Rich in natural wonders and fascinating cultures, Africa offers unique adventures and life-affirming experiences. So why not make 2023 the year to visit?
When it comes to the best Africa trips to take this year, they range from safaris on seemingly endless plains to treks through gorilla habitat. The continent’s wildlife is second to none. But don’t forget about Africa’s other attractions. To help out, we reveal our pick of Africa’s most unmissable tours.
1. Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is known worldwide as one of the best Africa trips because of its range and wealth of iconic species. Its acacia-speckled grassland savannah stretches for kilometer after kilometer – the very name is thought to mean ‘endless plains.’
For authentic safaris, there is frankly nowhere better than the Serengeti. Its home to the Big Five species – elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rare rhino. But what makes the national park truly remarkable is its annual Great Wildebeest Migration.
This circular movement of roughly two million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope see ground-shaking herds sweep from the Ngorongoro Crater in the east to the border with Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve in the north. A spectacular phenomenon that’s not to be missed, here is Africa at its most raw and real!
You can explore both the Serengeti and the Nogorongoro Crater with our 6 day Tanzania Safari.
2. Go Gorilla Trekking
Sometimes it’s the smaller destinations which offer the biggest rewards. This couldn’t be truer than Uganda. Although small in area compared to the likes of Tanzania, it still plays host to one of the best Africa trips going!
And that’s encountering highly endangered mountain gorillas – the silver backs of the movies – in their natural forest habitats. Entering into their realm of dense foliage in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is to enter another world. Led by expert guides, you’ll come close to being one on one with these gentle giants.
But Uganda’s delights don’t stop there. Take a look at our latest Uganda safari tours to discover the country’s full range of attractions. It’s also possible to safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park, search for chimps at Kibale National Park and soak up the soul of the country in the capital, Kampala, too!
3. Greet Amboseli’s Giant Elephant Herds
Seeing a big cat hunt is a mesmerizing experience, but for many the best Africa trips involve elephants. And when it comes to elephants, there’s probably no better place to head than Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.
Whether it’s to watch newborn calves try and take control of their trunks, or encounter a lone bull showing the stretch of his tusks by taking down a fully grown tree, to see elephants is to reconnect us with a primal admiration.
Sitting in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, Amboseli National Park is one of the best destinations in Africa for getting close to completely wild elephants. However, Amboseli is also home to leopard, African wild dogs, giraffe, lion and a multitude of antelope species.
In other words, Amboseli is a fully-fledged safari destination alongside its pachyderm attractions. Even more of the wildlife of Kenya – including in the Maasai Mara and at Hell’s Gate – can be explored with our Kenya safaris.
4. Experience the Wonder of Murchison Falls
When it comes to waterfalls, there’s really only one name you need to take note of when thinking about the best Africa trips of 2023. And that’s not Victoria, but Murchison. Tied up with the history of European exploration on the continent in the 1800s, Murchison Falls – as well as the National Park which encompasses it – is named after a British geologist.
Stuffy bearded men aside, Murchison Falls occupies one of the most exciting regions of the River Nile south of Egypt’s temples. Uganda’s largest national park, it is highly-regarded for its elephants, hippos and Nile crocodiles, alongside epic birdlife which totals some 450 different species. If you’re keen to tick off shoebills, giant heron or great blue turaco, this is the place to head.
At the same time, the piece de resistance of Murchison Falls National Park are the falls themselves. They squeeze the world’s longest river into a narrow gorge around seven meters wide. The result is an impressive burst of white water plunging almost 50 meters.
Elsewhere in the country, Uganda safaris offer another chance to see mountain gorillas – this time in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a beloved safari destination with plains dotted with wildlife.
5. Delight in Lake Victoria – Africa’s Inland Sea
One of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, Lake Victoria is a sight which is almost incomprehensible in size. Spanning over 23,000 square miles (New York City is just 300 square miles), it dominates the ecology of east Africa.
From the point of view of the best Africa trips, the lake is a treasure trove of potential. The small communities which line the lake provide intriguing introductions to the cultures of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, while fishing for Nile perch has become a popular past time.
Those looking for a little rest and relaxation without heading to the region’s Indian Ocean coastline can do so on sand beaches lining Lake Victoria. And those looking to drift across its waters can lay anchor at a myriad of interesting islands belonging to the Ssese chain among others.
The Best Africa Trips
There’s no doubting the quality of experiences which can be enjoyed in Africa. The best Africa trips are those which connect us with a continent few of us know enough about. And whether that’s through a safari to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, trekking through jungle in search of mountain gorillas, admiring the elephants of Amboseli, taking in the roar of Murchison Falls or the smooth waters of Lake Victoria, we guarantee Africa is not going to disappoint.
So what are you waiting for? Get in contact today to start arranging your once in a lifetime trip to Africa!
