Vervet Monkey in Gambia – photo by Mishimoto on Flickr CC

Safest Holiday Destinations In Africa

For many people, it’s a bucket list dream to get up close and personal with the majestic wildlife of the Serengeti, as seen on many nature documentaries. However, the prime concern holding them back is safety – while the horrors of South Africa, as reported in world media in the 1990s are still very fresh in collective memory, it’s important to remember that we are in 2015.

As with travelling anywhere, take out travel insurance, don’t flash your cash, keep to populous areas, and keep your wits about you. Africa is the second largest continent in the world and there is plenty for tourists to see and do without compromising on safety – from a relaxing tropical beach holiday to the safari of your dreams.

Botswana

The eclectic natural makeup of Botswana makes it a lively and diverse holiday destination.

Nature lovers should take a canoe up the Okavango Delta (the largest in the world!), or enjoy a river cruise along the Chobe river to catch a sight of some hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat.

If you’d rather see some game, head to the pristine Moremi Game Reserve to watch giraffes and gazelles in one of the most beautiful wild spaces in Africa. There are plenty of luxury holiday resorts in Botswana, with the specialists at Wexas able to help you find your perfect stay in one of the safest countries in Africa.

Moremi Game Reserve – photo by Charlesjsharp on Flickr CC

Gambia

Situated on the west coast of Africa,Gambia is the smallest country with the biggest heart. Nicknamed, ‘The Smiling Coast,’ there’s plenty of things to do.

The capital city of Banjul is beautiful, offering a National Museum where you can see the history of the region with a photo gallery exhibiting snapshots of everyday life in the city from the earliest photos to the present day, while the Old Town has lots of eclectic architecture to take note of.

Travel a little westwards to the coastal region of Serekunda to check out the African Living Art Centre to meet local artists at work, or escape from the noise to the Bijilo Forest Park for a walk with the monkeys, lizards, and over 100 species of birds. The Kachikally Crocodile Pool is also something to see, regarded as a fertility symbol in Gambia.

Namibia

Located in the southwest of the country, there’s a huge range of incredible natural landmarks in Namibia. The Sossusvlei is a desert pan amid towering sand dunes, which change dramatically depending if it’s dry or wet season – normally terracotta red and pyramid like, if the Tsauchab River overflows it becomes a lush green lake.

For a less sandy hike, visit the Fish River Canyon for breath taking views and a chance to relax in one of the many hot springs. Another unusual sight to see is the petrified forest in Twyfelfontein, with about 50 petrified trees estimated to be 260 million years old – the region is also home to Stone Age rock engravings.

Seychelles – photo by jmhullot on Flickr CC

Seychelles

It’s impossible to not mention the islands off the African coast, and the Seychelles is picture perfect almost everywhere you go. Narrowing down the best beaches is a tricky business here, with so much to choose from: the Anse Source d’Argent and Anse Cocos are paradise for sunbathing thanks to the shallow waters, while the Anse Lazio has plenty of palm trees for seeking shade and great water for snorkelling in the bay.

There are several diving schools around the island, taking advantage of the crystal clear waters. For city life, be sure to check out the bustling market in the capital of Victoria, or take the rum distillery tour at Takamaka Bay, and grab some fresh seafood for dinner on the Boardwalk later.

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