A Luxury African Vacation Few Know About - Yes, It’s Possible!

It has taken me over 30 years to discover these far-flung unexpected places, and I’ve been waiting for the right time to share them with you. I guess, it’s a bit like waiting for the right time to propose. The excitement is bubbling, and the thought of you saying “yes” to a new chapter of adventure is the thrill that keeps me fired up as a luxury African travel specialist.

Without further ado, I bring to you my top 4 African destinations that are untouched, authentic and perfect for the traveler who is more into immersive experiences that aren’t always steeped in Egyptian cotton luxury and champagne. They showcase Africa unfiltered and even more beautiful than you could ever imagine.

Malawi, South Eastern Africa

Land-locked, lively and lusciously green, this spectacular country borders Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania, so while there is so much to see here, it’s also the perfect add-on to a safari (even though it has its own safari element too).

Its laid-back lifestyle resembles the gentle waves of its enormous Lake Malawi, which is one of the best freshwater diving and snorkeling spots in Africa, and can you believe, the ninth-largest lake in the world! This UNESCO World Heritage Site has incredible beach resorts dotting the Peninsula. Although, there’s nothing ‘resort-y’ about these venues, as many are boutique-style offering guests a private, eco-conscious getaway with fantastic views of the lake.

São Tomé and Príncipe Island, Two Archipelagos in the Gulf of Guinea

Seeing as though this destination is probably one of the most undiscovered tourist spots, here’s a brief history. São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles. In 1975 it gained independence and has since remained one of the most stable and democratic countries in Africa. São Tomé boasts the most mountains out of the two islands, and so as you can imagine there are many waterfalls and forests to explore.

With a tropical hot and humid climate and an average temperature of 78°F, this is exactly where you need to be if you’re after some heat. The islands are home to an impressive number of endemic birds and plant life, including the world’s smallest ibis, along with the world’s largest sunbird, the rare São Tomé fiscal. It is also a protected marine turtle-nesting site where you can see the hawksbill turtles. If you want an authentic and off-the-beaten-path, a true exploration of jungle trekking and island lifestyle immersion - this is the place to vacation at!

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central Africa

If you’ve ever wanted to go gorilla trekking outside of Uganda and Rwanda, Congo is just ‘next door’ and a place for lovers of rainforests and the outdoors. But before you start worrying about safety and instability, I want to reassure you that I would never send any guests of Anywhere in Africa Safaris to a destination where I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending my own family too. So with that in mind, please consider adding Odzala-Kokoua National Park to your bucket list! This park is renowned for its successful conservation of western lowland gorillas, which makes Congo the best place to see these gorillas in the wild.

This is a country where the population is sparse, and where natural beauty and rich cultures hug you from the minute you arrive. Visitors from around the world come here to admire the protected wildlife reserves and growing gorilla and primate populations. If you want an authentic adventure don’t miss this opportunity!

Madagascar, the World’s Second Largest Island Country off the Coast of Eastern Africa

Millennials perhaps associate Madagascar with the sound of “I like to move it, move it” but I’d like to “move it” up on your to-see list. Why do you ask? Well, for starters it’s famous for its wildlife and unique biodiversity, with white sand beaches, dense rainforest, and World Heritage Site limestone formations forming a labyrinth, and of course, the different Lemur Catta species (over 60 species on the island alone).

The island is also a popular spot with humpback whales, who migrate twice a year, making them visible from the coast, and white-sandy beaches. Madagascar is home to the world’s largest baobabs (up to 98.4 ft in circumference), which form an impressive forest in the semi-arid southern region. And for those of my American clients who love the Grand Canyon, Madagascar has its own (albeit far smaller) version, called Isalo National Park, covering more than 80,000 hectares.

Where Will Your Curiosity Take You?

Curiosity leads to questions and discoveries, and that’s where I come in as African travel designer, Kirsty Gordon, the woman behind Anywhere in Africa Safaris. As a boutique luxury safari designer with a family of experts in their field on the ground ‘’Anywhere in Africa’’, ranging from trained guides, logistics teams and Anywhere in Africa shuttles to name but a few, we’re a close-knit team spread across this great continent.

Due to the nature of our work and my ‘obsession’ with details and catering to your very needs, I like to get a feel if we’re the right fit, as I work incredibly closely with you and planning a safari requires weeks of work to get it ‘bucket-list’ worthy and the very best vacation you will ever take in your life. So get in touch if you’d like to add any of the above destinations to your travel itinerary for 2023 and beyond.

If you want to join our ‘’Anywhere in Africa Safaris’’ family, please sign up to my quarterly newsletter at the bottom of our home page, or follow Anywhere in Africa on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn where I share travel updates and bucket list ideas. 

Find out more about my tailored services, and arrange an obligation-free consultation with myself by sending an email (kirsty@anywhereinafrica.com) to set up a time and date.

If you’d like to read more about my top travel tips, I think you’d like these blogs:

5 Reasons Why Kenya Should be on Your Travel Wish List

Reminiscing about 2021 and Sharing Africa With the World

Kirsty’s Top 7 Luxury African Vacations and Destinations She’s Sending Guests to Right Now

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