Visiting a new place can be both thrilling and daunting, especially if you’re not familiar with it. This is when careful planning and thorough research is essential . We’ve outlined a few important things you need to know when planning your trip to Africa. From which destinations go together to a real splurge vs less flexible budgets, you’ll find all the legwork done for you here.

 

1. The ultimate combos: what pairs with what?

You’ve been dreaming of visiting Africa and have some places in mind that you’d like to visit – but is it possible to do them in one trip?  Certain destination combinations work better than others due to proximity, flight options and seasonality.

Botswana & Victoria Falls

Botswana’s winding waterways through the Okavango Delta and incredible wildlife in Chobe National Park fit together beautifully with a visit to Victoria Falls. No flying between the two is necessary – you can simply transfer from Chobe to the Falls via road in less than 2 hours.

Check out this itinerary: Victoria Falls, Chobe & the Delta

Botswana, Namibia & Victoria Falls

Why do two countries when you can do three! Combine the wilderness of Botswana and the views of Victoria Falls with a visit to mystical Namibia. Botswana and Namibia share a border and the road infrastructure is good, making it easy to drive between them. This is for self-drive travellers who love a good road trip.

The best of both: Safari & Beach

Another classic combination is pairing a safari adventure with some island relaxation. You get all the thrills of wildlife in the bush plus the relaxation and tropical vibes that a beach destination provides.

Some of our most popular options include:

 

2. The big splurge: that once-in-a-lifetime experience

Africa offers a range of unforgettable encounters, a handful of which are truly once-in-a-lifetime. Whilst they do cost a pretty penny we cannot recommend them enough, especially if you’re looking for something utterly memorable for a special occasion.

 

Rwanda Gorilla Experience

When people talk about bucket list travel, this is what they have in mind. Trek the Virunga Mountains in Volcanoes National Park in search of endangered mountain gorillas and get to know “The Land of a Thousand Hills” in all its glory. Seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a truly humbling and emotional experience that will live in your heart for years to come.

Mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) silverback in Susa group, Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda

PLEASE NOTE: Pricey permits are required for this experience and are charged per person, per day in US Dollars.

You may also be interested in: Western Tanzania Safari & Chimpanzees

 

East Africa Adventure

The Great Migration is known as “the greatest wildlife show on earth”. Millions of wildebeest (accompanied by zebra and gazelle) make their way from the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya in search, literally, of greener pastures. It offers one of the best safari experiences around with different stages to see depending on the time of year that you travel.

Taste of East Africa:

 

3. Popular choices for all budgets

If you’re visiting Africa for the first time and you’ve chosen South Africa, you’ll be spoiled by a wide choice of destinations. Our Cape, Garden Route & Safari itinerary is an epic combination that mixes the beauty of the Cape and Garden Route with the thrills of a safari encounter. We personally visit and select our accommodation partners for this tour, offering a range of options to suit any budget.

Other suggestions include:

 

4. It’s all about the timing…

The final thing to consider is that there are peak and green seasons as well as ideal times to visit certain destinations which impact what you can see and do on your trip. Take a look at our Seasonal Booking Tips blog for a better understanding of when, what and how.

Wildebeest Migration Herd Crossing the Mara River

Our team of travel experts at Portfolio Journeys will weave their magic to make any trip come to life, so feel free to chat to us and let us guide you through your options. As always, our advice is free and comes with no obligations.