Travel Africa Articles

If you are on a guided African safari, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. Tour operators make it their business to know the areas they travel in thus reducing risk to travellers. However, it is sensible to take normal precautions on your African safari, particularly when travelling through urban areas.

One should always remember that the so-called 'peak season' is just that, and accommodation establishments tend to be booked well in advance. Many Safaris Lodges are small, and therefore space is at a premium. If you want to experience the majesty of the great migration in East Africa, it is advisable to book well in advance, likewise, if your interests are travelling to Cape Town, and the Winelands in December.

Anyone wanting to travel to Egypt? read this first, Egyptins are the most fun people you could meet but you do have to learn to love the hassle!

Safari to the Amboseli game reserve in Kenya is the ideal family and kids destination. Meet the masai tribesmen eager to share their culture and wildlife experiences.

The kind of things you pack when you go on a trip says a lot about where you're heading and what you're going to be doing.

Isn't it time you stepped out of the concrete jungle and into a wilder world, the world of the African bushveld?

Namakwa, as part of the Succulent Karoo, is a biodiversity hotspot and as such is the only arid hotspot in the world. It contains more than 6 000 plant species, 250 species of birds, 78 species of mammals, 132 species of reptiles and amphibians and an unknown number of insects, making it the world's most diverse, arid environment. More than 40% of these species are found nowhere else on Earth.

Swahili is spoken in Tanzania and from this language we get the word ‘safari’. In Tanzania the word safari simply means journey. Tanzania is home to the Serengeti and in the Serengeti National Park it is possible to take the best safaris Africa has to offer. These vast African plains are where huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles 'safari' in the constant search of water in a never ending migration – these great herds of grazers are ever followed by the predators such as lions, leopards, cheetah and hyena. Tanzania is also elephant and giraffe country, boasting some of the largest populations in the world.

The Serengeti in Northern Tanzania is probably the best known safari destination in the world, with good reason. The concentration and diversity of animal life in the Serengeti, simply defies belief. It is advisable to organise your safari in northern Tanzania around the Serengeti; but do not waste too much of your time in the tourist ridden central Serengeti. Despite what you may hear it’s still surprisingly easy to get away from crowds on safari in the Serengeti.

Kenya is generally a dry country; over 75 % of its area is classed as arid of semi-arid with only around 20% being viable for agriculture. Inland, rainfall and temperatures are closely related to altitude changes, with variations induced by local topography. Generally the climate is warm and humid at the coast, cool and humid in the central highlands, and hot and dry in the north and east.

The fine Tsavo West National Park covers a huge variety o landscape, from swamps and natural springs to rocky peaks, extinct volcanic cones to rolling plains and sharp reddish outcrops dusted with greenery.

Cape Town, with magnificent Table Mountain as its backdrop, has forged an enviable reputation as one of the world's premier tourism destinations. Not only has the Mother City breathtaking scenery, exquisite beaches, Robben Island, world-class golf courses, superb restaurants and a rich history, making it a sophisticated and cosmopolitan destination, but the province also has other treasures to explore. The historic winelands can be enjoyed on the Wine Route, the coastal and mountainous beauty on the Garden Route, Cape Point is where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, quaint fishing villages are worth a visit, the colourful Coon Carnival is a spectacle to behold and whale-watching can be enjoyed May to November and at some places throughout the year, just to name a few exciting activities in this, the "fairest" province of them all.

The Free State is dry, but far from dull, the Free State with its vast open spaces and cloudless blue skies offers those who like to explore, literally and figuratively, the ideal canvas.

Your trip to Africa will be an adventure off the beaten path. Conditions and customs in sub-Saharan Africa can contrast sharply with those in the United States. These pages contain advice to help you avoid inconvenience and difficulties. Take our advice seriously but don’t let it keep you at home. Most Americans have unforgettable experiences in Africa. We are often welcomed and helped by Africans who are happy to share not just their scenery, but their culture and traditions as well.

Travel to the Middle East and North Africa can be a rich and rewarding adventure. Whether you are a novice or an experienced world traveler, we think that this guide will be of assistance to you as you plan a safe and enjoyable trip.