We started by sitting down, closing our eyes and dreaming a little. Our focus was on the questions, “why did we want to visit Africa” and “what was it we were hoping to experience?”
After much reflection and discussion, we decided to start with six countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, and Morocco. We felt that these five countries would give us an authentic taste of Africa. However, we also knew deep down; this would barely scratch the surface. Africa is a massive place full of great diversity; it is a place you could spend a lifetime exploring and many have.
Kenya and Tanzania, both eastern African countries, represent the often stereotypical idea most people have of Africa. (Ya know, the one Walt Disney created in that movie about the lions…) Together they are home to some of the most magnificent national parks in all of Africa and where the dream of a Serengeti safari becomes a reality. If you want to see the magnificent animals of Africa, this is where you want to be. In addition to the wildlife, Tanzania is also home to the tallest mountain in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro!
Zimbabwe and Zambia, are two interior countries located in the southern-central portion of Africa. Separated by Lake Kariba and the Zambezi river they share the grand Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world! For those seeking adventure, it is possible to bungee jump from the historic Victoria Falls Bridge and even swim up to the edge of the waterfall.
South Africa and Namibia are both located at the southern extents of Africa; hugging the coast.
South Africa provides a sharp contrast to the rest of the continent, as it is very ‘westernized.’ To get a genuinely holistic experience and sense of Africa, one should visit South Africa. Their history is one of struggle and strife. Understanding the devastating impact of Apartheid and how recently it ended, in 1994, is harrowing. The jewel of South Africa though is Cape Town. Seated at the tip of Africa, this city has the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean on the other; ultimately crowned by the wondrously prominent Table Mountain. The coastline from Cape Town up along the Garden Route is famous as one of the most spectacular coastlines on the planet; drawing travelers from all over the world. Also, the wine region of South Africa provides the opportunity to sip on a glass of Pinotage while enjoying some enchanting mountain views.
Namibia shares a border with South Africa. Home to the red dunes of the Namid Desert and the vast salt pans of the Kalahari, Namibia is a truly ‘wild’ place. Namibia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, and it is possible to travel along one the nations many dirt roads for several hours without running into another person. Namibia is a destination of absolute natural and wild beauty waiting for you to explore.
Seated at the northwestern tip of Africa is Morocco, home to a fusion of Arabian and European cultural influences unique to Africa. The romanticism of Morocco is profuse; Marrakesh is known as to as the Paris of Africa. The Medina’s are vibrant historic urban centers with busy souks harkening back to a time when merchants traveled thousands of miles through the sands of the Sahara to sell their wares. From the coastlines to the jagged Atlas Mountains to the sands of the Sahara Morocco’s natural beauty is abundant and diverse.
For us, these six countries provided a diverse and varied experience of an enormous continent with so much to see. We safaried in Kenya. We climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and visited Zanzibar. We cruised down the Zambezi river and jumped off the Victoria Falls Bridge in Zimbabwe. In Zambia, we swam to the edge of Victoria Falls. In South Africa, we drove the garden route, visited wine country and fell in love with Cape Town. We took the road trip of a lifetime through Namibia experiencing what the word ‘wild’ really means. In Morocco, we spent Christmas in Marrakech, visited The Blue Pearl, explored the tanneries of Fez and even spent a night in the Sahara.
Take the time and know what it is you want to see and what you hope to get out of a trip to Africa. The better you know, the easier it will be to plan. Try to avoid the noise of others opinions and the misconceptions of the safety of traveling to Africa. On several occasions we had people express great concern over our plans to visit Africa. Some even tried to talk us out of going! However, we realized most of this concern was either misplaced or coming from someone with limited knowledge about Africa.
When you decide the countries you wish to visit, do your homework. Check out what is going on in those countries; politically, socially and economically. One easy way to start getting local news stories from places other than your home is to use Google News and change your location to wherever it is you are traveling. Another way to get an idea of your risk of visiting a particular country is to check the U.S. State Departments’ travel advisories here. (Note, we have always found the U.S. travel advisories to err on the over-cautious.) Lastly, the best thing you could do is talk to someone who has recently been there; they will give you the most valuable advice. This goes for all the places you are going to visit abroad; not just Africa. Bottom line – you are only as vulnerable as you allow yourself to be. Be smart!
If you are dreaming of the perfect safari, have a look at our recent post here. We cover all the things we learned and provide some helpful advice for anyone planning a safari of their own. It will be an experience you will hold on to forever!
If mountains are your thing… then check out our post about planning a trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa. We also have a video of our eight-day trek to the summit and back.
Wherever your African dream takes you, we wish you a safe and unforgettable trip. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. We are happy to provide any advice we can and are open to answering any questions you have. If you are interested in receiving updates for future posts, please subscribe below!
As always… Have a happy journey 
