Idyllic and remote, the Seychelles are an archipelago paradise amid the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Located right by the equator, the 115 islands are a blend of townships, private islands and uninhabited sanctuaries for birds and marine life. Ease into the utter bliss of island life where your days are measured in the rise and fall of tides and everything moves at a leisurely pace. Lounge in a hammock, cocktail in hand, beneath the swaying palms or soak in your private plunge pool overlooking the ocean. Indulge in a relaxing massage or do yoga right in your luxurious villa.
Wander through the distinctive granite boulders that define many of the Seychelles beaches. Stroll along the beach right from your villa, looking for seashells and enjoying the warm breezes. Sit with the giant Aldabra tortoises as they slowly munch on the native gardens. Hike through tropical forests as rare birdlife flits overhead or cast your line over the coral flats as sunrise casts the world in a pink glow. Dive beneath the turquoise waters to discover reefs teeming with colorful fish and sea turtles. Snorkel beside playful dolphins as they glide effortlessly through the water.
A land of rolling green hills and lush forests, Rwanda is a lively and fascinating country with so much to offer international travelers. Welcoming and friendly, this nation is not just moving on from a painful past but thriving in the modern era. Innovative and progressive sustainability measures have made Rwanda a leader not just in Africa but also worldwide. Thanks to a very conservation-minded government, the national parks are also doing beautifully.
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Trek through the mist covered slopes of Volcanoes National Park where wild mountain gorillas roam free. Watch for rare birdlife and golden monkeys hidden amid the vine laden trees. Take in the sweeping forest views from your private balcony as you sip on coffee brewed from locally grown beans.
Venture into the newly reopened Akagera National Park, known as one of Africa’s most successful conservation stories, where rich volcanic soils and a large lake have created a haven for wildlife. Spend the morning tracking lions and leopards or drift past grazing giraffes and elephants you go birdwatching on the lake. Soak in the panoramic lake vistas from the deck of your camp as you sample local flavors.
Back in Kigali, explore the rhythms of the city by perusing local markets or visiting the Genocide Museum.
Ethiopia is a country of dramatic landscapes, ancient churches and fascinating tribal diversity. As one of the only countries in Africa to never have been colonized, the nation has a rich heritage all their own. From ancient Coptic Christian churches carved directly into the rock to the remote tribes of the Omo Valley, Ethiopia is full of experiences that have stood the test of time. Venture deep into the heart of the Omo Valley to meet the many tribes that call it home. Take in their elaborate body adornments inspired by the natural world…flowers piled atop their heads, thick layers of beaded necklaces draped around their necks, wooden lip plates, and intricate designs painted with white mud on their bodies.
Watch the death-defying antics of the gelada baboons as they raid the precariously terraced crops of farmers on the steep slopes of the Semien Mountains. Hike through the giant lobelias in the Bale Mountains in search of the beautiful Ethiopian foxes. Marvel at the incredible feats of architecture that created the stone churches of Lalibela, carved directly into the earth. Soar in a helicopter over the extraordinary tapestry of colors in the Danakil Depression before tiptoeing around the neon yellow sulfur deposits and rusty red and blue hot springs. This is truly a landscape unlike anywhere else on the planet.
As the bridge between Africa and Europe, Morocco is a fascinating blend of African, Arabic, European and Berber influences that is readily felt throughout its culture, history and people’s daily lives. Sample local cuisine so delectable it will have you buying your own tagine and arsenal of spices from the souks to take back home. Hike through the snowcapped Atlas Mountains or explore the hidden villages and fertile valleys strewn with olive groves that lie between.
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Wander the meandering alleyways of a souk lined with stalls piled high with artisan goods…locally tanned leather, hand-woven carpets and elaborately embellished shoes. Follow your nose to carts wafting aromatic steam as streets chefs hawk their specialties. Explore ancient mosques and forlorn relics etched with the daily visits of thousands of worshippers.
Escape into a bygone era with the intricate floor to ceiling mosaics, shimmering chandeliers and oversized palms of your riad. Sip mint tea and inhale the air scented by orange blossoms on your rooftop as the sun sets over the city. Embrace your early explorer as you venture to the heart of the Sahara where a luxurious desert encampment awaits. Lose yourself as your gaze at the endless stars arcing overhead in the crystal-clear desert air.
The Republic of Madagascar is an island nation of 18 million people located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world, as well as numerous smaller peripheral islands, the largest of which include Nosy Be and Nosy Boraha. About 165 million years ago the island splintered off of Africa (80 million years ago occurred the break from India). Because this vast island nation has been isolated so long, Madagascar is a biodiversity hot spot. Over 80% of Madagascar flora and fauna are endemic meaning they are found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar's climate is very diverse allowing a great variety of eco-regions. Lush rain forests are found in the humid eastern region. Tropical deciduous woods are seen on the western plains, and in the semi-arid south is the spiny desert, perhaps the island's most amazing region. There are also tropical beaches and warm Indian Ocean waters. Some highlights of the amazing diversity include 1,000 different species of orchids, six species of baobab trees and the famous lemurs including dwarf lemurs no bigger than a mouse, rig tailed lemurs from the Barebty Reserve, the sifake known to leap more than 30 feet from branch to branch and the very unique aye aye to name a few.
Home to the Okavango Delta, one of Africa’s most iconic destinations, the country is a haven for conservation, wildlife and those who seek the road less traveled. The country is a tapestry of diverse habitats that are well-managed by conservation focused companies. From the game-rich maze of waterways in the Okavango to the grassy savannahs of the Kalahari Desert, the options to explore are far ranging with something for every type of traveler.
Drift peacefully in a wooden mokoro as elephants graze in a lily-dotted lagoon or spend the afternoon tracking leopards on a game drive. Explore Chief’s Island in the delta where some of Africa’s densest wildlife concentrations reside. See Africa’s largest zebra migration in the Linyanti Wetlands or sip on a gin and tonic as the sunset illuminates the thousands of elephants that gather along the Chobe River during the dry season.
With many of Africa’s finest camps in Botswana, the in-camp experience is just as memorable. Cool off in your outdoor shower as a giraffe grazes nearby or sample the local flavors as you dine under the stars. Watch the daily parade of wildlife wandering past camp, soak in the plunge pool as elephants stop by for a drink or simply unwind and enjoy the utter tranquility of the bush around you with a good book in hand.
From the Great Migration in the Serengeti and snowcapped peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro to the shimmering turquoise seas of Zanzibar and the wild chimpanzees in the Mahale forests, Tanzania is a country that has it all. Explore the biodiverse amphitheater of the Ngorongoro Crater or walk beside thousands of flamboyant flamingos at Lake Manyara. Drift over the vast herds of wildebeest in a hot air balloon as first light ushers in a new day. Venture into the vast and uncrowded wilderness along the Selous River or come face to face with our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, as they forage through the trees.
Dip beneath the aqua waters as you dive with sea turtles or touch the sky as you traverse glaciers atop Mt Kilimanjaro. Walk in ancient footsteps with a visit to Olduvai Gorge and discover our oldest ancestors. Disappear into a good book as birdsong fills the air around your tent. Wake to the sound of gently lapping waves in your luxurious beachfront bungalow before sampling the flavors of a spice plantation.
A verdant and beautiful, Uganda is hidden away in Africa’s mountainous central highlands. Diverse landscapes support a wide biodiversity of wildlife, from great apes to classic safari animals. Trek through the misty volcanic slopes of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of endangered mountain gorillas. Play with baby chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall Sanctuary as they tug at your shoelaces, climb all over you and give you little kisses.
Venture into the lush forest and fertile grasslands of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spend the afternoon with lions and elephants on a game drive or sip on a local beer as giraffes wander past your tent. Delve into the lowland swamps in search the rare shoebill stork, known for its towering stature and distinctive appearance. Feel the full power of the mighty Nile River as it squeezes through a narrow ravine at Murchison Falls.
A nation as well known for its culture as for its natural wonders, South Africa is a diverse and vibrant destination with something for every type of traveler. Dive into the thriving art, music and food scenes in Cape Town or meander through local shops and galleries during the monthly First Thursday celebrations. Meet the utterly charming penguins at Boulder Beach or take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views of the city below. Road trip along the Garden Route checking out sleepy coastal towns and whale watching as you hike along the coastal trails. Sip your way through the wine lands and unwind in your charming B&B tucked in a vine covered valley amid the craggy mountains.
Escape to the wild to watch leopards and lions in Sabi Sands or watch the sunset with a local beer in hand as elephants mill about the waterhole. Indulge in sumptuous luxury in the heart of the wilderness or ease into the rhythms of life in the bush at your intimate safari camp. Create memories with your kids in malaria-free regions perfect for families or sip champagne with your sweetheart on the ultimate honeymoon adventure.
Located in the heart of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is a fantastic safari destination offering diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Explore the forests and savannah of Hwange on a game drive watching lounging lions and lithe cheetahs or enjoy a sundowner by the waterhole as the elephants drink their fill as well. Boat along the mighty Zambezi River in Mana Pools to a soundtrack of bellowing hippos and bird song as your take in the mountain views.
Relax in the seclusion of your luxurious tent after a dawn walking safari tracking endangered wild dogs in an ancient forest. Feel the mist on your face as take in the magnificence of the iconic Victoria Falls, known locally as ‘the smoke that thunders’. Gain an aerial perspective with a microlite flight, raft through the whitewater canyons below the falls or sip cocktails on a sunset river cruise above the falls.
