Best travel destinations for seniors in Africa
Best travel destinations for seniors in Africa
Africa has become steadily more accessible for older travelers, with more lodges and tour operators now set up to make a safari more comfortable than it used to be.
Many safari camps offer vehicles with easier entry and exit, along with shorter drives and more frequent rest stops built into the day. Coastal cities in South Africa and Egypt combine major historic and cultural sights with reliable infrastructure and modern medical care nearby. Guided tours are widely available and popular with older travelers who would rather leave the logistics to someone else. A doctor's advice before the trip is worth getting, given the vaccination and health precautions that can apply to parts of the continent. Direct flights from major hubs also make reaching some of these destinations easier than it once was.
The destinations on our list for Africa combine wildlife travel with the more accessible, well supported cities elsewhere on the continent.
Lists by region
National Park in South Africa
Kruger National Park
Where Africa's Big Five Roam Free
This park runs about 350 kilometres along the Mozambique border with tarred roads. Lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo can all be seen from a car. Skukuza camp has an airport, restaurants and a large shop. Dry winter months from May to September thin the bush so animals are easy to spot.
Town in Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls
The Smoke That Thunders
A roar and a cloud of spray rise above the gorge long before the falls appear. Marked paths on the Zimbabwe side lead to viewpoints and are mostly flat. Bring a rain poncho from February to May when the mist is heaviest. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi run at a gentle pace with drinks.
Town in South Africa
Franschhoek
Wine, Mountains and Gourmet Living
The smell of oak barrels and ripe grapes drifts from cellars along the valley. A hop-on hop-off wine tram links estates so guests need not drive. Huguenot settlers from France arrived in 1688 and shaped the valley's wine and food. Main Street has restaurants and galleries within a short flat walk.
Island in Tanzania
Zanzibar
Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume
This island lies in the Indian Ocean about 35 kilometres off Tanzania. Stone Town, a UNESCO site, has carved wooden doors and sights close together. Resorts at Nungwi and Kendwa on the north coast have white sand and swimming at most tides. The dry months from June to October are cooler and less humid.
Nature Reserve in Botswana
Okavango Delta
Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness
Local guides called polers push narrow canoes called mokoro through the reeds with long poles. Guests sit low in the boat and glide past water lilies and birds. Light aircraft fly guests from Maun to camps in the delta in about thirty minutes. Flood waters from Angola reach their peak in July and August.
City in South Africa
Stellenbosch
Wine, Heritage and Mountain Views
Governor Simon van der Stel founded this town in 1679 and planted oaks that still shade the streets. Wine estates lie a short drive from the centre. Many serve lunch on shaded terraces. The compact centre has Cape Dutch houses and the Village Museum within a few blocks.
Country
Mauritius
Tropical Bliss in the Indian Ocean
May to October is the cooler dry season with highs near 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The west and north coasts have calm lagoons inside coral reefs. Glass bottom boats show reef fish to guests who stay dry. Pamplemousses Botanical Garden has giant water lilies and wide shaded paths laid out in the 1700s.
National Park in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
The Ultimate Safari Adventure
Seronera Valley in the central Serengeti has lions, leopards and cheetahs all year. Game drives use vehicles with pop-up roofs so there is little walking. Light planes land at airstrips near lodges which cuts long bumpy drives. The dry months from June to October make animals easier to find near rivers.
National Park in Botswana
Chobe National Park
Elephant Haven in Botswana
Botswana made this area its first national park in 1967. Large herds of elephants come to the Chobe River to drink in the dry season. Boat cruises glide past hippos, crocodiles and elephants at the water's edge. The town of Kasane has a small airport and lodges near the river.
Nature Reserve in Kenya
Maasai Mara
Endless savannahs echo with wildlife rhythms
July to October brings wildebeest herds from the Serengeti and the busiest game viewing. Open plains are a short drive from most lodges and hold lions, elephants and giraffes. Light planes from Nairobi land at Mara airstrips in about an hour. Road trips from Nairobi take five to six hours.
City in South Africa
Pretoria
Capital of history, culture and natural beauty
This capital is about 400 metres lower than Johannesburg and a bit warmer in winter. In October and November more than 50,000 jacaranda trees turn the streets purple. The Union Buildings, finished in 1913, have large gardens and wide city views. Short drives link museums, gardens and the Voortrekker Monument.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
The Table Mountain cableway reaches the top in about five minutes in cars with rotating floors. Short loops on top lead to viewpoints over the city and the Atlantic. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden has a curved treetop walkway and smooth paths for slow strolls. Open top buses run city and coast routes with commentary.
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