According to National Geographic, the Kalahari Desert covers about 70 percent of Botswana. Basically all of the south, west and center of the country. Although the climate is arid and the vegetation sparse, the Kalahari provides a home for a surprising number of animal species, from elephants and cheetahs to lions, hyenas, African wild dogs, … Read More
Cape Town’s MannaBay Hotel – Elegance at it’s Best
A modern 3-story building with lots of glass beckons you to the entrance of the MannaBay Hotel. Once inside you are offered a spectacular view of both Table Mountain and the city of Cape Town. An open atrium allows for the 3 levels to be open and airy. There is an elevator if you don’t … Read More
How do I Know Which African Country is Best Suited to Me?
Thinking about a trip to Africa but wondering which country should be at the top of your bucket list? Here are some ideas to start daydreaming about during these lazy days of Summer. If it’s your first time to Africa — and you’re primary motive is a classic wildlife safari — then several places automatically … Read More
Africa for Vegans and Vegetarians
Despite the continent’s reputation for braais (barbecues), boerewors (sausages) and other carnivorous delights, it actually is possible to vegans and vegetarians to travel in Africa without starving. Although success in that endeavor largely depends on which countries you decide to safari in. South Africa, for instance, boasts hundreds of restaurants with hearty vegan and vegetarian … Read More
Cape Town’s Chic Little Three Boutique Hotel
Wondering where to stay in Cape Town? There are certainly lots of choices, from historic hotels and international chains to Air BNB. But our new favorite digs — and one that we highly recommend — is the Three Boutique Hotel. Located on Flower Street in the historic Oranjezicht neighborhood of central Cape Town, the 18-room … Read More
Safari Etiquette – The Complete Guide to What You Should and Shouldn’t Do
If you’re a safari veteran like those of us on the Hills of Africa team, then you know how to conduct yourself in the African bush — the manners expected by your guides and appreciated by your fellow travelers, and also the sort of behavior that will ensure closer encounters of the animal kind. But … Read More
A Favorite – Cape Town By Foot, Experiencing Culture, Food and History
One of the best tours offered in Cape Town is the “Cape Town Eats Walking Tour”. This tour explores Cape Town from all sides. It aims to climb under the skin of the city so that by the end of the day you understand the pulse of the city. You will explore it from … Read More
Murchison Falls: Uganda’s Jewel of the Nile
No other destination illustrates Uganda’s renaissance as a safari destination and wildlife sanctuary better than Murchison Falls National Park. Sprawling across both sides of the River Nile, MFNP is Uganda’s largest and oldest national park — and a remarkable testament to how both the country and its creatures have bounced back since the dark days … Read More
Lemala Ewanjan in Central Serengeti National Park
Lemala Ewanjan is a beautiful tented camp set in the Seronera of Central Serengeti, about a 30 minute drive from the Seronera airstrip. If you’re thinking of going on an African safari vacation, you might want to look at this camp in Tanzania‘s Serengeti National Park. Lemala Ewanjan is a beautiful tented camp, very comfortable … Read More
A day in Central Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is Africa’s most famous area for an African Safari vacation. It is renowned for its large concentrations of big cats/predators – lion, leopard and cheetah and also the laughing hyena. It’s also on the Great Migration route, which does a circle through Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania‘s Serengeti National Park. The great … Read More