Africa
(Please click on the photographs for more information)
Botswana
The two jewels in Botswana's tourism crown have to be the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta and the Chobe National Park which has one of the greatest concentrations of game in all of Africa. It may not be one of the fashionable safari countries, but chances of great sightings can be just as good.
Egypt
For many, the Giza plateau will be as far as they get with the Ancient Egyptian experience, but there is so much more on offer. Be it cruising on the Nile on a riverboat between Luxor and Aswan watching riverside tombs pass by, stopping at jaw-dropping temples, or spending time on the west bank at Luxor.
The Valley of the Kings takes the headlines while the murals in the Tombs of the Nobels show a different aspect although for me the temple of Medinet Habu was a personal favourite with traces of colour on the columns. If you have spare time at Luxor, renting a taxi for a few hours on the west bank will let you escape the throng of tour groups and visit the lesser-known places and maybe visit an empty Valley of the Kings if you are able to endure the hot midday sun.
For those that want to know more, a trip to Dendera and Abydos is worth considering with the latter not having the greatest appeal from the outside but hold some of the finest wall reliefs you will see as well as the famous Abydos King list. I just had to arrange a day trip from Luxor to see these. But be aware, by the end of your holiday you may be"templed" out!
The rarely visited Western desert really does have natural vistas which will stop you in your tracks, while in peaceful times, joining the pilgrims walking to the summit of Mount Sinai for sunrise or visiting the site of the "burning bush" at St Catherine's Monastery is a consideration.
Kenya
Ask a person where you would need to go for a safari, many would undoubtedly say Kenya, immortalised by so many TV programmes as well of tales of the Maasai Mara people and Queen Elizabeth's visit to Treetops.
The great Wildebeest migration is always worth catching in August/September. Do your research as the chances of seeing certain animals vary although July - October is seen as the peak months on the Mara when seeking the Big Five.
Nothing is guaranteed, but the trackers will be out in force radioing each other of sightings but it does feel so much sweeter when you have your own unique sighting. Especially as you can go hours without seeing anything new after the initial excitement. It's all down to luck.
For me, a balloon flight followed by eating a fried breakfast in the bush was rather surreal while the soda lakes of the Great Rift valley and the flamingos are other exciting prospects. The bottom line is I doubt Kenya will disappoint and after seeing it on TV so many times, seeing it for yourself is a priceless memory.
Madagasgar
Madagascar has two claims to fame being the world's second-biggest island and having one of the world's most amazing ecosystems. Although the star players are always going to the lemurs, the supporting cast of frogs, geckos, chameleons, snakes, and birds made every day, a day of surprises. Some of the Lemur species were ridiculously tame, while others stayed hidden in the tree canopy although good views were often possible with patience. What did surprise me was how the forest had been slashed and burned to leave fragments of forest-like Islands in the landscape. I really hope the country of Madagascar can cling to what is left...
Namibia
The land of big skies and no people. Namibia has one of the lowest population densities in the world and is where you can drive for miles and see nothing but open scrubland.
Etosha with its watering holes can rival other African game parks in variety while the country holds some of the biggest sand dunes you will ever see plus Africa's biggest canyon. So there is much to admire here.
The German colony of Swakopmund has now turned into the adventure capital of Namibia as well as adding some European quirkiness to proceedings while the wrecked ships on the Namib desert coast and the fog bank where the desert air hits the cooler sea breeze are all recognisable from TV.
Finally sleeping out in the open near the African Matterhorn while shooting stars pass overhead will leave you feeling liberated. If you love the outdoor open space feel, Namibia could be for you.
Rwanda
To cut to the chase, the principal reason for coming to Rwanda is to see the world-famous "gorillas in the mist" that live amongst the extinct volcanoes which make up the Virunga National Park.
Expect an early start meeting at the park's headquarters where you decide which family group you would like to see based on rough walking time and the number of gorillas in the group.
Guides and armed soldiers will then take you into the park where you climb the slopes and meet up with the trackers who have tried to relocate the group which would have moved location from the previous day. You will then spend an hour quietly watching from a few feet away as the adults feed and the youngsters play.
This will be a very special moment: looking into their eyes is almost like making a connection. The youngsters will play rough and tumble and may well come within feet of you totally obliviously while the Silver Back may show a moment of aggression to remind us who's boss. It makes you jump and freeze in your tracks - which is exactly what you need to do.
The good news is that the population is increasing although poaching is always a threat. It seems Rwanda may be pricing itself out of the gorilla safari market with a big increase in the price of Gorilla permits so making Uganda a more cost-effective option. But wherever you see them, it will feature in your top 5 experiences ever, trust me!
Of course, we mustn’t forget that Rwanda has a very sad and violent past, reminders of which can be visited.
Senegal
For many, a visit to Senegal may just be for the day to the Fathala Wildlife Reserve close to the Gambian border where semi tamed lions can be approached while Giraffe, Zebra, a single Rhino and the critically endangered Western Giant Lord Derby Eland roam free.
However in essence the part you visit is really a large fenced safari park covering 2,000 hectares with the larger animals originally imported from South Africa.
If you have never been on a safari this may well impress, if you have, it's an ok day out. Hopefully one day I will return to Senegal to explore other parts of the country.
South Africa
South Africa is where you need to be streetwise if you undertake independent travel although around the Cape Town area was straightforward enough with a hire car. Some places in the world are just instantly recognisable and your first sighting of Table Mountain will be a thrill.
For the adventurers amongst you, the cage diving with the Great White sharks off Dyer Island will appeal and I can see why Hermanus claims to be the best place in the world to observe whales from land.
Reading the Nelson Mandela biography really put the sobering trip to Robben Island into perspective while the Victoria docks where you catch the boat has a real cosmopolitan feel about it.
Lastly, the Cape Peninsula has some of the best scenic rocky beaches I've ever seen, probably helped by the noise and spray from the crashing waves. The fact you learn about the Cape of Good Hope at school fuels the anticipation of seeing it yourself.
Tanzania
For me Tanzania is all about the safari experience and so far is my number one destination for this activity. Some will split their trip with R&R in Zanzibar and a touch of luxury however the time you put into the field for the animals, the more rewarding it will become. After nine days I had wondered if the back end of the trip would see repetition and nothing new, how wrong I was.
The following is a section of the wildlife seen in the Tarangire, Serengeti, Ndutu Conservation Area, and Lake Manyara regions in February to coincide with the Wildebeest calving season. The main difference with a conversation area (Ndutu) is you are allowed to drive off-road. With the National Parks you have to stay on the roads, still great viewing but not always up and close as at Ndutu. In nine days 54 Lions, six Cheetahs, and four Leopards. Cannot recommend Gosheni Safari enough, book your own flight and book direct, cut out the middle man.
The Gambia
If you want an African taster while staying at western-style hotels next to beaches with great weather, The Gambia is worth a look. It's a small country, just 295 miles long and 30 miles at its widest point but is geared up for western tourists at the coast with a variety of day trips available to the markets, fishing villages, and the Gambia River.
The book "Roots" was based on the slave trade activity here while the country is also a mecca for bird watchers. Hiring a guide for a few hours will see your bird list rocket as will know where the owls and nightjars roost as an example for you birders out there.
For the more adventurous a two-day trip will take you downriver to Georgetown via mysterious stone circles, with the chance of hippo and chimpanzee sightings and learn more about the past history of the Gambia and the current way of life.
For me the best part was sitting outside the hotel at the street side cafe, beer in hand watching the daily life come and go after a busy day of exploring or after relaxing by the pool in the hotel grounds with sunbirds flitting past and monkeys passing by.
Uganda
Uganda has had a troubled past and is only now starting to draw more visitors especially for the Gorilla safari. I might have done this in Rwanda but seeing the source and riding the grade 5 water rapids of the White Nile and visiting the chimpanzee sanctuary on the Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria were good experiences and of course watching daily life in one of the lesser-visited African countries.
Zambia & Zimbabwe
The main draw for Zambia and Zimbabwe is always going to be "Mosi-oa-Tunya" translated as "The Smoke That Thunders" although many will know it as Victoria Falls which forms part of the border between the two countries.
Being popular with backpackers, an adventure industry has grown up in the vicinity with bungee jumps off the bridge and grade 5 white water rafting while in my case I opted for a microlight flight over the falls followed by a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
These were hosted in Zambia although I stayed on Zimbabwe side where there were more options to view the world's biggest waterfall. Also when the water flow levels are low, the cascades dry up more on the Zambian side. But you can get a visa at the border to visit either side and is walkable.
