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Southern Africa

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Herd of elephants walking through grassland.

Michael Heffernan

Overview

An astonishingly diverse region fused by its prolific wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and deeply rooted cultures, Southern Africa is Africa at its most memorable.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Southern Carmine Bee-eater in the air in South Luangwa. 134023874 africa, africa safari, africa wildlife, african, beautiful bird, bee eater, birds, birds eye view, birds flying, birds in flight, colorful, colorful animal, colorful bird, departure, flights, flying, flying bird, flying birds, freedom, freedom concept, happiness, nature reserve, red bird, safari animals, wild animals, wildlife, zambia

    South Luangwa National Park

    Zambia

    For scenery, variety and density of animals, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia and one of the most majestic in Africa. Impalas, pukus, waterbucks,ā€¦

  • Flowers in the Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens below Table Mountain.

    Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

    Cape Town

    Location and unique flora combine to make these 5.28-sq-km botanical gardens among the most beautiful in the world. Gate 1, the main entrance at theā€¦

  • Trees in front of Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe

    Victoria Falls National Park

    Victoria Falls (town)

    Here on the Zimbabwe side of the falls you're in for a real treat. Some two-thirds of Victoria Falls are located here, including the main falls themselvesā€¦

  • Viewpoint, Gonarezhou National Park , Zimbabwe

    Gonarezhou National Park

    Zimbabwe

    Hidden in the southeast corner of the country is the stunning Gonarezhou National Park, ZImbabwe's second largest park (5000 sq km) and regarded by manyā€¦

  • Constitutional Court on Constitution Hill.

    Constitution Hill

    Johannesburg

    Do not leave Jo'burg without visiting Constitution Hill. One of South Africa's most important historical sites, the deeply moving and inspirationalā€¦

  • Herd of Springbok passing in front of a red dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia; Concept for traveling in Africa and Safari

    Sossusvlei

    Namibia

    Sossusvlei, a large ephemeral pan, is set amid red sand dunes that tower up to 325m above the valley floor. It rarely contains any water, but when theā€¦

  • MALAWI - 2016/05/29: A Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in a tree in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

    Lilongwe

    This 1.1-sq-km wilderness area is Malawi's only sanctuary for orphaned, injured and rescued wild animals, and plays an active role in conservation. Localā€¦

  • Crowned Crane from Hwange National Park.

    Hwange National Park

    Zimbabwe

    One of the 10 largest national parks in Africa, and the largest in Zimbabwe, at 14,651 sq km, Hwange National Park, pronounced ā€˜Wang-eeā€™, has a ridiculousā€¦

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Articles

Latest stories from Southern Africa

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Chobe National Park, Botswana : Tourists in a boat observe elephants along the riverside of Chobe River in Chobe National Park, Botswana., License Type: media, Download Time: 2024-07-04T06:33:39.000Z, User: mvm_lonelyplanet, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 56530, job: Global Publishing-WIP, client: The World 3, other: Virginia Moreno

Destination Practicalities

First-time guide to a safari in Southern Africa

Jan 27, 2025 ā€¢ 15 min read

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Go Beyond

Southern Africa and beyond

Beyond Southern Africa