The annual flooding of the Okavango River turns the vast grassy plains of this corner of northern Botswana into a lush wetland teeming with wildlife, where you can get up close to elephants, hippos and crocodiles by canoe, or stay on dry land and follow lions, leopards and wild dogs.<\/p>\n
![\"Tourists](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01220589.jpg\" "\\"Tourists")
<\/div>![\"RF-](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01441026.jpg\" "\\"RF-")
<\/div>![\"African](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01508773.jpg\" "\\"African")
<\/div>![\"Group](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01309519.jpg\" "\\"Group")
<\/div>![\"Southern](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01540525.jpg\" "\\"Southern")
<\/div>![\"Tourists](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01576728.jpg\" "\\"Tourists")
<\/div>Namibia<\/a><\/h4>\nNamibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is a prime destination for ecotourism due to the extensive and varied flora, fauna and landscapes. Attractions range from desert-dwelling elephants and the rockscapes of Damaraland, to epic sand dunes and forests of quiver trees.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Hot](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01451059.jpg\" "\\"Hot")
<\/div>Hot air balloon landing after ride over the Namib desert, Namibia, February<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Desert](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01561639.jpg\" "\\"Desert")
<\/div>Desert dwelling African elephant (Loxodonta africana) Damaraland, Namibia<\/strong> by Christophe Courteau<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Quiver](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01520556.jpg\" "\\"Quiver")
<\/div>Quiver tree forest (Aloe dichotoma) at night with stars and the milky way, Keetmanshoop, Namibia<\/strong> by Wim van den Heever<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Camelthorn](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01484254.jpg\" "\\"Camelthorn")
<\/div>Camelthorn tree at sunrise with mountain beyond. Namib Rand, Namibia. May 2010.<\/strong> by Hougaard Malan<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Gemsbok](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01520558.jpg\" "\\"Gemsbok")
<\/div>01520558<\/strong> by Wim van den Heever<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Klip](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01581602.jpg\" "\\"Klip")
<\/div>Klip river valley, Grootberg plateau, Damaraland, Kunene region, Namibia, March 2017.<\/strong> by Ernie Janes<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nRwanda<\/a><\/h4>\nProbably most famous for it’s mountain gorilla population, found in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda also offers the chance to see animals such as elephants and giraffes in Akagera National Park.<\/p>\n
![\"Mountain](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01396056.jpg\" "\\"Mountain")
<\/div>Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei) Hirwa group led by the silverback dominant male Munyinya, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, elevation 2610 m<\/strong> by Christophe Courteau<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Four](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01592363.jpg\" "\\"Four")
<\/div>Four Burchell's zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) two with Red billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorynchus) on their backs, with Antelope, mainly Impala (Aepyceros melampus) and a Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) behind, Akagera National Park, Rwanda, Africa.<\/strong> by Eric Baccega<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Valley](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01327464.jpg\" "\\"Valley")
<\/div>Valley fog at dawn in the mountains of the Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.<\/strong> by Visuals Unlimited<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Sunbird](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01327463.jpg\" "\\"Sunbird")
<\/div>Sunbird (Nectarinia sp), Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.<\/strong> by Visuals Unlimited<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Maasai](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01592366.jpg\" "\\"Maasai")
<\/div>Maasai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) portrait, Akagera National Park, Rwanda, Africa.<\/strong> by Eric Baccega<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"L'Hoest's](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01507056.jpg\" "\\"L'Hoest's")
<\/div>L'Hoest's monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti) feeding on leaves, Rwanda.<\/strong> by Ole Jorgen Liodden<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nSouth Africa<\/a><\/h4>\nSouth Africa has a lot to offer fans of the outdoors, whether it’s diving with great white sharks, taking in the floral landscapes of the Garden Route, or heading out on safari to view the \u2018big five\u2019 (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) all of which can be seen here.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Curious](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01106409.jpg\" "\\"Curious")
<\/div>Curious Great white shark head on (Carcharodon carcharias) Dyer Island, Shark Alley, Gansbaai, South Africa<\/strong> by Brandon Cole<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01410059.jpg\" "\\"White")
<\/div>White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) mother and calf browsing. Entabeni Safari Conservancy, Limpopo region, Waterberg, South Africa, October<\/strong> by Uri Golman<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Cape](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01297848.jpg\" "\\"Cape")
<\/div>Cape sugarbird, (Promerops cafer) perched on Protea, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, Cape Town, South Africa<\/strong> by Ann & Steve Toon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"African](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01593720.jpg\" "\\"African")
<\/div>African elephant (Loxodonta africana) with calf, Addo National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa, October.<\/strong> by Ann & Steve Toon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Namaqualand](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01468028.jpg\" "\\"Namaqualand")
<\/div>Namaqualand fynbos in flower, Namaqualand, Northern Cape, South Africa, August.<\/strong> by Rhonda Klevansky<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Meerkat](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01565905.jpg\" "\\"Meerkat")
<\/div>Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) standing alert, Kalahari Desert, South Africa.<\/strong> by Klein & Hubert<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nEthiopia<\/a><\/h4>\nDid you know: Ethiopia has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, including the Simien Mountains National Park, home to the endangered Ethiopian wolf, one of Ethiopia\u2019s 31 endemic mammal species. Other endemics include the Walia ibex and the Gelada baboon, the last surviving grass-eating primate.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Ethiopian](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01515757.jpg\" "\\"Ethiopian")
<\/div>Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) adult watching young cub exploring, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Will Burrard-Lucas<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01509615.jpg\" "\\"Man")
<\/div>Man feeding Hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) at night in Harar City, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Gelada](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01434372.jpg\" "\\"Gelada")
<\/div>Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) troop, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, Africa<\/strong> by Juan Carlos Munoz<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01534628.jpg\" "\\"Young")
<\/div>Young girl wearing traditional headdress. Mursi tribe, Mago National Park. Omo Valley, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Walia](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01562229.jpg\" "\\"Walia")
<\/div>Walia ibex (Capra walie) in rocky landscape, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Inaki Relanzon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>![\"Women](\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/01509601.jpg\" "\\"Women")
<\/div>Women walking through the colourful narrow streets of Harar, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nYou can explore the full galleries for each area here<\/a>, along with others including Madagascar<\/a> and the Serengeti<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This quarter we’re exploring the wondrous continent of Africa, highlighting several countries and regions where wildlife and ecotourism are providing an increasing pull for travellers. Okavango Delta The annual flooding of the Okavango River turns the vast grassy plains of this corner of northern Botswana into a lush wetland teeming with wildlife, where you can…<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Rwanda<\/a><\/h4>\nProbably most famous for it’s mountain gorilla population, found in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda also offers the chance to see animals such as elephants and giraffes in Akagera National Park.<\/p>\n
<\/div>Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei) Hirwa group led by the silverback dominant male Munyinya, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, elevation 2610 m<\/strong> by Christophe Courteau<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Four Burchell's zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) two with Red billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorynchus) on their backs, with Antelope, mainly Impala (Aepyceros melampus) and a Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) behind, Akagera National Park, Rwanda, Africa.<\/strong> by Eric Baccega<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Valley fog at dawn in the mountains of the Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.<\/strong> by Visuals Unlimited<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Sunbird (Nectarinia sp), Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.<\/strong> by Visuals Unlimited<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Maasai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) portrait, Akagera National Park, Rwanda, Africa.<\/strong> by Eric Baccega<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>L'Hoest's monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti) feeding on leaves, Rwanda.<\/strong> by Ole Jorgen Liodden<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nSouth Africa<\/a><\/h4>\nSouth Africa has a lot to offer fans of the outdoors, whether it’s diving with great white sharks, taking in the floral landscapes of the Garden Route, or heading out on safari to view the \u2018big five\u2019 (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) all of which can be seen here.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Curious Great white shark head on (Carcharodon carcharias) Dyer Island, Shark Alley, Gansbaai, South Africa<\/strong> by Brandon Cole<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) mother and calf browsing. Entabeni Safari Conservancy, Limpopo region, Waterberg, South Africa, October<\/strong> by Uri Golman<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Cape sugarbird, (Promerops cafer) perched on Protea, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, Cape Town, South Africa<\/strong> by Ann & Steve Toon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>African elephant (Loxodonta africana) with calf, Addo National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa, October.<\/strong> by Ann & Steve Toon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Namaqualand fynbos in flower, Namaqualand, Northern Cape, South Africa, August.<\/strong> by Rhonda Klevansky<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) standing alert, Kalahari Desert, South Africa.<\/strong> by Klein & Hubert<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nEthiopia<\/a><\/h4>\nDid you know: Ethiopia has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, including the Simien Mountains National Park, home to the endangered Ethiopian wolf, one of Ethiopia\u2019s 31 endemic mammal species. Other endemics include the Walia ibex and the Gelada baboon, the last surviving grass-eating primate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) adult watching young cub exploring, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Will Burrard-Lucas<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Man feeding Hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) at night in Harar City, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) troop, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, Africa<\/strong> by Juan Carlos Munoz<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Young girl wearing traditional headdress. Mursi tribe, Mago National Park. Omo Valley, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Walia ibex (Capra walie) in rocky landscape, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Inaki Relanzon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Women walking through the colourful narrow streets of Harar, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nYou can explore the full galleries for each area here<\/a>, along with others including Madagascar<\/a> and the Serengeti<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This quarter we’re exploring the wondrous continent of Africa, highlighting several countries and regions where wildlife and ecotourism are providing an increasing pull for travellers. Okavango Delta The annual flooding of the Okavango River turns the vast grassy plains of this corner of northern Botswana into a lush wetland teeming with wildlife, where you can…<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>South Africa<\/a><\/h4>\nSouth Africa has a lot to offer fans of the outdoors, whether it’s diving with great white sharks, taking in the floral landscapes of the Garden Route, or heading out on safari to view the \u2018big five\u2019 (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) all of which can be seen here.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Curious Great white shark head on (Carcharodon carcharias) Dyer Island, Shark Alley, Gansbaai, South Africa<\/strong> by Brandon Cole<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) mother and calf browsing. Entabeni Safari Conservancy, Limpopo region, Waterberg, South Africa, October<\/strong> by Uri Golman<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Cape sugarbird, (Promerops cafer) perched on Protea, Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, Cape Town, South Africa<\/strong> by Ann & Steve Toon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>African elephant (Loxodonta africana) with calf, Addo National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa, October.<\/strong> by Ann & Steve Toon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Namaqualand fynbos in flower, Namaqualand, Northern Cape, South Africa, August.<\/strong> by Rhonda Klevansky<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) standing alert, Kalahari Desert, South Africa.<\/strong> by Klein & Hubert<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nEthiopia<\/a><\/h4>\nDid you know: Ethiopia has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, including the Simien Mountains National Park, home to the endangered Ethiopian wolf, one of Ethiopia\u2019s 31 endemic mammal species. Other endemics include the Walia ibex and the Gelada baboon, the last surviving grass-eating primate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) adult watching young cub exploring, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Will Burrard-Lucas<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Man feeding Hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) at night in Harar City, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) troop, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, Africa<\/strong> by Juan Carlos Munoz<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Young girl wearing traditional headdress. Mursi tribe, Mago National Park. Omo Valley, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Walia ibex (Capra walie) in rocky landscape, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Inaki Relanzon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Women walking through the colourful narrow streets of Harar, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nYou can explore the full galleries for each area here<\/a>, along with others including Madagascar<\/a> and the Serengeti<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This quarter we’re exploring the wondrous continent of Africa, highlighting several countries and regions where wildlife and ecotourism are providing an increasing pull for travellers. Okavango Delta The annual flooding of the Okavango River turns the vast grassy plains of this corner of northern Botswana into a lush wetland teeming with wildlife, where you can…<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Ethiopia<\/a><\/h4>\nDid you know: Ethiopia has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, including the Simien Mountains National Park, home to the endangered Ethiopian wolf, one of Ethiopia\u2019s 31 endemic mammal species. Other endemics include the Walia ibex and the Gelada baboon, the last surviving grass-eating primate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) adult watching young cub exploring, Bale Mountains, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Will Burrard-Lucas<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Man feeding Hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) at night in Harar City, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) troop, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia, Africa<\/strong> by Juan Carlos Munoz<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Young girl wearing traditional headdress. Mursi tribe, Mago National Park. Omo Valley, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Walia ibex (Capra walie) in rocky landscape, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia.<\/strong> by Inaki Relanzon<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><\/div>Women walking through the colourful narrow streets of Harar, Ethiopia<\/strong> by Enrique Lopez-Tapia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\nYou can explore the full galleries for each area here<\/a>, along with others including Madagascar<\/a> and the Serengeti<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This quarter we’re exploring the wondrous continent of Africa, highlighting several countries and regions where wildlife and ecotourism are providing an increasing pull for travellers. Okavango Delta The annual flooding of the Okavango River turns the vast grassy plains of this corner of northern Botswana into a lush wetland teeming with wildlife, where you can…<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>You can explore the full galleries for each area here<\/a>, along with others including Madagascar<\/a> and the Serengeti<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This quarter we’re exploring the wondrous continent of Africa, highlighting several countries and regions where wildlife and ecotourism are providing an increasing pull for travellers. Okavango Delta The annual flooding of the Okavango River turns the vast grassy plains of this corner of northern Botswana into a lush wetland teeming with wildlife, where you can…<\/p>\n