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Botswana’s vast wilderness areas and abundant wildlife have long kept the country high on the safari bucket list. In the northwest, the Okavango’s mosaic of islands and waterways is a magnet to huge seasonal herds of big game while, to the northeast, Chobe National Park hosts a similar spectacle along its waterfront. Wildlife movements between the two also take in the adjoining Kwando and Linyanti areas, where private concessions offer an exclusive safari experience. To the south, the thirst-lands and salt pans of the Kalahari draw seasonal grazers and protect unusual semi-desert fauna. Elsewhere, attractions include the rugged Tuli Block, in the southeast, and the sandy Kalagadi Transfrontier Park to the south. Safaris here don’t generally come cheap, but the rewards are spectacular.

Suited only to the most adventurous of travellers, the eastern DRC’s low-key tourist industry is focussed on the diverse Virunga National Park, which reopened to visitors in 2009. It is a challenging destination, but the rewards include a steep hike to an rustic overnight camp overlooking the world’s largest lava lake, as well as the opportunity to track mountain gorillas and chimpanzees on the slopes of the Virungas.

Kenya is the original home of the safari. And it still ranks high among Africa’s most alluring wildlife destinations. Hemmed in by the Indian Ocean beaches of the Swahili Coast, overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, and bisected by the mile-deep Great Rift Valley, Kenya is a land of exceptional geographic diversity and scenic beauty. But its biggest drawcard is undoubtedly the diverse megafauna protected in its world-famous wildlife reserves.

Sharing its name with the gorgeous 585km-long Rift Valley lake that accounts for 15% of its surface area, Malawi has long been a favourite with overlanders and backpackers for its relaxed atmosphere, lovely scenery and excellent hiking opportunities. These days, however, it is also emerging as an increasingly worthwhile safari destination, thanks to the post-millennial rehabilitation of several national parks and other reserves once ravaged by poaching.

Encircled by coral reefs and shallow turquoise waters, Mauritius is the place tropical-holiday dreams are made of. The generous sweeps of exquisite white beaches, often tasselled with palm trees, provide the perfect places in which to relax on sun loungers, to bury your feet in the fine sand, or to simply wallow in the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius also offers a wealth of activities; the island is a tropical playground and those who enjoy water sports take absolute delight experiencing the range that is on offer here.

For centuries travellers have been charmed by Morocco. Its rugged mountains, ribbons of beaches and rolling desert dunes lure those who dream of wide open spaces, while the old medinas and lively cities provide an evocative setting in which to explore the country’s fascinating history and culture. There can be no doubt: Morocco is a real feast for the senses.

With a mainland boasting 2,500km of Indian Ocean frontage, as well as innumerable idyllic offshore islands and pristine offshore reefs teeming with colourful fish, Mozambique is arguably Africa’s most complete beach destination. And while options for terrestrial wildlife-viewing are limited, this maritime country also boasts some of the region’s most intriguing urban backwaters, most notably Ilha de Moçambique, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose Portuguese architectural heritage stretches back a full 500 years.

Namibia’s natural beauty is absolutely astounding. Untamed landscapes – some shaped by the wind, others by geological forces – often seem to reach out into infinity, while others end abruptly at the feet of rugged mountains or the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Sand, in all shades of rust, moves with the air and creates shifting dunes; rivers weave lush green ribbons through desolate gravel plains; and extensive tracts of open spaces allow you to truly disconnect from the outside world. From bucket-list encounters with vast herds of wildlife to that exhilaration of running down a sand dune – there really is something magical about this remarkable country.

Rwanda is Africa’s premier gorilla-tracking destination, the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ offers a great deal of variety to wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. Big Five safaris can be undertaken in Akagera National Park, there’s excellent chimp-tracking and birdwatching in the dense montane forests of Nyungwe, or you could hike up the 4,507m peak of volcanic Mount Karisimbi, followed by some down time on the gorgeous mountain-ringed shores of Lake Kivu.

Warm, crystal waters; abundant marine life; jungled hills that climb back from pretty bays and fine-sand beaches – the island nation of Seychelles truly is a tropical paradise. Life on these islands, which are clustered in the Indian Ocean north of Madagascar, is laid back and easy. While holidays here tend to be focussed on the beach and ocean, these islands also offer exceptional birding opportunities and encounters with rare and endemic flora and fauna.

Cradled at the very tip of the continent, South Africa has long captured travellers’ imaginations. It is a country watched over by big skies, and flanked by oceans, deserts and wildlands. The cities here are alive with a vivacious energy that is uniquely South African, and many small towns have become a place of solace for creative spirits. All over the country one will experience genuine hospitality and delicious cuisine, and be immersed in a collection of cultures that have learned to live not only side by side, but often seamlessly – culminating in a destination that is absolutely unforgettable.

Emerging from years of civil war as one of Asia's fastest-growing and most welcoming travel destinations, Sri Lanka packs incredible variety into an area one-quarter the size of the United Kingdom. Relicts of a Buddhist tradition dating back more than 2,000 years include the skyscraping domed stupas of Anuradhapura, the old royal citadel of Sigiriya, and countless mysterious monastic ruins. Wildlife enthusiasts can explore a mosaic of national parks and forest reserves inhabited by elephants, leopards, sloth bears and a varied birdlife including 33 species unique to the island. For many visitors, however, the island’s most alluring feature is the paradisial beaches that line the coastline, while others rave about the friendly people and superb seafood and spicy local cuisine.

Tanzania is a superlative safari destination. Home to the world-famous Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater, this ecologically-savvy East African nation incorporates a network of national parks and other protected areas that account for a quarter of its surface area and harbour 20 percent of Africa’s big game. As politically stable as it is culturally diverse, Tanzania is also graced by such alluring landmarks as snow-capped Kilimanjaro and the sumptuous ‘spice island’ of Zanzibar.

Birthplace of many great civilizations, Turkey’s history suffuses every aspect of life. Tread in the steps of the Silk Road traders, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great and the Ottomans to discover a country full of laid-back charm. A violet sky studded with slender minarets and ancient domes forms a beguiling backdrop to Istanbul where Asian mystery fuses with European flair.

The safari circuit through western Uganda is arguably the most exciting in Africa, and certainly the most biodiverse. Sharing ecological affiliations with the West African rainforest and East African savannah, this best-of-both-worlds circuit staggers with its variety, which encompasses gorilla- and chimpanzee-tracking, game drives in search of elephants and tree-climbing lions, and boat trips along scenic waterways alive with hippos, crocodiles and birds.

Zambia is not the best-known of African destinations but enjoys an excellent reputation among experienced safari goers. Three great rivers, the Zambezi, Luangwa and Kafue, each form the spine of a fine national park. Among many wildlife highlights are endemic giraffes, huge hippo pods and great predator viewing – notably of leopards. Small private camps and top guiding make for an intense bush experience, and this is the country for walking safaris. Lesser-known attractions include the extraordinary migrations of fruit bats in Kasanka and wildebeest on Liuwa Plain, while birding delights include colonies of dazzling carmine bee-eaters and rare swamp-dwelling shoebills.

Zimbabwe is, potentially, one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations. Blessed with large herds of elephant and other big game, plus specialities such as wild dogs and sable antelope, it also has some of Africa’s most impressive landscapes, from the thunderous majesty of Victoria Falls to the granite moonscape of Matabo Hills. The country’s relatively low safari profile reflects decades of political turmoil. Since the departure of former president Robert Mugabe in 2017, however, tourism has been reinvigorated. While some parks have undeniably suffered neglect, a clutch of new private operators and conservation initiatives suggest a promising future.