Africa Beyond Safaris: Culture, Connection & the Continent’s Other Wild Beauty

Rwanda: Hills, humanity & hope

Known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is a country reborn—where lush hillsides and modern cityscapes blend seamlessly with a profound sense of resilience.

Why go:

• Trek through mist-shrouded forests to meet endangered mountain gorillas—one of the most powerful wildlife encounters on earth.

• Wander Kigali, a capital among the continent's shining stars: clean, orderly, and hip, full of design-forward cafés and galleries.

• Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving space that honors loss while teaching compassion and hope.

Rwanda’s story is one of strength—a country that doesn’t look away from its past, but transforms it into purpose.

Nigeria: The pulse of modern Africa

There’s nowhere like Lagos—a megacity where energy feels electric, creativity crackles through the streets, and tomorrow is already happening.

Why go:

• Music and culture: The birthplace of Afrobeat and a powerhouse of African hip-hop, Lagos hums with live shows, pop-up events, and dance floors that never sleep.

• Fashion and design: From streetwear in Lekki to luxury labels in Victoria Island, Lagos defines African style—cutting-edge, confident, globally relevant.

• Food and nightlife: Savor smoky suya, fusion fine dining, rooftop bars, and the boldness of people who embody the phrase “Naija no dey carry last.”

Lagos isn’t a quiet escape—it’s a cultural revelation, proof that Africa’s future beats loud, proud, and brilliantly alive.

Victoria Falls, Zambia: The river’s roar & the calm beyond

While Zimbabwe often gets the headlines, Zambia’s side of Victoria Falls offers an equally breathtaking—and rather more peaceful—experience. Viewed from the town of Livingstone, the Mosi-oa-Tunya (“Smoke That Thunders”) cascades in a dramatic plume of mist and rainbow spray.

Why go:

• Walk to viewpoints that bring you face-to-face with the falls’ raw power.

• Try a scenic helicopter flight or river cruise at sunset along the Zambezi River.

• Stay in stylish lodges just outside Livingstone—close enough to feel the thunder, but worlds away from the crowds.

Here, adventure and serenity flow together — an ideal balance for travelers seeking wonder with a touch of stillness.

Ethiopia: Where history breathes & coffee begins

A country like no other, Ethiopia sits at the crossroads of history, spirituality, and natural splendor. Its landscapes rise and fall in dramatic folds—from the high plateaus of the Simien Mountains National Park to the subterranean carved rock churches of Lalibela.

Why go:

• Culture: Ethiopia is one of the world’s oldest Christian civilizations, its faith expressed in mesmerizing architecture and ancient ritual.

• Nature: Trek amid troupes of gelada baboons and sweeping escarpments that feel like the edge of the world.

• Cuisine and coffee: Join a traditional coffee ceremony in the birthplace of coffee itself, and savor injera and spicy wat stews in bustling Addis Ababa restaurants.

• Music and dance: Lose yourself in Ethio-jazz and the hypnotic shoulder dances that turn every gathering into celebration.

Ethiopia and its people embody African warmth: wise, soulful, and endlessly fascinating.

Lake Malawi, Malawi: A hidden inland sea of serenity

Cradled between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, Lake Malawi is one of Africa’s great natural wonders—the continent’s third-largest lake and home to more species of fish than any other lake on Earth. Its glass-clear waters shimmer in every shade of blue, earning it the nickname “The Lake of Stars.”

Why go:

• It’s perfect for travelers seeking tranquility and natural beauty without crowds.

• You can kayak and snorkel with otters and vibrantly colored fish, or simply soak in the quiet rhythm of lake life.

• On private islands protected as nature reserves within Lake Malawi National Park, the lake offers numerous idyllic eco-retreats. Thatched chalets tucked beneath ancient trees, hammocks by the shore, and starlit dinners make it the kind of place where time slows and nature takes the lead.

This is the Africa that moves at a heartbeat, not a hornblast—peaceful, immersive, and unforgettable.

Heaven Restaurant, Kigali

Opened in 2008, Heaven Restaurant helped put Kigali’s dining scene on the map as the city’s first hospitality training restaurant. Perched on an open-air terrace with sweeping views of the surrounding hills, it serves inventive modern African dishes in a welcoming, community-driven setting. Beyond the food, Heaven doubles as a cultural space—with an art gallery, a local craft boutique, and even a traditional banana wine experience.

NOK by Alara, Lagos

This eatery in stylish Victoria Island offers upscale, innovative takes on Nigerian cuisine, like reimagined twists on jollof rice or guinea fowl spring rolls. Lush gardens and local art in a contemporary, design-forward building set the stage.

Yod Abyssinia, Addis Ababa

No visit to Ethiopia is complete without a traditional music and dance performance. Yod Abyssinia treats guests to staples of the Ethiopian menu, alongside vibrant displays of cultural celebration of its different tribes and regions.