Whether you’re planning a honeymoon or family vacation, here are the best places to visit in Africa in 2022 and beyond.
Likoma Island, Malawi
Malawi is of course best-known for its eponymous lake, but relatively few visitors venture across the water to discover the hidden gem that is Likoma Island. The landscape features rocky shores, crystal clear water, and many iconic baobab trees. The stand-out accommodation option on the island is Kaya Mawa, which runs on renewable energy to minimize its carbon footprint. There is no shortage of water activities on offer here including scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, waterskiing, and boating. You can also choose to participate in ecological and community upliftment projects and make a positive impact. Initiatives include reforestation, working with young mothers, and establishing organic kitchen gardens. A trip to Kaya Mawa isn’t complete without a stop at Katundu Workshop where local artisans design and meticulously create luxury hand-made items in an ethical working environment.
Winelands, South Africa
The Cape Winelands produce some of the world’s finest wines in the world. You can opt for a guide day trip from Cape Town to visit some of the closer vineyards or spend a few days exploring further afield. Along the way, you’ll get to encounter and enjoy the distinctive ‘Cape Dutch’ architectural style, and pinotage, South Africa’s very own grape cultivar. Explore delightful towns and villages like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and watch a wine master open a bottle with a saber. The ‘fairest Cape’ also produces exceptional food, and many of the wine estates have onsite restaurants where you can pair local cheeses and other delicacies with selected vintages. This is definitely a destination for foodies!
Samburu, Kenya
Next up on our list of the best places to visit in Africa in 2022 is a unique destination located in the northern part of Kenya. Samburu National Park is the focal point for Kenya’s second-largest population of elephants, and you’ll soon notice that the people, landscapes and wildlife are all very different. The Samburu people have their own distinctive take on style, and their red shukas and hairstyles adorned with silver beads, plastic flowers and other eclectic decorations make them stand out from afar. Some ecotourism lodges employ Samburu warriors as guides, which adds a further layer of authenticity to your safari experience. Ask them to point out the Samburu ‘Special 5’ – wildlife species that are found nowhere else, including the magnificent Grévy’s Zebra and the otherworldly gerenuk antelope. Out top pick for a place to stay would be either Sarara Camp or Sarara Treehouses – as they are both community-run, your vacation will directly support community empowerment programs. Also not to be missed is the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and the exclusive Reteti house family villa – coming soon.
Chyulu Hills, Kenya
The Chyulu Hills offer a very different pace of life – more relaxed than a traditional Kenyan safari. Located between the Tsavo and Amboseli Plains, these volcanic hills are one of the more remote destinations in Kenya, guaranteeing you peace and solitude. This an excellent place to mix up the more normal wildlife safari activities and add in some walking or horse-riding, as well as night drives which can reveal some of the more unusual nocturnal creatures. Enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain at over 19000ft above sea level. Running beneath the Chyulu Hills is the Leviathan Cave – at around 7 miles long, this is one of the longest lava tubes in the world. Chyulu is a land of superlatives, but it is also a deeply tranquil and serene location. Our top accommodation choice in the area is Ol Donyo Lodge by Great Plains Conservation.
Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe
Shifting our focus to southern Africa, an overlooked highlight in Zimbabwe is the Matobo (or Matopos) Hills. This beautiful landscape is home to a great deal of wildlife – including both African rhino species. It is also rich in history and has been fought over by various European and African empires. It is where the tomb of Cecil Rhodes is located, one of the most colorful – and, more recently, controversial – of all colonial-era figures. The family-run Amalinda Lodge offers exceptional Zimbabwean hospitality, and activities including rhino tracking and viewing some of the many thousands of ancient rock paintings that decorate the walls of the granite caves beneath the hills.
Tarangire, Tanzania
Tarangire National park is famous for two things: its elephant population and the profusion of bulbous baobab trees. Despite their renown, the elephants of Tarangire have not had an easy time of it in recent years, with disruption to their traditional migration routes over the past 40 years. Chem Chem Safari lodge was determined to change that, and their decade-long project to restore the Kwakuchinja Corridor linking Tarangire with Lake Manyara (and tying it into the Greater Serengeti and Ngorongoro areas) is now bearing fruit. Along with many other species, the elephants have now returned to Lake Manyara, making this area even more worthy of a visit. For a different perspective on Tarangire, stay at the stylish Swala Safari Camp and head out onto Lake Gursi for a canoe safari which could include watching wild elephants bathe.
Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Perhaps Zambia’s most rewarding safari destination, the Lower Zambezi Valley feels wonderfully far away and yet is easily reached by air from the capital city, Lusaka. Sausage Tree Camp is at the forefront of luxury safari accommodation in this area. Privately guided activities include walking safaris and game drives, plus the opportunity to experience the mighty Zambezi by canoe or boat. Our top tip for your stay at Sausage Tree would be to have lunch in the river – yes, in the river. Dine with your feet submerged in the river with a stunning mountainous backdrop and the occasional chortle of a hippo in the distance.
Inspired by our list of the best places to visit in Africa in 2022? Contact our award-winning safari experts for help planning your luxury safari.
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