South Africa is the perfect place to visit if you’ve never been to Africa or on safari before. South Africans are friendly, English is widely spoken and the travel infrastructure is excellent. Once you land from Canada, most major destinations are within a short-haul flight or easy drive. The weather is mild (for us!) even during the mid-year winter.

Namibia has a lot of similarities with South Africa because it was a territory of South Africa for many decades. Much of the culture, food and language are very connected – and even the Namibian dollar currency is one-to-one in having the same value as the South African rand (making it more affordable for Canadians). This makes it a very popular ‘add-on’ to a trip to South Africa or easy to do as a standalone holiday. The roads are in great condition and low traffic numbers make this a popular self-drive destination for those who enjoy multi-day road trips.

Botswana is one of the most unique countries in the world. While about 80 percent is semi-desert, it is also home to the planet’s largest inland delta. It has the highest elephant density of any region and is known for exceptional safaris.

If you love ‘roughing it’ a little bit then Zambia offers very exciting safaris. At least one-third of this landlocked country is protected by conservation regulations so you can see wildlife in riverine forests, wetlands and savannahs. It gets a high rainfall with plenty of rivers and waterfalls, the most famous being the Zambezi River that flows to create the Victoria Falls. Although not as ‘developed’ as South Africa in terms of general infrastructure, there is plenty of wildlife and one of highest numbers of bird species anywhere in the world if you are a birder.

Zimbabwe is most famous for offering the best views of the Victoria Falls but this large country has a lot more to offer, including excellent safaris for those who want long, hot days out in the bush. After many decades of political turmoil, conservation efforts are paying off and more experienced safari lovers and wildlife photographers are finding out that it has a lot to offer. While not as ‘developed’ as South Africa, it is known for some of the best safari guides in Africa, big herds and strong lion prides.

Imagine a waterfall about twice as high and twice as long as Niagara and you get an idea of how big the Victoria Falls are! Its traditional name is ‘Mosi-au-Tunya’, which means ‘the smoke that thunders’ because the spray and noise can be seen and heard for miles around. This is the world’s largest sheet of falling water and a ‘must see’ for everyone who visits Southern Africa.