In Africa, we’ve always looked to the rains to signal seasonal transition. The first real sign is the heat building, the thunder clouds gathering, and the buzz of anticipation in the air. Lorraine Kearney heard from people immersed in the bush about the clues they watch for.
A traveller asks for a quote. You are organising an airport transfer, finding a missing suitcase or explaining that the wildlife does not work to a timetable.
From 27 September 2026, new EU rules will raise the bar for environmental and sustainability claims made to European consumers. For African tourism businesses, credible evidence will increasingly shape buyer confidence, reputation and market access. Now is the time to review your claims, verify your partners and ensure every impact story can be substantiated.
When is the best time to visit South Luangwa? Lion Camp explores how the safari experience changes from May to October, from the greener, cooler early months to the dramatic wildlife concentrations of the late dry season, helping travellers choose the right time for their ideal safari.
Discover how responsible safari tourism supports nature, wildlife conservation and local communities in Zambia. From funding anti-poaching efforts to creating jobs and strengthening local businesses, Royal Zambezi shows how every thoughtfully planned safari can make a meaningful difference.
Travel for Impact was born from an indisputable fact: your travel has an impact. And the challenge to ensure that impact is a positive one. For 14 years it has been doing exactly that in northern Botswana
Discover why Royal Zambezi Lodge is made for unforgettable family safaris. With spacious family suites, child-friendly dining, the hands-on Royal Rangers programme and activities from game drives to fishing and river cruises, every generation can explore, reconnect and create lifelong memories together in Zambia’s spectacular Lower Zambezi.
Namibia gives children, parents and grandparents room to experience one remarkable journey in their own ways. Discover why its deserts, wildlife, coast and carefully paced adventures make it ideal for multigenerational family travel.
This World Elephant Day, we revisit one of Southern Africa’s most enduring wildlife tales: do elephants really get drunk on fermented marula fruit? Discover how the legend began, what the science actually tells us, and why the ecological role and conservation of Africa’s elephants are far more remarkable than the myth.
Planning a safari with children? Kafunta Safaris in South Luangwa National Park shares eight essential considerations, from age, safety and activities to accommodation, budget and travel logistics, helping families create a rewarding adventure for every generation.
Today’s African safaris are about far more than iconic wildlife sightings. Increasingly, travellers are seeking authentic cultural connections, regenerative tourism experiences and meaningful encounters that reveal the true heart of Africa.
Few safari experiences shift your perspective quite like photographing the wild from a hide: eye-to-eye with wildlife, with no vehicle, no glass, and not much distance between you. In this guide, the Kavinga team shares practical tips for making the most of your time in the hide, from preparing your camera gear to reading the bush’s subtler signals, so you’re ready for when that once-in-a-lifetime shot steps into view.
Kafunta Safaris brings us a guide to walking safaris in South Luangwa, where Zambia’s safari tradition began. Discover what to expect on foot, from expert guides to close-up wildlife encounters in one of Africa’s most immersive wilderness experiences.
While game drives are often the highlight of an African safari, exploring Kafue National Park by boat offers a completely different perspective on the wilderness.
Responsible travel has evolved.
Today, it’s no longer just about packing a reusable water bottle or saying no to plastic straws. While those choices still matter, travellers are increasingly asking a much bigger question:
“How can my holiday leave the places I visit better than I found them?”
For decades, African tourism has been creating extraordinary impact by protecting wildlife, supporting communities, creating jobs, preserving culture and investing in conservation. The challenge has never been the work itself. The challenge has been proving it.
Discover Zambia’s extraordinary birding, home to over 750 species across diverse habitats. From carmine bee-eaters to fish eagles, Samoan birdlife meets African wilderness in a rich, immersive safari experience shaped by season and setting.
A chimpanzee smiling for a selfie. A parrot that can talk. A baby wild animal raised like a pet. These encounters may seem harmless, even heartwarming, but behind many of them lies a far darker reality.
From the Okavango Delta to Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River, discover Southern Africa’s most memorable water-based safari experiences.
Heli-fishing at Miavana opens access to some of the Indian Ocean’s most untouched waters. From giant trevally to sailfish, this is a raw, immersive angling experience shaped by instinct, adventure, and the freedom to explore beyond the horizon.
Safari isn’t only about the 5am wake-up call. Sometimes it’s floating in a pool while elephants wander past, or claiming your spot poolside with a well-earned gin and tonic.
How a Zambian craft distillery is redefining sustainability, one bottle at a time.
Water has always been a vital part of my life, whether it’s capturing reflections on a still lake or watching cascades tumble down a waterfall. I find deep joy in listening to the peaceful sounds of a river moving past, and I’ve also experienced its more exhilarating side, kayaking class five rivers in Zambia and Uganda.
This piece explores the changing nature of the Zambezi River, from the force of Victoria Falls to its quieter upstream flow. At Matetsi River Lodge, the river becomes part of daily life, shaping moments, wildlife encounters and the surrounding landscape.
Hideaways Africa unites Zimbabwe and Botswana guides through cross-border training, enhancing skills, conservation focus and multi-country safari experiences.
The Zambezi Working Donkey Project is a tiny team tackling a big problem: saving these important creatures through education and veterinary care, writes Lorraine Kearney.
Through the ages, donkeys have served humanity and endured the harshest conditions. May 8th is World Donkey Day and celebrates the world’s most enduring and stoic of animals. However, many donkeys still live in constant pain, and often their owners are unequipped to provide the care these animals require. This is when the Zambezi Working Donkey Project steps in.
Music is a universal language, and traditional songs, instruments and rhythms create an unmistakeable sense of place and belonging, writes Lorraine Kearney.
Pro guide Sibs Sibanda is a big man with a big reputation. He’s been in the bush since 1995 and is legendary for his ability to spot wildlife, for his expertise and deep knowledge of Zimbabwe’s wild lands. But still, Lorraine Kearney found a humble man, always willing to learn more, and share his knowledge.
Using local art and traditional craftwork in building design and décor gives an unmistakeable sense of place to lodges and camps, writes Lorraine Kearney.
In Mfuwe, the sounds of daily life compete against the wild bush, with the entrance to South Luangwa National Park only 5 minutes away. So, it’s quite likely you will hear a lion’s throaty roar as children play in the yard while Project Luangwa’s craft team make their way to work.
Demand for authentic, off-the-beaten-path safaris is rising, and Zimbabwe is answering. Mana Pools, with its walking and canoeing focus, strong wildlife density and low visitor numbers, is fast becoming a priority for operators building Southern Africa itineraries.
Zambia’s culinary scene holds a delicious surprise for vegetarian travellers: ifisashi, a beloved dish found in homes across the country.
Wellness travel writer Rita Jardine explores how food, ingredients and culinary traditions shape the way we experience a destination.
Relive your Southern African travels through cookbooks and culinary souvenirs. From Zimbabwean township recipes to Namibian sea salt and Malawian coffee, discover the ultimate edible gifts to bring home.
There are few moments as ubiquitous to Southern Africa as when the sun sets below the horizon. In fact, if you have ever been to Africa, you likely just let out a sigh as the memories flooded back.
Kafunta Safaris brings us a fascinating look at the deep-time story behind South Luangwa’s landscapes. From ancient rift valleys to fossilised forests, discover how millions of years shaped one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife destinations.
From Time + Tide Tsara Komba in north west Madagascar, discover the quiet magic of encountering sea turtles in their natural habitat – from green turtles grazing in lagoons to hawksbills weaving through coral reefs around Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Iranja.
Discover the traditional food of Southern Africa with this guide to must-try dishes and drinks from Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Namibia. A culinary adventure awaits!
A single network bridging donors and vetted locally led community and conservation organisations across the region is a simple idea with a big impact, writes Lorraine Kearney.
This World Pangolin Day, let’s shine a spotlight on one of Africa’s most elusive and endangered species –
the pangolin. With an estimated one pangolin poached every five minutes, urgent action is needed to protect these unique mammals.
If you come to Africa for a holiday, there’s a reasonable chance you’ll leave with a camera full of animal photos and a vague desire to quit your job.
Slow travel in Africa is about presence, not performance. Discover why Africa rewards those who travel intentionally and take their time.
Wellness travel in Africa naturally resets mind, body and soul through slow travel, safari experiences and time spent in the wild.
EDEN – Soul of Africa is a breathtaking coffee table book capturing Botswana’s Okavango, Kalahari and hidden Tuli through powerful photography and storytelling.
Discover how Natural Selection Namibia’s Ally Karaerua champions sustainability, community partnerships, and conservation at the heart of Namibia’s tourism industry.
Discover how Wild Horizons’ Pay It Forward Tour in Victoria Falls turns responsible travel into community-led impact through local shopping, dignity and empowerment.
There’s something almost sacred about walking in Africa. Your heartbeat syncs to the slow rhythm of your footsteps, your ears tune into the hum of the wild. A bush walk or walking safari in Africa is meditation.
It was only 7am but already the sweat was trickling between my shoulder blades and down my back. The sun was high and brutal in the impossibly blue sky. Dust was everywhere, the sand underfoot soft like a beach and fine.
How a Zambian safari lodge turned its passion for people and planet into a pioneering certification journey.
Africa’s waterways invite discovery. Paddle the Zambezi, snorkel in Lake Malawi, raft under Victoria Falls, cruise the Chobe at sunset, and kayak the Bazaruto Archipelago. These adventures showcase wildlife, landscapes, and the magic of travel on African water safaris.
“We have to understand that wildlife is a resource and it’s not an infinite resource.” The co-founder and chief executive of the Amalinda Safari Collection in Zimbabwe is clear on what needs to be done.
Explore wellness travel in Africa: silent safaris, bush spas, riverside yoga, and stargazing retreats that recharge body, mind, and spirit in the wild
Chef Sungani Phiri takes diners on a culinary exploration of his homeland from his chef’s house in Livingstone, Zambia, a rising hub for Zambia culinary tourism.
Celebrate World Tourism Day with Africa’s Eden: discover simple, no-cost actions for sustainable tourism in Africa that support communities, conservation, and guests year-round.
Who is your favourite peaceful, gentle giant? We would hedge our bets that in the animal kingdom, many of you would say the giraffe. But do you genuinely appreciate this remarkable creature? Here are 9 interesting facts we bet you didn’t know about giraffes.
You could say it was gold fever that started it all, the Shenton family’s fingerprint on southern Africa.
Some secrets are too wild to keep, and North Luangwa is one of them. In the far reaches of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley lies a wilderness where nature still rules.
Signing up with African Parks to manage the national park was a ‘homecoming’ for Mike Pelham
Embarking on a photographic safari through Africa’s Eden is an immersion into a realm where wild nature, rich culture and landscapes that seem otherworldly converge to create arresting visuals. This vast region offers an unparalleled wealth of opportunity and inspiration for both hobbyists and seasoned professionals alike, providing front-row seats to nature’s unscripted drama and spectacular scenery.
The Van Wyks of Kasane started with a tract of riverside property, one Toyota Land Cruiser and a big dream.
From thunderous whitewater to silent trails under starlight, Africa’s Eden is home to some of the continent’s most unforgettable adventures.
At the gateway to South Luangwa National Park, Flatdogs Camp has long been known for offering one of the most welcoming and authentic safari experiences in the valley.
The Untamed Chronicles Unbreakable link: tourism and conservation by Lorraine Kearney Anald Musonza got into this business by accident, he says. It’s a happy accident
Learn how to spot leopards on safari, explore top destinations, and discover fascinating facts about these elusive big cats.
Why would you want to travel alone as a woman?
We think the question should be: Why wouldn’t you?
Chris Tett talks about multi-country tourism and how working together will help everyone in the region.
Southern Africa is no stranger to film crews, mostly of the documentary variety. Blame the extraordinary wildlife and incredible cultures.
In celebration of International Women’s Day (8 March), we honour some remarkable women shaping the travel industry in Southern Africa.
Three animal encounters brought the same message: ‘You are the Earth; you are from the Earth…open your heart and listen…this is where you belong’
As the world continues to develop, traditions begin to fade around us. Teachings of the environment, ceremonies celebrated for milestones, and religious purposes slowly skip generations in some communities.
How many times have you landed in a new country, only to find yourself frantically searching for WiFi to message loved ones, check directions, or book a ride?
African Parks’ partnerships have brought big benefits to Kafue National Park, but Ian Pollard is not done yet.
As Victoria Falls Safari Lodge commemorates its 30th anniversary, a rich history of memories unfold —stories of beginnings, challenges, and triumphs.
Cheetahs are classified by the IUCN as “vulnerable”, meaning they are at risk of extinction in the wild. With their future uncertain, the imperative to protect them is massive. Journey with us now as we highlight the best places to see cheetahs across Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and with some luck, see them doing what they do better than anyone else – feed the need for speed.
Chundukwa River Lodge celebrated its 30-year legacy in 2022 – a horse ranch outside of Livingstone, Zambia, where supporting local artisans includes the peaceful synchronicity of colour, design, community and nature has been at the heart of their story in Africa.
As Victoria Falls Safari Lodge commemorates its 30th anniversary, a rich history of memories unfold —stories of beginnings, challenges, and triumphs.
At San Camp, the mysterious desert landscape surrounds you. Forget the tourist crowds and over-stuffed 4x4s, too; it’s just you, the wildlife, and a handful of local San Bushmen, waiting to share their secrets.
Escape the scorching heat and delve into the cool coastal breeze of Swakopmund, Namibia’s charming seaside oasis.
As one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, the Victoria Falls has a lesser-known side that emerges when the waters of the Zambezi River recede…
Any vegan will tell you that it can be tricky finding vegan-friendly options while traveling. However, Gondwana Collection always has the needs of their guests in mind, even in remote corners of Africa’s Eden.
How safe is it to travel in Africa? This article addresses various safety considerations and offers practical tips.
Recipe for The Elephant Camp’s Glazed Chicken Wings – slathered in a sweet-and-tangy glaze with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
As the morning mist rises over a blanket of grasslands, an indescribable stillness precedes the intermittent sounds of wildebeest snorting and zebra braying. This is a special place on Earth, where the benefits of community collaboration are highlighted at every turn.
Start your Zimbabwe self drive trip across the border in one of the finest national parks in Southern Africa.
Celebrate World Bratwurst Day with Hakusembe River Lodge’s famous curry bratwurst and coleslaw recipe – an easy weekday meal.
We guarantee that the nostalgia of camping in the Botswana bush will come flooding back when you dish up a plate of Beef and Vegetable Potjie.
Lions are the world’s only truly sociable cats. With their regal presence and power, some say they are the rulers of Africa’s Eden.
Namibia, a land of breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife, offers a remarkable experience for travellers. But how do you travel and see the best of Namibia without breaking the bank?
Across Africa’s Eden, certain wildlife destinations are regarded as “must-see”. When safari newbies first consider where to go, places like Etosha National Park, the Okavango Delta, South Luangwa and Hwange National Park are common suggestions – and rightly so.
There are two types of recreational fishermen: the first enjoy a calm, relaxing day out on the water and are quite happy to cast a line, crack a beer and wait for a fish to take the bait. These fishermen are content with their decently sized fish that are quick to reel in before returning to quietly enjoying the scenery.
Self-drive safaris through Zimbabwe take a bit of planning but are amazing for anyone ready to take up the challenge.
Few places on Earth can match the serenity, view and ambience of The Elephant Cafe. So it’s easy to see why this tranquil location, just outside of Livingstone, Zambia, repeatedly holds the top spot for Best Restaurant in Zambia, according to Trip Advisor.
Kudakwashe Lifa, the new head chef at Nkosi Lodge, is one such example, so we aren’t surprised that he picked Nkosi Lodge’s Secret Signature Burger Recipe when we asked for one of his favourite meals.
Namibia is a beautiful country boasting stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a rich culture. So, it’s no wonder travel photographers want to capture the beauty of this unique country. However, travelling to Namibia can be challenging, especially for photographers who wish to take the best shots possible. In this article, we will discuss five travel photography hacks when travelling to Namibia.
Imagine yourself and your partner in Northern Namibia. It’s dawn on the Kwando River – the bow of the boat gently slips through the calm waters as the sun’s early morning rays dance at the water’s edge.
Being one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls draws visitors from everywhere. However, once they’ve witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest waterfall, what else is there to do in Zimbabwe’s top travel destination?
Finding a vegan burger in Namibia, or anywhere in Southern Africa, isn’t the easiest taste. Finding a vegan burger in Namibia that tastes fresh and bursts with flavour is an even bigger feat. However, as the world changes its outlook on consumption to be more sustainable, households and consumers are steering towards plant-based diets.
Amid the spectacular landscape of Victoria Falls, dotted with riverine forests and elephant trails and nestled in peaceful indigenous woodland, is Victoria Falls Safari Spa, the perfect place to escape with your loved one.
