Africa: Physical Geography

Africa has an array of diverse ecosystems, from sandy deserts to lush rainforests.

Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, Geology, Geography, Physical Geography

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Africa, the second largest continent , is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided almost equally in half by the Equator . Africa's physical geography , environment , resources , and human geography can be considered separately. Africa has eight major physical regions : the Sahara, the Sahel , the Ethiopian Highlands, the savanna , the Swahili Coast , the rainforest, the African Great Lakes , and southern Africa. Some of these regions cover large bands of the continent, such as the Sahara and Sahel, while others are isolated areas, such as the Ethiopian Highlands and the Great Lakes. Each of these regions has unique animal and plant communities. Sahara The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert , covering 8.5 million square kilometers (3.3 million square miles), about the size of the South American country of Brazil. Defining Africa's northern bulge, the Sahara makes up 25 percent of the continent. The Sahara has a number of distinct physical features, including ergs , regs, hamadas , and oases. Ergs, which cover 20 percent of the Sahara, are sand dunes that stretch for hundreds of kilometers at heights of more than 300 meters (1,000 feet). Ergs cover most of Algeria and Libya, and parts of Mali and Nigeria. Ergs can contain large quantities of salt , which is sold for industrial and food use. Regs are plains of sand and gravel that make up 70 percent of the Sahara. The gravel can be black, red, or white. Regs are the remains of prehistoric seabeds and riverbeds but are now nearly waterless. Hamadas are elevated plateaus of rock and stone that reach heights of 3,353 meters (11,000 feet). They include the Atlas Mountains, which stretch from southwestern Morocco to northeastern Tunisia; the Tibesti Mountains of southern Libya and northern Chad; and the Ahaggar Mountains in southern Algeria. An oasis is a hub of water in the desert, often in the form of springs , wells, or irrigation systems. About 75 percent of the Sahara's population lives in oases, which make up only 2,071 square kilometers (800 square miles) of the desert's vast area. The Sahara's animal and plant communities have adapted to the region's extremely dry conditions. The kidneys of the jerboa, a type of rodent, produce highly concentrated urine that minimizes water loss. A dromedary camel ( Camelus dromedarius ) conserves water by changing its body temperature so it doesn't sweat as the day gets hotter. The scorpion limits its activities to the night, burrowing into the cooler sands beneath the surface during the day. As a predator , the scorpion also absorbs water from the flesh of its prey . Saharan plants survive thanks to root systems that plunge as far as 24 meters (80 feet) underground. In parts of the Sahara, plants cannot take root at all. In the southern Libyan Desert, for instance, no greenery exists for more than 195 kilometers (120 miles). Sahel The Sahel is a narrow band of semi- arid land that forms a transition zone between the Sahara to the north and the savannas to the south. It is made up of flat, barren plains that stretch roughly 5,400 kilometers (3,300 miles) across Africa, from Senegal to Sudan. The Sahel contains the fertile delta of the Niger, one of Africa's longest rivers. Unfortunately, the Sahel's fertile land is rapidly becoming desert as a result of drought , deforestation , and intensive agriculture . This process is known as desertification . The Sahel's animal communities are constantly scavenging for scarce water and vegetation resources . The Senegal gerbil ( Taterillus pygargus ), the most common mammal in the Sahel and measuring only a few centimeters, consumes as much as 10 percent of the Sahel's plants. The Sahel's green vegetation emerges only during the rainy season, when it is often quickly harvested by farmers or consumed by animals. Baobabs ( Adansonia digitata ) are drought- and fire-resistant trees with trunks that are often 15 meters (50 feet) wide and as tall as 26 meters (85 feet). Acacia, whose deep root systems are ideal for semi-arid climates, are among the most common trees found in the Sahel. Cram-cram, a prickly grass, is the primary fodder for Sahel herds such as zebu cattle ( Bos indicus ). Ethiopian Highlands The Ethiopian Highlands began to rise 75 million years ago, as magma from Earth's mantle uplifted a broad dome of ancient rock. This dome was later split as Africa's continental crust pulled apart, creating the Great Rift Valley system. Today, this valley cuts through the Ethiopian Highlands from the southwest to the northeast. The Ethiopian Highlands are home to 80 percent of Africa's tallest mountains. The highlands' craggy landscape is perfect for nimble animal species. Native species such as the walia ibex ( Capra walie ), an endangered wild goat, and the gelada (Theropithecus gelada) live in the ledges and rocky outposts of the Simien Mountains. The most emblematic highland species is probably the Ethiopian wolf ( Canis simensis ), which is now on the brink of extinction . Important plant species native to the Ethiopian Highlands include the Ethiopian rose ( Rosa abyssinica ), Africa's only native rose, and the ensete, a tall, thick, rubbery plant that is a close relative of the banana. Savanna Savannas, or grasslands , cover almost half of Africa, more than 13 million square kilometers (five million square miles). These grasslands make up most of central Africa, beginning south of the Sahara and the Sahel and ending north of the continent's southern tip. Among Africa's many savanna regions, the Serengeti (or Serengeti Plains) is the most well known. The Serengeti is a vast, undulating plain that stretches 30,000 square kilometers (11,583 square miles) from Kenya's Maasai-Mara game reserve to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is home to one of the continent's highest concentrations of large mammal species, including lions (Panthera leo) , hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) , zebras (Equus quagga) , giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) , and elephants (Loxodonta africana) . Each year, more than one million wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) travel in a circular migration following seasonal rains across the Serengeti Plains. Their grazing and trampling of grass allows new grasses to grow, while their waste helps fertilize the soil . Swahili Coast The Swahili Coast stretches about 1,610 kilometers (1,000 miles) along the Indian Ocean from Somalia to Mozambique. The nearby coral reefs and barrier islands protect the coast from severe weather. There is not a lot of animal life on the sandy Swahili Coast. The golden-rumped elephant shrew ( Rhynchocyon chrysopygus ), an insect-eating rodent with a long snout , is common. A small, primitive primate known as the bush baby inhabits vegetated areas of the Swahili Coast. Bush babies, which have enormous eyes for hunting at night, feed primarily on insects, fruit, and leaves. These more vegetated areas are located on a narrow strip just inland from the coastal sands. Heavy cultivation has diminished the diversity of plant species in this interior area of the Swahili Coast. Mangrove forests are the most common vegetation. Mangroves have exposed root systems, allowing the trees to absorb oxygen directly from the air as well as from the nutrient -poor soil. Rainforest Most of Africa's native rainforest has been destroyed by development , agriculture, and forestry . Today, 80 percent of Africa's rainforest is concentrated in Central Africa, along the Congo River Basin . Africa's rainforests have a rich variety of animal life; a six-kilometer (four-mile) patch could contain up to 400 bird species, 150 butterfly species, and 60 species of amphibians. Important mammals include African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) , gorillas, the black colobus monkey (Colobus satanas) , and the okapi ( Okapi johnstoni ), a donkey-like relative of the giraffe. The driver ant is one of Africa's most aggressive rainforest species. Driver ants move in columns of up to 20 million across the rainforest floor and will eat anything from toxic millipedes to reptiles and small mammals. The African rainforest's plant community is even more diverse , with an estimated 8,000 plant species documented. More than 1,100 of these species are endemic, or found nowhere else on Earth. Only 10 percent of the plants in Africa's rainforests have been identified. African Great Lakes The Great Lakes are located in nine countries that surround the Great Rift Valley. As the African continent separated from the Arabian Peninsula, large, deep cracks formed in Earth's surface. These cracks later filled with water. This geologic process created some of the largest and deepest lakes in the world. There are seven major African Great Lakes: Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Kivu, Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Turkana, and Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, is the southern source of the Nile River, the longest river in the world. The African Great Lakes region has a diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial animal life. Fish include the 45-kilogram (100-pound) Nile perch and the 2.5-centimeter (one-inch) cichlid. Migrating savanna animals, such as wildebeest, use the lakes as watering holes . Hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius) and crocodiles ( Crocodylus niloticus) call the region their home. The Great Lakes abut everything from rainforest to savanna plant communities. However, invasive species like the water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) and papyrus ( Cyperus papyrus ) have begun to take over entire shorelines, endangering animals and plants. Southern Africa The region of southern Africa is dominated by the Kaapvaal craton , a shelf of bedrock that is more than 2.6 billion-years old. Rocky features of southern Africa include plateaus and mountains, such as the Drakensberg range. Southern Africa is the epicenter of Africa's well-known reserves, which protect animal species such as lions, elephants, baboons, white rhinos ( Ceratotherium simum ), and Burchell's zebras ( Equus quagga burchellii ). Other important animal species include the impala ( Aepyceros melampus ), a type of deer, and the springbok ( Antidorcas marsupialis ), a type of gazelle that can spring several feet into the air to avoid predators. Southern Africa's Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world. While the Cape Floral Region covers less than 0.5 percent of Africa, it is home to nearly 20 percent of the continent's flora. The king protea (Protea cynaroides) , South Africa's national flower, is found in the Cape Floral Region.

Population Density 41.9 people per square kilometer (109 per square mile), as of 2020

Highest Point Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5,895 meters/19,340 feet)

Most Renewable Energy Capacity South Africa (6,065 megawatts), as of 2019

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Reviews 4.9.

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Fabulous Mara/Samburu game reserves

Two fabulous lodges: Enkewa and Saruni Samburu, wonderful service, great guides. Breathtaking accommodation and scenery at Saruni. New, unusual mammals for us and dozens of new birds. Teenage grandchildren loved the whole adventure. Well arranged by Africa Geographic as usual

Date of experience : April 12, 2024

Reply from Africa Geographic

Greetings Lex, Joan and extended family. What an adventure - Samburu is one of Kenya's little gems - so many unique species, and those spectacular views! And, of course, the Maasai Mara needs no introduction (especially for you ;-). Thanks for this wonderful review, and for your ongoing support. Safari njema!

Christian from Africa Geographic Travel…

Christian from Africa Geographic Travel was really good in helping us with a special occasion safari. His advice on selection of camps in the Okavango was really good. All arrangements worked well and it was a great experience. Thanks Gavin & Christine

Date of experience : April 07, 2024

Dear Christine & Gavin, Thank you for your kind words! Those two camps are some of Christian's (and our) absolute favourites, they create such an authentic Okavango experience every time. We are so glad that everything went well and look forward to helping you plan your next adventure to Africa!

Would not change anything....

Nadia helped us design a fantastic 17 day safari adventure across three countries (on short notice). Everything worked seamlessly, from flights to properties to transfers. More importantly, she responded immediately to any questions we had mid-journey. We could not be happier with our decision to work with Africa Geographic. Amazing experience, with no friction.

Date of experience : March 18, 2024

Thank you Mark, for that lovely review. We're all pretty envious of your safari, which covered so much ground and took in such varied ecosystems and experiences. Three countries, four iconic reserves and the time to soak it all up! You were a pleasure to work with and we look forward to helping you craft your next safari.

Excellent well organised tour

Excellent and well organised tour of Rwanda and Uganda

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

Hi Adam, Fantastic to hear you had an amazing time in Rwanda and Uganda! We are so glad that everything went well and look forward to helping you plan your next awesome holiday.

Great Kruger + Cape Town combo

We had a marvelous family trip during christmas holidays. AG tailor designed a perfect trip for us. The choice of lodges in the Kruger area was very good and well sequenced; we met very professional and smily staff everywhere. The accomodation in Cape Town was very comfortable and well located. The communication with AG staff was also very fluid and efficient. Thank you Risette and Christian. We highly recommend AG travel agency!

Date of experience : December 25, 2023

Good morning Olivier - such kind words, thank you! The Kruger National Park and its surrounds - such an epic family safari destination. We are so glad that everything went well and look forward to helping you plan your next awesome family holiday.

Our trip to Zambia and Victoria Falls

Our trip to Zambia Lower Zambesi Parc and Southern Luangwa Valley and Victoria Falls was unforgettable.Never seen so much game in 9 days.Sausage Tree Camp and Lions Camp were superb.Lunch in the Zambesi at Sausage Tree Camp and in the Bush at Lions Camp were unforgettable.Victoria Falls Hotel remains one of my favourite hotels in the world.Christian,as usual, organised the trip and all worked excellently.It must have been about the fifth or sixth trip organised by Christian for us.

Date of experience : October 12, 2023

Thanks so much for your wonderful review Ulrich. What an epic safari - we all were very jealous when Christian revealed what he had planned for you. Thanks also for coming on safari so often with us - repeat business is the biggest compliment of all!

Chitake with Africa Geographic Travel - definitely a YES

Africa Travel has an awesome team. The booking and follow-through all went smoothly. The two guides Villiers Steyn and Carl Nicholson worked together seamlessly as did the four ladies on the safari. Accommodation was what I wanted - a true bush experience. I rate this as one of my best photographic safari group experiences.

Date of experience : September 05, 2023

Hello Jocelin, thank you for taking the time for this review. For the true connoisseur, Chitake Springs is one of the most authentic, visceral safari experiences. We are so glad that you had a great time.

Amazing experience of migration

The experience we had from the beginning to end exceeded our expectations. Christian knew all that was needed to ensure our seamless travel and it was surely an awesome experience. The staff at Sentinel was very friendly. The rooms were clean and comfortable except finer details in the rooms like checking that glasses used are replaced with clean ones or washed to be used again Meals with chef Joshua was something we always looked forward to. Peter, the manager , was exceptional. I will definitely recommend you to my friends and family. One thing that I did not understand is the staff that is 100% male. This we noticed by finer details of housekeeping that were not taken care of throughout.

Date of experience : September 27, 2023

Hello Grace, thank you so much for your kind review. We should be the ones giving the two of you 5-star reviews as model clients! You have touched on an interesting topic. It is very rare to find female junior staff (housekeeping) in remote Kenyan camps. We suspect this is because it is frowned upon for unmarried daughters and wives to work away or live in close proximity to men. We will certainly pass your feedback on to the team at Sentinel Mara.

Amazing trip to Kenya

This was a fantastic first class trip to Kenya, organize by Christian Boix. We went to 5 different locations (Samburu, Meru, Laikipia, and 2 in Masai Mara). All were tented camps, which were wonderful, We saw everything plus some incredible birding with Sammy Mugo. We've been to Africa a number of times, and Christian made all the transfers and accommodations so good. First Class all the way. Jeff Brooks

Date of experience : October 18, 2018

A change from my usual trips to Africa; Christian and I had discussed India to see tigers, rhino, wild dog, gaur, water buffalo, etc plus the great birding that India offers. 3 locations were suggested; Kaziranga, Bandhavgarh and Pench. Kaziranga gave great sightings of rhino, elephants, water buffalo, otters, deer, numerous birds and a single tiger. Bandhavgarh more than delivered on tigers; over 20 in 4 days! We also saw some interaction between crows and an eagle plus lapwings attacking a hawk after it discovered the nest on the ground. Pench gave great sightings of wild dog, gaur and tigers. This safari was the same as usual; a wonderful trip thanks to Christian

Date of experience : May 20, 2023

Sounds like an exceptional experience Roger. Thank you once again for travelling with Africa Geographic.

Sentinal Mara Safari Camp - Kenya

We spent 6 nights in this tented, unfenced camp on the banks overlooking the Mara River. The game was plentiful even in the very close vicinity of riverine forest, marsh and rolling plains. It was an authentic Out of Africa experience with real Askari, Masai warriors, escorting you after dusk. The Masai are amazing people, welcoming and jovial, and brilliant trackers and guides on drives. They danced and sang around the fire after dark for us, with the hippos bellowing. We loved the beautiful 3 course meals in the open dining tent and often under the stars, surrounded by lanterns on the forest paths. The owner and all the staff were gracious and relaxing and went out of their way to make our experience very special, a time to remember forever.

Date of experience : August 30, 2023

Dear Jenn. Your Kenyan experience sounds truly magical. Thank you for travelling with Team AG. Until next time...

Victoria Falls, Chobe, Okovango Delta and Nxai Pan

We booked 5 accommodations and 4 Okovango Delta domestic flights. The experiences and animal observations were very special and unique, only in the Chobe NP we had missed the herds of elephants because it had rained heavily just before. The lodges and camps were all of excellent quality and the staff very well trained. However, next time we would prefer 3x3 nights instead of 5x2 nights, at 76 years of age it is of course also due to age. We were a group of 4 and next time we will book our own safari vehicle just for ourselves if possible. All in all we had a wonderful trip and will definitely book with Africa Geographic again.

Date of experience : November 01, 2022

Thanks so much! So pleased to hear your trip was a success and that you are already considering an even better, more fine-tuned experience. We are standing by.

Tented camping in Botswana

The wildlife was fascinating. Our guide Paul was wonderful. We loved the staff in camp, particularly Pula and MK, and were really happy to have visited. We loved camping and the outdoor areas. The mokoro was really great and we enjoyed the boat on the Chobe River. The experience was superb. Our guide Paul was a delight. He was informative, helpful, funny and told us the backstory on many of the animals along the way. I learned a lot from him, and we enjoyed his company very much. He has the patience of Job! The highlights were the animals. Watching wild dogs after a kill and seeing them following a herd of wildebeest. Seeing so many lions and listening to Paul tell us what he knew about each pride. The elephants were magnificent and the birds were fantastic. The wildlife from the insects to the mega-mammals were of course the highlights. Indescribably beautiful. Also: the baobobs!

Date of experience : November 13, 2023

Good morning Lynn, thanks for your very kind review - we are so glad you thoroughly enjoyed this epic glamping safari. Thanks also for your emailed feedback about the Chobe NP waterholes - we have forwarded that to relevant organisations. Enjoy Gabon - and if that safari does not occur, we have a date lined up for you with Grauer's gorillas! Safe travels

Wonderful safari in Botswana

I am coming back from a wonderful safari in Botswana. Christian and Africa Geographic Travel organized and booked everything for me. Everything was perfect, nothing to complain about. I stayed in two great camps in Kwai private reserve, namely Sable Alley Camp and Pangolin Kwai Camp. It was a journey of pure happiness. I sincerely would recommend Africa Georgaphic Travel.

Date of experience : September 05, 2019

I Recommend the Ultimate Primate Safari

We had a great experience with guidance from Christian from Africa Geographic, He helped us plan, customize, and experience the Ultimate Primate Safari. We saw gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees, and whale sharks in their natural settings. Our wonderful guide, Gaston, helped us enjoy East Central Africa with personalized attention and care Thank you for a truly memorable journey

Date of experience : February 09, 2024

Good afternoon, Sharon; thanks so much for the generous review! We are so glad that you enjoyed our Ultimate Primate Safari, which really is for clients like you - experienced travellers looking for that wow experience beyond the norm. Go well and see you again soon in Africa :-)

An incredible holiday experience in the African Bush. Highly recommended!

We completely agree with Jane Allin’s comments, the friend that we traveled with and who suggested this trip to us. It was the first of its kind in our experience and exceeded our expectations in every way. Peter especially enjoyed the extraordinary opportunities to photograph such wonderful sights. Rosemary learnt a great deal about the nature and wildlife of the areas visited and appreciated the expertise of the guides who attended upon us. Christian arranged the trip in the perfect order, with the exciting mobile camping safari for the first nine days, followed up by a more luxurious experience in the Lodges. With many thanks Peter and Rosemary.

Date of experience : November 09, 2023

Thanks so much for your kind words Peter & Rosemary (via Mark). Blending glamping with a more popular lodge-based safari gave your crew a fantastic feel for the journey across Botswana and Zimbabwe. Here's to your next adventure with us!

Fantastic trip to South Africa!

Fantastic trip to South Africa! Kim at Africa Geographic organized an awesome trip for us - safari, Cape Town and wine country. Too many highlights to fit them all in a review, but suffice to say that our family of 4 enjoyed every minute! Everything went very smoothly and without a hitch. Thanks as well for connecting us to Escape+Explore in Cape Town - Mike was a great guide and took us on lots of adventures. The only thing left now is to decide when we will be back!

Date of experience : March 24, 2023

Sounds wonderful Jon! Thank you for your 5* review and for selecting South Africa as your family destination. We cannot wait to be apart of your next African journey. Keep the passion.

Dear Christian & the team at AG

Dear Christian & the team at AG - We’ve just arrived back this morning in UK from the most amazing time in SA and all thanks to you! We all want to let you know how much we have enjoyed our trip to Phinda, Camps Bay and finally the Orange River and say a huge thank you for your help and expertise in arranging and putting the whole trip together, we couldn’t have done it without you and your advice and patience turned out to be invaluable, so we’re all very grateful. Best Regards - The Redshaw Family

Date of experience : December 10, 2022

Hi Redshaw Family. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to review us. It was our pleasure to host you in South Africa and are thrilled that your trip was such a success. We can't wait to plan the next one!

Chitake Springs September 2023 - with Africa Geographic…

Chitake Springs with Africa Geographic - just back from a truly memorable few days. Our Bush Camp, perfectly situated (and really well managed), pitched under the largest Sausage tree imaginable, bordered the sandy ‘highway” river bed that led up to the Chitake Spring. Elephants, leopards, hyaena, antelope, baboons all used this route, and sometimes a few of the 21 local lions took advantage of this to lie on the cliff edge along that route, sizing up their potential - and hopefully not human - prey! Every day was eventful, and walking through the Bush with the expert guidance of Carl, our Expedition Manager, was fascinating- and always safely managed. Fortunate to have both the photographic -and Bushveld - expertise of Villiers as well. Fascinating and fun, every day!

Date of experience : September 04, 2023

Dear Nancy. Your trip certainly sounds memorable and fascinating. Thank you for entrusting us with your Africa travels. We can't wait to be apart of your next journey with Team AG.

Excellent service

Excellent service. Helped us plan our exploration of the Karoo. Everything worked smoothly. No issues at all. Attention to detail was first class.

Date of experience : December 27, 2023

Thanks for the kind words, Peter :-). Your and Charmian's adventure in the Karoo was a pleasure to stitch together - this is not a common request, and we enjoyed the refreshingly different challenge. As you know, this is a wonderful area, and we hope to send more clients to enjoy the solitude, unique wildlife and authenticity of the experience. Until next time ...

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Reviews 4.9.

Most relevant

Fabulous Mara/Samburu game reserves

Two fabulous lodges: Enkewa and Saruni Samburu, wonderful service, great guides. Breathtaking accommodation and scenery at Saruni. New, unusual mammals for us and dozens of new birds. Teenage grandchildren loved the whole adventure. Well arranged by Africa Geographic as usual

Date of experience : 12 April 2024

Reply from Africa Geographic

Greetings Lex, Joan and extended family. What an adventure - Samburu is one of Kenya's little gems - so many unique species, and those spectacular views! And, of course, the Maasai Mara needs no introduction (especially for you ;-). Thanks for this wonderful review, and for your ongoing support. Safari njema!

Christian from Africa Geographic Travel…

Christian from Africa Geographic Travel was really good in helping us with a special occasion safari. His advice on selection of camps in the Okavango was really good. All arrangements worked well and it was a great experience. Thanks Gavin & Christine

Date of experience : 07 April 2024

Dear Christine & Gavin, Thank you for your kind words! Those two camps are some of Christian's (and our) absolute favourites, they create such an authentic Okavango experience every time. We are so glad that everything went well and look forward to helping you plan your next adventure to Africa!

Would not change anything....

Nadia helped us design a fantastic 17 day safari adventure across three countries (on short notice). Everything worked seamlessly, from flights to properties to transfers. More importantly, she responded immediately to any questions we had mid-journey. We could not be happier with our decision to work with Africa Geographic. Amazing experience, with no friction.

Date of experience : 18 March 2024

Thank you Mark, for that lovely review. We're all pretty envious of your safari, which covered so much ground and took in such varied ecosystems and experiences. Three countries, four iconic reserves and the time to soak it all up! You were a pleasure to work with and we look forward to helping you craft your next safari.

Excellent well organised tour

Excellent and well organised tour of Rwanda and Uganda

Date of experience : 19 April 2024

Hi Adam, Fantastic to hear you had an amazing time in Rwanda and Uganda! We are so glad that everything went well and look forward to helping you plan your next awesome holiday.

Great Kruger + Cape Town combo

We had a marvelous family trip during christmas holidays. AG tailor designed a perfect trip for us. The choice of lodges in the Kruger area was very good and well sequenced; we met very professional and smily staff everywhere. The accomodation in Cape Town was very comfortable and well located. The communication with AG staff was also very fluid and efficient. Thank you Risette and Christian. We highly recommend AG travel agency!

Date of experience : 25 December 2023

Good morning Olivier - such kind words, thank you! The Kruger National Park and its surrounds - such an epic family safari destination. We are so glad that everything went well and look forward to helping you plan your next awesome family holiday.

Our trip to Zambia and Victoria Falls

Our trip to Zambia Lower Zambesi Parc and Southern Luangwa Valley and Victoria Falls was unforgettable.Never seen so much game in 9 days.Sausage Tree Camp and Lions Camp were superb.Lunch in the Zambesi at Sausage Tree Camp and in the Bush at Lions Camp were unforgettable.Victoria Falls Hotel remains one of my favourite hotels in the world.Christian,as usual, organised the trip and all worked excellently.It must have been about the fifth or sixth trip organised by Christian for us.

Date of experience : 12 October 2023

Thanks so much for your wonderful review Ulrich. What an epic safari - we all were very jealous when Christian revealed what he had planned for you. Thanks also for coming on safari so often with us - repeat business is the biggest compliment of all!

Chitake with Africa Geographic Travel - definitely a YES

Africa Travel has an awesome team. The booking and follow-through all went smoothly. The two guides Villiers Steyn and Carl Nicholson worked together seamlessly as did the four ladies on the safari. Accommodation was what I wanted - a true bush experience. I rate this as one of my best photographic safari group experiences.

Date of experience : 05 September 2023

Hello Jocelin, thank you for taking the time for this review. For the true connoisseur, Chitake Springs is one of the most authentic, visceral safari experiences. We are so glad that you had a great time.

Amazing experience of migration

The experience we had from the beginning to end exceeded our expectations. Christian knew all that was needed to ensure our seamless travel and it was surely an awesome experience. The staff at Sentinel was very friendly. The rooms were clean and comfortable except finer details in the rooms like checking that glasses used are replaced with clean ones or washed to be used again Meals with chef Joshua was something we always looked forward to. Peter, the manager , was exceptional. I will definitely recommend you to my friends and family. One thing that I did not understand is the staff that is 100% male. This we noticed by finer details of housekeeping that were not taken care of throughout.

Date of experience : 27 September 2023

Hello Grace, thank you so much for your kind review. We should be the ones giving the two of you 5-star reviews as model clients! You have touched on an interesting topic. It is very rare to find female junior staff (housekeeping) in remote Kenyan camps. We suspect this is because it is frowned upon for unmarried daughters and wives to work away or live in close proximity to men. We will certainly pass your feedback on to the team at Sentinel Mara.

Amazing trip to Kenya

This was a fantastic first class trip to Kenya, organize by Christian Boix. We went to 5 different locations (Samburu, Meru, Laikipia, and 2 in Masai Mara). All were tented camps, which were wonderful, We saw everything plus some incredible birding with Sammy Mugo. We've been to Africa a number of times, and Christian made all the transfers and accommodations so good. First Class all the way. Jeff Brooks

Date of experience : 18 October 2018

A change from my usual trips to Africa; Christian and I had discussed India to see tigers, rhino, wild dog, gaur, water buffalo, etc plus the great birding that India offers. 3 locations were suggested; Kaziranga, Bandhavgarh and Pench. Kaziranga gave great sightings of rhino, elephants, water buffalo, otters, deer, numerous birds and a single tiger. Bandhavgarh more than delivered on tigers; over 20 in 4 days! We also saw some interaction between crows and an eagle plus lapwings attacking a hawk after it discovered the nest on the ground. Pench gave great sightings of wild dog, gaur and tigers. This safari was the same as usual; a wonderful trip thanks to Christian

Date of experience : 20 May 2023

Sounds like an exceptional experience Roger. Thank you once again for travelling with Africa Geographic.

Sentinal Mara Safari Camp - Kenya

We spent 6 nights in this tented, unfenced camp on the banks overlooking the Mara River. The game was plentiful even in the very close vicinity of riverine forest, marsh and rolling plains. It was an authentic Out of Africa experience with real Askari, Masai warriors, escorting you after dusk. The Masai are amazing people, welcoming and jovial, and brilliant trackers and guides on drives. They danced and sang around the fire after dark for us, with the hippos bellowing. We loved the beautiful 3 course meals in the open dining tent and often under the stars, surrounded by lanterns on the forest paths. The owner and all the staff were gracious and relaxing and went out of their way to make our experience very special, a time to remember forever.

Date of experience : 30 August 2023

Dear Jenn. Your Kenyan experience sounds truly magical. Thank you for travelling with Team AG. Until next time...

Victoria Falls, Chobe, Okovango Delta and Nxai Pan

We booked 5 accommodations and 4 Okovango Delta domestic flights. The experiences and animal observations were very special and unique, only in the Chobe NP we had missed the herds of elephants because it had rained heavily just before. The lodges and camps were all of excellent quality and the staff very well trained. However, next time we would prefer 3x3 nights instead of 5x2 nights, at 76 years of age it is of course also due to age. We were a group of 4 and next time we will book our own safari vehicle just for ourselves if possible. All in all we had a wonderful trip and will definitely book with Africa Geographic again.

Date of experience : 01 November 2022

Thanks so much! So pleased to hear your trip was a success and that you are already considering an even better, more fine-tuned experience. We are standing by.

Tented camping in Botswana

The wildlife was fascinating. Our guide Paul was wonderful. We loved the staff in camp, particularly Pula and MK, and were really happy to have visited. We loved camping and the outdoor areas. The mokoro was really great and we enjoyed the boat on the Chobe River. The experience was superb. Our guide Paul was a delight. He was informative, helpful, funny and told us the backstory on many of the animals along the way. I learned a lot from him, and we enjoyed his company very much. He has the patience of Job! The highlights were the animals. Watching wild dogs after a kill and seeing them following a herd of wildebeest. Seeing so many lions and listening to Paul tell us what he knew about each pride. The elephants were magnificent and the birds were fantastic. The wildlife from the insects to the mega-mammals were of course the highlights. Indescribably beautiful. Also: the baobobs!

Date of experience : 13 November 2023

Good morning Lynn, thanks for your very kind review - we are so glad you thoroughly enjoyed this epic glamping safari. Thanks also for your emailed feedback about the Chobe NP waterholes - we have forwarded that to relevant organisations. Enjoy Gabon - and if that safari does not occur, we have a date lined up for you with Grauer's gorillas! Safe travels

Wonderful safari in Botswana

I am coming back from a wonderful safari in Botswana. Christian and Africa Geographic Travel organized and booked everything for me. Everything was perfect, nothing to complain about. I stayed in two great camps in Kwai private reserve, namely Sable Alley Camp and Pangolin Kwai Camp. It was a journey of pure happiness. I sincerely would recommend Africa Georgaphic Travel.

Date of experience : 05 September 2019

I Recommend the Ultimate Primate Safari

We had a great experience with guidance from Christian from Africa Geographic, He helped us plan, customize, and experience the Ultimate Primate Safari. We saw gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees, and whale sharks in their natural settings. Our wonderful guide, Gaston, helped us enjoy East Central Africa with personalized attention and care Thank you for a truly memorable journey

Date of experience : 09 February 2024

Good afternoon, Sharon; thanks so much for the generous review! We are so glad that you enjoyed our Ultimate Primate Safari, which really is for clients like you - experienced travellers looking for that wow experience beyond the norm. Go well and see you again soon in Africa :-)

An incredible holiday experience in the African Bush. Highly recommended!

We completely agree with Jane Allin’s comments, the friend that we traveled with and who suggested this trip to us. It was the first of its kind in our experience and exceeded our expectations in every way. Peter especially enjoyed the extraordinary opportunities to photograph such wonderful sights. Rosemary learnt a great deal about the nature and wildlife of the areas visited and appreciated the expertise of the guides who attended upon us. Christian arranged the trip in the perfect order, with the exciting mobile camping safari for the first nine days, followed up by a more luxurious experience in the Lodges. With many thanks Peter and Rosemary.

Date of experience : 09 November 2023

Thanks so much for your kind words Peter & Rosemary (via Mark). Blending glamping with a more popular lodge-based safari gave your crew a fantastic feel for the journey across Botswana and Zimbabwe. Here's to your next adventure with us!

Fantastic trip to South Africa!

Fantastic trip to South Africa! Kim at Africa Geographic organized an awesome trip for us - safari, Cape Town and wine country. Too many highlights to fit them all in a review, but suffice to say that our family of 4 enjoyed every minute! Everything went very smoothly and without a hitch. Thanks as well for connecting us to Escape+Explore in Cape Town - Mike was a great guide and took us on lots of adventures. The only thing left now is to decide when we will be back!

Date of experience : 24 March 2023

Sounds wonderful Jon! Thank you for your 5* review and for selecting South Africa as your family destination. We cannot wait to be apart of your next African journey. Keep the passion.

Dear Christian & the team at AG

Dear Christian & the team at AG - We’ve just arrived back this morning in UK from the most amazing time in SA and all thanks to you! We all want to let you know how much we have enjoyed our trip to Phinda, Camps Bay and finally the Orange River and say a huge thank you for your help and expertise in arranging and putting the whole trip together, we couldn’t have done it without you and your advice and patience turned out to be invaluable, so we’re all very grateful. Best Regards - The Redshaw Family

Date of experience : 10 December 2022

Hi Redshaw Family. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to review us. It was our pleasure to host you in South Africa and are thrilled that your trip was such a success. We can't wait to plan the next one!

Chitake Springs September 2023 - with Africa Geographic…

Chitake Springs with Africa Geographic - just back from a truly memorable few days. Our Bush Camp, perfectly situated (and really well managed), pitched under the largest Sausage tree imaginable, bordered the sandy ‘highway” river bed that led up to the Chitake Spring. Elephants, leopards, hyaena, antelope, baboons all used this route, and sometimes a few of the 21 local lions took advantage of this to lie on the cliff edge along that route, sizing up their potential - and hopefully not human - prey! Every day was eventful, and walking through the Bush with the expert guidance of Carl, our Expedition Manager, was fascinating- and always safely managed. Fortunate to have both the photographic -and Bushveld - expertise of Villiers as well. Fascinating and fun, every day!

Date of experience : 04 September 2023

Dear Nancy. Your trip certainly sounds memorable and fascinating. Thank you for entrusting us with your Africa travels. We can't wait to be apart of your next journey with Team AG.

Excellent service

Excellent service. Helped us plan our exploration of the Karoo. Everything worked smoothly. No issues at all. Attention to detail was first class.

Date of experience : 27 December 2023

Thanks for the kind words, Peter :-). Your and Charmian's adventure in the Karoo was a pleasure to stitch together - this is not a common request, and we enjoyed the refreshingly different challenge. As you know, this is a wonderful area, and we hope to send more clients to enjoy the solitude, unique wildlife and authenticity of the experience. Until next time ...

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Travelling through Africa with National Geographic Journeys delivers uncompromising adventure (such as going on a safari drive with a National Geographic-supported researcher or feeling the thunder of Victoria Falls) with special touches you’d normally associate with more refined destinations (like permanent tented camps and customized safari vehicles). This is Africa up close and comfortable.

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COMMENTS

  1. Home

    One of the many highlights of a safari in Africa is to encounter some of Africa's iconic wildlife. Some places host the Big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and leopards) and other species such as giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest and wild dogs (painted wolves). Casual and serious bird watchers will enjoy ticking off an abundance of ...

  2. Places

    Africa Geographic is about TRAVEL and CONSERVATION - for those who want their safaris and donations to make a real difference - in Africa. Our MANIFESTO explains how you can help us do good. Africa is strewn with iconic landscapes, secret hideaways and vast stretches of wilderness - something for everyone seeking that perfect safari.

  3. Africa Trips

    National Geographic Expeditions African Vacations. The Africa Vacation Packages Offers Travel To Egypt, Morocco, Madagascar, Tanzania Safari Tour, The Serengeti & More

  4. Africa Geographic

    Simon Espley - CEO, Africa Geographic. ... In 1993-4, Kingsley, Ross and the team back then became the first South African adventurers in decades to travel the length of Africa from the Cape of Good Hope to Alexandria in Egypt along the continent's rivers and lakes. The expedition's logo is also a modern redraw of that original journey ...

  5. Safari advice

    Expect low-lying areas to be hotter and more humid and high-lying areas to be cooler. Geographical features such as mountains and lakes can affect weather patterns by bringing more rain and wind. General guidelines are: East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, Ethiopia and far northern Zambia)

  6. Place

    Samburu is a large safari area in northern Kenya known for the Samburu Special Five - gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. This arid landscape is steeped in culture and traditions, where people, livestock, and wildlife walk side by side, sharing precious resources. Read more about a Samburu safari here.

  7. Rwanda

    Why travel to Rwanda? Rwanda offers the most accessible mountain gorilla trekking in the world, and more. With breathtaking scenery, a thriving capital city and three national parks featuring an impressive variety of species, Rwanda is worth a lengthy safari. Two decades after the genocide in which more than a million people lost their lives, […]

  8. Redirecting to https://africageographic.com/travel/all-experiences

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  9. Safari

    Overview. Length: 11 days / 10 nights. Group Size: To suit you. Location: Masoala National Park, Madagascar. Departure Dates: September - December. Highlights: Discover Madagascar's pristine beauty. Combine Masoala's rainforest exploration with the Ambodilaitry Masoala Marine Reserve's Blue Lagoon adventure.

  10. Experience

    We live here, in Africa, and have been doing this since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early / late or a few kilometers off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. ... Africa Geographic is about TRAVEL and CONSERVATION - for those who want their safaris and donations ...

  11. Everything you need to know before booking your first African safari

    Fourteen days from £4,500 with Best of South Africa Travel. ... Published in the 2022 edition of National Geographic Traveller (UK) The Luxury Collection. Follow us on social media.

  12. Africa Vacation: Safaris, Walking Tours & Trekking

    Travel To Africa And Go On A Safari Or A Walking And Hiking Tour With Gorillas. National Geographic Expeditions Offers The Best African Vacation With Nature And Wildlife Safaris

  13. All safaris

    Make a difference. Africa Geographic is about TRAVEL and CONSERVATION - for those who want their safaris and donations to make a real difference - in Africa. explains how you can help us do good. This list of safaris will satisfy even the most experienced travellers, and those heading into Africa for the first time.

  14. Amazing African Safaris

    Zimbabwe. Hwange National Park: All aboard the Elephant Express to tour the Ngamo Forest Area and Hwange National Park, known for its pachyderms and 400-plus species of birds. The two-hour safari ...

  15. Africa: Physical Geography

    Africa, the second largest continent, is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean.It is divided almost equally in half by the Equator. Africa's physical geography, environment, resources, and human geography can be considered separately. Africa has eight major physical regions: the Sahara, the Sahel, the Ethiopian Highlands, the savanna, the ...

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  17. Africa Geographic Reviews

    Christian from Africa Geographic Travel… Christian from Africa Geographic Travel was really good in helping us with a special occasion safari. His advice on selection of camps in the Okavango was really good. All arrangements worked well and it was a great experience. Thanks Gavin & Christine. Date of experience: April 07, 2024

  18. m

    PRIVATE TRAVEL & CONSERVATION CLUB Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference - in Africa. Established 1991. MEMBERS ONLY Membership is by invitation only - no trolls, scams or advertising. BEST SAFARI PRICES Discounts at Africa's best lodges - plus expert advice from teamAG and our members. STORIES & DISCUSSIONS

  19. Africa Geographic Reviews

    Christian from Africa Geographic Travel… Christian from Africa Geographic Travel was really good in helping us with a special occasion safari. His advice on selection of camps in the Okavango was really good. All arrangements worked well and it was a great experience. Thanks Gavin & Christine. Date of experience: 07 April 2024

  20. Safari experiences

    Make a difference. Africa Geographic is about TRAVEL and CONSERVATION - for those who want their safaris and donations to make a real difference - in Africa. Our MANIFESTO explains how you can help us do good. Going on safari offers many experiences - including game drives, walking safari, mokoro and hot air ballon trips.

  21. Everything to know about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

    Soaring upwards from the Tanzania-Kenya border, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain at 19,340ft, one of the Seven Summits and the world's highest standalone mountain. Also known as 'the ...

  22. Africa Travel Guide

    Africa Travel Guide. National Geographic's latest travel stories about Africa. Photograph by Beverly Joubert, Nat Geo Image Collection. Featured Cities. Cairo. See Guide. Cape Town. See Guide.

  23. Africa Geographic app

    The TRAVEL & CONSERVATION app for those who want their safaris, discussions & donations to make a real difference - in Africa. Africa Geographic. Wildlife . People . Travel . Register . Login ...

  24. Africa National Geographic Journeys

    Rawness without compromise. Travelling through Africa with National Geographic Journeys delivers uncompromising adventure (such as going on a safari drive with a National Geographic-supported researcher or feeling the thunder of Victoria Falls) with special touches you'd normally associate with more refined destinations (like permanent tented camps and customized safari vehicles).