Get Lost in Africa

From Cape Town to Cairo, this diverse continent offers endless discoveries for the dauntless adventurer — far beyond the clichéd safari tours. Here, you’ll find bustling cities, a dizzying array of culinary gems, stunning no-filter-necessary beaches, impressive historical monuments and, yes, those iconic nature scenes. See some of civilisation’s most iconic masterpieces in Egypt or Zimbabwe. Immerse yourself in the nonstop urban buzz of Nairobi, Accra or Johannesburg. Or detach from technology and plunge into the great outdoors in Kruger Park, the Serengeti or the Okavango Delta. Whatever flavour of adventure you’re craving, this impressive continent will leave you totally sated.

MADAGASCAR: NIGHT WALK THROUGH A FOREST

With its unique ecology and staggering biodiversity, Madagascar will thrill and surprise even the most experienced nature buff. Here you can hike through beautiful mountains, see rows of towering baobab trees and spot rare, endangered species found nowhere else on the planet. You’ll also get to sample the country’s deliciously idiosyncratic cuisine, roam on deserted beaches and learn how sapphire is mined. On this magical island off the east coast of Africa, it’s all about otherworldly experiences.

While you’ll obviously see countless intriguing animals and plant life during the day, after the sun sets, there’s a whole other world that comes alive. To experience it fully, take a nocturnal walk through Andasibe National Park. Part of this Intrepid Tour, you’ll get to see creatures you’d never spot during daylight hours. Delve into the park’s lush vegetation and lay eyes on frogs, chameleons, the hedgehog-like tenrecs and — of course — the country’s iconic lemurs. Home to eleven lemur species, Andasibe is a great place to see this quirky animal that’s found only in Madagascar.

Even if you’re usually not that big into nature, this easy walk is well-worth it for the wild and wacky things you’ll see along the way. Insider tip? Make like an expert and bring your own head torch for extra visibility.

ZANZIBAR: SNORKEL CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS

Home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, the tiny island of Zanzibar is perfect for a water-centric holiday. Get there from Nairobi on this overland Intrepid tour featuring a little Serengeti stopover. Once you’ve reached the Spice Island, start with a tour of World Heritage-listed Stone Town, with its winding alleys and majestic colonial architecture. Then, it’s time to post up on those sparkling sands for some well-deserved relaxation time.

Although no one will blame you for whiling away the hours with a cocktail in one hand and a good book in the other, it’s worth taking a little break from lounging around to explore the surrounding turquoise waters. This is one of the best places in the world to go snorkelling. As you swim around the warm, glittering sea, you’ll discover stunning coral reef and exotic fish.

The archipelago’s shores are home to many tropical creatures including butterflyfish, parrotfish, clownfish, boxfish, lionfish, angelfish, starfish, stingrays and dolphins. You may even cross paths with a large, spotted (and totally harmless) whale shark. After your exploration, refuel with lunch and a cup of Tanzanian coffee at Mr Kahawa, a hip beachside cafe with sweeping ocean views.

MOROCCO: SAMPLE THE STREET FOOD OF ESSAOUIRA

The definition of a cultural melting pot, Morocco’s Mediterranean, Arabic and Berber influences come together to produce a cuisine that’s a veritable delight for the senses. And there’s no better way to sample it than by eating your way from Casablanca to Marrakech on this Intrepid Tour. In this foodie heaven, it’s all about the markets, where you can stuff yourself silly without burning a hole through your wallet.

While you can find food markets everywhere in Morocco, those in the big cities can sometimes be a little overwhelming for the first-timer. For the incredible eats without the pressing crowds, there’s nowhere better than Essaouira. This laidback city is all charming historical buildings and Instagram-worthy colour schemes. A fishing town, it’s renowned for its seafood, but meat lovers will also find plenty to enjoy.

The best street food here is concentrated around the main square of the medina (old city). Starting here, wind your way into the nearby alleys and spend a day eating all the snacks you can handle. Make sure to try the spicy sardines stuffed with a tomato, garlic and chilli paste; the ubiquitous lamb kebabs; and harira, the classic Moroccan soup of chickpeas, lentils and tomato. Feeling more adventurous? Hunt down some steamed sheepshead or stuffed camel spleen — a sausage-like affair filled with meat, olives and spices. End your feasting with a classic Moroccan tea, prepared with fresh mint leaves and a hearty heaping of sugar.

ZAMBIA: FLY OVER VICTORIA FALLS

Landlocked Zambia is a wildlife paradise, covered as it is in national parks. If you’re looking for the iconic wilderness experience — with some beach and city time sprinkled in between — this Intrepid adventure stretching from Zanzibar to Zimbabwe is for you. Ultimately, though, the main attraction here is the majestic Victoria Falls. Straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the world’s largest waterfall is a wonder to behold. But while the views from the lookout points are great, it would be a shame to come all this way just to watch from the sidelines.

Flowcomm.

Instead, get an entirely unique perspective of this natural wonder by booking yourself a microlight flight. The aptly-named Flight of Angles lets you take it all in from above, giving you panoramic views of the Falls, the Zambezi river and its gorges and islands. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some wildlife. Yes, this 15-minute experience will cost you a pretty penny, but you’ll have bought yourself some of the most memorable 15 minutes of your life.

While you can’t bring your camera along for the ride, the microlight wings are equipped with a digital cam so you’ll be able to buy some photographic memories afterwards. For the duration of the flight, though, just focus on soaking all that natural beauty in.

Bernard Dupont.

SWAZILAND AND SOUTH AFRICA: CAMP BY CANDLELIGHT AND CYCLE THROUGH JOBURG’S HISTORY

Nestled in the southeastern corner of Africa, the tiny kingdom of Swaziland is home to the continent’s last absolute monarchy. This little-known country’s stunning natural beauty and rich cultural traditions make it well-worth a stopover between neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique — like on this eight-day Intrepid Tour that takes in all three countries.

In Swaziland, spend a leisurely day exploring the Hlane National Park on a guided bush walk. The siSwati word for ‘wilderness’, Hlane was once a private hunting ground for the country’s royal family. These days, regular citizens can explore the vast bushland, spotting elephants, zebras, rhinos, giraffes and — if you’re super lucky — even some lions. Fully immerse yourself into this natural paradise with a walking safari that winds along the park’s sweeping plains, dams and hardwood vegetation. At night, relax in the rustic candle-lit camp where the lack of electricity lets you focus fully on the sounds of the surrounding wildlife.

Chris Eason.

Once you’ve had your nature fix, swing over to Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa for some urban adventuring. In this sprawling metropolis, get a taste for the vibrant life of one of the continent’s most important urban centres. For a unique glimpse into Jozi’s past and present, hop onto the Soweto Cycle Tour to explore one of the most historically significant townships in the country. Learn about the community’s central role in the fight against apartheid, and see the homes where the country’s iconic freedom fighters — including Nelson Mandela — once lived. Afterwards, make like the locals and head to a shebeen for an ice cold beer or two.