The Best Places to Visit in Africa in 2024
Published on: December 1st, 2023
Last updated: April 19th, 2024
Imagine travelling through Zimbabwe with a private guide, witnessing wildlife on a walking safari in Tanzania or learning crafts from local artisans in Morocco’s medinas. This is our ultimate list of the top places to visit in Africa in 2024, compiled by our expert travel designers.
We can’t wait to revisit some of our favourite spots to experience new bespoke itineraries, cutting-edge conservation efforts and exclusive retreats. In 2024, Africa’s best luxury hotels and lodges will be joined by new properties like the elegant Brookdale Estate in South Africa and the newly reopened Kasbah Tamadot in the High Atlas Mountains.
Whether you’re travelling with kids, planning a romantic honeymoon or just hoping to explore this captivating continent for the first time, here are our recommendations for an unforgettable trip to Africa in 2024.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a downright legendary destination for an African safari and is one of our top picks for 2024 wildlife adventures. This landlocked country is packed with national parks where you can see everything from elephants and lions to wild dogs and crocodiles. The camps and lodges here feel remote and exclusive: it’s a place where you’ll get the chance to connect to your surroundings without any distractions.
In addition to exceptionally skilled guides and enormous wildlife reserves, Zimbabwe offers the opportunity for a truly personalised trip. In 2024, we suggest opting for a private guide who will travel alongside you as you move between camps throughout the country. They’ll get to know all of your interests and preferences so that they can create a completely customised itinerary.
In terms of national parks, you simply can’t miss Hwange (the country’s largest) and a stay at the intimate ‘Little Mak’ (Wilderness Little Makalolo), which sits in its own private concession within the park. Or, Mana Pools (an incredibly remote wildlife haven) where staying at Wilderness Ruckomechi Camp often results in elephant viewing without having to leave camp. To finish off your trip, we suggest heading to Victoria Falls. Here you can either enjoy a relaxing riverside retreat or adventurous activities like bungee jumping, whitewater rafting and zip lining – or a bit of both.
While at the falls, our travel designers recommend staying at Matetsi, a luxury river lodge that’s committed to minimising its carbon footprint, supporting local communities and helping to prevent poaching. We also love Somalisa Acacia in Hwange National Park, which is open to all ages – making it ideal for adventurous families who are looking to take their safari experience to the next level.
Morocco
Morocco has earned its fair share of global headlines lately, from its unprecedented fourth-place finish in the Qatar World Cup to its growing fame as a top-notch surf destination. Sporting events aside, there are also plenty of other reasons to pay attention to this North African country – especially if you’re looking for complete cultural immersion.
Our travel designers Jack and Natalie are particularly excited about some brand new interactive experiences for the coming year. In Marrakesh and Fes, you can meet local artisans and learn how to make pottery, perfume, carpets or drums by hand. Fish for oysters in Oualidia, go wine tasting in Meknes or learn about Sufism from an expert anthropologist – the options are endless.
Morocco has also been in the news recently due to the tragic earthquake that struck the country in September 2023. In 2024, it’ll be ready to welcome visitors again – and tourism will play an integral role in its rebuilding process. In the wake of this natural disaster, the key to responsible travel is to select experiences and accommodation that put local communities first.
Luckily, we know plenty of hotels that are committed to making a positive impact on the people and places around them. Kasbah Tamadot in the High Atlas Mountains will reopen in 2024, offering authentic experiences like Berber cooking classes and local village visits. We also love Dar Ahlam in the Sahara, La Villa des Orangers in Marrakesh and Riad Fes in Fes’s medina.
Botswana
If your 2024 to-do list includes a big five safari, allow us to suggest a trip to Botswana. There’s a reason this is known as one of Africa’s top safari destinations, with more than a third of the country’s land designated as protected wildlife areas. Here you can see not only elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo, but also zebras, wild dogs, hippos and much more.
As we look toward 2024 and beyond, we’re more focused than ever on responsible travel – and in Botswana, that means choosing camps that are designed to protect habitats and empower communities. Our travel designers highlight Wilderness Kwetsani Camp in the Okavango Delta, which supports nearby Jao village by contributing essential daily supplies and works with local communities to conserve wilderness areas.
In fact, all of the Wilderness camps in Botswana are at the cutting edge of sustainable safaris. We love Wilderness DumaTau in the Linyanti Reserve; Wilderness Vumbura Plains in the Okavango Delta, which was totally transformed in 2022; and the limited-edition Wilderness Mokete – which will only be open from 2023 to 2025 – in the Mababe Concession.
All of these regions promise incredible wildlife encounters, but the sightings in the Okavango Delta are truly spectacular, with the annual floods (which peak in June and July) attracting animals from far and wide. Although this area is generally recommended for families with older children and teenagers, 2024 will see the opening of the kid-friendly Atzaró Okavango, where children of all ages can experience the magic of safaris.
Tanzania
Of all the possible African safari tours in 2024, the Great Migration is an essential experience – and Tanzania is one of the best places to see it. Visit from July to October for the best chance of witnessing the famous river crossings, or during the green season from December to April to see newborn wildebeests grazing in the southern Serengeti.
Tanzania is a fantastic place for green season travel, which can help to mitigate the effects of overtourism in the high season. Visiting during less-popular months like January and February means you might even get some of its superb wilderness all to yourself. It’s also a wonderful time of year for birdwatching and photography amidst lush and verdant landscapes.
In 2024 we’re especially excited about the new Wilderness Usawa Serengeti, a mobile camp that offers low-impact walking safaris throughout the Serengeti National Park. Our travel designer Jody has just returned from a research trip to Wilderness Usawa with plenty of praise. We also can’t wait to stay at Singita Milele, an exclusive private villa that will open its doors in May 2024.
For a sustainable safari in a different region of Tanzania, we recommend staying at Chem Chem Lodge overlooking Lake Manyara, which is set in a private concession that was created with conservation in mind. We also love Lemala Kuria Hills in Serengeti National Park, which runs entirely on solar power and was built in large part from recycled materials.
South Africa
South Africa is a terrific all-around destination with big five safaris, vibrant cities, fascinating culture, world-class wine and beautiful beaches, and it just keeps getting better. In 2024 there’s plenty of recently opened and updated lodges scattered across its savannahs, deserts, vineyards and coastline to discover – many of which are fantastic for families.
Our travel designer Amie is an expert on family trips to South Africa, having taken her own child with her on research expeditions. She recommends Marataba Safari Lodge in the Limpopo Province for its family game drives, treehouse sleepouts and distinctive slow-travel experience. She also loves Grootbos Garden Lodge on the Whale Coast for families with young kids.
One brand new property that we can’t wait to visit is Brookdale Estate, a refined refuge in the secluded Paarl Wine Valley. Another recently opened spot is Loapi Tented Camp in the privately owned Tswalu Reserve, offering extreme privacy and complete solitude. Then there’s the classic MalaMala Camp in Sabi Sands, which is well worth revisiting after its recent refurbishment.
Although we’ve always loved South Africa as a safari destination, in 2024 we also want to explore its idyllic coastal enclaves. If you visit from June to October, you can go whale watching off the coast near Cape Town. Stay at Tintswalo Atlantic just outside the city for a romantic escape – and for the ultimate couple’s trip or honeymoon, tack on a trip to the Seychelles.
Kenya
Along with Tanzania, Kenya is also renowned for the seasonal spectacle that is the Great Wildebeest Migration. But there’s much more to see here as well, and in 2024 we’re leaning toward more remote and underexplored regions. For example, visit the Lewa conservancy to see thriving populations of endangered black rhinos and Grevy’s zebras – and stay at the cosy Lewa Wilderness.
Another relatively off-the-radar destination is Samburu National Reserve, an arid bushland that’s home to the Indigenous Samburu people. Here you can stay at the community-owned and operated Sarara Camp or the lavish Sasaab Lodge, both of which provide opportunities to engage with community members and learn about local culture and traditions.
Yet another reason to visit Kenya in 2024 is the relatively recent appearance of black leopards in the Laikipia region. A few years ago, this area produced the first confirmed images of this incredibly rare animal in nearly a century. As of 2023, there are believed to be five black leopards living in Laikipia – and seeing one in the wild is an exceptional privilege.
Finally, Kenya is the perfect place for a family safari in 2024. Our travel designer Jamey can help you create the ideal itinerary to match your kids’ ages and interests. Stay in the family cottage at Governors’ Mugie in Laikipia, which welcomes children of all ages, or at Sala’s Camp in the Maasai Mara, with two family tents and a wide range of child-friendly activities.
Zambia
Thanks to its well-preserved wilderness, majestic wildlife and virtually untouched landscapes, Zambia is one of Africa’s most important natural havens. Going on safari here feels incredibly authentic – especially since it’s where the conservationist Norman Carr first introduced the concept of walking safaris in the Luangwa Valley back in the 1950s.
All of that makes this landlocked nation in southern Africa the perfect choice for a truly wild, off-the-beaten-track safari in 2024. What’s more, many of its top lodges are firmly committed to environmental protection and renewable energy. Our positive impact coordinator Natalie will visit Zambia in late 2023 on a research trip, and report back with her recommendations.
We already know that Wilderness Toka Leya Camp is a trailblazer in terms of sustainability; its tents are raised above the ground so as not to disturb habitats, and each of them has its own solar panel. Ila Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park is also renowned for its conservation efforts, from its use of locally sourced building materials to the country’s first electric game drive vehicle. Also in Kafue, Wilderness Shumba tackles threats to wildlife by supporting anti-poaching efforts.
If you’re planning a romantic trip for two or honeymoon in 2024 then we suggest considering a stop at Tongabezi at Victoria Falls. Stay in the Honeymoon House which comes with its own private deck overlooking the Zambezi River. If you’re travelling with kids, the lodge also offers three spacious family-friendly houses.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
Nothing matches the vast beauty and diversity of Africa. Witness the wildlife wonders of the Serengeti, soak up the historic echoes of Egypt's monuments or laze on the serene beaches of the Seychelles.
