Once a year, go someplace you have never been before. – Dalai Lama
It is officially a new year. A year full of endless travel opportunities to make it your best year yet.
Get ready to revise your bucket list and pack your bags because here is our guide on destinations and things you must try in 2018.
- Serengeti, Kenya
The Serengeti National Park, meaning “endless plains” in the Maasai language, is undoubtedly one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas. Famous for the best place to witness the greatest show on Earth, the Great Migration where over a million wildebeest, and thousands of zebras move across the endless grass plains and cross dangerous rivers in search of greener pastures.
©Nomad Tanzania Great Migration
It is definitely something you have to experience to understand the sheer magnitude and a bucket list item to tick as it was officially declared as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa.
March to October offers the best wildebeest migration action. And we suggest a stay at Nomad Tanzania Lamai Serengeti as the migration takes place on this camp’s doorstep. This luxurious camp is tucked amongst the rocks of Kogakuria Kopje with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, just a few miles from where the wildebeest cross the Mara River.
- Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
Selous Game Reserve, Africa’s largest game reserve, is located in southern Tanzania, and one of our favourite wildlife viewing areas. The wildlife thrives in this area and the dramatic scenery varies from grasslands to mountains. Spanning a vast 45,000km, the Selous is larger than Switzerland and it is believed to contain Africa’s largest population of lions.
The best time to visit is between May and October and we recommend a stay at Lake Manze Camp which is located on the Selous richest areas of wildlife, nestled on the shores of Lake Manze.
- Fanjove Private Island in Tanzania
What if we told you that you could stay on your own private island? Guess what… you can! Fanjove Private Island is 140km south of Dar es Salaam, on the coast of Tanzania on the Indian Ocean. Less than a kilometre long, this pristine destination is a must visit for those wanting to experience exclusivity and privacy.
©Fanjove
The best time to visit this private island is between May and November. There is only one lodge on the island- Fanjove Private Island Lodge – with 6 eco bandhas.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
An ancient rain forest, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in Uganda and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty. What makes it even more unique is that roughly half of the world’s total gorilla population live in this park.
Gorilla at Mahogany Springs.
We recommend Mahogany Springs to stay at as it is the perfect base from which to begin your Gorilla Tracking adventures in Bwindi all year round.
- South Eastern side of the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Visiting the wilderness gem that is the Okavango Delta is something that needs to be on every traveller’s bucket list. It truly is a wildlife paradise. Guests can look forward to spotting Africa’s Big 5 (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo) on daily game drives.
Rra Dinare guests can look forward to spotting Africa’s Big 5 while on safari.
We suggest you stay at Under Botswana Sky’s new camp Rra Dinare as the wildlife is plentiful around the camp. The lodge overlooks a water saturated area where Buffalo often roams around, hence the inspiration for the camp’s name, meaning “Father of the Buffalo”. The best time to visit this area is from July to November when the northern Delta is dry.
- Victoria Falls, Zambia
Victoria Falls is in southern Africa on the Zambezi River on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This majestic waterfall is one of the Seven Natural Wonders in the World and nicknamed ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ –“The Smoke that Thunders” by the locals. Different times of the year will provide completely different experiences of the Falls region. Peak flood season is around March and April when the full power of the Falls can be experienced in all its glory, or you could visit between August and December when the water levels are low to take a dip in nature’s ultimate infinity pool- Devils Pool. For the best view of the waterfall we suggest you stay at Victoria Falls Hotel and this hotel also boasts with a private path that leads to the falls, an idyllic 10-minute walk away.
Victoria Falls
What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and come and explore Africa with us in 2018. Contact us to help you plan your trip to one of these amazing destinations.
