When you say, “We’re going to Africa this summer!”, everyone around will pay attention. Africa has an irresistible allure and everything about it is exciting. The pictures. The landscapes. The animals. The people. The wine. It’s truly a dream vacation. The continent is vast and the experiences widely varied. Here is a list of how you can enjoy your bucket list trip to Africa.
Safari Game Drive: This is what most of us think about when it comes to Africa. Search for the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino) on twice daily game drives with expert guides and trackers in customized 4×4 safari vehicles.
The Great Migration: July and August are epic viewing months as over two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles follow the rains as they migrate over 1800 miles through the Serengeti into Kenya’s Masai Mara.
Walking Safari: Exploring the bush on foot gives you a truly authentic experience in the bush. The guide will share tracking techniques for the large animals and you’ll learn more about the insects, plants, and small mammals that are integral to the eco-system.
Hot Air Balloon Safari: Enjoy the sunrise, the landscapes and the wildlife from a bird’s eye view as you begin your day. The amazing champagne brunch in the bush is your reward for the early wake up call.
Gorilla Trekking: There are fewer than 900 mountain gorillas left in the wild. Trek through one of Africa’s last rainforests in search of this magnificent and endangered primate.
Wildlife Conservation: You can experience opportunities to participate in projects that support conservation efforts for rhinos, pangolins, and elephants.
Local Community Visit: Travel with your heart and engage with a local community to support efforts to raise the standard of living, education, and resources. I enjoyed my time with the ME to WE organization in Kenya.
Luxury Rail Safaris: Be transported to an era of gracious living with luxury multi-day train journeys. From 2 nights to 14-night rail journeys, the accommodations are superb with three different suite options. There is a splendid dining car, bar and lounge as well as an open observation car for guests to enjoy the views.
Falls: Measuring 1708 meters in width, these waterfalls are impressive! Adventure lovers come here to enjoy scenic flights, micro lighting, white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, and once-in-a-lifetime expeditions into the incredible Chobe National Park.
Cape Winelands: Craggy mountains and green valleys set the stage for the farm-to-table cuisine, award-winning wines, and local art galleries.
City Life: You will find Cape Town at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans near the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain. Extraordinary architecture, cosmopolitan atmosphere, rich culture, vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, gastronomy, and a bustling harbor comprise this captivating city.
Your trip to Africa is guaranteed to enrich your life. Get to know it on a personal level and meet the people (and wildlife) who call it home.
Helen Jordan is the owner of Jordan Luxury Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell Travel, a member of Virtuoso. She can be reached at 602-692-9379 or [email protected].
