Articles > Africa Top Ten

Float over the Serengeti Skim silently over the endless plains of the Serengeti during the bi-annual migration, when nearly two million wildebeest, buffalo and zebra move across the savannah. Stay at Ngorongo Crater Lodge, a beautiful baroque fantasy of a lodge, perched on the edge of a dramatic crater.

Take a riad in the medina Rent a riad whole in the middle of the Marrakech medina. Head out into the medina and try to find the Djema'a el-Fna, the great square with the fantastical medieval carnival air. Stay at Dar Seven, an exclusive and exquisite uber-retreat.

Watch whales in Hermanus Between June and December, the Southern Right whales cruise this South African coastline. Sightings are often excitingly close up and personal. Hermanus itself is full of chic fishing-village charm. Stay at Birkenhead House, a romantic cliff-perched eyrie (perfect for spotting whales!)

Sail a felucca to Aswan Arrive in Aswan as the sun sets over the Nile, preferably in high luxury on your personal felucca. For more fabulous pharaoh style stay at La Moudira in Luxor.

Island-hop in Mozambique Mozambique's islands provide a classic tropical paradise experience, without the crowds and over-commercialisation. Dive the bright, clean reefs; hire a dhow and find an empty beach. Stay at Londo Lodge in the even more undiscovered north.

Walk the bush in Zambia Every sense immersed in Africa; miracles range from the tiny (iridescent dung-beetles) to the heart-stoppingly large (unexpected elephants.) Stay at chic, remote Sausage Tree Camp, on the banks of the rolling Zambezi River.

Wander the winelands Float from bottle to bottle and estate to estate and beautiful Cape Dutch architecture to fine restaurant through South Africa’s Cape Winelands. End in Franschhoek, ringed with vineyards and blue hills, one of the loveliest corners of the continent. Stay in languorous five-star boutique luxury at La Residence.

Fly with the angels Do the Flight of Angels, through the spray over the thunderous zig-zagging course of the Victoria Falls. Stay in the classic colonial splendour of the Victoria Falls Hotel.

Get lost in Zanzibar Take a breath and plunge deep into the winding maze of alleyways, Sultan’s palaces, mosques, bazaars and busy daily working life of Stone Town. Stay at Emerson and Green, a characterful, rambling mansion in the back alleys.

Out of Africa Re-read Karen Blixen’s story while sipping cold gin under a spreading shade tree by the pool on a corner of her original estate in Kenya. Stay in a treehouse on the estate, at Ngong House.

• More from Angela Moore