The average daily maximum temperature in July is only 22°C! Such an excellent summer escape is not in Canada, nor in Russia, but in Zimbabwe in Africa. If you think of Africa, which is a sunny, fiery and dry environment, then you have to renew this misunderstanding.
For southern Africa, July is the opposite of the season, with pleasant temperatures and the best time to see the animals. We have prepared a list of out-of-season excursions for you, five countries, ten destinations, to ensure cool and innovative.
Take a bath in the largest waterfall in Africa
Just recently, Zimbabwe announced the implementation of visas on arrival for Chinese tourists, and a more convenient policy allows everyone to take advantage of the destinations here when traveling through southern Africa. And the most worthwhile natural sight in Zimbabwe is the Victoria Falls.
Experience the Devil's Pool: Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in Africa and the second largest in the world, is plentiful and the Zambezi River runs from steep cliffs into deep canyons here. At the top of the waterfall, there is a devil pool that is known as the most dangerous in the world. Although the amount of water in the dry season is not as shocking as the rainy season, it is only during the dry season that people can jump into it and barely get rid of it.
On one side is a 100-meter-high cliff and on the other side is a turbulent river, and you are on the edge of the waterfall 100 meters above, watching the surging water of the waterfall fall to the bottom of the cliff. If you want to play handsome, you can also do a trick diving, but be sure to ensure your own safety
Can't miss the water safari
Unlike other African countries, Zimbabwe doesn't only meet animals on land. There are many water activities on the Zambezi River, such as sundowner cruise, which can start a famous sunset cruise.
Cruise the Zambezi River: Set up five or six small tables on a luxurious steamship, hold a cold drink, take photos and chat with strangers in the sunset and sunset in a slightly drunk, eat dinner with hippos, deer, crocodiles and various birds passing by the boat, and enjoy a quiet crimson time.
African penguins take a look
After flying for thirty hours, it would be a little regrettable to just go to Zimbabwe. Usually South Africa is the first stop on your journey to Africa, which is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, diverse cultural features and beautiful natural landscapes. Cape Town's Garden Drive alone is enough to play.
Drive the Garden Route: From the south coast of Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, the road is lined with the endless Atlantic Ocean, along the way you can go to Hout Bay to see seals, to Simon Town to take a photo with African penguins, natural oysters are also a local specialty, the most discerning foodie also consider knysna oysters are the best delicacy. It will make you feel that Africa is so romantic and relaxing in addition to wildness and nature.
Take a trip to an aristocratic safari
If you don't sit on the pride of Africa once, You may always see Africa as black in your eyes. Climb aboard the luxurious wooden carriages of the Rovos rail – experience the classic 19th-century train and enjoy the spectacular views of Africa in a five-star luxury.
Slow Prairie Lines: The Pride of Africa train's varied journeys range from 48-hour lines to 14-day lines. Two fixed short-haul routes, Pretoria-Cape Town and Pretoria-Durban, are recommended, and the long journey is too long for everyone to get used to days when there is no Internet.
If you have enough time, you can certainly connect some destinations, including the Cape of Good Hope, the wildlife paradise of Mpumalanga, the desolate and poignant Great Kaloo Terrace, and the lush KwaZulu Natal endless sugar cane fields.
A tourist destination that made its fortune with diamonds
Botswana, a country that sounds a little strange, is Africa's tycoon, and its well-developed economy, peaceful environment, and extremely private protected areas and unique wetland scenery have made it a frequent visitor to various travel magazines.
Off-roading in the Salt Marsh Desert: Don't worry about coming to southern Africa and not seeing the great desert, Botswana's Karahali Desert covers a total area of 630,000 square kilometers and is one of the flattest deserts in the world, which is super suitable for driving an off-road vehicle. Every year, a 1,000 km desert buggy race is held here, making it a great opportunity for the average visitor to experience the legendary desert culture.
Private grassland wetlands
Botswana greatly restricts foot traffic, with patches of fields and grass divided into private reserves large and small, so you can enjoy privacy and relaxation in Botswana compared to the heavily populated national parks and public game reserves.
Pedaling through the Delta on Horseback: Located in northern Botswana, the Okavango Delta is a lush tropical swamp surrounded by the Kalahari Desert steppe and is recognized as one of the largest inland deltas in the world. When the rainy season comes, the area of the delta will increase to 22,000 square kilometers. Some even call it Africa's last Garden of Eden.
Whales at infinite closeness
The hit cartoon of the same name," Madagascar, has already made a sequel to 3, and even if you haven't been to Madagascar, you'll know that this is a paradise for animals. Madagascar is actually the fourth largest island in the world, with an area of 620,000 square kilometers equivalent to more than six Zhejiang provinces, spanning 1,800 kilometers from south to north.
If you're lucky, you can also watch whales on shore: around 7,000 humpback whales will come to breed in the eastern route. The sandy beaches here have always been in pristine condition, without the hustle and bustle of the usual tropical islands. Every July, when Madagascar's annual Whale Festival takes place, don't miss this marine event.
Baobab Night
On the Northwest Route, there is also the legendary 800-year-old baobab tree. The mouth of the Murundava River in the north is home to the baobab trees, and one of the most famous attractions is the Baobab Avenue.
800-year-old baobab tree: In recent decades, the area of other woods is slowly decreasing due to the increase in the local population, but for religious reasons, the baobab tree is still very well preserved. The trees can reach heights of up to 30 meters, and this area is home to 7 different varieties of baobab trees unique to the Falklands. At night, huge tree trunks, strange branches stretch out to the starry sky and the Milky Way in the sky, is the most magical starry sky you can ever see, shocking and moving even more than the brilliant sunset of the baobab tree.
Go and see the purest starry sky on earth
Namibia has always been a gathering place for stargazing enthusiasts, and as one of only five international dark sky reserves in the world, Namibia's skies have no trace of pollution, and the brilliant galaxy and sliding meteors are visible to the naked eye. There are many desert villas built of stone and glass in Namibia, and sleeping in the desert can look up at the most beautiful starry sky in the world.
Slide down the world's tallest sand dune
In addition, the Namib Desert and the Norcroft Mountains form one of Africa's largest and the world's fourth largest wildlife sanctuaries. The most attractive part of the park is the famous Sosuvierai Dunes, a "star dune", this huge wave of apricot-yellow sand dunes is the highest sand dune in the world, reaching a height of 300 meters, and visitors here have the opportunity to go sandboarding, horseback riding or hot air ballooning.
Information on Southern Africa
1. Airfare: At present, there are few direct flights from domestic to southern African countries except South Africa. Connections from Europe, the Middle East or South Africa are generally required, and direct flights from Beijing to Johannesburg take 14 hours.
2. Currency: USD. Visa and master cards are recommended, but guides like the handicraft market and some activities only charge cash in US dollars.
3. Climate: The temperature in the region is lowest in July. You can see the natural landscape in the rainy season and wildlife in the dry season.
4. Language: Most countries are former Commonwealth countries, and English is more common.
5. Essentials: There are occasional malaria and other diseases in these areas, it is best to get preventive injections or buy good drugs in advance before traveling, and bring anti-mosquito spray and sunscreen.
6. Clothing: If you go to the wild to see animals, do not wear black and white clothing, because lions and cheetahs are more sensitive to black and white colors.
7. Self-drive: Drive as slowly as possible in Africa, watching out for animals or beasts that pop up.
Written and edited by Zhu Tong and Phillip