African Wildlife Adventure

Steeped in history and known for its incredible weather, Port Elizabeth provides the complete South African experience. On the fringes of Algoa Bay at the western end of the Sunshine Coast, the area is renowned for its diverse marine life, sublime beaches and top water sports.

Founded in 1820, much of the city's history is evident today in the architecture of Fort Frederick and the Campanile Bell Tower – both part of the Donkin Heritage Trail that allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of the original 1820 Settlers on their journey of discovery and settlement.

From its darker past, Port Elizabeth is now the place to meet people and easily lives up to its nickname, the ‘friendly city’. Most things in the centre are on tap: bars, music, art and photographic spaces – all part of constant clash of cultures. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum at the entrance to St George’s Park has a small gallery of paintings and sculpture by contemporary South African artists, and is a real treat to view.

Nearby, the Addo Elephant Park offers the chance to encounter the rare Addo Elephant, among a variety of other game, while a safari experience at the Kariega Game Reserve takes visitors in search of the ‘Big Five’. The 54 hectare Settler's Park in the city centre is a nature lover's paradise, boasting the most beautiful flora and fauna.

The largest port city in South Africa, Durban, is busy, vibrant and one of the continent's most popular tourist destinations.​

Durban is blessed with balmy weather all year round and has an incredible stretch of beach, the Golden Mile, which boasts wonderful views of the idyllic Indian Ocean and many restaurants and bars to enjoy. This paradise offer an amazing contrast of cosmopolitan city life with a close proximity to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, where the Zulu drum still beats.

The regeneration of the waterfront area has helped shake off the city’s sleazy image and has given it a new confidence and ambition. This seafront promenade runs from uShaka Marine World and Aquarium to the futuristic Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Durban is also a shopper's paradise with quality shopping malls, craft markets and street bazaars. The fascinating Afro-Indian culture is very evident in the city, and much of the local cuisine has an Indian influence.

Mamoudzou is the capital of Mayotte, a beautiful French overseas department in the Comoros Islands archipelago. Located on Grand-Terre, the main island of Mayotte, the city is a gateway to the region’s spectacular sights and cultural delights.

Boats dot Mamoudzou’s charming harbour, and the nearby Marché Couvert market sells fresh, local produce and handicrafts. Landmarks include the white minaret of Mtsapéré Mosque, and Notre-Dame de Fatima church, while the nearby beaches of Trévani and Plage du Phare are perfect spots to relax.

Situated in the Mozambique Channel of the western Indian Ocean, some 190 miles northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte is comprised of two beautiful islands: Grand-Terre and Petit-Terre. A natural paradise, the island is home to the largest lagoon in the Indian Ocean, boasting over 250 different species of hard coral, schools of tropical fish, while turtles, dolphins and whales – all ripe for an unforgettable snorkelling or scuba diving adventure.

The wondrous landscape of Mayotte includes an amazing network of lush mangroves and humid rainforests. Grand-Terre features stunning volcanic landscapes, marked by deep ravines and soaring ancient peaks, and many hikers scale the spectacular heights of Mount Benara, Mount Mtsapere and Mount Combani.

Formerly, and more commonly, known as Hell-Ville, Andoany is the capital of the beautiful Madagascan island of Nosy Be. Andoany is anything but hellish; the name actually derived from Admiral de Hell's former governorship. Warm and welcoming, the city boasts fine colonial architecture, busy markets and a pretty harbour. It’s also a gateway to the island’s stunning rainforests, fascinating wildlife and sun-kissed beaches.

Bordered by mile-upon-mile of glorious golden sands, Andoany is one of the most popular beach resorts in the Indian Ocean. In the town, fragrant frangipani and bougainvillea appear to prop up the ruins of its old colonial buildings, and the upbeat pavement cafes bustle with tourists. The Société de Rhum Arrangé offers local rum in 20 flavours, and Le Jardin des Sens is a beautiful old house selling locally-produced honey, spices, soaps and skin creams.

A stroll around the historic city also reveals the Russian Monument, erected in the memory of Russian soldiers that drowned off the coast of Nosy Be in 1904, and the Oceanographic Museum, where the island’s native sea creatures can be viewed up close.

Smothered with dense tropical rainforest, Nosy Be is ideal for watching diverse wildlife in its natural environment. The sprawling Lokobe National Park is home to an abundance of endemic fauna and flora, and is an unmissable gem. The unmistakable calls of Grey-backed and Mouse Lemurs echo through the tree canopies, chameleons merge seamlessly into the unspoilt environment, and boa constrictors snake along the leafy forest floor.

Antsiranana, aka Diego Suarez, is a port city in northern Madagascar in Antsiranana Bay, a vast natural harbour made up of several smaller bays.

Smothered with French colonial charm, Diego’s streets are lined with traditional architecture and are home to large markets selling an abundance of fine local produce and hand-made crafts. The pace is slow and nearly everything shuts between 12pm and 3pm while locals indulge in long siestas.

Away from the bustle of the markets, the lighthouse, cathedral and the ruins of the Hôtel de la Marine are worth exploring. The delightful local delicacies in Diego’s many fine restaurants can also be enjoyed. Alternatively, a trip to the island’s breath-taking north coast offers stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain or the eponymous Island, which is considered sacred by locals. South of the city, the untouched landscapes of two large National Parks are waiting to be discovered. [ReadMoreDesk]

While the waterfalls, crater lakes and breadth of fauna and flora at Amber Mountain National Park are wonderful, a sighting of the Madagascar Fish Eagle – one of the world’s rarest birds of prey – is the much sought after prize. At Ankarana Special Reserve, birds, lemurs and the 150-million-year-old Jurassic limestone formations are the key highlights.

Surrounded by turquoise swells of the quietly rippling Indian Ocean, and sprinkled with dense forests and tall hills offering breath-taking views, Victoria, on the Seychelles island of Mahé, is the epitome of paradise.

The port is one of the smallest capitals in the world and offers visitors a number of highlights to discover. The colourful Sir Selwyn Clarke Market sells spices, fruit, art and souvenirs. Near the Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is the imposing La Domus, built in 1934 to house Catholic missionaries, while the quaint old courthouse has a clock tower that is a replica of Big Ben.

The island’s pristine, golden sands are best seen from the top of Morne Blanc, which delivers breath-taking panoramic views across the lush landscape. Seychelles National Botanical Gardens showcases endemic palms and orchids, as well as giant tortoises and fruit bats, and is worth a visit.