Which country in Africa?

[ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop]

I want to visit somewhere in Africa next year - my interest is to see some natural history, so animals and landscapes, and maybe a bit of archaeology too. I'd like to spend at least a couple of nights in a tented camp or safari lodge.

I've narrowed it down to Kenya, Namibia, a twin Zimbabwe/Botswana tour, or Sudan. I'm just wondering if anyone has been to any of these countries and can offer opinions on which would be the best? I'll be trying to visit off-season so it's not too hot, but temperature is a factor for me because of menopausal hot flushes!

If you are thinking safari trip I’d recommend Masai Mara, Kenya (both dry and wet season) and Amboseli (dry season).

Namibia is a wonderful country. It’s pretty safe, many safari spots are Malaria free and there is a huge diversity of landscapes, culture and wildlife. There’s beautiful ancient cave art if that’s your interest. I’d recommend a trip to Etosha, and then down to the dunes for a completely different experience. The Cardboard Box ( they changed their name, but that should come up in a Google) is a Namibian safari company with great local knowledge and good deals ( don’t waste your money on a package safari from a big U.K. provider, you will pay much more for a ‘Disney’ experience, with less money back to the Namibian economy).

Sudan ? Really ? www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan

I’ve been around southern Africa a lot & Botswana & Zimbabwe are my absolute favourites.

We used a company called go2africa for our trip and I can wholeheartedly recommend them. They were brilliant and much cheaper than doing each ourselves. Have a wonderful time

I'm keeping it on the list for next year (probably autumn) and a lot can happen between now and then, but obviously I will keep an eye on the situation and won't be travelling against government advice.

So other than that, I have one vote per destination! They all sound great, it may come down to picking one out of a hat.

I loved Namibia - Etosha is a fabulous national park and I also highly recommend going to Swakopmund. Great memories.

We had a lovely holiday in Namibia in January excellent for a winter destination. Other countries I’ve visited Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, they are summer destinations because of winter rains, you can self drive if you’re adventurous, although it’s better with a tour group or guide. Crossing land borders can take a long time, distances are great, main roads usually OK, minor roads poor, so fly in if you can.
Kenya and Tanzania are popular, stay in the Safari areas for safety, personally I’d skip South Africa.

Namibia! Although you won't be able to see all of it in one holiday. Lovely people and landscapes without what I understand is the commercialism of other 'safari' destinations.
We used Expert Africa and would use them again (already thinking about Okavango and Botswana)

Tanzania. I'm ignoring the fact it's not on your list.

The ngoro ngoro crater is stunning, and also birthplace of humanity and all that.

We're off to Namibia on Wednesday. My in laws are seasoned travellers in Africa , having lived in various parts of Southern Africa across 10 years. Of the countries you've listed, they would say Namibia and Botswana are best for feeling unspoilt, safe and friendly. Zimbabwe they're a bit chary of.

Tanzania (we have friends who live there and love it). Or Botswana, I'm married to a South African, we have done safari in a few Countries, Botswana is wonderful - and safe!

“Commercialization of Safari Destinations”
Choose your price point, some are £1000 a night and more, others are backpacker prices, plenty of alternative accommodation including camping, then pay for food as you want it, the locals try hard to please.
Avoid small boats on rivers and lakes, the Hippos are not friendly.

We're not long back from a Vic Falls to Windhoek road trip. Variety of accommodation from roof top tent to nice lodge. Namibia has a good variety, probably better variety than some if the East African options if you don't want just wildlife. Our trip was very wildlife focused as DH's hobby is wildlife photography. Namibia is easy for self drive holidays as well which helps budget wise.
We went to Zimbabwe many years ago and that was great but not sure I would want to go at the moment. Talking to Zimbabweans on this trip there are too many shortages for a comfortable trip unless you go high end.

All good advice here, especially wrt the unfriendly hippos! I wouldn't approach even a friendly-looking one personally - aren't they responsible for killing more people than any other African mammal?

@ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop
I think buffalo have that accolade. You really cannot go to Sudan. It is never safe!

There are great things to see in all these countries. We’ve done numerous trips to see wildlife in Africa, but we’ve never been to Namibia. We need to put this right. I do know it would meet your requirements though.

I haven’t been to Zim recently but it’s appearing in magazines like Wanderlust again so I wouldn’t rule it out. You can subscribe and buy their back copies which are always informative. We went to Mana Pools and Hwange. We also have been to Botswana. Chobe, Okavango Delta snd Moremi. It’s a fantastic destination and I would say possibly no1. The parks and accommodation isn’t cheap. They keep numbers low. The culture there isn’t huge except for bushmen in the Kalahari desert. That’s possibly unfair but it’s big on safaris!

Tanzania is fantastic. The NgoroNgoro crater is breathtaking. Serengeti is a great vast expanse of plains. The extra there is Olduvai Gorge. A cradle of early humanity and well worth a trip. People often finish off in Zanzibar.,

Kenya has lakes, the Great Rift Valley and plenty of wildlife reserves. The Mara is the obvious one but Kenya is more touristy than Botswana, for example.

South Africa is different but you can see so much there from wildlife in reserves to whales and mountains. It’s also fantastic for rhino! It’s also amazing for wine and beautiful vistas.

I would recommend Expert Africa and Wildlife Worldwide as being knowledgable and WW have people who are experts on individual countries and wildlife if you need more info. Camping in Botswana would be great. We also like Zambia. South Luangwa is fantastic.

I would try and avoid any “green” season where roads can be bogs and camps are closed. Really drill down on what interests you most and I’m happy to try and help further. Just as long as it’s not Sudan!

Tanzania, Tanzania or Tanzania. Can you tell I'm bias?

Agree!

My main interest in Sudan was the Meroe pyramids but it doesn't have the diversity of sights that other places seem to, so it was at the bottom of the list. Will probably drop it now!

It sounds like Namibia has a bit of everything so that's moving into first place at the moment, but I'll also have a look at Tanzania since it's been suggested a lot.

Botswana/Namibia!

The Okavango delta is fantastic (and full of hippos) but the guides are very knowledgeable about being safe around them and knowing where they hang out. The dunes and the skeleton coast are so amazing and remote and Etosha NP is also wonderful.

Having said that, Kenya is great for a "classic" safari experience. I've never been to Tanzania but I expect that would be similar.

I second Tanzania for safari and Zanzibar for beaches

Nobody else has mentioned Zambia, that’s my favourite, South Luangua, not easy to get to, riverine environment equal to Okavango, better than Etosha which is entirely dry. The Parks in Malawi are well worth a visit if you are self driving, wildlife aside, Lake Malawi is just gorgeous, lovely people too.

Have a look at These guys they provide the kind of experience you're after 😃

@Crazykatie

I did! At 20.30 yesterday. The OP didn’t mention Zambia and I just added it in saying we really like it. I disagree that’s it’s similar to the Okavango. The Okavango has those smaller water courses and you go out in canoes. You don’t do that in Sourh Luangwa as it’s a permanent river. The Luangwa does flood but not when visitors are there, hopefully. It’s a great wildlife area but in my view, they are not the same and the wildlife has differences too. Neither Zambia nor Botswana have sights such as the great Rift Valley or the NgoroNgoro crater though.

Mad going out in a canoe, we got charged by a hippo in a motor boat there were 8 of us, that was very close, no chance in a canoe.