In recent years, South Africa has become increasingly popular as a tourist
destination. Not only is such a beautiful country the perfect backdrop to a
honeymoon holiday in its own right, it also has Mauritius and the Seychelles
almost on its doorsteps.
With its southernmost tip marking the divide between the Atlantic and Indian
Oceans, South Africa is a land of rich and glorious contrasts. On the one hand
there are the steep peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, while on the other are
the fertile coastal regions to the east. Beyond both lie the immense and diverse
expanses of the interior, bordered only by an apparently endless horizon.
With a population of just 1,6 million, Namibia numbers among the most sparsely
populated countries in the world. It is not surprising, then, that the greater
part of the country, which extends along the Atlantic coastline to the west of
South Africa, consists of pristine natural landscapes.
Namibia is also known as "Africa's diamond", thanks to the diversity of its
habitats and the wealth of its wildlife. Especially priced by animal-lovers is
the Etosha National Park. Here giraffes, elephants, rhinos and cheetahs roam,
to name just a few of its residents. In vivid contrast is the Namib Desert in
the south. Not merely the oldest desert on Earth, it also has the world's
highest sand dunes. The dune region is interspersed with mountains, farmland,
savannahs and rivers that flow for just a few weeks each year.
Tanzania is a land of adventure. Wherever your journey takes you - to the breathtaking
Serengeti, the awe-inspiring Mount Kilimanjaro, the remote Katavi and Mahale Reserves
or, indeed, any other of the national parks - you will encounter an amazing variety
and concentration of wildlife. The trails are regarded as the best in Africa.
Fabulous palm-lined beaches, lapped by seas clear as glass, stretch out along the
coast. The lakes are huge, the towns quiet and hospitable, the islands of Zanzibar,
Pemba and Mafia rich with exotic charm.
Mozambique is known as the "Treasure of the Indian Ocean". The hospitality and
friendliness of the people, and the astonishing beauty of the land - not least the
glorious islands of Mozambique, Bazaruto and Inhaca - mean that Mozambique stands
out even in a region renowned for its natural splendour. Broad coastal lowlands
cover most of the south of the country. Beyond the coastal regions, the land
rises gradually until it forms the highlands and tabled plateau. The country's
largest river is the Zambezi.
The Bazaruto Archipelago lies a mere 10-25 kilometres from the mainland. Here you
will discover marvellous sandy beach after marvellous sandy beach. The warm waters
and still-unspoiled coral reefs of the Indian Ocean teem with colourful, exotic
marine life. The Benguela Reef, the world's second-largest intact coral reef, is
a veritable El Dorado for divers and deep-sea fishermen.
Kenya, situated in eastern Africa on the coast of the Indian Ocean is famous
for its wide variety of fauna. The large mammals that live in the savannahs,
especially elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes and zebras, attract many visitors
each year to the 25 National Parks and 23 game reserves. The most famous is
the Mount Kenya National Park which is on the World Heritage list.
The many lakes of the country are also striking nature experience. Only a
small part of one of the world's largest lakes, Lake Victoria, lies on
Kenyan territory but Lake Turkana and Lake Nakuru are very worthwile scenic
attractions, too.
