60 days in Africa Itinerary

Though the size and scale of Tanzania may be overwhelming, the people make it a personable and easy-going place to visit. The bigger cities not only offer good connections to the main natural attractions, but also feature bustling markets where locals sell fresh produce, snacks, and crafts. Smaller villages retain their long-held customs, beliefs, and artistic traditions. With the continent's highest peak, and some of the most animal-rich safaris available, Tanzania holidays tend to dart between the big and bold, and the personal and low-key.

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.

Tourism in Zimbabwe experienced a boost after the country's turbulent recent history seemed to settle down. Waterfalls, "Big Five" national parks, and the Eastern Highlands provide contrasting but complementary images of southern Africa, with the growing tourism infrastructure helping visitors see the best of what the country offers. Though corruption and unemployment remain everyday problems, the vast majority of Zimbabweans are a welcoming bunch, proud of the natural riches and culture of their hopeful country.

The landscapes of South Africa match its people in terms of diversity, richness, and vitality. From desert lands and coastlines, to the famous nature reserves sheltering the "Big Five" game animals, the country has natural charm in spades. The main cities provide a wealth of bars, clubs, shopping districts, and entertainment options to please the most demanding visitors, while traditional life can still be admired and respected in a collection of villages with beehive-style huts and an age-old cultural heritage. When in need of a minute to digest all that's happened during your trip to South Africa, sit down to a braai (traditional barbecue), and a bottle of wine made at one of the country's thriving vineyards.

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.