Southern Africa Travel Guide

Seychelles

Seychelles

According to Countryaah, there are 5 countries in Southern Africa. Seychelles  is one of them. The Seychelles archipelago consists of 115 small and large islands with a total area of ​​455 km². The islands are scattered over hundreds of thousands of square kilometers in the Indian Ocean. Almost half of the total land area has been declared a protected area. The granite islands around the main island of Mahé, the “Inner Islands”, and the coral islands, the “Outer Islands”, which stretch almost to the East African coast, are intact home to astonishing tropical flora and endemic fauna. The underwater world is also unique with its colorful reef fish, shellfish, octopus and sea turtles as well as rays, large perch and the gentle giant of the sea, the whale shark. The year-round balanced climate, the friendly multi-cultural population, a well-tended hotel business.

Climate:

The Seychelles have a tropical maritime climate, which is determined by the northwest monsoon between December and March and the dry southeast trade wind between May and October. Strong thunderstorms and showers occur in the warm, humid winter months. All year round, the daytime temperatures close to the equator are on average between a warm 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. For the Seychelles a year-round high humidity of a stable 80% is typical, which reaches peak values ​​in April and November due to the partly absolute calm.

Best travel time:

The Seychelles are a tropical all year round paradise. However, the months with less precipitation from May to October are particularly favorable when the southeast trade winds moderate the humidity a little. All year round, water temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees invite you to swim.

Mauritius

Mauritius

The coral banks that surround almost the entire island act as breakwaters and ensure calm bathing water on the fine sandy beaches. But they are also a paradise for all kinds of fish and shellfish, which in turn form the basis for tasty dishes. However, Mauritius offers more than just a beach holiday, such as climbing the 812 m high Le Pouce near Port Louis. Or a visit to the picturesque villages and lively cities, wonderful subtropical vegetation, Indian temples, Chinese pagodas, neat churches and small mosques. The vitality and joie de vivre of a multicultural community can be seen at all kinds of festivities and in a no less varied, tasty cuisine. Make your dream come true!

Climate:

The year-round tropical climate is typical for Mauritius. Inland there are pleasant, milder temperatures, on the coast it is a little warmer. Between November and April, the warm and humid southern summer reaches up to 30 degrees Celsius, with an average of 6 degrees the following winter is cooler and drier, although precipitation can still occur even then.

Best travel time:

May, June and between September and November are the drier months in Mauritius. In principle, the summer months of July and August are also possible for travel, but the mornings and evenings are sometimes a bit chilly. Due to the oppressive humidity and the risk of cyclones, Mauritius is not recommended during the main rainy season from January to March. A high number of holidaymakers can be expected between December and April.

Zambia

Zambia

Some also refer to the country as “Africa’s best kept secret”. Lush green areas, impressive mountain ranges, the foothills of the Kalahari, a diverse and colorful flora and fauna, abundant water resources and the indescribably beautiful Victoria Falls make the country wonderful. Last but not least, the hospitality of the inhabitants make Zambia an unforgettable travel destination. Nature and animal lovers will find a true paradise here.

Climate:
Zambia has a mild and alternately humid tropical climate. The valleys have average temperatures between 22 ° and 25 ° C, slightly lower at the higher altitudes. The year is determined by the alternation of a sunny, cool dry season between May and August (approx. 15 ° to 27 ° C) with a hot dry season until November (approx. 24 ° to 32 ° C). This is followed by a humid and hot rainy season, which begins in October in northern Zambia and two months later in the south. Tropical storms, strong thunderstorms and temperatures of up to 38 degrees characterize this period. In northern Zambia it is rainier than in the south. From December to April there is the hot, humid rainy season with violent tropical storms and average temperatures between 27 ° and 38 ° C. Sunny weather alternates with heavy rainfall.

Best travel time:
The best travel time is in the dry season between May and October. In the June and July nights it can get quite fresh. From May to August the landscape is green and the temperatures are a little cooler. The period August to October is ideal for wildlife viewing.

Reunion

Reunion

In the middle of the Indian Ocean there is a small piece of France with a tropical flair. As a French overseas department, the euro was introduced here 3 hours earlier than in Germany in 2002. The island is a popular travel destination, especially for hikers and nature lovers. The varied landscape and the diverse flora are best discovered on long hikes.

Climate:

There is a tropical to tropical summer humid climate. From December to March is hot and humid summer time with average temperatures of 28 ° C on the coast and up to 23 ° C in the mountains. During this period there is the rainy season. From April to November is the dry, cooler “winter time” with average temperatures of 21 ° C on the coast and up to 12 ° C in the mountains. La Réunion also has different microclimates. The east coast, for example, is very rainy, and the west coast sometimes even has a steppe climate.

Best travel time:

From May to November the weather is pleasantly mild and not very rainy, which is ideal for trekking and hiking activities.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a country located in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe is a beautiful and generally safe travel destination and everyone gets their money’s worth here. Whether on exciting safaris, white water rafting on the Zambezi or mountain hiking through the hilly countries in East Zimbabwe. Numerous rivers have their source in the hilly highlands in the middle of the country and flow into the Kariba Reservoir in the northwest, into the wetland areas of Botswana in the west or into the Zambezi River in the northeast.
Tourist highlights such as the Victoria Falls, the countless national parks, the historical evidence in “Great Zimbabwe” and the Stone Age cave paintings of the San invite you to linger. But the pulsating cultural metropolis and state capital Harare is still an absolute insider tip. There are numerous historical and scenic sights in the country. The highlights of the country are the numerous national parks, for example the Hwange National Park, the Mana Pools National Park and the Victoria Falls National Park with its diverse fauna.

Climate:
Dry and rainy seasons alternate in tropical to subtropical Zimbabwe. The rainy season between October and March is followed by the dry season from April to September. In the humid months, the thermometer can exceed 35 ° C, and a high level of humidity ensures oppressive humidity. In the southern winter months of June and July it gets so cold that night frosts occur. The days, however, are sunny and up to 25 ° C warm. The country’s eastern mountainous regions have more rainfall than western Zimbabwe.

Best travel time:
The best travel time for stalking and overland tours is the relatively mild dryness between April and October. It can get very chilly at night between June and August. In October and November the daytime temperatures are already quite high. The rainy season begins in November and lasts until around March.

Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique with its almost 3000 km long coastline offers its guests an incredibly diverse travel experience. The country only became interesting for tourism a few years ago, but it is full of potential to offer travelers an unforgettable vacation. It borders South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania. Open bush and shrub landscapes are the most common form of vegetation in Mozambique. Dry forests predominate in lowland areas and near the coast. The sea coasts are determined by palm forests and mangrove belts.

The islands of Magaruk, Benguerua and Bazaruto off the Mozambican coast are interesting attractions because of the abundance of fish, the diving opportunities on the coral reefs and the white sandy beaches. National parks, such as the three-country national park Limpopo with large game and the Gorongonsa-NP are very worth seeing.

Climate:
Mozambique is characterized by a humid tropical climate. The rainy season between October and March is replaced by the dry season. In the interior of Mozambique, the temperatures are highest at up to 37 degrees Celsius. On the south coast, compared to the north, greater temperature fluctuations are possible, the high amounts of precipitation during the summer cause an oppressive humidity.

Best time to travel:
The dry season between April and October is recommended for travelers, when temperatures drop and do not feel so humid anymore. We do not recommend the first three months of the year. These are very hot and heavy rains can occur.

Madagascar

Madagascar

The island of Madagascar is often referred to as the “sixth continent” due to the isolated development of flora and fauna over millions of years. Many animals and plants are endemic as a result. With more than 20 million inhabitants and an area of ​​587,041 km², Madagascar is the second largest island state in the world in terms of area.

Climate:

Tropical Madagascar can be divided into the temperate, central highlands, the dry southwest and the east coast with its humid rainforest climate. There are two seasons: the hot and humid southern summer and the dry and warm southern winter, which lies between May and October. The average temperature in Madagascar is 28 degrees Celsius, although the value hardly changes over the year.

Best travel time:

The months of February, March, April as well as October and November offer consistently warm temperatures in the highlands. In between, tours to the coast are recommended, as the southern winter from May to October brings less precipitation and pleasant temperatures. West and South Madagascar are relatively dry year-round destinations. In the southern summer there is a risk of cyclones on the east coast. The highlands have very cold nights between June and August, which travelers should be prepared for.