Our Top Africa Experiences of 2008

by Marco Monteiro-Silva, 3 January 2008

Africa's natural phenomena, cultures and events are numerous and varied - which can make choosing between them far more difficult than you want planning a vacation to be. Relax, we've made it easy by highlighting the best of the continent's annual going-ons: incredible migrations, intimate wildlife encounters and fascinating cultural festivals.

Great Migrations: Sardines, Whales and Wild Beasts

The open spaces of Africa serve as the perfect backdrop to some of the world's most amazing wildlife behaviour. Here are the three biggest, most dramatic African migrations, and when to catch them:

The Greatest Shoal on Earth

Every year, millions of sardines make a mad 200km journey from South Africa's Eastern Cape waters north along the Kwazulu Natal coastline.

The attraction is not so much the small fish, but the spectacle of gannets, gulls and other seabirds divebombing the shoal from the air while well-organised dolphin form efficient hunting packs, competing with frenzied tuna, sharks and whales. Nature's chaos doesn't get more dramatic than this.

Where: Mainly on the Hibuscus Coast (beach viewpoints run all the way from Port Edward to Hibberdene) of KwaZulu Natal.

When: Some time between June and July, but part of the excitement is the anticipation ... and not knowing exactly when it will happen.

Whale Love

Southern right whales migrate some 3 000 miles north from their summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the shores of wintering South Africa. Here, they make sweet ocean love, calve and raise their young.

Along the rugged Western Cape coastline, spanning out from the small town of Hermanus, are many walking trails and vantage points from which to watch breaching whales, flicking tails and giant splashes. Alternatively, jump on a boat, and come right up close to the graceful giants.

Where: Hermanus, South Africa
When: May to December.

Wild beasts

Every year, without fail, the Masai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem shakes and rattles to the beat of millions of rhythmic, thumping, hooves as grazers march to fresh grasslands.

The ancient migration is a stomping, swinging affair in which wildebeest, zebra and antelope cut across the plains evading big cats and crocodiles every step of the way.

Where: Kenya's Masai Mara, the Serengeti in Tanzania

When: All year round depending where you stay and what part of the migration you want to see. Check out our 'migration by months' breakdown for more info.

Intimate Wildlife Encounters: Gorillas, Sharks, Elephants and Dolphins

One of the most beautiful aspects of Africa is that visitors are still able to connect with wild animals in memorable encounters.

Gorillas

The 700 mountain gorillas that are left on Planet Earth live in the forests and volcanic mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hike through a forest armed with a camera, gorilla permit and guide and spend an hour in the company of these incredible primates.

Where: Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga National Park), Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park)

When: Uganda and Rwanda are year round destinations but during the rainy seasons (April to May, and November) they're particularly muddy and challenging.

Great White Sharks

Gansbaai, South Africa is absolutely the best place in the world to encounter great white sharks. Observe them from a boat, or from the relative safety of an underwater cage, as they circle the boat and even launch cleanly into the air.

Where: Gansbaai on South Africa's Western Cape coast.

When: The best time is generally from February to September as great whites become more active during the winter months. However, the weather during this time is unpredictable - if possible, it's good to have about 14 days in the region to play with when planning your dive or boat trip.

African Elephants

Coming across an African elephant is an encounter you won't soon forget. Handle and feed these wild giants or take an elephant-back safari. Alternatively, just head to areas best known for elephants and get up close to these beautiful behemoths.

Where: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe offers inexpensive elephant encounters; Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta is pricy but their elephant safaris and encounters are hard to beat. Botswana's Chobe is famously known as elephant country - there won't be any touching but you're sure to leave with some incredible memories and up-close photos.

When: June to October when the dry season brings floods, game and visibility.

Dolphins

Everyone's favourite friendly mammal, the dolphin is a playful, cheeky creature and loads of fun to swim with in the wild. A trip to Zanzibar gets you in the water among these frolickin' flippers.

Where: Zanzibar
When: Year round with the exception of rainy April, May and November.

Culture Shake: Africa's Cultural Happenings

Memorable African performances are by no means unique to wildlife.

Malawi's Lake of Stars festival in October brings a cacophony of contemporary African rhythm and sounds to this beautiful destination.

Cape Town's Jazz Festival takes place in March. It's well established as a world class event where people beach out during the day and enjoy the blues at night.

The International Creole Festival in Mauritius in December (there's one in the Seychelles too) is a rich and spicy affair and in Zanzibar the Cultural Festival (happens towards end of July) brings 'taarab' music, dance, and arts to various spots around Stone Town with street carnivals, canoe races and fairs.

Readers' Comments:

What do you think of our selection of African highlights? Are there any you think are sorely missing from this list? Have you experienced any? Let us know!

I believe the Sardine Run is awesome ... but the best way to experience it is on a dive. Do dive operators run specials or cater for those of us crazy enough to want to see these bait balls in action?

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