Value for money destinations to explore this year

Whether you are looking for some historical sites, or some luxurious beaches, or some modern towns or the wildest adventures like safaris, Africa has it all. Compared with other continents, Africa’s tourism potential is under-tapped. Why not explore some of these unspoilt destinations within your reach this year and save some dollars and stress of overseas trips.

Breathtaking views at Victoria Falls

There is nothing quite like getting a thorough soaking from the roaring, powerful Victoria Falls. The spray is so impressive from the look-out points; it feels like you are in the middle of a torrential rainstorm. The Victoria Falls lies between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The falls are just over 1 mile wide (1.7 km) and 355 feet (108 m) high. During the wet season, over 500 million litres (19m cubic feet) of water plummets over the edge into the Zambezi River. This incredible amount of water generates a huge amount of spray that shoots 1000 feet into the sky and can be seen 30 miles away, hence the name Mosi-oa-Tunya (Smoke that thunders).

The Victoria Falls are one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. If you are planning a trip to Southern Africa you simply have to witness this mile-long curtain of falling water. As the explorer David Livingstone remarked when he first saw them “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” The unique geography of the falls means you can watch them face-on and get to enjoy the full force of the spray, noise and spectacular rainbows that are always present. The best time to view the Victoria Falls is during the rainy season, from March to May, when they are at their most impressive. Activities at the Victoria Falls include: viewing the falls, bungee jumping, jet boating, white-water rafting, sundowner cruise, wildlife viewing, etc.

You must see Cape Town

Cape Town is a highlight of any trip to Southern Africa. The natural beauty of Cape Town makes it one of the most attractive cities in the world. Cape Town boasts beautiful beaches as well as the impressive Table Mountain right in the heart of the city. The restaurants are world class, and so are the wines. Cape Town is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in Africa and has reputation for social tolerance.

Top attractions include: The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront for dining and shopping, Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, alluring Cape Town beaches, the awesome Table Mountain, the winelands, among others.

Once in Marrakech

Situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the imperial city of Marrakech is large, noisy, polluted and fascinating. If you enjoy a daily assault on all your senses, then you will have a lot of fun.

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There are so many things to see, you should spend at least three days in Marrakech. Stay in a Riad in the medina (old walled part of town), because this is where all the action is. The Majorelle Gardens offer a lovely respite from the bustle of the souqs, undercover markets that sell everything from chickens to high-quality crafts, should not be missed. The heart of the medina, the Djemma el Fnaa, a large central square in the old city (Medina) and during the day it’s a perfect place to grab a freshly-squeezed orange juice and a handful of dates, should also be a priority for anyone who visits.

Others places include El Bahia Palace, a wonderful example of the best of Moroccan architecture, Saadian Tombs, Ali ben Youssef Medersa and Mosque, the Ramparts of Marrakech, Palais Dar Si Said (Museum of Moroccan Arts), among others.

The alluring Zanzibar

Zanzibar is one of Africa’s top destinations because of its fascinating history and its incredible beaches. Zanzibar’s location in the Indian Ocean (off the coast of Tanzania) has made it a natural trading centre throughout its history. Famous for its spices, Zanzibar also became an important slave trading post under its Arab rulers.

The Arab influences are obvious throughout Zanzibar but especially in Stone Town one of the island’s biggest attractions. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Stone Town boasts beautiful traditional houses, narrow alleyways, a Sultan’s palace and many mosques.

It is worth travelling to Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania to experience its amazing beaches, fascinating history and wonderful spices. Not to be missed is Stone Town, an old Arab town built by those who got rich from the slave and spice trade. There are lots of travel guides to Zanzibar who will help you get to the islands, find accommodation and give you some historical and cultural information.

At home in Masai Mara

If you want to see the ‘big five’ in one morning, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is the place to be. During the dry season, from July to October, the wildlife spectacle is unparalleled. There is nowhere else you can watch the annual migration of over a million wild birds and the wildlife from a hot-air balloon better than in Mara.

The Masai Mara reserve is Kenya’s most popular game park. It is relatively small (a little smaller than Rhode Island) yet it hosts an amazing concentration of wildlife. You are almost guaranteed to see the Big 5. Lions abound throughout the park as do leopards, cheetah, hyenas, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, topi, baboons, warthogs, buffalo, zebra, elephants, and hippos and crocodiles in the Mara River.

The best time to go is between July and October, when the wildebeest and zebra are at their highest number and offer plenty of food for lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The best time to view animals is either at dawn or dusk.

Because the reserve has no fences you can see as much wildlife within its boundaries as outside in the areas inhabited by the Maasai tribes. Some of these areas are also not so crowded. Within the reserve, it is not unusual to see five or six safari vehicles full of tourists taking photos of one lion with its kill.

Things to do in and around the Masai Mara Reserve include: Game drives, walking safaris, cultural tours with the Maasai, hot air ballooning, among others. The Masai Mara has plenty of places to stay for those looking for luxury accommodation at an average of around $200 per night. The Mara is home to some of the best tented luxury camps in Africa with flushing toilets, haute cuisine and sundowners served by waiters wearing white gloves.

Awesome Obudu…

Probably, the complete contrast it offers leisure seekers, the world-class facilities, its temperate climate, exciting and different locations in one destination make many Nigerian travellers to tip Obudu Mountain Resort as the most romantic destination in the country. They unanimously say the resort is “Absolutely amazing.”

Of course, you can propose the love of your life; rekindle old affection or reignite family fondness memorably on this plateau of about 1576 metres above sea level, on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountains.

At the resort, the birds sing, monkeys chatter, as the local community is ever friendly and the lush tropical vegetation wave melodiously in admiration of Mother Nature’s crafts. An experience on canopy walk is as romantic, fearful and exciting as ever. The natural honey from the bees and milk from the ranch are products visitors cannot afford to miss.

A warm swim in the breathtaking or better still, sprawling Water Park, glues couple on honeymoon or lovers to man-made leisure. You can swim as wild as you can, as much as you can, as safe as you can, and grab as much fun as you can.

The temperate climate offers a total contrast, replicates European holiday experience as well as a welcome respite from Africa’s tropical heat.

The aesthetically improved accommodation options have touches of love and colour as well. The African round huts and chalets on stilts are shaped in pleasing forms besides maximising the breathtaking views of their environs.

You can not afford to be less romantic this year, as hanging out with that special person at this nature’s hideout will do you good.

The smiling coast of Africa

Though the Gambia is small, it is the adventure that awaits a tourist going by its wide variety of sites land-based tours, mixed excursions and river trips.

Starting from the coastal holiday resorts of Kombo North you can begin with the various tourist attractions of Banjul Capital where there is Gambia National Museum on Independence Drive, the bustling and lively Albert Market, the huge arch at the entrance to the capital or marvel at some of the colonial architecture.

A few kilometres away from the capital and towards the coastal areas you get to the major vacation locations of Bakau, Cape Point, Fajara, Kololi, (Senegambia strip) and Kotu, where you can enjoy local attractions of endless golden beaches and almost guaranteed sunshine and other leisure activities such as watersports, quadbiking, golf and tennis. These areas are where most tourists choose to spend there time with its numerous restaurants, bars, shops and local night clubs, particularly in the Kololi and Senegambia areas.

At Bakau, there is the Craft Market, Katchikally Crocodile Pool (whose crocs are allegedly said to be so tame they allow tourist to touch them), further inland you find Serrekunda town with its dazzling and hectic market, Sunday Wresting and tie-and-dye factory. There is also the Bijilo Forest Park, which is within easy walking distance from the Kairaba or Senegambia hotels. The destinations of Brufut Heights and Brufut Gardens are becoming increasingly important resort destinations after the opening of the Sheraton Beach Hotel and the development of the local area’s facilities.

For the more adventurous, you can take a one-day or half-day excursion further down the coast of the Tanji Village Museum and Bird Reserve where you can hire a boat and take an excursion among the mangroves with amazing unspoilt scenery. You can also go for camel safaris at Tanji, located just after the bridge on the left. At Kartong you can visit the Lemonfish Art Gallery, which display works from local Gambian artists. Micro-light flights are also available that offer visitors stunning views of the creeks and bolong and other natural tourist attractions.

Birdwatching is possible even within the tropical gardens of the major hotels, and many actively encourage birds to breed on their hotel complexes. However, the Gambia has many wildlife and bird reserves such Tanji and Abuko Nature Reserve, which is a 20 minutes drive from most hotels. Abuko forest is also home to lions, hyenas and various species of monkeys.

There are numerous safari camps located up-country and most are to be found on the river banks offering reasonably descent accommodation.