Lake Malawi is one of the most impressive and beautiful lakes in the Southern Hemisphere. In fact, it is the third largest in Africa. You’ll be forgiven if you think you’re on a sub-tropical island with its sandy beaches and palm trees, backed by towering mountains covered in rainforest. Lake Malawi’s waters are also home to hundreds of species of fish, giving life to rural fishing villages along its shores.
Malawi is possibly one of the best freshwater diving and snorkelling spots in Africa. It is also a great place to learn how to dive if you are a first-timer. Keen divers are often eager to “tick-off” a dive in this spot as the visibility is excellent, the water is warm and you don’t have to go out in a boat to see the nearest coral reef.Malawi is possibly one of the best freshwater diving and snorkelling spots in Africa. It is also a great place to learn how to dive if you are a first-timer. Keen divers are often eager to “tick-off” a dive in this spot as the visibility is excellent, the water is warm and you don’t have to go out in a boat to see the nearest coral reef.
Malawi is one of the easiest countries in which to combine ‘bush and beach’. And you can do this without losing a forced overnight stay in Johannesburg. Liwonde National Park is only 2 to 3 hours from the southern part of Lake Malawi. Furthermore, there are daily flights from the South Luangwa National Park into Lilongwe and connecting flights onto Lake Malawi. You can be on safari in South Luangwa in the morning and on the beach at Lake Malawi in the afternoon – a perfect combo!
There are a number of magnificent hiking opportunities in this vast country. The Zomba Plateau, which rises to a height of 1 800metres (6 000 feet), presents relaxed hikes through lush forested areas. Experience incredible panoramic views and great bird-watching opportunities. Alternatively, Mount Mulanje is a huge granite massif in southern Malawi that provides wonderful hikes for families with its abundance of streams and peaks to explore. Another option is Nyika Plateau with its beautiful high rolling hills of grasslands dotted with zebra, antelope, orchids and butterflies – a hikers paradise!
Many African countries claim to be a birdwatcher’s paradise, but perhaps Malawi steals the prize. Its variety of habitats; from wetlands, to lakes, to forest, to Afro-montane highlands supports a remarkable diversity of birds. It has an astonishing list of 650 bird species, many of which are difficult to see anywhere else in the world. Special birds include Lilian’s Lovebird, Brown-breasted Barbet, White-backed Night Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Long-toed Lapwing, Bat Hawk, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Palmnut Vulture, Osprey, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Fiery-necked and Gabon Nightjars, and calling African Barred Owlets. It’s certainly worth adding to your bucket list if you are an enthusiastic birder.
Yachting on the crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi is a wonderful activity for a few days. The advantage of yachting is that many of the small fishing villages and coves on Lake Malawi would be very tricky to access by road. Start at the southern tip of Lake Malawi and then gently cruise up for 3-4 nights visiting hidden coves and islands. If you have enough time, you can sail all the way up to Liwonde Island to spend a couple of nights at Kaya Mawa before returning south.
The Nyika Plateau is Malawi’s largest National Park that boasts a stunning afro-montane plateau with plenty of plains game to view. Watch out for zebra, Roan antelope, eland and bush pig. In addition, there are 400 species of birds and over 200 orchid species to look out for. This is a truly superb environment for mountain biking in the bush!
Malawi is known as the “warm heart of Africa”, and rightly so. Malawi’s people are friendly and peaceful, making you feel completely welcome and at ease in their beautiful country.
Defining the Cape Town cityscape, Table Mountain is one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in the entire world. Far more than just a mountain, Table Mountain has attracted more than 25 million visitors since it opened as a tourist attraction in 1929. The view from atop Table Mountain is one to be remembered. Its panoramic views of Cape Town and its surrounds are without a doubt its bigger draw card, but there is more to the mountain than simply soaking in the vista. The Table Mountain Cable Car offers up stunning views en route to the mountaintop, where you can take in a 360 degree view of the city, Table Bay, and the rest of the national park. The more adventurous can choose to take guided or unguided hikes along the mountain’s three hiking trails, and abseiling is also on offer. For those with kids or with less adventurous tastes, a restaurant, WiFi lounge, and a number of boutique stores also offer something to do.
South Africa's apartheid history is an element of the nation's past that cannot be overlooked, and many visitors to the rainbow nation are interested in learning more about this dark period. Visitors to Cape Town can learn more about this period with a visit to Robben Island. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Robben Island served as a prison for over two hundred years – most famously housing inspirational South African president, Nelson Mandela.Robben Island is a somber window into South Africa's past. Established as a prison by the Dutch in the 17th century, Robben Island has a rich and sordid history as a maximum security prison, whaling port, and leper colony. As if these weren’t dark enough, the island is also a notorious site for shipwrecks. Robben Island is primarily visited by those wishing to learn more about its history as a prison and to follow in the footsteps of its most famous prison, Nelson Mandela. Multimedia tours and explorations of the former prison facilities offer an education into South Africa’s apartheid history.
Cape Town is home to some of Africa's most beautiful beaches. From the sunbathing haven that is Clifton Beaches to the penguin playground of Boulders Beach, there is an abundance of options for those wanting to work on their tans and have a little fun in the sun.Boulders Beach is famous for its penguins, but it's beautiful in its own right. What gives Cape Town such a unique variety of beaches is the fact it marks the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. A beach on the western Cape is something entirely different to one on the eastern side. You could spend a week in Cape Town and not manage to fully explore all of its beaches!
Stretching for a shade under 300 kilometers, South Africa's famous Garden Route nonetheless packs in an astonishing variety of landscapes, wildlife, and activities. The scenic coastal drive is dotted with isolated beaches and lagoons, towering mountain ranges, ancient forests crisscrossed with hiking trails, rivers to kayak, and towns to explore. The drive itself could be done in a single day – but visitors often take several days or even weeks to do the route justice. Just one of many stunning views along the Garden Route. Highlights along the way include the Garden Route National Park for hiking and marine wildlife, Robberg Nature & Marine Reserve for its rugged coastline, the stunning views of Knynsa Lagoon, and private reserves such as Knysna Elephant Park or Botlierskop Private Reserve for a more up close animal experience. Cape Town is a perfect starting (or ending) point for your Garden Route experience!
A former township that was once known as the Malay Quarter, colourful Bo Kaap is now one of the trendiest districts in an already trendy city. Perfectly exemplifying the multiculturalism that makes South Africa "The Rainbow Nation", Bo-Kaap is a perfect place to see a different side of South African life. Whether you're taking a Cape Malay cooking class, exploring the bustling markets, or immersing yourself in the region with a homestay - there's plenty to see and do.
South African wine is rightly viewed as some of the finest wine in the world, and Cape Town is right on the doorstep of South African wine country. The Cape Winelands is home to some of the nation's most scenic wine country. Enjoy world class wine against a stunning backdrop in the Cape Winelands. With eighteen official wine routes (and two brandy routes), this historic region is an area of exotic flavours, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious foods just begging to be explored. Duck out of Cape Town for a day of wine tasting or extend your stay in one of the region's many gorgeous B&Bs and boutiques.
It's not just Big Five Safaris that draw tourists to South Africa every year. You can have a fascinating wildlife experience beneath the waves as well! Every year, Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales make their migration into the warm Cape waters where they put on a spectacular show for those in attendance. A huge variety of tour operators are on hand to help in arranging Cape whale watching tours, and Shadows of Africa is here to help you find the absolute best whale watching experience.
For those with a taste for adventure, shark diving in Cape Town is one of the more extreme wildlife experience you'll ever have. It takes a special kind of crazy to lower yourself into the deep blue waters with man-eating Great White Sharks, but for those with a taste for it, there are plenty of operators willing to lower you into the cage for an up close and personal shark encounter.
Whales and sharks might not be your cup of tea, but there are friendlier marine animals to see without even having to set foot on a boat. Boulders Beach is a haven for the young and the young at heart wanting to see Africa's adorable jackass penguins,
Boasting as 'the most beautiful garden in Africa', Cape Town's Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens definitely has a right to the claim. Situated on the eastern side of Table Mountain, this luscious green paradise is a haven of cool in sometimes hot Cape Town. Far more than just a garden, the 528 hectare estate is home to a startling variety of plants, birds, and animals.
When visiting the Serengeti you are spoilt for choice when deciding where to stay the night. From luxurious high-end lodges to budget public campsites, you’ll find what you are looking for. One of the best ways to truly experience the wild, without sharing a toilet with strangers, are tented camps. They have a set-up of a lodge, including ensuite bathrooms, but instead of brick walls, only the tent canvas will separate you from nature. Falling asleep to the concert of the nightly bush is a luxury you will only fully appreciate once you’ve experienced it. If you’re really feeling the bush, you can even overnight on private special campsites in a mobile explorer camp. Just you, your friends and the endless plains of the Serengeti – your only neighbours are the animals. The world can wait!
Known as the “Greatest Show on Earth”, between one and two million herbivores follow the rains across the Serengeti and into Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of fresh green pastures each year. Take a few moments, just sit in your safari vehicle in silence and listen to the constant sounds of the wildebeest – their sheer number and the never-ending mooing, their intrinsic rhythm and coordination will leave you in awe.While the Great Migration is best witnessed in the northern Serengeti between July and September, it is in fact a natural wonder to be seen year-round – it’s not as if the animals suddenly disappear. If you visit the Serengeti at the beginning of the year, head to the south and see young wildebeest embarking on the circle of life
Tanzania and the Serengeti in particular, are one of the best places to see lions. It is estimated that more than 3000 lions call the Serengeti ecosystem home. Which means you don’t have to share “your” lion with ten other safari vehicles, but can confidently pass the crowds, take a turn and look for your very own and intimate lion encounter. Find them readying for the hunt at dusk or dawn, feasting on their prey, playing with their siblings, but mostly – sleeping in the shade of an acacia tree or on top of one of the kopjes, small inselberge scattered across the landscapes.
Despite being one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa, the Serengeti is so big, you won’t meet your colleague who stole your travel idea after a chat at the water cooler. Living up to its name, which translates to “endless plains”, the savannah stretches far and beyond of what your eyes can see, and your mind can fathom. If you are looking for a break from city life, this seemingly never-ending vastness across 15.000 square kilometres will give you space to breathe and to take a break from the world as you know it.
Floating across the savannah in a hot air balloon is certainly a more than valid reason for visiting the Serengeti. Leave the rest of the world behind – literally – and experience the most magical morning one can dream of. Hot air balloon safaris start early in the morning, around 5:30 am, which means you can continue with your regular game drives afterwards.
The Serengeti’s ideal location is another reason to stop by at least once in your lifetime. It’s part of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, a safari paradise in East Africa. From the Serengeti, you can continue to the famous Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks. Alternatively, head over to Kenya and visit the Masai Mara, bordering the Serengeti. If you haven’t been able to catch the Great Migration in Tanzania, you may get lucky on a crossing-border safari into Kenya.
If there was only one reason why you should visit the Serengeti, it would simply be the iconic African safari sunsets
The secluded beaches of Seychelles with the soft white sand and the clear water provide the best beach experience you can imagine. The ‘Anse Source d’Argent,’ with its giant granite boulder formations and swaying palms, is easily a contender for the best beach in the world, while the Baie Lazarre and Beau Vallon aren’t far behind either. The beaches alone are among the best reasons to visit the Seychelles .
Sailing around the islands is a dream. The beautiful and unique palm trees on the Seychelles coastline are a view to behold! Praslin Island is one of the two places in the world that boast the incredible coco de mer palm trees. Sailing past the trees and taking in the view is an experience that every adventurer must have once in life! And if that is not enough, try parasailing too (or instead). Imagine the adrenaline rush you’ll get when parasailing over the Indian Ocean with the open skies as your highway and the cool wind rushing past you.
The six marine national parks in the Seychelles boast a variety of marine life, including rare hawksbill turtles, whale sharks and thousands of tropical fish. There are different areas to go diving to experience the marine life firsthand. Perhaps the one that you must experience is the Shark Bank diving spot. This is where you will get the opportunity to weave through boulders to see stingrays, puffer fish and even a sunken tanker!
Not all the action happens at the beach or on/in the ocean, and active travelers will find other jolly good reasons to visit the Seychelles. As a hiker, you will have a number of options. Morne Seychellois National Park is not only home to the coastal mangrove forests but is also home to the highest peak in Seychelles. Hence, there are enough trails for hikers whose experience is made even more exciting with the sporadic appearances of wild ginger, vanilla and cinnamon along the trail. The Seychelles has something for everyone and bicycle lovers are no different. The island of La Digue has only one surfaced road and that is ideal for a cyclist to explore the place on bike!
The richness and wealth of the Seychelles in terms of its wildlife cannot be doubted. The Vallee de Mai on the island of Praslin hosts breathtaking banks of palm trees where a large number of rare birds and animals live, including blue pigeons, black parrots and blue geckos. The giant turtles at Silhouette Island are a treat to watch but even better are the coral reeds in the same area. The Morne Seychellois National Park plays host to some great plantations and wildlife which enrich your visit to the islands.
One of the delicious reasons to visit the Seychelles is its diverse cuisine, which means you can enjoy flavors ranging from the spicy Indian and African to the delightful English and French Cuisine, not to forget the range of Chinese dishes on offer if you have the appetite! Wash down the delectable dishes with Seybrew, a Bavarian-style beer brewed in the islands, or partake of the local favorite, dark Takamaka rum, which is made in the island capital, Mahé.
Culture Today the 115 islands of the Seychelles are inhabited by multi- cultural societies and it is this diversity in customs and traditions that makes the islands beautiful, not that Mother Nature left any stone unturned to help make this place a paradise on earth.From old colonial to modern tourist attractions and entertainments, there’s always plenty to see and do. It is no wonder that people returning from a holiday at the islands find excuses and reasons to visit the Seychelles again and again!
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Best Adventure Template. This is Photoshop's version of Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora
Best Adventure Template. This is Photoshop's version of Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora
Best Adventure Template. This is Photoshop's version of Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora
Best Adventure Template. This is Photoshop's version of Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora
Best Adventure Template. This is Photoshop's version of Lorem Ipsum. Proin gravida nibh vel velit auctor aliquet. Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate cursus a sit amet mauris. Morbi accumsan ipsum velit. Nam nec tellus a odio tincidunt auctor a ornare odio. Sed non mauris vitae erat consequat auctor eu in elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora