Whether it’s grass savannahs, white-sand beaches, or snow-capped mountains, Southern Africa has it all.
As diverse as its people are, Southern Africa offers new experiences at every turn.
Experience the thrill of a safari in Kruger or the Okavango Delta, or relax sand in the Quirimbas Archipelago off the coast of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean.
Cape Town’s award-winning vineyards and gourmet restaurants make it a popular destination, as is Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Top 10 highlights of Southern Africa
- Victoria Falls
- Cape Town
- Chobe National Park
- Quirimbas Archipelago
- Okavango Delta, Botswana
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Lake Malawi, Malawi
- The Wild Coast, South Africa
- Sossusvlei, Namibia
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or The Smoke That Thunders, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world in terms of the volume of water passing over the edge (over 500 million L pour over the edge during the rainy season).
A tourist’s best bet is to view the falls from the air or from one of the viewpoints strategically placed along the Zambezi River gorge, which sits on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border.
One of the crazy activities to take part in is having a swim on the edge of the falls on the Zambian side (Devils Pool).
Victoria Falls Tours and Safaris
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is arguably the world’s most beautiful city, nestled below Table Mountain. Vineyards, soaring mountains, and stunning beaches are all found in the surrounding area.
Experience world-class restaurants, designer malls, and intriguing museums while touring rustic markets.
As well as the city’s historic sights, such as District Six, Bo-Kaap and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his incarceration, Cape Town is filled with attractions for visitors.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
With its water levels increase or decrease based on the rains that occur annually in Angola.
The Okavango Delta is a very unique wilderness and famous for its diversity in animals and birdlife.
The best time to visit is from May to September when the Okavango Delta’s wildlife is restricted to islands formed by the rising floodwaters.
There are a number of ways to explore the Okavango Delta via mokoro, a traditional canoe; on foot or by air.
Okavango Delta Safaris and Tours
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Located in northern Botswana, Chobe National Park is home to one of Africa’s highest concentrations of wildlife, including all of the Big Five, and their claim to fame is that it is home to the largest population of elephants.
In the middle of the reserve is the Chobe River, home to hippos and all the elephants that come down at sunset to cool off.
You can also observe the park’s abundant birdlife on a river safari, which is a unique and rewarding experience.
You simply have to hope on a boat at sunset and enjoy the moment as the african sunsets over the water and wildlife.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Famous for its walking safaris, Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park allows you to experience a very different and wild experience in the bush.
The park doesn’t receive a lot of travellers thus allowing for a beautiful game experience.
The game park is known for its large pride of lions, herds of elephant and solitary, enigmatic leopards.
Besides hippos, crocodiles, and colourful waterbirds, the Luangwa River is home to hippos, crocs, and crocodiles in South Luangwa.
Birding is especially awesome here, with over 400 bird species recorded within the park’s surrounds.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Located in the North East of South Africa on the Zimbabwe and Mozambique border. It’s the oldest, largest, and best known of the South African’s game reserves.
It’s also one of the best places in Africa to look for the Big Five – including rhino, elephant, leopard, lion, and buffalo. In the north of the reserve it very popular to birders.
There are a range of accommodation options for all budgets and well-maintained roads offer you the opportunity to drive it yourself.
Night drives are a must if you are wanting to see the animals coming out to hunt at night once the temperature drop.
Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique
The Quirimbas Archipelago in Mozambique is the ideal place for vacationers seeking the best beach experience.
In this coral archipelago on the country’s northern coast, there are 32 coral islands dotted with white sand beaches, palm trees, and turquoise waters.
Snorkelers, scuba divers, and deep-sea fishermen flock to this island because of the vibrant reefs below the waves.
Lake Malawi, Malawi
Malawians are some of the happiest people on earth and it is easy to see why as it is a beautiful country.
The 3rd largest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi covers almost a third of Malawi’s total size.
A freshwater lake that feels more like an ocean than a lake. In fact, it even has waves which you can body surf.
Lake Malawi is known for its water sports such as scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, sailing, cruising and even swimming with horses.
There are at least 700 species living here, of which all but four are endemic.
The Wild Coast, South Africa
Also known as the Transkei, the Wild Coast is a stretch of ruggedly beautiful and untamed coastline in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.
The Wild Coast has outstanding beaches, warm waters and plunging cliffs. If you are looking to reconnect with nature and take time to reset the Wild Coast is the perfect rural location.
If you aren’t the type to sit still then there is plenty to do, such as fishing, hiking, and surfing.
The Wild Coast (or Transkei) is home to the Xhosa tribe, whose round houses sit atop the hills in the area.
In the north, Port St. Johns is considered the best jumping-off point for the annual Sardine Run.
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Sossusvlei is located in the Namib Desert known for its massive sand dunes.
The iconic Dune 45 walked up at sunrise is an amazing experience and perfect for amazing photos.
The oasis that is Deadvlei is particularly spectacular, with a dry basin of white clay with fossilized tree trunks in the middle and surrounded by red sand dunes.
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