With 10 distinct national parks, Uganda gives visitors the chance to explore myriad landscapes and natural habitats, each with its own impressive characteristics and wild inhabitants. Most people only have time to visit three or four parks in Uganda, so it's important to get a feel for which one may be right for you. Book a boat safari on the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, or head out on a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park to see elephants, giraffes, lions and more.

Visitors can take an organized tour deep into tribal lands to experience Zulu culture with its exuberant ceremonies, traditional music, and dancing. You'll learn about Zulu beliefs and healing practices, break bread with local families, and learn the hidden meanings behind their colorful beadwork. Those seeking a truly transformative experience can arrange one-on-one sessions with the village healer or spend the night with a Zulu family in their home. 

Cape Town is in essence a “tale of two cities”:  the affluent and touristic areas --  prime real estate where a parking spot can go for a few hundred thousand dollars, million-dollar homes along the cape, and a booming tourism industry that demands the best.  Then there are the poor shantytowns and memories of apartheid.  Poverty is still rampant here. The wounds of apartheid have healed, but the scars can still be found.