Africa

A continent of extremes

Africa is the second-largest continent, spanning the Sahara's dunes, the volcanic highlands of the Rift Valley, and rainforests along the equator. It is best known abroad for its wildlife, and with good reason: the grassland ecosystems of East and Southern Africa hold some of the largest surviving populations of elephant, lion and antelope on Earth, alongside the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra between Tanzania and Kenya.

Beyond the safari

There is far more to the continent than game drives. Marrakech's medinas, Cape Town's Atlantic coastline and Zanzibar's Swahili stone architecture reflect centuries of trade between Africa, Arabia and the Indian Ocean world. Coastal Kenya and Tanzania combine easily with inland safaris, and Southern Africa adds mountains, winelands and one of the world's great waterfalls.

Planning a trip

Distances between regions are considerable, and climates vary enormously by latitude and altitude, so timing depends heavily on where you are headed. East Africa's dry seasons generally fall from June to October and January to February, while Southern Africa's winter, from May to September, suits wildlife viewing best.