If you are seeking heaven on earth, Botswana’s vast wilderness has remained unchanged for eons; nearly half of the country is protected, and the country is a leader in sustainable tourism. Bear witness to the vastness, absence of people, and abundance of wildlife—in the mighty Kalahari Desert or the UNESCO World Heritage site of Okavango Delta—to appreciate the glorious solitude and peace that comes with being present amidst remarkable beauty. 

Watch thousands of elephants gather on the banks of the Chobe River on a solar-powered boat ride from Chobe Game Lodge. Grab your binoculars to admire the myriad avian life abounding the Delta’s waterways on human-powered mokoro rides. Witness hyena clans battling lions among the largest concentration of buffalo in the Mababe area on the eastern part of the Delta. Go beyond game viewing by visiting the sacred site of The Tsodilo Hills, Botswana’s second World Heritage site, boasting thousands of ancient rock paintings; spend the night adoring it from a raised platform during a Sleep Out experience offered by Desert & Delta Safaris’ Nxamaseri Island Lodge, starting in 2024. 

Feeling adventurous? Take to the skies on a doors-off scenic flight with Helicopter Horizons to see the watery oasis of deep blue channels and lagoons twisting around verdant islands and riverine forests or the Makgadikgadi Pans (the largest salt pans in the world) in the Kalahari, with nary another human in sight. 

Sustainability is at the forefront of Botswana’s offerings. Solar-powered Tau Pan Camp, inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, overlooks the plains of Tau Pan and a watering hole attracting black-maned Kalahari lions. The property offers a sleep-out deck that promises stunning views of the Milky Way. 

Opening in March 2024, African Bush Camps’ Atzaro Okavango Camp is a family-friendly, solar-powered property constructed from recycled materials, offering ultra-luxurious amenities, including private plunge pools. Mokete Camp in the Wilderness Collection, opening in mid-2024 in the Mababe Concession, is a limited-edition, minimalist camp with open-air tents featuring cantilevered canvas roofs that slide away to reveal the twinkling night sky.

A Rhode Island-sized archipelago of ten islands roughly 350 miles off the northwest coast of Africa, Cape Verde (or Cabo Verde) used to cater to fly-and-flop vacationers at all-inclusive resorts, but that’s changing with the emergence of boutique hotels, a new cultural center, and a burgeoning awareness of its outstanding hiking trails. Visitors revel in the island’s “Morabeza,” a Creole phrase that translates as hospitality but extends to the islanders’ friendliness and desire to share their culture.

Sal is the most developed island, and its colorful, tourist-friendly center, Santa Maria, is filled with shops, bars, and restaurants—try Barracuda for fresh seafood on the beach. Mindelo on São Vicente was the home of chanteuse Cesária Évora who popularized blues-tinged morna music. A museum honors her legacy, and the new National Center of Art, Craft, and Design celebrates local artisans. The UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha on Santiago was a port for the trade of enslaved people and stopping place for Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus.

On Boa Vista, the unexpected dune-covered Viana Desert was formed by wind-blown sand from the Sahara. Santo Antão has a wide range of hikes through lush valleys lined with rocky cliffs, but for a unique challenge, climb up Fogo’s active volcano for panoramic views (and the opportunity to buy wine and coffee grown along the caldera). Independent since 1975, Cape Verde is one of Africa’s most welcoming places for travelers.

The elegant Hilton Cabo Verde Sal boasts a stunning beachside location and all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury resort (spa, fitness center, kid’s club) but unlike other large hotels, it’s not all-inclusive and guests are encouraged to visit local bars and restaurants. Design Suites Hotel opened in 2022, is a sleek, adult-only boutique property with a killer rooftop bar offering spectacular views and an infinity pool.

Founded by French settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries, Franschhoek is a historic hamlet nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Winelands and home to a slew of distinguished vineyards. The small town is comprised of Cape Dutch architecture and a main street lined with fantastic restaurants, boutique shops, and charming wine bars, which all lead to the end of the main street where The Huguenot Memorial Museum and neighboring monument honor the town’s early settlers.

The main reason to come to Franschhoek is, of course, the wine, which can be sampled at dozens of vineyards surrounding the town—all of which boast dazzling views of the nearby mountains. Thankfully, there is a way to experience nearly all of Franschhoek’s historic wineries, and that is via the Wine Tram. The Franschhoek Wine Tram, which consists of a double-decker tram and an open-air bus, is a hop-on, hop-off tour of the Franschhoek wine scene that runs along a historic track line originally built in 1904 as a way for local farmers to bring their produce to market.

The Wine Tram offers various routes to choose from, all of which venture to multiple vineyards in the surrounding area. With the station found in the center of Franschhoek, this is the most convenient and unique way to savor the varietals of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and other blends crafted in South Africa’s Winelands.

For a truly luxurious stay, you’ll be hard-pressed to find accommodations better than those at La Residence, which was included on this year’s Fodor’s Finest list. This South African woman-owned hotel, as part of the Royal Portfolio, sits on a sprawling vineyard where wild peacocks roam free. Rooms at La Residence are opulent and designed in bold colors with gold accents and antique furniture sourced personally by the founder, Liz Biden. While La Residence is not a functioning vineyard, they do create their own eponymous wine (served tableside) and offer wine cellar tours.

For another hotel worth booking a stay, look no further than the Werf Garden Cottages at the popular Boschendal, founded in 1685. Unlike La Residence, which is focused exclusively on being a hotel and is accessible only to its hotel guests, Boshendal is a wine estate and farm that hosts wine tastings, garden tours, horseback riding, and more for guests and those just visiting for the day. 

Morocco is famous for its ancient cities and desert landscapes, but travelers who truly want to experience the country’s rich diversity should head to Ifrane—a magical town in the Middle Atlas region that’s surrounded by cedar trees.

With its little, red-roofed houses and white winters, Ifrane, which attracts more Moroccans than it does foreigners, could easily be mistaken for a village in Europe. This is part of what makes it so special. Ifrane is also home to the Barbary macaque, an endangered monkey species that still roam wild in the town’s surrounding forested areas and is a common sighting for visitors. 

The sister hotel to Marrakech’s legendary La Mamounia, Michlifen Ski Resort, has sweeping forest and mountain views. The chalet-style hotel also boasts a splendid lobby bar and plush seating paired with roaring fireplaces. If you’re looking for something less extravagant, Airbnb is your best bet and has a selection of charming, rustic rentals to choose from.