Mother and Baby Elephant in the Grassland at Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Africa & The Middle East

Name: Essence of South Africa
Brand: Trafalgar
Price: 4741.0 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.1 (29 reviews)

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Africa & The Middle East in a way like no other. Take a journey to the cradle of civilisation, where ecosystems have remained unchanged for millions of years, and our stories were first written on stones. Africa & The Middle East is an unparalleled world of ancient history and living traditions, spread over some of the most remarkable landscapes on earth. Marvel at the Great Pyramids in Egypt, a triumph of humankind, then stand in awe at the power of nature, from the red dunes of Sossusvlei to the mighty Victoria Falls. When you visit Africa & The Middle East with Trafalgar, you’ll explore Jordan’s Petra, one of the world’s first cities, and see Africa’s iconic Big Five, from Kruger to the Serengeti. Every trip is crafted with a connection to the local heritage and shares our love of the region - our iKhaya or ‘home’. From meeting the jumping Maasai warriors, to visiting a Swazi Chief’s village, we’ll show you the real stories of Africa & The Middle East. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.

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Cheetah Male Walking And Looking For Prey

Africa & The Middle East at a glance

Take a journey to Africa & The Middle East, where ecosystems have remained unchanged for millions of years, and our stories were first written on stones. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and marvel at the Great Pyramids in Egypt, surf the red dunes of Sossuvlei, and see Big Five wildlife.

Countries

Largest Country

Algeria

Smallest Country

Gambia

"Whether you come for the culture, the wildlife, the natural wonders, or the world's oldest history, you'll have the adventure of a lifetime in Africa"

Tour Director

Explore South Africa's oldest national park - Kruger

Connect with nature in Kruger, one of the largest national parks in all of Africa. It’s home to 135 mammal species, ranging from the iconic Big 5 to the Little We’ll take you on an Africa safari through the incredible landscapes, from elephants chewing on mopane trees, to the big cats, giraffe and wildebeest of the open savannas.
Ride through the red dunes of Sossusvlei in Namibia

The burning red dunes of Sossusvlei in Namibia is one of Africa’s most extraordinary landscapes. We’ll take you on a journey through the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, to the towering Dune 45 of Sossusvlei. Walk along the sandy peak to see the beautiful red dunes surrounded by camel thorn trees and striking white clay pans.
Visit a Maasai village in Kenya

When you take an Africa vacation with Trafalgar, we’ll delve deeper into the vivid culture of the continent. In Kenya, we’ll visit a Maasai community, where we’ll meet a village elder to gain a deeper insight into their daily life. Discover a traditional cultural boma and watch the colourfully clad warriors display their incredible jumping prowess.
Discover the secrets of the Serengeti in Tanzania

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s largest national park and one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing. It’s an incredibly ancient and complex ecosystem and is home to the Great Migration, the world’s largest overland migration. Join your Driver Guide to see all of Africa’s Big 5, over 500 bird species and spectacular landscapes.
Admire the spectacular Victoria Falls

Your Africa travel experience with Trafalgar will reveal every dazzling angle of the Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall on earth. Feel the spray and hear the roar as the water crashes into the swirling gorge below. You can also take a helicopter flight for magnificent views of this Natural Wonder of the World.

Our top 5 things to do in Africa

We’ll show you all the wondrous things to do in Africa and the Middle East, from exploring the world’s best wildlife reserves, to meeting the colourful Maasai warriors in Kenya.

Egypt
Luxor Museum

The Luxor Museum is one of the best museums in Egypt, with an excellent collection of antiquities gathered from temples and tombs. The artefacts date from the end of the Old Kingdom to the Mamluk period, and you can see the royal mummies of two pharaohs and items from the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Amman, Jordan
Roman theater

A remarkable remnant of Roman Philadelphia, the Roman theater is a highlight for any trip to Jordan. The theatre was likely built in the 2nd century AD, and has since been superbly restored. The best time to visit is at sunrise or sunset, when the light shifts beautifully across the three tiers.
South Africa
District Six Museum

District Six Museum is a moving tribute to this once vibrant multiracial area that was destroyed during the apartheid in South Africa. The district’s 60,000 inhabitants were forcibly removed in the 1960s and 1970s, and today you can see photographs, records and maps, and hear stories from former residents.

Best museums in Africa

A Middle East vacation with Trafalgar will reveal exceptional museums like the Luxor, and we’ll delve into the complex history of Africa with moving museums like District Six.

Kenya
Githeri

African food is known for its hearty flavours, and githeri is a delicious example. A corn and bean one pot meal, githeri originates from the Kikuyu tribe of Kenya. You can add any vegetables like potatoes, and spices like paprika, for a warm and comforting meal.
Tanzania
Ndizi Kaanga

Typically served as a snack or side dish, ndizi kaanga is traditional Tanzanian meal made of plantains. The plantains can be grilled and seasoned with salt for a savory dish, or fried with lemon juice and a pinch of sugar for a sweet dessert.
Jordan
Fattet hummus

Fattet hummus is a beloved Middle Eastern food, found throughout Jordan. It’s made from toasted pieces of pita bread and chickpeas layered in a dish and covered in a garlic tahini yoghurt sauce. With a topping of pine nuts, parsley and olive oil, this is the most delicious snack in the country.

Best food in Africa

The cuisine is the highlight of any trip to the Middle East and Africa, and we’ll reveal the classic dishes, from githeri in Kenya to fattet hummus in Jordan.

What to pack for Africa

Blank journal

From traversing surreal landscapes, to witnessing ancient rituals, you’re bound to have some inspiring experiences you’ll want to record in a journal.

Camera

Africa & The Middle East is filled with some of the top wonders of the world, and you’ll want to capture every marvellous moment with a reliable camera.

Scarf

A scarf is one of the most useful items to pack. It protects you from the sun and sand, and can be used to cover your hair or shoulders when entering mosques.

Sunscreen & mosquito repellent

A reef-safe sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and a strong DEET insect repellent are essential items for your Africa and Middle East vacation.

Swimsuit

From the salty waters of the Dead Sea in Jordan, to the tropical islands of Zanzibar, you’ll need a swimsuit for your underwater adventures.

Versatile clothing

The climate in this region ranges from scorching desert to chilly mountains. Pack a variety of layers so you can easily go from cold morning game drives to blazing afternoon sunshine.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

Our Africa & Middle East destinations

Egypt

Israel

Jordan

South Africa