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Africa Answers Gold List

With 54 countries to choose from, narrowing the field presents a challenge. After a lot of teeth gnashing and changing of minds, here are the places we love, in no particular order …


Aswan, Egypt  Agatha Christie loved Aswan so much she set parts of Death on the Nile there and at Aswan’s magnificent Old Cataract Hotel.  Aswan is known for its beautiful Nile Valley scenery, significant archaeological sites and its peaceful aura; even the market is low key.  A day trip to Abu Simbel is another highlight. Aswan’s weather is warm all year round, which makes it a perfect winter destination. The city provides splendid views and attractions to sail through the Nile in a felucca (Egyptian sailboat).

Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda  If cheeky chimps aren’t enough of a draw, terrific hiking, picturesque tea plantations and a breath-taking 150 ‘ high Canopy Walk should do the trick. Handsome black and white Colobus monkeys are the photogenic bonus.  Nyungwe National Park is the largest tropical mountain rain forest in East Africa and is home to over 1000 species of wildlife. 13 species of primates dwell here, as well as 300 bird species. The hiking trails are splendid and suitable for people of all ages. 

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya  Located in northern Kenya, Lewa serves as a safe refuge for the critically endangered black rhino and the endangered Grevy’s zebra.  Lewa has one of the highest wildlife densities in Kenya. The Conservancy is also home to herds of elephants and buffalo, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs and more than 400 species of birds.  The hilly contour of the conservancy and impressive views of Mt Kenya are a photographers dream.

Franschhoek, South Africa  Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town lies Franschhoek, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Known as the country’s food and wine capital, art and craft galleries and antique shops fill the tree-lined streets, and vineyards established more than 300 years ago cascade over the hills just outside town. Local activities range from wine-tasting to horseback riding to hiking. The Huguenot Memorial Museum honors the town’s early settlers, who fled religious persecution in France and planted the vines that yield South Africa’s delicious wines. French Huguenot architecture dating back to the late 1600s is one of the attractions of Franschhoek.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe  A visit to Victoria Falls imparts a sense of unforgettable wonder.  Victoria Falls are classified as the world’s largest, based on combined width of 5,604 feet and height of 354 feet.  Humans have lived around Victoria Falls for over 2 million years but the Scottish explorer, Doctor David Livingstone named the falls after Queen Victoria when he “discovered” them in 1855, writing: “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England…scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.  The Falls are fed by the mighty Zambezi River which flows over 1,600 miles across Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe to Mozambique.  The funky town which has grown up around the Falls National Park offers a plethora of outdoor activities, making Vic Falls a deserving part of every Southern Africa itinerary.