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Africa offers experiences found nowhere else on Earth. Each year, the Great Migration sees millions of mammals traverse Tanzania and Kenya in one of nature's greatest spectacles, and you can witness it up close on a safari tour. But the continent extends far beyond its wildlife. Sail the Nile on elegant cruise ships, explore South Africa's scenic Garden Route or trek Morocco's mountains and ancient medinas.
Here are seven journeys from our new book, Dream Trips of the World that showcase the range of adventures you can enjoy across this vast continent.
All the historical romance and melancholy of ancient Egypt can be found on a journey down the Nile. Adventure here can take several forms – be it on the deck of a white-sailed felucca, the traditional Egyptian sailing pontoon, or on board a more elaborate cruise ship equipped with swimming pool and on-call Egyptologists ready to unpick every riddle and notoriously difficult hieroglyphs. The 56-cabin cruiser MS Mayflower offers well-priced itineraries but if you're looking for 1920s-style glamour, try the Sanctuary Sunboat IV Luxury Cruise.
Once on your boat, spend a couple of days sailing slowly north, with desert towns. At Kom Ombo, learn about the ancient Egyptian calendar and the early days of medicine (even the pharaohs went in for cosmetic surgery), before rural life takes over by the time you reach Edfu, home to the great Temple of Horus. When stopping at Luxor, see Karnak, the most storied temple of the lot, and the Valley of the Kings.
Pro tip: The gateway for northbound Nile trips is Aswan, well-connected to main hubs Cairo and Luxor by air, rail and road. Then it’s onto your desert ship – there’s no need to sail all the way to Cairo, as most operators only cover the stretch between Aswan and Luxor.
The Great Migration on the savannah plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara is one of nature’s last, truly wild spectacles. Following instincts honed over millennia, the herds of nearly two million wildebeest and zebra, seemingly moving as one, follow the rains and grasslands on their endless quest for survival, stalked all the while by predators. Following this quest and this contest is a journey into the storied nostalgia of the East African safari. Sleep under canvas and listen to lions roaring in the night. Sip G&Ts as elephant families move like cloud shadows across the landscape. Then watch in wonder as the sun sets in a great ball of fire behind a silhouetted acacia.
Pro tip: The best time to witness the Great Migration is between April and October, though different stages can be experienced throughout the year. Book your safari months in advance regardless of when you plan to go.
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