60 days in Africa Itinerary

A small but surprisingly multicultural island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius sits just east of Madagascar and offers a white-sand coastline lapped by sapphire waters. The contrasts of colors, tastes, and cultures here makes a vacation in Mauritius richly rewarding, with plenty to do along the coast and deeper inland. A tour of Mauritius usually includes long stops at the island's beaches, which serve as launching points for deep-sea fishing trips, dolphin-watching excursions, and scuba diving adventures. Farther away from the water, you can discover a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Mauritius is made for explorations on foot, with several volcanic summits and a large national park sheltering abundant species of indigenous plants and birds.

Luxury to please visitors with deep pockets and scenery to astound the eye and warm the soul--that's Seychelles in a nutshell. The coastal areas boast a number of upscale beach resorts, with the fine sands and bright blue sea drawing visitors from distant corners of the world. The matriarchal culture that predominates in most households around the archipelago represents a fascinating cultural quirk to learn about during holidays in Seychelles, while the tropical rhythms of the local Creole folk music set the pace of everyday life.

Madagascar deserves its reputation as a nature lover's paradise--around 5 percent of the world's plant and animal species are endemic to this island. Lemurs and rainforests, karst landscapes and rich red soil steal the headlines and remain among tops reasons to take a trip to Madagascar. The cultural diversity of the population also provides plenty of intrigue and interest, with distinctive ceremonies, unusual sports, and a varied cuisine all highlights of active, enriching Madagascan itineraries.

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.

Landlocked Swaziland remains one of the few absolute monarchies in the world--it's also one of the smallest countries in Africa. Known for its peacefulness and welcoming atmosphere, the country doesn't rush past you (even in the most built-up areas) like some of its neighbors. This laidback atmosphere suits the country, where age-old traditions are practiced in an everyday, rather than a made-for-tourists way. Aside from these singular characteristics, the country matches its better-known neighbors in terms of protected savannah landscapes rich in wildlife, the focal point for tourism in Swaziland.

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.

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.

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.

Tourism in Angola thrives as the country's infrastructure develops and attractions are restored following years of internal conflict. Holidays in Angola usually involve at least a little time at the beach, with the Atlantic coastline featuring long stretches of sand, wide estuaries, and small islands close to the main cities. A wealth of national parks shelter a rich array of wildlife, including African icons such as lions, elephants, and leopards, with barely a tourist in sight to disturb the natural order of things.

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.

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.

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.

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.