Best Places to Visit Africa: The Destinations That Shaped How I Plan Travel

Where it all began—and where it still pulls me back

There’s a moment every travel designer has—the one that quietly shifts everything.

For me, it happened on safari in South Africa.

We had stopped on an abandoned airstrip during a night photography drive. The guide stopped the engine. Silence settled in. Above us, the Milky Way stretched endlessly—clearer and more vivid than anything I’d ever seen. Around us, zebra dozing, completely undisturbed by our presence.

It was one of those rare, grounding moments where everything clicks into place.

This is it.

That night didn’t just stay with me—it shaped everything that followed. It’s a big part of why I founded Zephyr Travel Curators nearly a decade ago, with a simple intention: to help others experience Africa in a way that feels just as immersive, just as transformative.

We’ve since expanded across the globe, crafting thoughtfully designed experiences in extraordinary destinations—but Africa still has my heart.

Best Places to Visit Africa That Continue to Inspire My Work

A lone figure stands in awe beneath sprawling trees, gazing up at the vast expanse of a star-filled night sky, capturing the serene beauty of nature and the cosmos.

Cape Town: Where Energy Meets Elegance

There’s a rhythm to Cape Town that just works.

Ocean, mountains, design, culture—it all blends effortlessly. It’s the kind of place where mornings start with coffee overlooking the Atlantic and end with wine in the Cape Winelands.

A few of my personal go-tos:

• Stay at The Marly for beachfront energy with a polished edge

• Slow lunches at Surfshack Rosa (a local favorite with personality)

• Catch the electric spirit of the South Africa Springboks national rugby union team—it’s cultural, not just sport

• Base yourself in Camps Bay for that perfect balance of access and atmosphere

  
  

And just beyond the city—the Cape Winelands. Rolling vineyards, understated luxury, and some of the best food and wine experiences anywhere in the world.

A picturesque view of lush vineyards in the Cape Winelands, South Africa, with a quaint white winery nestled among the greenery and majestic mountains in the background.

The Romance of the Journey: Rovos Rail

There’s something undeniably special about slowing down.

Rovos Rail isn’t just transportation—it’s a return to a more intentional way of traveling. Think vintage carriages, formal dinners, and landscapes that unfold slowly outside your window.

It’s the journey as the destination—refined, nostalgic, and deeply immersive.

Two travelers on Rovos Rail watching the wildlife run across the train tracks through a green field

Safari That Stays With You

If there’s one experience that defines Africa for me, it’s safari—but not all safaris are created equal.

A few places that consistently deliver something extraordinary:

• Savanna Private Game Reserve – Intimate, refined, and known for exceptional wildlife encounters

• Busanga Plains – Remote, seasonal, and wildly beautiful

• Chisa Busanga Camp – Elevated “nest” suites that completely immerse you in the landscape

These are the kinds of places where you feel connected—not just to the wildlife, but to the rhythm of the land itself.

Luxuriate in the heart of Busanga Plains at Chisa Busanga Nests, where modern elegance meets the wild, offering breathtaking views and a peaceful retreat amidst nature's splendor.

Victoria Falls: Power and Perspective

There’s nothing subtle about Victoria Falls—and that’s exactly the point.

The scale, the sound, the energy—it’s overwhelming in the best way.

Pair it with a stay at The Elephant Camp, where you can slow down, take it all in, and balance adventure with space to breathe.

Majestic view of Victoria Falls, showcasing the powerful cascades and lush surrounding landscape.

Why Africa Still Leads

Africa isn’t just one destination—it’s a collection of deeply different, richly layered experiences.

It’s:

• The contrast between vibrant cities and untouched wilderness

• The feeling of space—true, uninterrupted space

• The moments that aren’t staged or expected

When clients ask about the best places to visit Africa, I always come back to the destinations that shaped how I see travel in the first place—places that offer not just beauty, but a deeper sense of connection.

Even after years of designing journeys around the world, this is still where I find the most meaning—and where I see clients experience the biggest shift.

A tranquil outdoor bath on a wooden deck is illuminated by lanterns, overlooking a serene landscape as the sky glows with the soft hues of sunset.

Final Thought

That night under the stars in South Africa wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t over-planned. It wasn’t even comfortable.

But it was real.

And that’s ultimately what I try to create for every client—those rare, grounding moments that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.