The Magic of Africa

 It is a place where big game still wanders, where there are few rules, infinite landscapes…breathtaking, wild, free and inspiring. It’s name evokes visions of vast plains teaming with wildlife, glistening beaches to the North, the legendary Nile and pyramids of the Egyptians, great deserts with nomads on the backs of camels and of course the grand Kilimanjaro, towering over Tanzania. Breathe it’s name…it is a magical name…a magical place. Visit her and you will never forget. Africa.

With almost 12 million square miles (over 30 million km), Africa is the world’s second-largest continent. It covers a staggering 6% of the Earth’s total surface area and accounts for almost 15% of the world’s population. Many believe it to be the birthplace of human civilization.

Most envision the central, eastern and southern areas of Africa when we think of vacationing but the northern shores of Africa along the mediterranean sea are filled with ancient secrets intertwined with the modern and new. Visit the medieval cities of Marrakech and Fes in Morocco and visit the old town Medina and the ancient souks of Tunis in Tunisia. Of course Egypt, land of the pharoahs lies on Africa’s most northern shore and is the biggest draw for tourism in the area. Luxor, the Pyramids of Giza, and Abu Simbel should not be missed.

East African must see locations include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Madagascar. This region of Africa is home to the safari and what most people think of when they think of Africa.It is where the African savannah and plains are filled with wildlife.

Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Kenya and the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia draw active travellers wanting to acheive the highest points in Africa. If sand and surf are more your style, some of the best beaches in the world can be found along Africa’s eastern coast, including the famous island of Zanzibar.

Often, the best way to see the land is to get out of the landrover and walk. On the ground, walking in proximity with the wildlife, you get a closer relationship and understanding with the animals. You feel a connection that you just cannot get from the confines of a vehicle.

There is nothing that will make you feel so small as being close to a couple of bull elephants as they lumber past making their way to a watering hole.

One of South Africa’s best known cities, Cape Town, was established as a stopover for Dutch traders on the spice route between the Netherlands and the East.Just under twice the size of Texas or France, South Africa covers the southern most tip of the dark continent. The terrain varies from the vast interior plateau to a rim of rugged hills and then the narrow coastal plain. Temperatures are typically subtropical with warm days and cool nights. Cape Town and Johannesburg are two places that you won’t want want to miss. Other well known travel destinations in South Africa are the township of Soweto, also be sure to visit the cape vineyards for a taste of S.A.’s best wines and of course, no trip to SA would be complete without checking out the BIG 5 on a safari at Kruger National Park.

What ever emotions Africa brings to life in you, there are so many possibilities for adventure here that it is completely mind bending. So to help out a little, we’ve made some suggestions to get you started. Planning your African odyssey will be an adventure in and of itself.

Enjoy the journey.