Must-Visit African Destinations For First Time Travellers From The USA

Must-Visit African Destinations For First Time Travellers From The USA

For many US travellers, a vacation to Africa is a giant step into the unknown, with many questions which need answering – when I should go? how long for? where should I stay? and which are the best African countries to visit and the top 10 tourist attractions in Africa?

Well Africa Travel have decades of experiencing in arranging travel to the finest holiday destinations in Africa, so we thought we would provide a quick rundown of what we consider to be our top, must-not-miss destinations in Africa to visit.

Masai Mara, Kenya

At the top of any list of the best places to visit in Africa just has to be the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Located in the south-west of Kenya bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara is a justifiably world-renowned game reserve famed for its big cats and as a stage for one of the planet’s greatest wildlife spectacles; the annual wildebeest migration. The Mara is a haven for large numbers of animals and a quite staggering variety of species including Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, topi, eland, impala, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, elephants, and black rhinos. This is your chance to enjoy a Masai Mara safari holiday and see prides of lions and cheetahs hunting on the open plains and leopards stalking in the forests, as Masai Mara safaris are known to consistently deliver fantastic sightings of these big cats.

Cape Town, South Africa

Perhaps enough of a reason on its own as to why you should travel to Africa from the US, the majestic city of Cape Town is situated on the south-western tip of Africa, and is the meeting point of the cold Atlantic and the warm Indian Oceans. It is one of South Africa’s premier tourist attractions and is home to the famous Table Mountain, vast wine lands, magnificent beaches, gourmet cuisine and the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Known as ‘The Mother City’ and a destination in itself, Cape Town enjoys one of the world’s finest settings and is regularly voted amongst the best cities on the planet. The city’s many attractions include Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for so many years, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the stylish Camp’s Bay beach and Table Mountain, whose summit can be reached either on foot or by aerial cableway.

Further afield visitors can explore Cape Point, soak up the sun from one of the many stunning beaches, go whale-watching, enjoy the rich floral kingdom or simply immerse themselves in the city’s world-class galleries, museums, restaurants & boutiques. The tourist to South Africa could easily spend two or three weeks in The Cape, but that would mean missing out on so much more….

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia

Another certainty to be found on any summary of the finest vacation destinations in Africa would be the Victoria Falls. One of the most popular attractions in any Africa itinerary, the great Victorian explorer David Livingstone’s assertion that “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” still rings true to this day. One of the natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls truly are a remarkable sight. At over 1.5 kilometres wide and over 100 metres tall, this is the largest falling curtain of water in the world. Not only does it provide spectacular views but the thunderous sound of up to half a million cubic metres of water a minute plunging over the edge and the soaking spray, makes this quite an experience.

 Victoria Falls is very well connected by plane, road and even rail on the luxurious Rovos Rail so whether you are on safari in Botswana, Namibia,  Zambia or Zimbabwe or spending time in South Africa, you can easily include a visit to this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

When researching which places to visit in Africa, the safari-goer should always consider the Serengeti National Park. Tanzania's iconic Serengeti National Park covers nearly 6,000 square miles of Northern Tanzania up to the border with Kenya's Masai Mara. The topography of the park is generally flat, characterised by huge open grassland plains where the herds of wildebeest graze during the annual Great Migration. The Migration is what draws most visitors on Serengeti National Park holidays and offers the chance to see herds of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest grazing and moving through the park as they search for fresh grasses. The fact that this is an annual cycle means that holidays to the Serengeti can be almost year-round, and Africa Travel can recommend the best camps to see the migration from depending on the time of year that you are visiting.

Gorillas, Rwanda

One of the more unusual African travel destinations to aim for should be Rwanda. Just a few degrees south of the equator, this top destination is a jewel of a land, from the deep emerald of its forests to the brilliant sapphire of its lakes. Rwanda holiday packages will almost invariably focus on the endangered Mountain Gorilla. Many visitors come to Parc National des Volcans for gorilla trekking adventures but because the number of permits to view these gentle giants is strictly limited, these need to be arranged well in advance. The gorillas are a magnificent sight and one which is certainly unforgettable. In the park, you can also admire the dramatic chain of seven volcanoes which provide a border with both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sossusvlei, Namibia

Often voted one of the best places to travel in Africa, Namibia is most famous for the huge red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, an iconic sight. The vlei, or pan, is found in the heart of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. This is one of Africa’s largest parks and incorporates the dunes, river courses and mountains of the Namib desert said to be the world's oldest. It is most famous for the massive, slowly shifting sand dunes that are most accessible around Sossusvlei and whether climbing the dunes, exploring the skeletal trees at nearby Dead Vlei or flying above them in a hot air balloon the views are incredible. Despite the scarcity of water, the desert supports a surprising amount of life from grasses and trees to lizards and birds and larger animals such as ostrich, oryx, springbok and zebra. In the northern gravel plains of the park, to the south of Swakopmund, the strange and ancient welwitschia mirabilis plants are found. With their otherworldly appearance and their ability to survive in the harsh desert conditions, these fascinating plants are believed to live up to 1000 years or more.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana is one of the best countries to visit in Africa, and it is home to the Okavango Delta. The Okavango is the largest inland delta in the world, fed by the waters descending from Angola, reaching their peak, paradoxically, in the middle of the dry season. The floodwaters transform the Delta from its dry, desert state (it lies in the heart of the Kalahari basin) to a beautiful oasis, supporting a remarkable variety of animal, bird and plant life and is home to Africa's most exclusive safari lodges.

The Delta is made up of the Moremi Game Reserve, the private concessions further West and The Panhandle, which is the main part of the Okavango River before the channels fan out. The game viewing here is truly outstanding, with lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and a huge variety of antelope and plains game species found year round. It is also a bird watchers paradise, with rare species such as the Pel's fishing owl often found close to specific camps. The plains game tend to give birth to their young during the rainy season, meaning large herds can be seen grazing, with the adults staying alert to the constant threat of predators who are never far away. However you choose to enjoy the Delta, by mokoro canoe, in game viewing vehicles or on foot, you will be assured of the most amazing safari experience you could wish for. Animals big and small are all around and the incredible guides really bring the magic of the whole area to life. A Botswana safari in the Okavango Delta offers an unparalleled game viewing experience, and is really not to be missed.

Zanzibar

Perhaps the best vacation destination in Africa for some serious R&R and beach time has to be the almost mystical island of Zanzibar – the "Spice Island".

What better way to round off a safari adventure through Tanzania than to spend some time relaxing on one of Zanzibar’s beautiful white sand beaches. The emphasis when at the beach is very much on relaxation, enjoying the fantastic food (especially seafood) and sunbathing, however Zanzibar offers plenty to do for those looking to be more active. Diving schools cater for beginners looking to learn the basics right the way through to the experts and there are some fantastic dive spots to enjoy. For a more sedate way to enjoy the ocean, snorkelling is offered as are activities such as stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and walks along the beach. Kitesurfing is growing in popularity and there is an increasing number of places to learn this exhilarating sport. 

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Last but by no means least, the first-time visitor to Africa should try to include the Kruger National Park in their list of potential travel destinations in Africa.

Situated in the east of South Africa bordering Mozambique, the world-renowned Kruger National Park, along with neighbouring private game reserves, offers arguably the country’s best game viewing. There is an immense variety of animal life including the big five, many species of antelope and other game and abundant bird life. Kruger National Park safaris offer a wide choice of accommodation from tented camps to some seriously luxurious safari lodges and, in addition to seeking out the wonderful wildlife on open game vehicles with an expert guide, there is the chance to have some unforgettable experiences such as walking safaris and treetop sleepouts.  

Why book your vacation to Africa with Africa Travel?

Now that you know which are the top tourist destinations in Africa, it is time to contact Africa Travel. With almost 40 years’ experience in creating tailor-made and bespoke holidays to the best destinations in Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise an unforgettable vacation in Africa than Africa Travel.

We are able to advise on the safest destinations in Africa to visit, and we have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your perfect safari. We are trusted by more and more customers to create a memorable experience which is not just another holiday, but rather the finest trip possible to Africa.

All of our staff have travelled extensively and you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the African holiday that you have always dreamed of. We know the best places to visit in Africa, the best time to travel to Africa, the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, and we can recommend the best luxury safari lodges in Africa. We organise exclusive and private tours, and arrange for the finest guides to escort you.