On a planet filled with so many interesting and exotic places to visit, you might ask, "Why southern Africa? What draws people to this part of the world?" The truth is, many travelers don't really know that much about southern Africa at all. This region encompasses a number of countries including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and more. Many travelers who visit this area are amazed at the diversity and beauty that is to be found here.
Some of the top destinations in Southern Africa in no particular order....
The Garden Route 
Lies on the southern coast just east of Cape Town and extends from Mossel Bay to the Storms River mouth. Here you will find Tsitsikamma National Park, the Knysna and Wilderness wetlands, relaxing beaches, hiking trails, and activities such as whale watching, sailing, and golf. This scenic coastal route is interspersed with a series of quaint and charming towns along the way. The climate is mild and the views are spectacular. The Cango Caves, are located just north of the Garden Route close to Oudtshoorn, which is also the center of the South Africa ostrich farming industry. Many of the farms are open to visitors where you can tour the facilities, meet the birds up close, and even ride one! The Garden Route is a serene and beautiful part of South Africa, filled with astounding sights and plenty to do for both young and old.
The Okavango Delta
For the more adventurous at heart the Okavango Delta, located in northern Botswana, is a veritable oasis of wildlife and natural wonder. This area is the world's largest inland delta, formed by the Okavango River. With numerous lodges in this region, there is plenty to do. While in the Okavango a mokoro boat trip is a must. On a mokoro trip experienced guides lead you through the Delta as you silently glide down the channels and backwaters to places that are totally unreachable by any other mode of transport. Coming face to face with elephants crossing the waterways or herds of buffalos drinking from the Delta is nothing unusual. For those who enjoy bird life, the Delta has an incredible diversity of bird species. If you would prefer not to brave the water, there are a number of different safari options, either on foot or in four-wheel drive vehicles. With the game being so plentiful visitors to the area are often surprised at how close you can actually get to the animals. The Okavango Delta is a magnificent wonder of nature, perhaps one of our planet's greatest, and is still largely unspoiled making it the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Caprivi Strip
In the northeast corner of Namibia, stretching out between Angola and Botswana and on to Victoria Falls, is the Caprivi Strip, a tropical region where remote, exquisite game parks are interspersed by three major rivers: the Kwando, the Okavango, and the Zambezi. These parks, located just north of Botswana, are adjacent to the famous Okavango Delta and share its beauty and abundance of wildlife. One such park is the Mamili Game Park, one of Namibia's most remote and beautiful wildlife reserves. This wetland area with its water channels, reed beds and wide assortment of flora and fauna is simply breathtaking.
The Victoria Falls
A visit to Africa would not be complete if you did not see Victoria Falls. Known to the locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya (which means "the smoke that thunders"), classified as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Located between Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River, the Falls are a breathtaking and spectacular sight that have been known to leave viewers with a bit of moisture in their eyes - whether from the mist of the Falls or tears welling up is yet to be determined. When David Livingstone first discovered the Falls he stated "Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight." The number of possible activities here are endless, ranging from short safaris on elephant back to lazy evening sundowners aboard a boat on the Zambezi to bungee jumping in the gorge to helicopter flights over the falls. Victoria Falls is surely one of Africa's must-see wonders.
Bazaruto Archipelago
With a rich and vibrant blend of African, Portuguese and Arab influences, Mozambique offers a distinct contrast to the rest of southern Africa. Lined with tropical beaches, coral reefs and small isolated islands, Mozambique is a coastal paradise. The Bazaruto Archipelago, located just north of Maputo near Vilanculos, is one of Mozambique's most beautiful tropical destinations. The five islands - Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, and Bengue - that make up this archipelago are a haven for scuba and snorkel divers, as well as for sun worshippers, and to this day are a paradise largely undiscovered by the tourism industry. The beaches are unspoiled, the islands are largely undeveloped, and the surrounding tropical waters host an incredible display of marine life. Mozambique is a newcomer to the world of tourism and as such offers some unique opportunities that will not be available forever. It is a country that has not yet experienced its full potential and still has many unexplored and adventure laden opportunities in tropical havens, such as in the Bazaruto islands.
No comments:
Post a Comment