listen to buskers in Greenmarket Square, and stroll through the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens to catch glimpses of rare and colorful plant life.
Cape Town can also serve as the ideal location for daytrips throughout the Cape Peninsula and the Cape Winelands. Visit the Cape of Good Hope for a scenic photo, walk among the African penguins at Boulders Beach, keep your eyes peeled for great whites in Van Dyks Bay, and sip a traditional gin and tonic while you take in the turquoise waters and breathtaking views across False Bay.
Head to the Cape Winelands for shopping, wine tasting, fine dining, and a stroll through quaint, historic towns brimming with character.
Once you’ve had a taste of the finer things in life, it’s time to be awed by wildlife. You can stay within South Africa, heading to a lodge near Kruger National Park, or you can head to Zimbabwe so that you can combine your safari time in Hwange National Park with a visit to the bucket-list-worthy Victoria Falls. Hwange is also one of the best places in the world to spot African elephants, so if they’re top of your list, make sure Hwange is as well! (If hippos are more your speed, consider Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park or Botswana’s Okavango Delta.)
If you want to take the kids …
For families, we often make the same recommendations as for first-timers! The outline above offers an excellent introduction to Africa, and there is something for everyone in that itinerary. If your family is interested in seeing ocean wildlife, the perfect additional stop after Cape Town is Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, located about two hours outside of Cape Town in Hermanus.
This absolutely stunning destination is the ideal place to spot the Marine Big 5 — whales, seals, sharks, penguins, and dolphins — so if you have an animal-lover in your family, a stop at Grootbos can add a few more marine animals to the sightings list! Grootbos is an amazing spot for families, with marine safaris, pony rides, flower safaris, scenic flights, beach, hiking, and plenty more to keep everyone entertained.
If you’re traveling with your sweetheart …
For honeymoons and other romantic getaways, our focus is on privacy, luxury, and relaxation. A stop in Cape Town is a must, along with a romantic day spent in the Cape Winelands. Then, head out on safari somewhere remote and exclusive. One of our favorites for honeymooners is &Beyond’s Phinda Private Game Reserve near the eastern coast of South Africa, which is home to six incredible lodges, each with its own character. And because of its varied landscapes, it’s the perfect place to get a taste of all South Africa has to offer in terms of wildlife.
To round out a honeymoon, we always like to end in some relaxation at the beach. Easily combined with a stay at Phinda is a stop at The Oyster Box, a luxurious and historic property located just steps from Umhlanga’s golden beaches. Outside of South Africa, exotic beach options abound, with a variety of romantic resorts for every type of couple available in Mozambique, Zanzibar, and more.
If nothing but the best will do …
We have plenty of ways, big and small, to make your trip to Africa memorable, but for those for whom first-class is the only way to go, we do have some over-the-top suggestions!
As always, luxury is different for everyone, but you really can’t go wrong with Botswana’s Great Plains Zarafa Camp. Each of the camp’s four tents are more than 1,000 square feet — including a lounge area, a bedroom, and an indoor bathroom with a copper clawfoot tub. It is the height of personalized attention and exclusivity. With all of the lavish touches in the tents, you might forget that you’re in the middle of the sprawling Selinda Reserve until you spot hippos lounging in the lagoon or sight a group of elephants wandering through camp. And once you head out on a game drive, guided walk, or pontoon safari, you’ll know you’re in the wilderness as you spot leopard, lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe as well as the African wild dog, roan, and sable.
If gorilla-sighting is a part of your definition of ultimate luxury, then plan for a stay at Singita’s Kwitonda Lodge in Rwanda on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. Each of the eight luxurious suites features a private heated plunge pool, wellness treatment area, in- and outdoor fireplaces, and large timber-framed windows that welcome breathtaking scenery and volcano views inside.
Or, if the beach is more your speed (or you just want a few days to relax after your adventures elsewhere), then luxury can definitely be found in the brand-new Kisawa Sanctuary in Mozambique.
This absolute paradise is located on the southern tip of Mozambique’s secluded Benguerra Island and is home to just 12 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom private residences scattered throughout a 300 hectare stretch of forest, beach, and sand dunes. Each residence has its own private beach, an open-air deck, an infinity pool, an outdoor day area, and kitchen. It’s the ideal place to relax and be pampered before heading back to the real world!
If you want a trip to remember …
At Hills of Africa, no matter your travel style, we are here to make sure your trip to Africa is stress-free and perfect for you. So if you’re ready to plan the trip of a lifetime, we’re here to help! Reach out to us at explore@hillsofafrica.com or give us a call at 800-940-9344.