Africa for Beginners
Considering visiting Africa?
First time?
For those of you who want to sample the delights of the dark continent, I have two trips that will blow your mind. Countries featured are English speaking, very safe, bureaucratic free and easy to travel in. Both itineraries can be comfortably completed in under a month.
Check this shit out!
The Eastern Loop
Countries: Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania.
Duration: 3-4 weeks
Trip rating: 4/5
East Africa
Kenya is a little over-rated, don’t waste too much time here. Get frisky in Metropolitan Nairobi, do the mandatory safari encompassing the Massai Mara then move on. Lake Nukuru is a must.
Tanzania boasts some great sites. Visit Africa’s tallest mountain Mt. Kilomenjaro, afterwards head to idyllic Zanzibar island. You will likely find yourself transiting in Dar es Salaam, not a bad place to party. When you get to the island, spend two nights wondering the cobble stoned streets of gorgeous Stone town, before heading to the pristine white beaches up north.
Uganda is definitively the best of the bunch; the locals are far friendly than surrounding countries. Check out the hedonistic nightlife in Kampala, get your heart pumping white water rafting in Jinja and chill out on an island on serene Lake Bunyoni.
Optional add-on: Consider popping down to Rwanda from Uganda. It is very stable and perfectly safe now. Although Francophone, many of the younger generation also speak English. Malawi and Mozambique is also a possibility. You can also catch a train from Dar es Salaam to Lusaka and add on the Southern Jaunt if you have the time.
The Southern Jaunt
Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zambia
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Trip rating: 5/5
Southern Africa
South Africa is a no-brainer. Base yourself in fabulous Cape Town; experience it’s mutli-cultural vibe and diverse nightlife. For day trips, consider ab-sailing down table mountain, a wine tour in Stellenbosch, and diving with great white sharks! Consider availing of one of the country’s many budget airlines and flying to Zambia.
Zambia is amazing. Get merry with the locals in the capital Lusaka, then head down to Livingstone, one of the best places on earth. Try the world’s best bungee jump, get sauced on a booze cruise on the Zambezi and watch the sun set of one of seven natural wonders of the world – Victoria falls (bloody gorgeous).
Namibia offers some of the most dramatic desert scenery on earth. The capital Windhoek is very pleasant for a day or two, but the action is in Swakopmund. Have a go sand boarding, then go quading through the desert (probably the most fun I’ve had in my life). Then get a superb aerial view of the desert meeting the Atlantic - by jumping out of a plane!
Optional add-ons: If you prefer to overland to Zambia, do a Safari in Botswana. If you have more time, rent a car in Namibia. You can visit the Himba tribe in the north or explore the stunning Skeleton coast further south.
So there you have it! If you have 2 months + consider Nairobi to Cape Town!
