Whether you call it the African wild dog, Cape hunting dog or painted wolf, Lycaon pictus, it is without doubt one of the continent’s most fascinating predators . . . as well as a resident of the bush around Khwai Tented Camp. Listed as “endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the … Read More
Kili Calling — Climbing Africa’s Highest Peak
One of Africa’s iconic adventures, the trek to the lofty summit of Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters/19,341 feet) normally takes five or six days. All trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed national park guide, which most people arrange before arrival in Tanzania as part of a package with experienced safari outfitters like Hills of Africa. … Read More
Combining Vic Falls and Cape Town – New Direct Flights
It’s now possible to fly from Cape Town to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) nonstop thanks to a brand new Kenya Airways service that kicked off on May 1st, 2017. Operated three times a week (Monday, Thursday, Saturday), the flight takes just under three hours between two of Africa’s coolest travel destinations. The southbound service departs Victoria … Read More
When Things Go Awry in Joburg
Travel is often fraught with unexpected or inconvenient events like lost luggage, delayed flights and long layovers. If one of these things happens to befall you while passing through Johannesburg — while staying at the Athol Place, The Peech Boutique Hotel or The Saxon — don’t fret. Because we’ve got all kinds of ideas of … Read More
Cordon Bush — Herman Breedt’s Botswana Gourmet
Bream ceviche with smoked eggplant puree . . . garden pea and thyme soup with cauliflower tempura . . . exotic mushroom and spiralized zucchini noodle stir fry with baby bok choi. Definitely not the kind of dishes you expect to come across in the African bush. Yet Duba Plains Camp in the Okavango Delta of … Read More
Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun: Uganda and Rwanda
The work of celebrated conservationist Dian Fossey put Rwanda on the map as the place to see mountains gorillas in the wild. But there are actually two great primate destinations in East Africa — Rwanda and the neighboring country of Uganda. It’s funny how movies paint our perceptions of far-away places. Gorillas in the Mist … Read More
Africa in Motion — The Great Migration
There’s nothing else like it anywhere on the planet — the Great Migration that takes place in East Africa, each year, the movement of millions of large creatures across the Serengeti Plains . . . and the daily drama that plays out between predator and prey all along their route. The numbers are truly astounding: … Read More
If You Give a Kid a Chance . . .
Much like Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, rainbows are a symbol of hope and progress in various parts of the world. Nowhere is that more true than Mozambique, where the Rainbow Fund supports a wide range of environmental and social projects. The first registered charity of its kind in Mozambique, the Rainbow Fund … Read More
Victoria Falls – Do I REALLY need to visit? What’s all the Hype?
We, at Hills of Africa Travel, always get asked “is it really worth visiting Victoria Falls?” and “why should I visit Victoria Falls?”. Well, we’re going to share with you why we think you should DEFINITELY include Victoria Falls in your travel plans if you are visiting Southern Africa. The Victoria Falls itself – … Read More
Traveling from Africa to USA – what electronics am I allowed to take as carry on?
Revised as of 30th March 2017: We know you’re so excited about going on an African Safari Vacation. You’ve got your bags packed, you have your passport in hand and then all of a sudden you hear about new restrictions. To help you plan and to take the stress away from you, here’s the latest … Read More