The African continent is not only about impressive animals, stunning deserts and beautiful savannahs. Wandering through the city centre of Windhoek will instantly reveal the beauty of the place. Lamu is a very relaxing and laid-back coastal town in Kenya. “It can be very hot from October through January.”. Disclaimer, Lake Malawi (Malawi, Tanzania & Mozambique), Black River Gorges National Park (Mauritius), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda). “The game is very good and the experience in Zambia feels like Kenya did 30 years ago—still very raw and real.”. © 2020 Smarter Travel Media LLC. Lamu is one of the best places to chill out and adopt a slow-paced, coastal way of life. It holds a certain allure, since it boasts one of the highest concentrations of silverbacks within a family. Her work has appeared in more than 30 publications, including Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. I’ve been to the continent 26 times, yet each time I go I’m surprised at just how many new things there are to see and do. Modern skyscrapers, neo-baroque cathedrals and German ‘castles’ dominate the city’s skyline. Sign up for our free newsletter. Best time to go: Namibia is a year-round destination, but remember that since it’s a desert environment, you can get a big shift any day of the year, from very hot to very cold. The last two are most beautiful at dawn when viewed from a hot air balloon. “Egypt is the cradle of Western civilization. Why go: Visit the famous spice markets and entrench yourself in Arab culture. As the wind and currents are quite strong, it is the perfect spot to windsurf and kitesurf. Many people consider these two counties among the best places to go in Africa because they’re where you can see the Great Migration—where 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle make a migratory circle from the Masa Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti in Tanzania and back again. Plus, you can go white water rafting down the Zambezi river, chock-full of crocs and hippos (it’s an amazing experience and one I highly recommend). It guarantees moments of peace and tranquility far away from the mayhem of bigger cities and the charmless all-inclusive resorts of Morocco. Durban. I Went on an African Photo Safari & Here’s What It Was Like, Egypt Is Waiting for You: What It’s Like to Visit Right Now, 7 Once-in-a-Lifetime Safaris That Aren’t in Africa, 10 Fun Family Vacations for Multigenerational Travelers. Seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat was one of my favorite experiences in Africa. When to go: Almost any time of the year is great for game viewing; but December through February sees the bulk of the rain and May through July are the coldest months. Everyone’s experiences will differ. People tend to think of Africa as a country, not a continent. All Rights Reserved. With its magnificent mud-made sights, this is certainly a unique holiday destination. For me, witnessing the adult silverback males in action was the most moving experience. Tours are small, no more than eight people, and once the gorillas are spotted, you have 60 minutes with them—and believe me, it goes really fast. Located at the northern end of the tiny three-kilometre-long Island of Mozambique, Stone Town was once an important Portuguese trading post. “With a history stretching back nearly 10,000 years, the country’s great cities—Marrakech, Tangier, Fez and Rabat—offer a look into ancient traditions,” says Worth. Once ancient Egypt’s capital Thebes, Luxor has attracted many travellers and Egyptologists since the 19th century. When to go: “Egypt is a year-round destination, but the most comfortable temperatures are between October and April,” notes Worth. And, of course, Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro—one of the great bucket-list hiking destinations in the entire world. They can also relax at the nearby Shela Beach. It combines a fascinating and rich history with beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, and Stone Town is its cultural heart. Indeed, its establishment dates …