Africa Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Africa Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

2,996 Africa trips. Tours from 748 tour companies. 5,820 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

22 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise
Cairo, Nile Cruise & Red Sea over Xmas & NY
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By Memphis Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They have exceptional customer service, and are truly committed to ensuring every customer's trip to Egypt is seam-less, stress-free and individual.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aswan, Cairo, Hurghada, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Luxor Temple, Sphinx, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings

Highlights

  • Explore Cairo
  • Visit Great Pyramids and Sphinx, Valley Temple
  • Visit Kom Ombo temple & crocodile museum
  • Visit Hurghada Red Sea Snorkelling Trip

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Egypt – June 10 to June 16 We had planned this trip over almost two years. After looking at offerings from various vendors, we selected Memphis Tours. In a brief high-level summary, they did NOT disappoint! In rating this adventure on a 5-star scale, 5. One of my bucket list is to see the ancient wonders of the world. I’ve been to the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the Acropolis in Athens, Colosseum in Rome, Machu Pichu, Great Wall of China, Stone Henge and now the antiques of Egypt. We structured this trip to see a lot; the Pyramids of Giza; The temples of Aswan and the temples of Luxor including the Valley of Kings. In a word WOW! To be up close, touch and otherwise experience these monuments some almost 5,000-year-old, is mind blowing. To understand the context in human history is amazing. Our trip included a mini-cruise on the Nile (WOW!). The boat the “Minerva” was good; including accommodations, staff and food. We flew from Cairo to Aswan, caught the boat, sailed from Aswan to Luxor; then flew back to Cairo to go home. Flights were included in our package. In the hope of not botching names, I’d like to call out three people: “Menna” who was our coordinator and overall “boss” of our trip. This young lady can do it all. “Mai” who was our guide in Cairo/Giza, so smart, feisty and knowledgeable in all things ancient Egypt. Lastly, but NOT least is “Waled” who took us to Aswan and Luxor. His passion and knowledge are amazing. I’m just glad there wasn’t a test after. Their in-depth knowledge of not just facts, but the whys are incredible. Memphis Tours – be glad you have these folks on your team!"

Trip dates & details
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8-Day Egypt Christmas Tour: Holiday Special Sights of Egypt
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By Memphis Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They have exceptional customer service, and are truly committed to ensuring every customer's trip to Egypt is seam-less, stress-free and individual.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aswan, Cairo, Kom Ombo, Luxor Temple, Pyramid of Giza, Sphinx, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings

Highlights

  • Explore Cairo
  • Visit Great Pyramids
  • Visit Aswan
  • Kom Ombo temple and crocodile museum

Themes

Small Ship Cruise, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Egypt – June 10 to June 16 We had planned this trip over almost two years. After looking at offerings from various vendors, we selected Memphis Tours. In a brief high-level summary, they did NOT disappoint! In rating this adventure on a 5-star scale, 5. One of my bucket list is to see the ancient wonders of the world. I’ve been to the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the Acropolis in Athens, Colosseum in Rome, Machu Pichu, Great Wall of China, Stone Henge and now the antiques of Egypt. We structured this trip to see a lot; the Pyramids of Giza; The temples of Aswan and the temples of Luxor including the Valley of Kings. In a word WOW! To be up close, touch and otherwise experience these monuments some almost 5,000-year-old, is mind blowing. To understand the context in human history is amazing. Our trip included a mini-cruise on the Nile (WOW!). The boat the “Minerva” was good; including accommodations, staff and food. We flew from Cairo to Aswan, caught the boat, sailed from Aswan to Luxor; then flew back to Cairo to go home. Flights were included in our package. In the hope of not botching names, I’d like to call out three people: “Menna” who was our coordinator and overall “boss” of our trip. This young lady can do it all. “Mai” who was our guide in Cairo/Giza, so smart, feisty and knowledgeable in all things ancient Egypt. Lastly, but NOT least is “Waled” who took us to Aswan and Luxor. His passion and knowledge are amazing. I’m just glad there wasn’t a test after. Their in-depth knowledge of not just facts, but the whys are incredible. Memphis Tours – be glad you have these folks on your team!"

Trip dates & details
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New Year Nile Cruise Offer 2023/2024 (Mövenpick Nile Cruises)
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By Memphis Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They have exceptional customer service, and are truly committed to ensuring every customer's trip to Egypt is seam-less, stress-free and individual.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aswan, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Luxor Temple, Temple of Karnak

Highlights

  • Explore Luxor
  • Visit to the West bank enjoying Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
  • Visit Horus Temple in Edfu
  • Visit High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Egypt – June 10 to June 16 We had planned this trip over almost two years. After looking at offerings from various vendors, we selected Memphis Tours. In a brief high-level summary, they did NOT disappoint! In rating this adventure on a 5-star scale, 5. One of my bucket list is to see the ancient wonders of the world. I’ve been to the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the Acropolis in Athens, Colosseum in Rome, Machu Pichu, Great Wall of China, Stone Henge and now the antiques of Egypt. We structured this trip to see a lot; the Pyramids of Giza; The temples of Aswan and the temples of Luxor including the Valley of Kings. In a word WOW! To be up close, touch and otherwise experience these monuments some almost 5,000-year-old, is mind blowing. To understand the context in human history is amazing. Our trip included a mini-cruise on the Nile (WOW!). The boat the “Minerva” was good; including accommodations, staff and food. We flew from Cairo to Aswan, caught the boat, sailed from Aswan to Luxor; then flew back to Cairo to go home. Flights were included in our package. In the hope of not botching names, I’d like to call out three people: “Menna” who was our coordinator and overall “boss” of our trip. This young lady can do it all. “Mai” who was our guide in Cairo/Giza, so smart, feisty and knowledgeable in all things ancient Egypt. Lastly, but NOT least is “Waled” who took us to Aswan and Luxor. His passion and knowledge are amazing. I’m just glad there wasn’t a test after. Their in-depth knowledge of not just facts, but the whys are incredible. Memphis Tours – be glad you have these folks on your team!"

Trip dates & details
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Pyramids & The Nile at Christmas & New Year
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By Memphis Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They have exceptional customer service, and are truly committed to ensuring every customer's trip to Egypt is seam-less, stress-free and individual.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aswan, Cairo, Kom Ombo, Pyramid of Giza, Sphinx

Highlights

  • Visit Cairo Sightseeing
  • Visit the awesome Philae temple
  • Explore Luxor
  • Visit Edfu Temples

Themes

Small Ship Cruise, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Egypt – June 10 to June 16 We had planned this trip over almost two years. After looking at offerings from various vendors, we selected Memphis Tours. In a brief high-level summary, they did NOT disappoint! In rating this adventure on a 5-star scale, 5. One of my bucket list is to see the ancient wonders of the world. I’ve been to the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the Acropolis in Athens, Colosseum in Rome, Machu Pichu, Great Wall of China, Stone Henge and now the antiques of Egypt. We structured this trip to see a lot; the Pyramids of Giza; The temples of Aswan and the temples of Luxor including the Valley of Kings. In a word WOW! To be up close, touch and otherwise experience these monuments some almost 5,000-year-old, is mind blowing. To understand the context in human history is amazing. Our trip included a mini-cruise on the Nile (WOW!). The boat the “Minerva” was good; including accommodations, staff and food. We flew from Cairo to Aswan, caught the boat, sailed from Aswan to Luxor; then flew back to Cairo to go home. Flights were included in our package. In the hope of not botching names, I’d like to call out three people: “Menna” who was our coordinator and overall “boss” of our trip. This young lady can do it all. “Mai” who was our guide in Cairo/Giza, so smart, feisty and knowledgeable in all things ancient Egypt. Lastly, but NOT least is “Waled” who took us to Aswan and Luxor. His passion and knowledge are amazing. I’m just glad there wasn’t a test after. Their in-depth knowledge of not just facts, but the whys are incredible. Memphis Tours – be glad you have these folks on your team!"

Trip dates & details
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Road to The Nile at Christmas Holidays
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By Memphis Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
They have exceptional customer service, and are truly committed to ensuring every customer's trip to Egypt is seam-less, stress-free and individual.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Aswan, Cairo, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Luxor Temple, Sphinx, Spitsbergen, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings

Highlights

  • Explore Cairo
  • Visit Great Pyramids
  • Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"Egypt – June 10 to June 16 We had planned this trip over almost two years. After looking at offerings from various vendors, we selected Memphis Tours. In a brief high-level summary, they did NOT disappoint! In rating this adventure on a 5-star scale, 5. One of my bucket list is to see the ancient wonders of the world. I’ve been to the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the Acropolis in Athens, Colosseum in Rome, Machu Pichu, Great Wall of China, Stone Henge and now the antiques of Egypt. We structured this trip to see a lot; the Pyramids of Giza; The temples of Aswan and the temples of Luxor including the Valley of Kings. In a word WOW! To be up close, touch and otherwise experience these monuments some almost 5,000-year-old, is mind blowing. To understand the context in human history is amazing. Our trip included a mini-cruise on the Nile (WOW!). The boat the “Minerva” was good; including accommodations, staff and food. We flew from Cairo to Aswan, caught the boat, sailed from Aswan to Luxor; then flew back to Cairo to go home. Flights were included in our package. In the hope of not botching names, I’d like to call out three people: “Menna” who was our coordinator and overall “boss” of our trip. This young lady can do it all. “Mai” who was our guide in Cairo/Giza, so smart, feisty and knowledgeable in all things ancient Egypt. Lastly, but NOT least is “Waled” who took us to Aswan and Luxor. His passion and knowledge are amazing. I’m just glad there wasn’t a test after. Their in-depth knowledge of not just facts, but the whys are incredible. Memphis Tours – be glad you have these folks on your team!"

Trip dates & details
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8 Days Uganda Primate Adventure
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5/5 Excellent
22 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National park, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Highlights

  • Arrival and overnight in Entebbe
  • Lake Mburo National Park, game drive and boat Safari/walking safari
  • To Bwindi Gorilla Park
  • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Batwa community experience
  • To Queen Elizabeth National park, Ishasha tree climbing lions
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Themes

High Adventure, Safari, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"What an amazing company! Every single detail of our trip was planned to perfection. Thank you Joseph and team for the trip of our lives!"

Trip dates & details
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Greece & Egypt: Adventure through Early Civilization
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Athens, Cairo, Luxor

Highlights

  • Athens Morning Sightseeing Tour with Acropolis (8:45am)
  • Visit to the Archaeological Site of Delphi
  • Visit to Meteora
  • Guided tour of Karnak Temple and Temple of Luxor (half-day)
  • Guided tour of the West Bank, including Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
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Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

Trip dates & details
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Explore Egypt: Cairo & Nile River Cruise
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cairo, Luxor

Highlights

  • Cairo Sightseeing Tour, including the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum & Khan El-Khalili Bazaar (full-day, with lunch)
  • Guided tour of Karnak Temple and Temple of Luxor (half-day)
  • Guided tour of the West Bank, including Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
  • Guided tour of The Temple of Horus (Edfu) and Kom Ombo Temple (Sobek)

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

Trip dates & details
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22 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Small Ship Cruise
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Africa Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
5,820  Reviews
See all Africa tour reviews
Excellent
2,489
Great
779
Average
96
Disappointing
18
Terrible
16
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

History in the Heat

I've always been interested in Egyptian history and when friends suggested joining this holiday I booked straight away. And it didn't disappoint. Seeing & bein...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

This was a wonderful trip - I enjoyed it enormously. Visit to the temples at Karnak & Luxor Khaled Lotfy was an excellent & inspirational group leader. He ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

postscript

Sorry, I meant to add that Exodus should perhaps delete the reference to the "library" on the cruise from the Trip Notes. The library consisted of 16 dog-eared bo...

A

Anonymous

Feb 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

I do not have a very long 'bucket list', in fact Egypt is the only destination on it and this holiday did not disappoint. From the flight to Cairo to the flight ho...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Egypt - Truly a Wonder of the Wordl

I have always dreamt of visiting Egypt and seeing for my self the many ancient wonders going back to the dawn of history. This trip was a dream come true. Having b...

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Africa Tour Selection Trips

  • Africa is the second-largest continent, so whittle your list down to the main sites you want to see. You could never take in all of Africa’s key sites on one trip.
  • Wildlife safari packages have itineraries in East and southern Africa because that’s where the animals roam. Wildlife tours rarely combine safaris with trips to North or West Africa.
  • Many tour operators work closely with locals, which keeps money in the local economy, vital to Third World nations.
  • Keep in mind the time of year when you travel. Wildlife viewing can be better during certain seasons, which Stride experts can advise you on.
  • Travel to Africa can be taxing, so pick a tour that offers sufficient down time and doesn’t try to squeeze too many attractions into too few days.
  • Some African vacation packages include all lodging, meals, park fees and even visa costs, while others may just include some of these. Calculate your full tour price by finding out what’s included in the price quoted – and what isn’t.
  • Tour group sizes can vary greatly and are often reflected in the price: the smaller the group, the more expensive it may be. It may be worth spending more to have a lower traveler-to-guide ratio.

Additional details

Popular Africa Travel Packages 

There are about as many Africa guided tour options as the continent is large. How does one narrow down where and how to travel?

Your choice of ways to explore Africa are endless. Whether you’re looking for a multigenerational safari in East Africa, a honeymoon highlighting the winelands of South Africa or the exotic sights and cuisine of Morocco and Egypt, there are guided tours of Africa for all tastes and interests.

Whether you’re looking for ultra-luxurious private lodges or camping, mountain biking and hiking or jeep safari, the perfect trip to Africa awaits.

Think about what you most want out of your tour of Africa - is it culture? nature and wildlife? food and wine? The choices are many, so the more you can pinpoint your interests, the easier it will be to find the perfect Africa vacation for you. 

Here’s a look at the most popular types Africa tours: 

1. Safari & Wildlife 

Topping the charts for reasons to visit Africa on a guided tour, going on a wildlife safari is perennially popular. Head off at dawn or dusk - or even after dark - with an expert bush guide to track the Big Five: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo.

Witness the annual Great Migration through Serengeti National Park. Go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Search for elephants in Hwange National Park and marvel at the wildlife of the Okavango Delta. Explore world-famous national parks and game reserves, including Chobe, Maasai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater. The romance of an African safari is real - your guided African safari will have you enchanted beyond your wildest dreams.

2. Cultural Tours of Africa 

Africa tours that include cultural experiences run the gamut from strolling through busy markets with local residents to meeting with tribes who live far from civilization.

Travel to KwaZulu-Natal, home to the Zulu tribe for nearly 200 years, where you can immerse yourself in Zulu culture and history. Learn about the ceremonies and traditions of West Africa, its fascinating voodoo ceremonies and mask dances.

Sing your heart out in Ghana at Afrochella, an incredible cultural experience in Accra showcasing Africa fashion, art and music. Visit with Botswana’s San Bushmen for an up-close peek at their village life. Get to know Maasai men and women. And visit the flourishing capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, with its incredible historical museums and authentic dining experiences. 

3. Food & Wine

All those long days on the savannah may leave you with a hearty appetite. Add on to your African safari, or focus entirely on a food and wine guided tour. South Africa shines with culinary experiences, including haute cuisine restaurants and expert-led trips to the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek and the Garden Route.

If you’re a craft beer fan, you’ll love exploring South Africa’s burgeoning craft brewery scene, particularly strong in Cape Town. The sights, smells and sounds of Morocco entice, from the country’s excellent wine to its flavorful cuisine and specialty teas. Coffee enthusiasts visiting Kenya can take a guided tour of a local fair-trade coffee plantation and explore, and taste, the coffee varietals. 

Best Time to See the Great Migration

  • The dry season, between July and early October

The perennial question for wildlife enthusiasts visiting Africa: When is the best time to witness the Great Migration in East Africa? This surreal movement of nearly two million animals across the savannah is an incredible spectacle of our animal planet and a top attraction for those visiting East Africa.

Wildebeest, gazelle and zebra by the hundreds of thousands move from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, into Kenya, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and then back to the southern Serengeti. Known mainly for its millions of wildebeest, the Great Migration is a living cycle through which the wildebeest find food, water and a suitable environment for their young throughout the seasons. 

Africa tours that coincide with the Great Migration operate in the dry season, between July and early October. The weather is more stable at this time of year and due to the dried-up landscape, the animals start their movement to find sustenance. If you can’t visit until November or December, you’ll likely still see wildebeest and zebra, though with less movement.

Do not visit East Africa during April and May if you want to see the Great Migration - it’s still the wet season in the Serengeti and the animals won’t have left yet. 

For the best views of the Great Migration, look for guided Africa safaris that visit Serengeti National Park in Tanzania or Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. In particular, the Serengeti’s Grumeti River is an impressive place to view wildebeest crashing through the water.

If you’re traveling on a guided tour in East Africa during the Great Migration, your guides will undoubtedly have planned to take advantage of the best viewpoints. Relying on their past experience and an understanding of the climate, landscape and animal behavior, your tour operator will help you witness one of the greatest spectacles of nature on Earth.

Safety in Africa 

Among the many perks of guided Africa safaris and overland tours is the safety and security you will feel as part of a group. While the mere thought of traveling so far and to a destination quite different than you’re used to can be disconcerting, it’s also undeniably exciting and rich with adventure and learning. Plus, the vast majority of travelers on Africa guided tours do not encounter any problems during their trip.

That being said, whenever you travel to an unfamiliar destination, like Africa, whether in a guided group or private tour, consider the following safety tips

  • Consider leaving the flashy jewelry and watches at home, so as not to call attention to yourself.
  • Carry a light load - pickpocketing is quite common. Keep your cash and passport close to your body with a money belt. 
  • Read up on your destination and any current safety concerns, whether political or physical. Request information from your Africa overland tour operator and/or look online at your destination’s government website for up to date travel advisories
  • Use taxi service after dark. 
  • Exude confidence, even if you are lost. Act like you know right where you’re going. 
  • Consider extra safety precautions and awareness in the following cities: Nairobi, Kenya; Lago, Nigeria; Johannesburg, South Africa; Dakar, Senegal
  • Watch out for scams. And don’t give out your home phone number or address, which could then be used for a ransom call, collect call or other scam. 
  • If you have a medical emergency in Africa and you are away from your tour group, ask how to get to the nearest embassy or upscale hotel. 
  • Get or update the vaccines necessary for traveling to Africa - these typically include typhoid, yellow fever, rabies and Hepatitis A and B. Start taking anti-malarial medication before leaving for your Africa overland tour to ensure that you are protected. 
  • Throughout your guided tour of Africa, choose foods that have been thoroughly cooked, drink only bottled water (South Africa being the exception) and don’t take ice in your drinks (typically the ice cubes are made from local water, not distilled or bottled water). 
  • On an African safari, be absolutely certain to follow the safety rules as outlined by your safari guide, whether it’s staying away from large animals, being aware of snakes, wearing tick-repellent clothing or avoiding parasitic lakes and rivers. 
  • When visiting Muslim countries like Somalia and Egypt, women should wear long sleeves and long pants, as well as cover their head if visiting a mosque or religious site.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 2996 trips to Africa and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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