Namibia

Population 2.4 mil

Currency: Namibia $

National Animal: Oryx

The Oryx is a large type of antelope which are native to Africa. They are very distinctive due to their pale fur, dark facial markings and long straight horns which can group up to 1.5 metres long.

The Oryx can survive for long periods without water. They live in large herds of up to 600. Their calves can walk and run soon after birth and can move with the herd straight away, so they are harder for predators to pick off.

Namibia: The country gets its name from the Namib Desert- one of the oldest deserts.

Namibia is the 2nd least densely populated country in the world. It was a German colony, then captured by South Africa in World War 1. The country become independent in 1990.

Namibia is world famous for the highest dunes in the world, Sossusvlei Sand Dunes are some of the highest in the world.

They’re one of the Namibia’s most impressive sights. Dune 45 is known as the most photographed dune in the world. Also famous for Etosha National Park, one of the world’s greatest conservation areas.

Namibia has diverse wildlife and is one of the most fascinating countries to visit. Namibia highlights are unlimited:

* Etosha National Park. Namibia’s greatest wildlife park at 130 kms long & up to 50 kms wide.

* Sossusvlei. Is a salt & clay pan surrounded by high red dunes.

* Swakopmund. A coastal city with abundance of attraction. The beauty of the sea front with the combination of Namib Desert.

* Fish River Canyon. Is the largest canyon in Africa. In total of 100 miles long & up to 27 km wide.

* Windhoek. This city has it all from castles, botanical gardens, museums, theatre, markets and a unique restaurant “ Joe’s Beerhouse.

Namibia: Is the home to the world’s oldest desert& the highest sand dunes in the world. There are about 30 different languages spoken here.

South Africa

Population: 57.8 million

Currency: Rand

National Animal: Springbok

The Springbok has long, pointed ears, long neck and slender body. Lyre shaped horns can be seen both in males and females. Springbok are active at dusk and dawn. They are herbivore.

Their coats are pale to rich cinnamon brown with extensive areas of white including the head, ears, underparts, backs to legs, rump and tail.

When Springboks are frightened or excited, they leap vertically up to 3.5 meters.

South Africa is famous for great natural beauty, cultural diversity, wildlife safaris, great food, beautiful landscape, unique wildlife and nature. South Africa has the only one street in the world to have housed 2 Noble Peace Prize Winners, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu- Vilakazi Street in Soweto.

South Africa’s Table Mountain one of the oldest mountains in the world and alone has more flower species than England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland combined.

South Africa has the longest stretching wine route in the world. The winelands region features almost 100 different estates. There is so much to do in South Africa. The following highlights are just some of the amazing things/places South Africa has to offer.

* National Kruger Park. Approximately 147 mammal species, over 49 fish species, 34 amphibian species, 227 butterfly species and 336 tree species.

* Table Mountain. A flat top mountain overlooking Cape Town City & Western Cape.

* Lambert Bay. Is a small fishing town with a bird island gannet colony.

* Cape Town. World class wining and dining, Adventure all around, golf, marine life, hiking and much more.

* Cape Peninsula- Cape of Good Hope

*Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: Acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world.

* Robben Island.18 out of the 27 years where former South African president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned was spent at Robben Island.

*Tsitsikamma National Park. A paradise for reefs, rivers, forest & dramatic coastal scenery

*Cango Caves. Over 2 miles of extensive tunnels and chambers of the country’s most popular cave.

*Golf courses. The countries oldest golf course with Table Mountain as the backdrop.

*Whale Watching. Along with an endless amount of marine life. Whale watching is a major attraction in Cape Town, July to October are the best times for sightings.

*Shark Cage Diving. The extreme adventure of being in a cage while facing the great white shark.

South Africa: Has three capital cities, Cape Town, Pretoria & Bloemfontein. The largest city is Johannesburg.

Find out more

Botswana

Population: 2.2 Mil

Currency: Pula

National Animal: Zebra

Zebras are black animals with white stripes. They have a unique individual pattern.

The black & white stripped pattern coat is a good bug repellent, keeping horseflies and other blood suckers at bag. They have excellent eyesight and hearing.

A group of Zebras are called a zeal. They herbivores, eating grass, shrubs twigs and bark.

Zebras lifespan is 25 years. They are social animals and live within a large group. Zebras can travel long distances.

Zebra make all kinds of weird sounds. Theirs sounds are like a whinny hours, squeal or snorty donkey.

A mother donkey will keep her foal away from other zebras for 2 to 3 days until the foal can recognize her scent, voice and appearance.

Botswana: Famous for the most popular and exclusive safari destinations, home to the well know landmark of the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert and the Chobe National Park. Nearly 40% of Botswana is made up of national parks and wildlife reserves which provide plenty of large areas of animals to roam. Botswana has the world’s largest concentration of African Elephants, where most will be found in the Chobe National Park.

The Okavango Delta is abundant of birds and wildlife and is one of the world’s largest inland deltas. Animal and nature lover’s paradise.

The popular highlights of Botswana:

* Scenic Flights over the Okavango Delta. Its Heaven on earth.

* Chobe National Park. A cruise with a local guide, an endless amount of wildlife will not disappoint.

* Mokolodi Nature Reserve. A game drive that has a terrain with the true beauty of the wilderness.

Is the world’s biggest diamond producing country in terms of value.

Zimbabwe

Population: 16 Million

Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar

National Animal: Sable

Sable antelope have horns that can grow up to 1.6 metres in length. The horns are ringed and rise vertically to curve backwards. They are one of Africa’s largest antelopes. Sable can run at 57 km/h to escape their predators. They live in herds of 10 to 30. The herds are mainly made up of females with their young and one male as the leader.

Sables are herbivorous. They feed mainly on foliage, leaves and grass. A newborn calf is hidden in the bush with the mother returning twice a day to feed her calf.

In a couple of weeks, the calf is strong enough to join the herd.

Zimbabwe: is one of the most underrated countries that Africa has to offer with plenty of gems to explore. The Nationals Parks in Zimbabwe are amongst the best in Africa. They are unique, diverse and have a large variety of wildlife.

Victoria Falls is one of the greatest waterfalls in the world and is twice the size of Niagara Falls.

Victoria Falls is one of the natural 7 wonders of the world. Zimbabwe is home to 5 different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mana Pools National Park, Matobos National Park, Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins & Victoria Falls.

The highlights of Zimbabwe:

* Scenic Flights over Victoria Falls.

* White water Rafting

* Crocodile Cage Diving

* Bungee Jump of Victoria Bridge

* High tea at the luxury Victoria Hotel

* Game Drive through the Mana Pool National Park.

Swaziland

Population: 1.136 Million

Currency: Lilangeni

National Animal: Thomson Gazelle.

Thomson Gazelle is one of the smallest gazelles. Males are larger than females. Their back side is covered with tan coloured fur. They also have an incredible ringed horn.

The female gazelle is pregnant for 6 months and will generally have one or two infants and hide them in the grass until they are strong enough to join the herd.

They can reach up to 40 miles per hour. Their life span is 10 to12 years

Swaziland: is famous for its excellent crafts, jewellery, carved masks, batik prints and Africa’s most prestigious glass.

Ngwenya glass is sold worldwide. Visit the glass blowing factory and watch the process.

Swaziland has the second largest exposed granite dome in the world., Sibebe Rock, over 3 billion years old.

Swaziland is the last absolute monarch in Africa. Eswatini Kings are polygamous. Mswati the 3rd has 15 wives and his father had 70 wives.

The highlights of Swaziland:

* Swazi cultural village walk

* Sibebe Rock (biggest granite rock in the world)

* Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife Game Drive

Lesotho

Population: 2.1 Million

Currency: Maloti

National Animal: Black Rhino

Black Rhinoceros skin can be up to 5cm thick. Black Rhinos are smaller and lighter than white rhinos.

Rhinos are browsers that use their hooked-up lip to pluck up bushes and branches for food.

Female rhinos often have longer and thinner horns.

Lesotho: Nicknamed is The Kingdom in the Sky. Is a land locked country encircled by South Africa. Drakensberg Mountain Range is the highest mountain in Southern Africa 3482m. Lesotho is situated above 1400m at a high altitude.

Lesotho has a wonderful waterfall. Maletsunyane Falls sees the river of the same name plunges 630 ft near the town of Semonkong.

You can ski and snowboard in Lesotho. The popular mountain resort Maluti, is located at over 3,222m/ 10, 570 ft. The ski slopes of the ski resort operate in winter from June to August.

The highlights of Lesotho :

* Malealea Village Walking Tour

* Malealea Pony Trekking

* Malealea Nature Trekking, discovering the rock paintings and the surounding cultural history.

Lesotho: Is the only country in the world to be entirely above 1000m in elevation and it has the highest lowest point in the entire world at 1400m, nicknamed Kingdom in the Sky.