Blog/Travelstory

Top 5 destinations 2025

Still looking for the perfect holiday destination for next year? This blog takes you to the best spots in Africa, away from the mass tourism, and into the heart of the beautiful continent. These countries should be at the top of your list!

Charlie's Travels | Blog | Top 5 destinations 2025

1. Namibia

Namibia is no doubt a popular holiday destination in Africa. It’s a diverse and desolate land, making it the ‘social distance heaven’ of Africa. Namibia is one of the least populated countries in the world, so you can drive for hours without encountering a single soul. The country is named after the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world and one of the largest wildlife parks in Africa, stretching over 2000 kilometers. Namibia is undoubtedly one of the best countries for a road trip and camping in the middle of nowhere. Hire a 4x4 and cruise for a few days through the dry desert. Build a campfire, barbecue, and set up your tent— that’s all you need for an unforgettable trip! Just don’t forget to bring extra water and a crash course in tire changing wouldn’t hurt. But don’t worry, if you get stuck or break down, the locals or other tourists will be more than happy to help, and the car rental company is always on standby. Did you know that the Fish River Canyon, an incredible natural wonder that’s a must-see during your road trip, is located in Namibia? After the Grand Canyon, it’s the largest canyon in the world! Although the Grand Canyon and Fish River Canyon share many similarities, there’s a remarkable difference: while the Grand Canyon is flooded with millions of visitors each year, the Fish River Canyon is still relatively unknown to tourists. Need I say more? In the north of Namibia, there is a spectacular and popular nature reserve, the Etosha National Park. What makes the experience truly unique is that you have the opportunity to drive around the entire park in your own car—preferably a large and tall one due to the vegetation. Here, you can spot the Big Five. Due to the dry conditions, wild animals are drawn to the waterholes, making it super easy to spot countless animals! A fantastic game drive experience is guaranteed.

2. Kenya

Kenya frequently comes up as one of the best holiday destinations, and we totally agree—it’s incredible! You’ll find deserts, the second-highest mountain in Africa (Mount Kenya), an azure sea with pristine white beaches, lush forests, and some of the best wildlife parks. Plus, you can grab amazing discounts until June, with tickets available for half the price! Kenya may be a popular holiday destination for many, but that doesn’t make a visit any less exciting. We’re an ‘On the ground’ travel agency, and our home base is in Nairobi. This gives us insider knowledge of the most authentic spots and off-the-beaten-path routes in Kenya, developed alongside our local partners. Charlie knows the country inside out and can find the coolest places, including the less crowded ones that are just as great—or even better. The coronavirus caused quite a stir, but the Kenyans didn’t let that stop them. Excellent precautions have been put in place, and it’s closely monitored to ensure everyone adheres to the rules. As a result, bars, restaurants, and many other facilities have been able to stay open, allowing everyone to enjoy cold beers and local dishes.

3. Uganda

Uganda, also known as the 'Pearl of Africa,' is less visited by tourists, making it a fantastic off-the-beaten-path destination! The country is predominantly green and very fertile, largely influenced by its mountains, rivers, lakes, and valleys. As one of the few places in the world, you can spot the last 800 rare mountain gorillas hiding in the misty, dense jungle deep in the mountains. Until March, a tour costs only $400 instead of $700. It's incredibly affordable and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The revenue from these tours also helps protect the rainforest, ensuring that the mountain gorillas are further safeguarded from poachers. Uganda also boasts stunning lakes and diverse volcanic mountain ranges. For instance, the high peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains are perfect for multi-day hikes. This mountain range lies on the border between Uganda and Congo-Kinshasa, and with its waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers, it can rightfully claim to be one of the most beautiful mountain regions in the world. But the country offers even more: in the northeast, the eccentric Karamojong culture is alive and well. The inhabitants of this once-undiscovered area are the Karamojong, a unique tribe connected to the Masai of Tanzania and Kenya. In addition to the breathtaking scenery and towering mountains, you'll see women wrapped in colourful fabrics, and you'll certainly encounter plenty of potholes along the way. Of course, we can't forget about the safari parks: Uganda has some fantastic parks! You'll find Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can spot the rare tree-climbing lions, and in the southwest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is ideal for gorilla trekking. Along the Virunga Mountains, you can hike in the boots you bought especially for this trip, and up in the far north, there's Kidepo Valley National Park, often named by locals as Uganda's most beautiful park. And, importantly: the government has put strict measures in place in response to COVID-19, resulting in far fewer cases than in Europe, making it perfectly safe to travel!

4. Botswana

Botswana is the ultimate safari destination for wildlife lovers. With a population of around 130,000 elephants, it’s very likely that during your drive, you'll often have to stop for these massive creatures crossing the road. Keep an eye out! In the north, you'll find the massive Chobe National Park, and in the south, the Kalahari Desert, where you might encounter a truly special animal: the meerkat (think Timon from The Lion King!). Furthermore, all of Africa’s wildlife is here to be found. But Botswana offers even more: the Okavango Delta, a large marshland area in the northern part of the country, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. The Okavango Delta can be visited year-round in various ways. You can go on a walking safari with a guide, where you may come face to face with lions, elephants, and plenty of other wildlife. Additionally, there’s a wide array of animals and pristine nature: 400 bird species in every shape and colour. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers. For the ultimate experience, you can take a scenic flight over the Delta from Maun. Flying at about 100 meters, you’ll see buffaloes wandering on dry land and giraffes munching on tree leaves, but the Okavango Delta has so much more to offer. You’ll also spot hyenas, warthogs, antelopes, turtles, and crocodiles. Zebra In the northeast lies the Makgadikgadi National Park, a vast "salt pan" created when the Makgadikgadi Lake dried up thousands of years ago. The size of the park is comparable to that of Portugal—it's huge! This expansive dry plain has a salt crust surface where a variety of wildlife can be spotted. If you visit during the right season, you're likely to encounter large herds of zebras, as the zebra migration happens twice a year with thousands of zebras moving through the area. One of our favourite spots in Botswana, and also the favourite vacation destination of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is Meno A Kwena. When Harry and Meghan fell in love, Harry went to Botswana to work at the Rhino Conservation. Meghan joined him, and together they stayed at this romantic safari camp located in an extraordinary spot with a private veranda and a swimming pool on a cliff. Enjoy the stunning view of the Boteti River, where wildlife comes to cool off in the water. Here, you're guaranteed a royal experience. In fact, the diamonds in Meghan's engagement ring come from this area.

5. Mozambique

Mozambique, the undiscovered gem of Africa, is a paradise for adventurers. It boasts stunning beach resorts, offshore islands, and all within a few hours' distance from each other. In the south, you'll find a relaxed, urban vibe, with Portuguese architecture in Maputo. Mozambique is the ultimate holiday destination for divers, snorkelers, and water sports enthusiasts. Swimming with whale sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, and manta rays? It's all possible here. If you plan your trip between May and October, you may even get the chance to swim with humpback whales. These whales migrate from the South Pole to warmer waters during this time, either to mate or give birth. On the coast of Mozambique lies Tofo, a place where you can embark on an Ocean Safari. Yes, you heard that right—no safari in the savannah from an armoured 4x4 to spot wildlife like giraffes and lions, but the "Wet Big Five." During an Ocean Safari, you'll have the chance to admire the underwater world with your own eyes, not through a flickering screen. Tofo is world-famous among divers due to its whale shark populations, one of the largest in the world. While whale sharks are spotted year-round, the chances of seeing them are greatest during the summer months (September to February).   Mozambique

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