Winston Churchill called it “the land of my dreams—the land of tremendous, mysterious, and profound horizons”, while Jane Goodall described it as “a tapestry of beauty and wonder that never ceases to amaze me.” The great continent that has held the world in its thrall for centuries, Africa is undoubtedly an unmatched dream destination renowned for its unparalleled natural wildlife and cultural experiences that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
“From majestic wildlife and breathtaking landscapes to vibrant cultures and ancient traditions, Africa is truly a place of profound beauty that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime,” enthuses Gwen Ho, the Africa specialist and luxury travel specialist at high-end tour operator Scott Dunn.
It took just one 12-day familiarisation trip to South Africa for Ho to fall deeply in love with the continent. “The experience was unforgettable and I knew that Africa is so special and that propelled me to expand my knowledge of Africa’s diverse landscape and rich cultures,” she says—high praise considering Ho is personally a travel enthusiast who would often plan at least six trips a year before the pandemic.
But in spite of the connectedness of today’s world, not everyone has an up-to-date understanding of the continent, Ho says. “There are misconceptions about Africa being unsafe, which overshadows its true beauty and warmth,” she explains. “In addition, some people still overlook its cuisine, thinking it to be too foreign, when in actuality there are so many diverse and tantalising dishes to be sampled.”
“The continent’s abundant wildlife, stunning landscapes, ancient history and warm hospitality were what captivated me and continue to draw me back,” Ho adds. “Africa is an incredible place, and I’d gladly go back in a heartbeat.”
If you’re inspired to make Africa your next great love affair, we got the best recommendations for you to plan an unforgettable journey through the Mother Continent.
Namibia
“A really unique destination that’s home to incredible landscapes, wildlife, and culture, making it the perfect place for an adventurous holiday. There’s plenty of things to do, like riding a 4×4 across the sand dunes, or visiting the dramatic Skeleton Coast, where the desert meets the ocean.”
South Africa
“I’ve heard some call South Africa a world in one country, and I totally agree. There’s so much to discover here—natural wonders, rich culture, stunning wildlife— which makes it a must-visit destination when it comes to the African continent.”
Madagascar
“This is a place I wholeheartedly recommend to animal lovers, and forest treks here are must-dos, especially to spot lemurs! One unique experience I’d recommend is a night trek, where you can spot a wide variety of nocturnal animals, like the cute mouse lemurs.”
Kenya & Tanzania
“These are the perfect places to witness the world’s most magnificent wildlife spectacles: The Great Migration. One of the really unique ways we help guests experience this is through a horseback-riding safari—this lets guests gallop through the plains on horseback, and some of our guests have even gotten the chance to ride alongside giraffes, zebras or wildebeest! Other experiences I’d recommend include taking a helicopter ride to the north and witnessing thousands of pink flamingos over Lake Nakuru, or hiking Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, for incredible views.”
Botswana
“This is one of Africa’s most premier safari destinations, and for good reason. The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta and is home to one of the world’s largest elephant populations, and a safari drive or horseback tour is definitely a bucket-list experience.”
Rwanda
“I’d definitely recommend a gorilla trekking experience through the Volcanoes National Park, where you can get a rare encounter with the highly endangered silverback gorillas in their natural habitat.”
Zimbabwe
“The Zambezi River forms the world’s greatest curtain of falling water, and it is definitely one of the most iconic sights on the continent. The best way to experience it is a helicopter ride or a micro flight over the falls!”
This article first appeared in the May issue of GRAZIA Singapore.
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