Ten of the Cheapest Vacation Destinations in Africa

Africa is a vast continent with many countries, diverse geography and fascinating sites and people. Many people, when they think of a vacation in Africa, think of safaris, but there is much more to do. Africa is often thought of as a continent of instability and poverty, but contrary to that assumption, there are places of beauty, calm and stability. It can also be an expensive place to take a vacation. For the traveler on a budget, however, there are still some places that can be enjoyed without spending a fortune. Following are ten of the least expensive vacation destinations for your next trip to Africa.

Zimbabwe. Despite its political problems, Zimbabwe is still a good tourist destination. Three locations there are among my top ten. Matobo National Park, located in the south of the country, an hour's drive south of the provincial town of Bulawayo, is the site of Cecil Rhodes tomb, and some of the most fantastic rock formations in the world. You can also trek through the wildlife park and get close up photos of black and white rhinos, baboons, hippos, and tons of other wildlife. Several hotels and hostels in Bulawayo offer reasonable and comfortable accommodation. Restaurants offer local and western cuisine. Leopard Rock Recreational Area is located four hours drive east of the capitol, Harare. A challenging golf course with picturesque views over the valleys in neighboring Mozambique makes this a great place for golfer or photographer. The Leopard Rock Hotel has package deals including meals and unlimited golf starting at around $150 per day. Both sites can be reached easily by car from Harare (4 hours to Leopard Rock and 6 hours to Matobo) through quaint villages and rural towns that offer typical handicrafts for sale along the roads. Victoria Falls, site of one of the world's most impressive waterfalls, is a must see. Hotels range from pricey four-star to more reasonable guest houses, and one of the favorite tourists activities is a canoe trip along the Zambezi River to see hippos in the wild.

Sierra Leone. There's lots to see in Freetown, the capitol city, including the Bunce Island Slave Fort,from which many slaves bound for rice plantations in South Carolina embarked. Monkey wood carvings are for sale at markets throughout the city, and the famed Mammy Yoko Hotel on Lumley Beach, just 8 miles from downtown has reasonably priced rooms. Seafood restaurants along Lumley Beach serve freshly caught swordfish and yellow jack, along with the traditional groundnut stew and rice. Freetown's airport is on Lungi Peninsula, and the city is reached either by a ferry ride, helicopter, or a three hour drive up the peninsula and back down the coast.

South Africa. If wildlife safaris are what you seek, South Africa is a great place to go. The coastal city of Cape Town, though, is a great place for a budget vacation. Flights operate from Johannesburg several times a day. The Cape Coast area, home to most of South Africa's Muslim population, with its colorful houses and street markets has bargains galore. This is also the home of Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held for several years before the end of apartheid. Major hotels are a bit pricey, but hostels and rentals are reasonably priced for budget travelers. The beautiful beaches offer surfing, snorkeling, or just lounging around. Game parks are located within an easy drive from the city center. As one of South Africa's traditional seaports and most diverse and tolerant cities, Cape Town has every imaginable kind of restaurant. For a great safari adventure, try Kruger National Park. Getting there from Johannesburg is relatively easy, and the hotels in the area tend to be expensive, but there are also lodges and smaller inns at more reasonable prices. Tour companies can arrange package deals that include transport, lodging, and safaris.

Tanzania. The name Zanzibar conjures up exotic images. Its fascinating beaches and long history as an Arab slave trading post, makes it one of Africa's top destinations. Zanzibar, located on the Indian Ocean, still displays a strong Arab influence, especially Stone Town with its beautiful tradition houses built in the Arab style, narrow alleys, mosques, and a sultan's palace. Famous for its spices, as you might imagine, the cuisine is exotic, a fusion of African and Arabian; but it also has some decent western restaurants for the less adventurous diner. And, of course, just as a trip to Japan would be incomplete without a trip to Mount Fuji, visiting Tanzania and not going to Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest free standing mountain, is unthinkable. The 19,340 foot climb does not require any special equipment or expertise, but it takes six days, and requires adequate clothing to prevent dehydration.

Uganda. With the fall of dictator Idi Amin, Uganda has set about rehabilitating its image, and has become a great vacation spot. Kampala has a few nice hotels, but hostels at reasonable prices are also available. You are likely to spend the bulk of your stay in the Virunga Mountains along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo observing some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. To avoid disturbing them, observation is usually limited to about one hour, but it will be an hour well spent and long remembered.

Kenya. While Nairobi has become overpopulated and polluted, once you get outside, the beauty and charm of Kenya hits you like a brick. A must see is the Masai Mara where you can see lions, elephants, and a multitude of other beasts of the wild. If you visit during the annual migration of wildebeest, you can watch millions of these majestic creatures from a hot air balloon.

This is just a small sampling of what Africa has to offer. Whatever your pleasure or desire, the continent can fulfill it, and the largest element of your budget will just be getting there. Discount flights from the U.S. and Europe to many of the major cities such as Johannesburg and Nairobi are available though if you spend some time shopping around.

References:

http://goafrica.about.com/od/kenya/tp/topicks.htm

http://goafrica.about.com/od/southafrica/tp/sabesthotels.htm

http://goafrica.about.com/od/africatraveltips/ss/africaplanner_2.htm