Africa is regarded as the second fastest growing tourism hub in the world. In 2018, some 67 million tourists visited Africa and the sector provides jobs and economic opportunities to millions on the continent. This includes the SADC region which boasts some of the most spectacular landscapes and vibrant tourism products, attracting tourists from across the globe.
Countries such as eSwatini, Namibia, Mauritius, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia each boast unique tourism assets and attractions. Tourism is important to the economy; it drives growth which in turn boosts demand and prices in the housing sector.
Seeff’s SADC branches highlight a few attractions:
eSwatini (Swaziland)
The landlocked Kingdom of eSwatini is home to scenic and beautiful landscapes including emerald peaks, cascading valleys and waterfalls and is a hiker’s dream. Top attractions are without doubt, the tranquil nature reserves abundant with a rich diversity of plant and wild animal life making for exciting and intimate game-viewing experiences.
Renowned game reserves include Hlane Royal National Park, Mbuluzi, Lobamba and Mlilwane, to name only a few, and offer some of the best game drives in the region. The country’s proud and fascinating culture lends itself to some of the most stunning festivals such as the Kingship Ritual, a 3-week long festival and Umhlanga, a lively Reed Dance ceremony.
Namibia
Namibia’s beauty is an interplay of arid, rough land filled with contrasts with spectacular dunes, wildlife and ocean landscapes. One of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, it is a photographer’s dream with stunning sights.
The world-renowned Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert is an enormous clay pan surrounded by magnificent red sand dunes ever changed by the high winds. Picturesque sunsets become a photographer’s canvas. The ghost town, Kolmanskop, abandoned in the 1950s, takes you back over 100 years and is a dream location for film makers and photographers.
A trip to Namibia is incomplete without a visit to the Skeleton Coast, known as the world’s largest ship graveyard, Twyfelfontein with the largest collection of rock engravings in Africa, most of which are over 6000 years old, Cape Cross with the largest colony Cape Fur Seals in the world and the popular beach town, Swakopmund, a typical German-styled architectural town, to name a few. Towards the north of the country, you will find the spectacular Etosha National Park as well as the Zambezi region, both homes to wildlife and stunning lodges. Namibia is a 4X4 enthusiast’s dream destination with coastal towns such as Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Hentiesbaai perennial favourites with South Africans.
Botswana
Botswana’s is world renowned for its wildlife. From endangered wild dogs and rhinos to a thriving bird life stretching from the Kalahari Desert to the famous Okavango Delta. A true sense of Africa is what Botswana offers.
The Okavango Delta is arguably the envy of the world with awe-inspiring locations making game driving and watching the most popular of activities.
Popular locations to visit include the Moremi Game Reserve, Gabane, Kasane to see elephants, Jwaneng for their Blue Waxbills, Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and of course, sunsets in Savuti.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe remains as attractive as ever to tourists for its breathtaking scenery and abundant and exotic wildlife and ancient sites.
Mosi-oa-Tunya, The Smoke that Thunders or Victoria Falls bordering Zambia is one of the country’s main attractions. From these falls, the Zambezi River flows into Lake Kariba, the largest man-made reservoir by volume.
Matusadona National Park on the southern shore of Lake Kariba is home to popular wildlife. Other game reserves with abundant wildlife include Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks, which includes a large population of the Nile crocodile and Matobo and Chimanimani National Parks.
A visit to Zimbabwe must include the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, a UNESCO World Heritage site built between the 11th and 15th centuries and the mysterious Chinhoyi Caves in the Chinhoyi Caves National Park.
Zambia
Zambia is another beautiful and diverse country, rich in wildlife and natural water resources from many waterfalls including the Victoria Falls (shared with neighbouring Zimbabwe). Many national parks offer amazing game drives while bustling urban life gives a taste of Zambia’s eclectic culture.
A third of Zambia is reserved for wildlife with about 20 national parks and 34 game management areas in the country. South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi are among the world’s finest game reserves.
Few countries are as rich in water supply as Zambia, leaving it with vast and beautiful lakes and rivers, none more beautiful than the Zambezi River and Lake Tanganyika, the longest lake in the world while Lake Kariba is emerging as the country’s own French Riviera.
Mauritius
Mauritius, arguably the most attractive holiday destination in Africa, a short flight from most international airports. The island offers stunning beaches and beautiful green inland vegetation. The Mauritius Botanical Garden, or Pamplemousses Garden, the oldest botanical garden in the southern hemisphere near Port Louis, attracts thousands of visitors to its giant water lilies with leaves reaching 2 metres in diameter.
Black River Gorges National Park stretches over an area of more than 6500 hectares in the south-western hilly part of the country and is home to many species of animals, birds and plants.
The island brims with beach resorts and accommodation with something to suit everyone. Attractions include the famous small island of Île aux Cerfs along with many villages, markets and unique festivals to experience the unique Mauritian Creole culture.
Visit www.seeff.com for access to our collection of property listings in the various SADC countries.
Author: Gina Meintjes, 18 May 2020, International