Is the Garden Route Worth Exploring?
The Garden Route is popular amongst tourists as well as locals and once you’ve been...
10 January 2025 
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Travel and Tour World has named South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia among its top African travel destinations for 2025, alongside other popular countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, and Mauritius.
Egypt, Tunisia, Rwanda, and Algeria round out the top 10 list, which aims to help travellers choose their next African vacation destination over the coming year. According to the website, Africa was the continent with the fastest tourism growth in 2023, nearly achieving pre-pandemic levels and “cementing Africa’s position as a rising star in global travel”.
So, why have South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia made the list? Let’s take a closer look at the Travel and Tour World report.
Table Mountain at sunrise | Photo: Barbara Cole via Getty
Travel and Tour World calls South Africa “a country where every corner feels like a new world”. Its top destination picks include Table Mountain in Cape Town, game viewing in Kruger National Park, historical sites like Robben Island and Soweto, road trip routes like the Garden Route and the Cape Winelands, and Johannesburg’s burgeoning art scene.
According to the website, South Africa welcomed 8.48 million international visitors in 2023, recovering significantly from 5.7 million in 2022. These numbers, it adds, “highlight its enduring appeal as one of Africa’s most sought-after destinations”.
Aerial view of Maun, Botswana | Photo: Lovemore Kengadilwe via Getty
“Botswana is a sanctuary for nature lovers and adventurers alike,” says Travel and Tour World. “The Okavango Delta is a masterpiece of waterways, where mokoro rides bring you face-to-face with wildlife in their natural habitat.”
That’s Botswana in a nutshell: unrivalled game viewing in an ethereal floodplain that spans up to 15,000 km2 each year! The report highlights the delta alongside Chobe National Park and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park as Botswana’s crown jewels.
The website adds that in 2023, Botswana welcomed 1,183,432 international visitors, dwarfing the figure of 282,220 recorded in 2022.
The Namib Desert, Namibia | Photo: Artush via Canva
Southern Africans are quite familiar with Namibia’s epic natural beauty, so it’s no surprise that in 2023, the country welcomed 863,872 international visitors, effectively doubling the number recorded in 2022.
“While still recovering from its 2019 peak of 1.60 million, Namibia continues to be a haven for adventurers seeking something truly extraordinary,” says Travel and Tour World. “Namibia’s vast, untouched beauty feels like stepping onto another planet.”
It highlights the Sossusvlei dunes in the Namib Desert, the spooky shipwrecks of the Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park’s remarkable game viewing, and ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein as its top picks in Namibia.
Convinced that you need to spend more time exploring South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia? All three countries cater to epic self-drive adventures that can include everything from safaris to hot air balloon rides. All you need is the right vehicle from Drive South Africa and some inspiration for where to go.
Woman hitchhiking along Route 62 n the West Coast, South Africa | Photo: wanderluster via Getty
Explore the wildflower blooms and wine routes of South Africa’s West Coast, just a few hours from Cape Town.
Five Stops to Make Along Route 62
Immerse yourself in history and small-town vibes along one of South Africa’s most famous roads. From wine farms to nature reserves, there’s plenty to see in the Little Karoo.
Exploring Durban’s Inanda Heritage Route
Ever wanted to learn about KwaZulu-Natal’s colourful history? Take a road trip along the Inanda Route and discover how Gandhi made his mark on South Africa.
Driving through Botswana | Photo: michakliitwijk via Getty
Six Outstanding Botswana Campsites to Visit
Camping is undoubtedly the best way to experience Botswana’s vast wildernesses. Hire a camping-equipped 4×4 and sleep under the stars in unfenced nature reserves and national parks!
The Ultimate Botswana Self-Drive
Learn all you need to know about discovering absolutely everything that Botswana has to offer. From game drives to mokoro rides, do it all with this handy guide.
A Bucket List Itinerary for Your Road Trip to Botswana
If you’re simply looking for some ideas of what to do in Botswana, browse through this list and start building your own dream itinerary.
Driving through the Namib Desert, Namibia | Photo: SteveAllenPhoto via Getty
Fishing in Namibia: Your Ultimate Guide to a Fish-Focused Road Trip
Whether you’re visiting Namibia’s long coastline or inland dams, make sure you pack your fishing gear for an all-out desert fishing adventure.
The Best Namibia Camping Experiences
Hire a camping-equipped 4×4 and head off-road to experience Namibia’s best campsites. See the magical Epupa Falls in Kaokoland and camp right under the towering Spitzkoppe in the Namib Desert.
10 Experiences You Have to Try in Namibia
Looking to build an exciting Namibian road trip itinerary? Learn all about the Sossusvlei dunes, the ghost town of Kolmanskop, and other Namibian attractions with this useful guide.
With top African destinations quickly recovering to pre-pandemic visitor numbers, now’s the time to take full advantage of southern Africa’s best destinations: South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
Whether you’re visiting from abroad or simply setting off from your home town, check out our extensive vehicle listings and choose from a variety of rental cars, SUVs, luxury vehicles, and 4x4s to make the most of your next road trip adventure.
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