• Mara Explorer tented camp

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya The word “glamping” needs to be taken out of the English vocabulary, like, yesterday. The concept, however, is definitely something we can get behind, especially at a place where you can get your safari on in the middle of an African wildlife reserve. Kick back on your four-post bed or chill on your private veranda while elephants and zebras just mosey on by. Or, head out with a gold-certified guide to find even wilder, more dangerous animals. And the best part, the only noises keeping you up at night will be the lions roaring in the distance; no crying little Simbas are allowed on the property.

• Giraffe Manor - Nairobi

If you are any smidge of an animal lover, this place needs to be on your list. Does life get any better than brunching with giraffes? You can decide when you stay here, in a year-round manor that’ll transport you to the 1930s, tucked inside 140 acres of Nairobi’s Lang’ata suburb. Part sanctuary and part resort, Giraffe Manor offers ten rooms, full board and infinite animal-friendly possibilities.

• Tuk Tuk Microbrewery - South Africa

Long-regarded as a first-class wine destination, South Africa’s Franschhoek Valley is ready to embrace beer culture. In the heart of the Franschhoek Village, Tuk Tuk is the valley’s first craft microbrewery and offers Mexican tapas along with its brew. Eating and drinking outdoors is always great (and available here), but curious imbibers will want to sit indoors just this once. Tables are placed throughout the brewery so you can witness the crafting process at various stages while you partake–think of it as the farm-to-table experience for beer! Because Tuk Tuk is owned by Leeu Collection, you’ll have not one but two upscale sleepover options on site. On one side of the brewery is Leeu House, and on the other is Le Quartier Français, harkening back to the region’s Huguenot settlement in the 17th century.

• Botswana

“This is the safari destination of your dreams,” raves Katie Losey, the director of marketing for Absolute Travel, who visited earlier this year. “It’s home to largest elephant population in Africa, a minor miracle in a continent ravaged by poaching, and a leader in high-end, low-impact tourism.” Why now? Last month, the government stood firmly behind the ivory ban and moratorium on hunting safaris—now it’s photographic only. Access has gotten easier, thanks to three new Qatar Airways flights (in code share with Air Botswana) to Gabarone, Maun and Francistone. And new high-end lodging options include the rebuilt Sanctuary Chief’s Camp (accommodations tripled in size); the Duba Expedition Camp, where National Geographic filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert film many of their documentaries; and the Duba Plains Camp, which Losey says will be as luxurious as Zarafa.

• Test Kitchen (Cape Town, South Africa) *Africa's best restaurant*
• Uganda for mountain gorillas

If you want to see gorillas in the wild, the must visit country is Uganda. This African country has a large population of primate species, from mischievous chimpanzees to majestic mountain gorillas. Uganda is one of the only countries in the world where you can see the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. The park offers trekking tours limited to small groups of around 6 to 8 people or less. You get to spend up to one hour interacting with the gorillas, making this a truly unforgettable experience! The best times to visit are June, July, August and September then December, January and February.

• Tofo, Mozambique for the beach

Moving up north from South Africa, take time to relax on a quiet beach with fine beige sand kissed by the emerald waves of the Indian Ocean. Tofo beach ( also called Praia do Tofo in Mozambique) has luxuriant vegetation, peaceful beaches and dozens of opportunities to exercise, like swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. When you get thirsty, there are dozens of beachfront bars to choose from to quench your thirst. If you love a laid back beach retreat, Tofo is the right place for you!

• 4Roomed The Restaurant - Cape Town
• Le Wine Chambre - Johannesburg
• Swim with Humpbacks - Mozambique

Hundreds of humpback whales travel to the coast of Mozambique each July through October to mate and calf in the Indian Ocean. The coastal town of Tofo, which is also known for its population of whale sharks, is a great home base, where you can both snorkel and dive with the whales, as well as the countless other marine creatures that call the area home.

• Victoria Falls - South Africa

Named after Queen Victoria by the British explorer David Livingston, Victoria Falls (also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya) connects Zambia and Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River. While it’s not the highest or widest, Victoria Falls is considered to be one of the world’s largest waterfalls, with a 350-foot drop that measures 5,700 feet across. True to its indigenous name—roughly translated: “Smoke that Thunders”—the noise of the falls can be heard for miles.

• Murchison Falls, Uganda

Two-hundred miles northwest of Kampala along the Albertine Rift Valley, Murchinson Falls is one of the country’s most impressive sites. Located inside a national park, which is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in Uganda, the falls are known locally as Karuma, a name derived from the notion that a wise spirit of the same name, positioned the stones that break the waters of the river.

• The Rock in Zanzibar, Tanzania

This small restaurant (it only has 12 tables, all with views of the sea) is found on a rock in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It was originally a fishing spot, until a group of investors decided to convert it into a little paradise for lovers of seafood.

• Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant - Diani Beach, Kenya

It is estimated that this cavern is between 120,000 and 180,000 years old, but it was converted into a restaurant 30 years ago. The structure remains intact and there are natural holes in the roof that allow you to see the sky while you dine. Basically, it is the ideal place for the best first date in the world. Its menu is international but with a specialty in seafood.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

One of the world's best places for gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park occupies 124 square miles in southwestern Uganda. As the name suggests, hacking through the park's tangled undergrowth and thick tree canopy isn't an easy day's work—but it'll feel like you have the jungle pretty much to yourself.

• Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Part of the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is known for attracting lions, leopards, and swarms of feeding flamingos. Although rising water levels over the past few years have caused the number of pink birds to drop, the protected area is still a sight to behold, due to the diversity of wildlife it attracts.

• Okavango Delta, Botswana

The lush Okavango Delta—a 49-million acre river delta in northern Botswana—is like a real-world eden, where cheetahs, zebras, buffalo, and rhinos roam freely. Visit during Africa's winter (our summer), after the rains when the delta floods: The savanna’s grasses are low, while growth along the waterways attracts tons of wildlife.

• WILD WATERS, NILE RIVER, UGANDA

'The resort Wild Waters is rustic but very unique. Off-the-radar. Under-touristed. In the middle of the Nile rapids; you can only reach it by rowboat. The dining room is open-air but with a roof – no wall. So as you eat you have these massive, all-consuming views of the river gushing all around you. When the storms roll through, they are dramatic and epic, a thrilling, natural version of dinner theatre.'

• Franschhoek Boutique Hotel - South Africa
• Kakum National Park

Canopy walks for viewing birds

• Madagascar
• Vergenoegd Löw winery - South Africa

At the Vergenoegd Löw winery in South Africa, pest control on the vines is the responsibility of a flock of more than 1,000 Indian runner duck “soldiers”. They emerge in a cacophony of honks every morning and spend the day eating aphids, snails and worms, keeping the vines pest-free and healthy. They circulate in a 14-day loop around different areas of the vineyard, with their droppings providing a bonus fertiliser. The ducks take a break only during harvest – grapes are just too tempting – when they get a holiday to swim in a nearby lake, forage on farmland and, er, work on producing the next generation of vineyard soldiers.

Things to do in Cape Town:

Boulder’s Beach National Park (the only beach in the world where you can swim with penguins!) • Table Mountain National Park (also one of the new seven wonders of the world!) • Kloof Corner Hike (only about 20 minutes and has the best views of Lion’s Head) • Lion’s Head & Signal Mountain (you can hike to the top and even paraglide off of it too!) • Maiden’s Cove Tidal Pool (where you can swim in pool like areas at different tide levels!) • The Rock (a great sunset stop) • Chapman’s Peak Drive (one of the most beautiful drives on the coast!) • Cape Point (the most south western point of Africa) • Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge @gardenroutegamelodge (LOVED this lodge so much! Such a cool safari experience!) • cage diving with the non for profit @marinedynamics

Other slightly random things to do: • Oranjezicht City Farm Market (one of the coolest farmers markets I’ve ever been to!) • Fran’s Place (amazing little beach restaurant in Simon’s Town) • Zip lining with @capecanopytour (most fun crew ever) • Peregrine Farm Stall