45 days in Africa Itinerary

Since gaining independence from South Africa in 1990, Namibia has sought to rival its neighbor in terms of tourist appeal. While it hasn't yet gotten up to the numbers of South Africa, Namibia tourism sector has plenty to work with. The desert and mountainous areas represent a real source of appeal, with species of classic African game animals, such as desert lions, zebras, and elephants real highlights of safaris through the national parks. Namibians are rightly proud of their country, and the myriad traditional villages, colonial German towns, and lively urban centers all deserve your attention.

Sparsely populated Botswana possesses some of the most unadulterated wilderness and animal-rich areas in Africa. Largely unfenced national parks allow the world's largest population of elephants to roam freely--these protected areas also shelter varied birdlife and many endangered and rare mammal species. Tourism in Botswana largely caters to visitors seeking luxury lodges and exclusive safari experiences, but expeditions into traditional villages are also strongly recommended. The preserved cultures of these agricultural settlements show a link between man and nature formed over centuries, a relationship that many visitors to Botswana come to reconsider in their own lives.

Landlocked Zambia remains best known, a little counter intuitively perhaps, for its bodies of water. Three large rivers run through the country, with most of the big urban areas and smaller settlements sticking close to waterways and the valleys they've cut over millennia. Holidays in Zambia are adventurous affairs, with real planning required to get the most out of the country--foreign visitors find the infrastructure lacking and familiar comforts practically nonexistent. Traditional villages remain the most culturally rewarding places to visit in Zambia, while superlative natural features include animal-rich national parks and picturesque waterfalls.

To find out how Malawi earned its nickname the "Warm Heart of Africa," just head to one of the country's little villages and ask for a place to stay. The reintroduction of lions in 2012 gave a much-needed boost to Malawi tourism sector, with safaris across the diverse natural landscape increasingly more popular and varied. The Great Rift topography gives the country some of its main scenic features, including one of the continent's largest lakes, a focus of many adventurous Malawi holidays.

Still relatively unvisited by international tourists, Mozambique boasts plenty of natural and cultural charms that could easy make it into a major vacation destination. The beaches of the south come in all shapes and sizes, while the less-visited north offers island archipelagos and untouched coral reefs. The colonial architecture of the main urban areas complements the colorful African heritage that still holds sway here, with the region's art, cuisine, and music ensuring each trip to Mozambique allows the visitor to appreciate the country's distinct culture and vast landscape.

Mountainous Lesotho lends itself well to an adventurous holiday itinerary. Entirely located above 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in elevation, the country enjoys a cool climate with around 300 days of sunshine each year. Explorations of the mountains form the backbone of many Lesotho holidays. Remote villages located way up in the highlands, only accessible on foot or by horseback, offer a glimpse into the country's authentic culture with their lively markets, traditional eateries, and musical traditions.