There are a number of dive camps, self catering chalets and standard campsites available as well as a more up-market lodge. The camps are located high up on the densely vegetated dune, approximately a kilometer from the beach. The launch through the surf can be quite hectic and as a diver you are required to help push the boat into the surf and hold it there until your skipper instructs you to jump aboard. Any hesitation on your part will result in you being left behind so you need to have your wits about you.

Once behind the breakers you should have a more moderate ride out to the dive site, depending on which one you are going to. The most commonly dived reef is Three mile, which is the closest, but more experienced divers will enjoy Five, Seven and Nine mile reefs. The choice of site will depend largely on the dive group’s experience and the prevailing currents and diving conditions. The water temperature is generally between twenty two and twenty five degrees centigrade and visibility on a good day can be more than thirty metres.

In my first qualifying dive at three mile reef we saw Moray Eel, Stingrays, Potato Bass, hundreds of colourful reef fish, a wide variety of soft and hard corals and a nurse shark. Such is the quality of diving at Sodwana.

However if you’d like to combine your relaxation with a bit of activity and exploration, here’s a quick guide of what there is to see and do on the island:

A fun way to get around if you’re the independent type is to hire scooters.  You can find these from operators in Stonetown and will need to have a map or at least a good idea of what you want to see so that you can navigate your way around.  From Stonetown you can head out to the slave caves which stand as a monument to this tragic part of Zanzibar’s history.  Just south of Stonetown is the Josini Forest – the last remaining area of indigenous forest on the island.  Here you can view the rare Red Colobus monkeys and variety of birds. Along the coast are numerous villages with roadside stalls and street markets. Here you can find a variety of spices at good prices.

Zanzibar offers some excellent souvenir options, from quirky modern to more traditional items, its great fun to browse the markets and shops. I simply love the brightly colored Kikoi’s which are traditional beach wraps or sarongs. You can find hand painted and dyed ones with a wide variety of designs and colors.  In Stonetown there are several shops that have quirky t-shirt designs.  The t-shirts are of a good quality and if you purchase more than one you can generally pick up a good deal. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and curry can be found in the markets. Carved handcrafts and traditional paintings are also widely popular as souvenirs. Bargaining is common in the markets and road side stalls but is sometimes frowned upon in the shops.

If you’d like to learn more about the islands history and culture then it really is best to go on an organized tour. The local tour guides are both knowledgeable and entertaining. Recommended is a historic tour of Stonetown which takes in ancient buildings and monuments as well as the slave trade sites. Another interesting tour option is the spice tour which provides and insight into the local customs, traditions and agriculture.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating tours is the dolphin excursion. Travelling out by boat to the south of the island you get into the water with your snorkeling gear and are soon visited by some curious dolphins. The dolphins are often in the area and daily sightings are common. It’s quite an amazing experience!

Details of the tours and operators can be obtained from your hotel reception or by making enquiries at one of the local travel agents in Stonetown.

By Cherelle

The first area is located approximately three hours north of Johannesburg and is known as the Marakele National Park. Characterized by the scenic Waterberg Mountains, there are several private game lodges that offer a superb game viewing experience. Mist often shrouds the mountains in the early mornings and it is quite a surreal experience to be out on a game drive and watch the early morning activities of the wildlife.

The second area is the Addo Elephant National Park. Located in the Eastern Cape it is approximately an hour’s drive north of Port Elizabeth which is the nearest domestic airport. Famous for its large elephant herds the park now boasts all of the Big Five. Numerous private lodges are located in and around the reserve and game viewing activities range between guided game drives and bush walks. Some of the lodges also offer game viewing from the Sundays River which flows through the reserve.

Located near to the Addo Elephant National Park is the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Having won many awards as a conservation area and private game lodge it is well known internationally. It tends on the pricey side but if you are looking for a truly amazing safari experience then it is well worth it.

In the last few decades many private reserves were created adjacent to the Kruger National Park, the two main areas being the Sabi Sands and the Timbavati. In recent years the fences between these reserves were dropped allowing the free migration of game between the three areas. This has resulted in a larger overall conservancy area and greater game viewing opportunities for visitors.

The most affordable safari option would be a self drive and self-catered tour in Kruger itself. There are numerous public rest camps that have comfortable bungalows and chalets. This option will allow you the freedom to enjoy game viewing from your vehicle and to choose your own routes and daily activities. However the camps are usually quite booked up so you will need to plan and book your vacation well in advance.

If you would prefer a guided tour then there are several operators who will arrange your accommodation at a range of the public rest camps, cater your meals and arrange guided game drives during your stay. There is also an option to do a three to four day walking safari in the Kruger. The accommodation set-up is quite rustic but the bush experience cannot be matched.

The more up-market safari option is to stay at any one of the many private rest camps or lodges in one of the reserves. The lodges range from comfortable three and four star tented camps and lodges to exclusive luxurious five star establishments.  At most lodges all meals are included and you will have two to three game viewing activities per day. This comprises of an early morning and late afternoon game drive, with the option of a bush walk for the more adventurous.  The guides and trackers are extremely knowledgeable and guest can often get really close up to many of the wild animals. The number of people on each vehicle is limited to ensure that you get the very best game viewing experience.

1. DO NOT be impatient:  In Africa things happen in their own time, are frequently delayed and usually take longer than expected. You will have far greater enjoyment on your vacation if you have a laid back approach. By jumping up and down you won’t achieve any greater haste. In fact your tantrum will probably encourage the locals to go even slower.

2. DO NOT be disrespectful:  Like on all continents there are local customs and dress codes. Be aware of these and dress and act appropriately. Especially at historic or religious cultural sites.

3. DO NOT take photographs without permission:  Most locals will not mind you photographing them and will appreciate a small tip in return. However in more remote areas they may be suspicious of cameras and you could embarrass or cause them a great amount of distress.

4. DO NOT drink tap water unless you are sure it is safe:  In countries such as South Africa and Namibia is it safe to drink the tap water. However this is not the case in most other African countries.  Rather purchase bottled water and check that it has been properly sealed.

5. DO NOT leave your bags unattended:  No matter where you are from, you are likely to be far wealthier than the locals in the country you are visiting. When poverty is the norm the temptation to take unattended bags is just too great. So be vigilant and look after your possessions.

6. DO NOT wear expensive jewelry and watches:  For the same reason as above, displaying wealth ostentatiously can make you a target for robbery and mugging. Unless you are attending a gala function leave your finery at home where it will be safe.

Top of the list has to be South Africa, with its extensive transport infrastructure and variety of touring options it’s a firm favorite.  For affordability, your best option is to do a self drive tour which will be both economical and allow you the freedom to accommodate the whims of younger travelers. Good quality guesthouses offer a home away from home and many larger hotels have a free child policy if they share a room with parents.

Not all private game lodges and reserves accommodate children, so if you are travelling as a family, be sure to check their child policy in advance. However there are some lodges in the Addo Elephant National Park that have specific family programs. This affords the parents an opportunity to enjoy game drives and bush walks whilst the children are taken care of by experienced guides. The children’s program includes activities that teach them about the different animals and their habits. The kids then get to enjoy a short guided walk in an area free of large predators and game drive on their own where they can spot birds and animals from the safety of closed vehicles.

Possibly not considered to be a true African destination, Mauritius is nevertheless a fantastic family destination. Warm temperatures year round and beautiful tropical beaches make it a place where the whole family can relax and have fun. Most of the resorts and hotels have kiddie clubs which keep the children entertained with daily activity programs. Perfect for allowing the parents an opportunity to relax on the beach knowing the kids are taken care of.

The other destination worth mentioning is Namibia. Whilst it is primarily a desert landscape, it has many interesting attractions.  A great way to explore with the family is to do a road trip. A two week itinerary will afford you sufficient time for game viewing in Etosha, visits to the high dunes of the Skeleton coast and exploring the cultural and historic sites in between.

Cathedral Peak in Central Drakensberg - Photo by Fihliwe

A moderate and gentle undulating hike takes you from the Forestry station to the Sterkspruit Falls. This small mountain stream drops 30 metres into a rock pool below. The path takes you to the top of the falls where you can peer over the edge. Be cautious though as there are no railings.  If you continue to the right there is a narrow and somewhat overgrown path that will take you to the base of the falls. It’s a steep descent but the swim at the bottom makes it worthwhile.  The route is out and back which means that you return on the same path.  As a round trip including stops it should not take you longer than two hours walking at a slow to moderate pace.

A more challenging climb is up to the Sphinx. This natural rock formation, whilst much smaller in size, was named after the Egyptian monument because of it’s similar shape.  It sits high up on the hillside as though surveying the territory.  The total ascent is a distance of just over 3km, the gradient is steep and it will take you at least an hour and a half to reach the top. En route is a beautiful waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing snack stop.

A third route combines both of these hikes. Starting out on the Sphinx trail you go beyond the Sphinx lookout up Verkykerskop and past breakfast stream. You then hike across the saddle for a short way towards the big berg. A few hundred metres further you’ll find a marked trail to your right that goes down the gorge. It’s a stepped descend so can be quite hard on the knees but the scenery is beautiful. The trail takes you down to just above the Sterkspruit falls and then back to the forestry station.  The route can take up to 5 hours including stops so it’s best to set aside a full day to enjoy it.

The last on my list is the Grotto walk. This gently undulating walk starts out from the Drakensberg Sun Hotel. The concierge will point out the trail end to you if you unsure where to go. The route follows a small river and takes you through lush indigenous rainforest. You have to cross the stream several times but there are broad stepping stones so you should not get wet. There are beautiful waterfalls along the way and a large pool at the end. It’s great for swimming if you don’t mind the chilly water temperature.  The hike takes 2-3 hours return at a moderate pace. I would suggest packing a picnic and headding out late morning to get to the grotto at midday. Hiking within the forest you will be protected from the sun and the swim will be a refreshing way to cool off.

If planning to climb these routes it is highly recommended that you hire professional local guides. Their knowledge of the mountain and climbing expertise can make the difference between a successful summit and a frustrating climb. Most local operators provide an all inclusive package which includes tented accommodation, meals, guiding and transportation to and from Nairobi.

For those who prefer the trekking options there are five different routes which circumnavigate the mountain. The trekking summit is Pt Lenana at 4985m. Mt Kenya’s third highest peak requires no technical expertise to ascend. The trekking routes are between three and five days in length, and whilst it is possible to explore them on your own it is not recommended. Aside from the route guiding expertise, local operators include porters who carry most of the camp gear. This leaves you to free to walk with only a day pack which makes the going much easier.  Mount Kenya is very scenic and if you enjoy trekking in Africa it’s definitely one to add to the top ten list.

Giant water bottles:
This one is my personal favorite. I have travelled to many countries worldwide and I am yet to see any locals lugging their daily water supply with them, unless it’s in rural Africa. But tourists for some reason can never be found without their 1,5 litre water bottles. The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink, pretty tasty and it’s free. A small 500ml bottle that can fit into your bag is adequate if you are exploring the cities as there is always a tap or corner store where you can replenish your supply if needed.

Camera happy:
Yes South Africa is indeed a beautiful country, but if you want to blend in you may just want to keep one camera around your neck as opposed to three. Nowadays there are comfortable camera specific backpacks which make it easier to store and carry your cameras around if you are an avid photographer. It’s also a safety issue, I am sure your cameras are very valuable, and the last thing you want is some dodgy person deciding they need one of your cameras more than you do.

Feel at home:
South Africa, and particularly cities like Cape Town are very cosmopolitan.  Dress as you would at home and it’s quite likely you will fit right in. Unless of course you have terrible dress sense, and believe that socks and sandals go together – in which case you are entirely on your own!

So how do you avoid the endless harassment and still get a good bargain on some souvenirs when you do want buy some. Here’s something I learned a few years back I was backpacking around Malawi. Maybe it’ll work for you on your next trip.

I had headed up to Cape Maclear for a chilled New Years and sure enough I was barely out of the taxi when I was offered salad spoons, necklaces and the like. Not the relaxing break I’d envisaged. I politely told each vendor in turn that his goods were very nice, but I would be there all week and would definitely purchase some items before I left.  And so they left me alone. Each day as I walked down the street I would greet them and have a brief look at their wares before continuing on my way. This really was quite an enjoyable exercise.

Then on my last day, when I knew how much I had left over to spend on gifts I went to each vendor and selected a few items. The best part was that without having to haggle, each one offered me a really good price. I knew this because fellow travelers I’d met earlier in the week had paid much more.  And so I got my souvenirs at a good price and a harassment free week on the lake. The holiday was perfect, just as I’d imagined it.