With its immense contrasts of lush rainforests, arid deserts, beautiful coasts and bustling metropolises, Africa is a continent like no other for the intrepid traveller.
Whether you’re a beach bum, safari sightseer or just in need of some rest and relaxation, Africa truly has it all.
And if you like to do Africa in style, we have great news as we have done all the research to bring to you five of the best destinations in Africa to visit in 2024.
A WILDLIFE GEM
They say sometimes you need to slow down to speed up. We say escape the hustle and bustle of city life and work and make your way to Ponta Mamoli, Mozambique and White Pearl Resorts private beach villa. Offering everything one might need on a luxury getaway to one of Africa’s best destinations to visit in 2024, the new villa comprises five ocean view suites and comes with a private manager, butler, spa therapist and chef. Boasting a wide choice of indoor and outdoor spaces for dining and relaxing including an infinity pool and the Poolside Bar, visitors can sit back and read a novel in the library while the kids get competitive in the games room. But when you decide to increase the tempo, get ready to embrace your natural side.
Plunge yourself into a snorkelling tour of the Indian Ocean where you can discover colourful corals and lively fish. Time your stay between the months of July and November and you will be able to catch more than just a glimpse of humpback whales blowing, lob tailing and playing in the sea. But don’t despair if you can’t make it then as you can go on a turtle tour from November to February and see the great migration of baby Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles scurrying across the beach to lay their eggs. Next up on the animal trip is Maputo Special Reserve. Tick elephants, African antelopes and the rare black-backed jackal off your list before tucking into a light breakfast overlooking Lake Hlunguti.
www.whitepearlresorts.com
OUT OF THIS WORLD
From the sea and the savannah to the sand and rock of the Namibian wilderness and one of best destinations in Africa, Camp Doros. Effusing Mars’ vibes thanks to its endless landscape of stones with a smattering of lush Mopane trees, the camp in Damaraland marries luxury holiday with outdoor living. With only six tents from which to choose there is no tourist overcrowding here as you experience one of the lowest carbon-emitting venues in the whole of Namibia thanks to solar powered energy and recycled amenities. While you can just sit back and soak up the sun and the trance-inducing quietness, the camp does offer several excursions to break the silence. The rides are a must do with the opportunity to see the critically endangered black rhino in its natural habitat. But don’t worry as there are plenty more animals to see across the 19,000-hectare site including cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, springboks and giraffes. And when night falls, turn your eyes to the sky for an evening of stargazing.
www.ultimatesafaris.na
THE ROYAL TREATMENT
Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa truly is the animal kingdom. Spread over nearly 19,500 square kilometres, the mega nature reserve is home to the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos: as well as hundreds of other mammals and bird species. That’s a lot of animal watching in anyone’s book so why not fully immerse yourself and enjoy a stay at Africa House at Royal Malewane safari lodge? Offering six ensuite guestrooms, an expansive front deck and swimming pools, the lodging has been imagined by designer Liz Biden, with each room enjoying a different colour scheme and walls adorned by artworks from African artists Michael Gah and Tega Tafadzawa. Considered to be one of Africa’s best destinations, the house also comes with spa services, a games room with pool table, and your own dedicated chef and team. But aside from sunsets beside the firepit and sun-worshipping by the pool, this stay is all about the safari excursions. There are no less than six different tours for guests to experience on foot, in the car and from the air. And if you somehow drag yourself away from the magnificent wildlife, you can try your hand at a round of golf at Leopard Creek Country Club where you arrive via helicopter.
www.royalportfolio.com
HANG OUT WITH JACK
We’re off to Botswana next on our African adventure, to Jack’s Camp in the Kalahari Desert. Set up in the 1960s by crocodile catcher and hunter Jack Bousfield, Jack’s Camp offers guests two incredible experiences depending on which season you decide to pitch up. The dry season which runs from April to October is the desert as you would know it with the scorched landscape making it perfect to take a quad bike ride across the salt-crushed pans, hunting for stone tools as well as an evening of watching the planetarium of stars above. Green season (or wet season to you and me), sees the salt flats turn into watery grasslands that attract the second largest migration of zebra and wildebeest in Africa. But rest assured, whatever season you do select you are guaranteed bush walks with the local Zu’hoasi Bushmen and a visit to one of Africa’s largest trees Chapman’s Baobab all-year round. And while you might not be able to hang out with Jack, there will be plenty of friendly meerkats to keep you company during your stay at one of Africa’s best destinations to visit in 2024.
www.naturalselection.travel
PALATIAL PERFECTION
It’s time to leave the great wild beasts of Africa behind and head north to our own little kingdom on our final African stop. A top destination to visit in Africa in 2024, Amanjena Resort, Marrakech takes guests back to the glory days of the Moors with its rose-hued buildings of old Marrakech. While one can simply recharge and relax, emphasis at Amanjena is on being active. With access to tennis coaches who have played on the professional ATP and WTA circuits, guests can showcase their skills on the clay Pentanque courts surrounded by the resort’s private gardens. But offsite is where the real adventures begin. Take on one of the Atlas Mountains’ highest peaks, Kasbah du Toubkal, by foot (or cheat with a helicopter). Standing at 1,800 metres above sea level, those who reach the summit will be rewarded with a picnic and stunning vistas. Closer to terra firma, the stony desert of Agafay will see you thunder around on a quadbike or E-bike for those who are environmentally inclined, before pulling up a chair for an authentic dining experience with the indigenous people of Morocco, The Berbers, for food, star gazing, singing and storytelling.
www.aman.com