Africa is a vibrant continent. It holds some of the world’s greatest wilderness areas, richest cultures and most awe-inspiring wildlife. It teems with life from the tops of the mountains to the depths of the oceans.
East Africa
East Africa is the home of the wildlife documentary and has many of the most famous parks. In Tanzania, the Serengeti is renowned for the wildebeest migration whilst the Ngorongoro Crater has dense populations of lion in a spectacular setting. In southern and western Tanzania are lesser-known gems such as the riverine ecosystem of the Selous and the rainforests of the Mahale Mountains where chimpanzees thrive. Kenya has a reputation for being busy, but if you know where to go nothing could be further from the truth. There are tiny camps tucked away under elephant pepper trees in the Mara and lodges perched atop kopjes in the Chyulu Hills. Finally, Uganda and Rwanda offer unique opportunities for tracking gorillas and chimpanzees.
West Africa
Whilst Gabon does have good game, the forest is dense and the animals shy. Game viewing is more of a challenge and therefore for experienced Africa travellers who are seeking something different. Forest elephant and buffalo can be seen on the beach, hippo footprints are found leading to the surf and red river hogs are comical. The spectacular beauty of Langoue Baie is worth the long journey and if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of a lowland gorilla.
Southern Africa
Southern Africa has vastly contrasting environments, from the hot sands of the Namib Desert to the tropical waters of Lake Malawi. Zambia is wild and the place for walking safaris and night drives, while Malawi has rolling highlands ideal for horse safaris and the glittering lake packed with endemic fish. Botswana is perhaps the ultimate safari destination, with fly-in safaris to Africa’s most exclusive lodges and camps. The Okavango Delta offers boating and mokoro trips whilst the Linyanti Swamps are a magnet for elephant. Finally, Namibia is ideal for photographers with expanses of dramatic desert scenery. It is home to Africa’s largest cheetah population and also pockets of desert-adapted elephant and black rhino.
Indian Ocean Islands
All of our safaris can be combined with a stay on an Indian Ocean Island, or you might like to arrange a couple of weeks on a beach without a safari. There are a myriad of beautiful quiet islands off the African Coast. Some, like Zanzibar or Lamu, are well known. Others such as the Mafia Islands, Quirimba Archipelago, Bazaruto Archipelago and Funzi Keys are lesser known but offer small barefoot-luxury lodges. Then, there are 116 islands in the Seychelles to choose from…
Explore Audley's guide to Responsible Travel in Africa. View our recommended eco-accommodation options, charities we support as well as any additional relevant policies and practices.
Each year the annual 'Great Migration' sees up to two million wildebeest and zebra undertake a journey of over 1,600 kilometres across Kenya and Tanzania.
It's a happy coincidence that many of South Africa’s highlights lie upon a clearly defined, easily navigable route, a coincidence that makes it a great destination for first-time visitors.
- Botswana
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- Botswana is home to many exceptionally good national parks and reserves, but it is the Okavango Delta’s rich array of wetlands and vast, varied ecosystems that make it unique.
- Kenya
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- Kenya is the country of wildlife documentaries and the home of the safari. It is everything you imagine Africa to be.
- Madagascar
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- Madagascar is surrounded by a halo of small islands. The beaches are long and sandy with pirogues moored in the shallows. Isolated from the rest of the world, there were no large predators: here wildlife evolved on its own distinct path. Of Madagascar’s 200,000 species, more than 80% are endemic.
- Malawi
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- Although Malawi has a diversity of scenery and wildlife, it is Lake Malawi (the ‘Lake of Stars’), which attracts most visitors for both its relaxation and watersports.
- Mauritius
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- Mauritius is ideal for holidays and in particular honymoons: idyllic beaches, marine life and calm waters for swimming, snorkelling and boat trips.
- Mozambique
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- Of volcanic origin, white sand beaches are backed by casuarina forest that slope gently into warm clear waters. Luxurious hotels with every facility at your disposal, are dotted around the island.
- Namibia
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- Namibia is a country of deserts, dunes, canyons and hundreds of miles of deserted coastline. Its most famous for places like Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast.
- Rwanda
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- Rwanda, due to its topography, is know as the "land of a thousand hills" but it is best known for its famous mountain gorillas.
- South Africa
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- South Africa has so much to offer: from safari in places like the Kruger (one of the oldest, largest, and most diverse parks in Africa), to whale watching and visiting legendary battlefields like Rorke’s Drift.
- Tanzania
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- Tanzania’s safari areas are divided into 'circuits', each of which contain a number of parks (e.g. the Serengeti in the northern 'circuit'). Based on this we recommend different ways to explore in different areas.
- The Seychelles
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- The beaches of the Seychelles are superb, immortalised in countless films and commercials. However, as well as a perfect honeymoon destination, you can also see interesting wildlife, such as turtles.
- Uganda
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- Uganda has an enormous diversity of ecosystems, and game within these, but its most famous inhabitants are its mountain gorillas. It's one of life's truly unique experiences to see them close up in the wild.
- Zambia
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- Zambia has traditionally been the home of the walking safari. Its most famous attractions are South Luangwa National Park, one of the leading game parks on the continent, as well as the stunning Victoria Falls.
- Zanzibar Archipelago
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- The Zanzibar Archipelago is made up of over fifty islands. The main island inlcudes the capital, Stone Town, with its labyrinth of alleys. Zanzibar is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy after a safari.