Travel tips
Travel tips, background stories and tales from Africa – by our guides and travel experts.
Our Elefant-Tours insider tip: Mozambique
Mozambique is quite far down most travel wish lists, because as a hidden gem of Africa it is known to only a few. Much like Cuba, Mozambique has its own rustic charm, which is still unfamiliar to most travellers.
Ultimate packing list for climbing Kilimanjaro: what to take?
One of the greatest dreams for many adventurers is to climb Kilimanjaro! Over 750 guests a year make it to the roof of Africa. To climb Africa's highest mountain, though, you should be well prepared. You have to hike through 5 different vegetation zones.
Camping adventure in Africa: what you need to know
A camping safari in Africa sounds to many travellers like a dream of adventure, freedom and unspoilt nature. During the day you head through the bush with your guide, and the next adventure may be waiting around every corner.
A change of perspective: Cape Town from the air and on the water
Wherever you go in Cape Town, "the mountain" follows travellers and locals everywhere. The world-famous, seemingly dead-straight front view tells you that you are in the City Bowl. The rather humpbacked side and rear view can be seen from the Southern Suburbs.
Where should the journey take you? 5 tips for choosing your next destination
There are more than 190 countries in the world. Most people have visited only a fraction of them, so the choice for the next destination is large.
Kenya's most beautiful beaches on the Indian Ocean
White sandy beaches and crystal-clear water can be found in many places around the world. But we show you what makes Kenya's beaches in the north and south true dream beaches and why it is worth making a detour to the Indian Ocean after your safari adventure.
Driving on the left and much more: driving in South Africa
For many, arriving in the longed-for dream country of South Africa begins with a shock: driving on the left! Like the British, South Africans also drive "on the wrong side of the road". It isn't that unusual, though, because in 58 of the world's 221 independent states, traffic keeps to the left.
I photographed zebras from behind for years – an interview with photo guide Claude Melde
A photo safari differs from a normal safari in two ways: the itinerary adapted to its special requirements and the expert guidance.
By Uber through Cape Town and Nairobi: how does it work?
Getting from one place to the next while travelling is sometimes an exciting adventure and part of the experience, but sometimes also unfamiliar and a nuisance. A simple and convenient alternative to regular taxis and less regular, brightly coloured minibuses is Uber.
The wild waters of Zimbabwe and Zambia: a visit to Victoria Falls
A gigantic curtain of raging water thunders into the depths at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls are also called Mosi-oa-Tunya: the smoke that thunders.
The trip of your life – a different kind of honeymoon
You are lying comfortably in a deckchair, gazing at the shimmering blue Indian Ocean, the sun is blazing and you turn onto your side: there she is, the love of your life, the shiny wedding ring glinting in the sunshine on her finger.
Kenya – the safari classic and so much more
You know Kenya as the country where safari dreams come true, where majestic lions gaze across wide savannahs, thousands of wildebeest follow the fresh grass on their annual migration, where princes propose marriage and authors find material for world-famous novels.
South African phrasebook: start out like a local with these 10 slang terms
Landing in Cape Town and taking your first steps through the city, everything seems very European. Modern shops, hip cafes, cool, cheerful people, and since everyone speaks English, you immediately feel perfectly equipped to start chatting away.
By rental car through Namibia: what you should know before you set off!
On a road trip through Namibia there is plenty to discover, and part of the adventure is not being prepared for every eventuality. Observing a few basic rules is still important, though, because a road trip through Namibia is no Sunday drive through the Black Forest.
Art, culture and entertainment in Cape Town – our insider tips for the most beautiful city in the world
You know the Iziko Museums with Planetarium, Slave Lodge, South African Museum, South African National Gallery and others, a visit to Robben Island is already on your list and you have heard of the District Six Museum too.
Eating and drinking in Cape Town – our insider tips for the most beautiful city in the world
That Cape Town is a paradise for culinary connoisseurs has long been no secret. If you want to have visited every restaurant with good cuisine, you had best apply for your "Permanent Residence" visa straight away…
Being active in Cape Town – our insider tips for the most beautiful city in the world
Many people want to recover and relax when travelling. But why should that only work in a deckchair? If you would like to explore the surroundings actively during your visit to Cape Town, here are some tips.
Jambo Stone Town
A journey into the past that you won't forget in future either? Then Zanzibar's old town, Stone Town, is without question an option. Stone Town is one of those enchanting places in the world whose visit feeds ideas of medieval life in an Arab-Muslim world.