Africa 2014: National Geographic Traveler's Top Tours of a Lifetime

Great for: Cultural aficionados and travelers who want to explore off the beaten path. Immerse yourself in a cultural exploration of ceremony and tradition of West Africa. Learn about the mystical traditions of voodoo ceremonies, mask dances, and bead making. Travel away from touristy areas towards Benin, Togo, then to Ghana along the landscapes of rain forest, swampland and coastline, and witness the region’s beautiful extremes.

Great for: Families, Wildlife enthusiasts, and Nature lovers.This award winning family tour gives you access to a private big game safari at a remote camp in the Okavango Delta. Witness hyenas, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, and many more thriving in their natural habitats. Meet the native Bushmen and learn about their way of life, bike through the Makgadikgadi Pans, have delicious meals prepared for you over the fire, and sleep under the stars.

Great for: Wildlife enthusiasts, Conservationists, and Nature lovers. This expedition takes you through National Parks in Nairobi and Kenya during migration season, and ends with a delightful twist as you snorkel and whale watch on the eastern coastline. Infused throughout the trip is an emphasis on wildlife conservation and education as you are led by a guide with a background in conservation research and who is has worked in the communities visited.

Great for: Wildlife enthusiasts, Archaeological buffs, and Nature lovers. Experience Namibia’s diversity of vistas, wildlife and activities while traveling with well-known naturalist guides. Learn about its ancient culture and gaze upon prehistoric rock art at the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein. Visit the world renowned AfriCat Foundation and come face to face with Africa's largest cats.

Great for: History enthusiasts and Admirers of the late Nelson Mandela. Travel through the Transkei homeland and explore Mandela's birthplace. Enjoy a tour through the Mandela museum and see the famous sliding rocks that he played on as a boy. Visit the village where he was born, the church he was baptized in, and his family graveyard.

Great for: Wildlife enthusiasts and Architectural aficionados. Explore the rugged Comoros Islands and enjoy the sights of the colorful chameleons and pristine coral reefs of Madagascar. Stroll through Réunion’s capital, St. Denis, and soak in the sights of colonial architecture and Creole heritage. Throughout this trip, you will witness 32 species of reptiles and over 100 species of birds.

Great for: Street market wanderers and Cultural aficionados. This trip immerses the traveler in the sights and sounds of Morocco. Stay in traditional accommodation and explore villages off the beaten path. Learn the secret to the perfect Moroccan couscous, visit the grand Ait Benhaddou kasbah, stroll along the ancient walls of the Medina of Marrakesh, travel through the Sahara on a camel and relax on Essaouira beach.

Great for: History buffs, Architectural enthusiasts, and those who want to explore an African region far off the beaten path. Through this trip, you will visit key historical attractions  of northern Ethiopia. Set your sights on the rock-hewn churches of King Lalibela, step into the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar, and be driven through the Simien Mountains, all of which are just a few of the Unesco World Heritage Sites you will encounter on this trip.