Best Trips In Africa: Enjoy Safaris and the Nature and Wildlife In National Parks

Africa is a place that seems very exotic to most travelers, and in National Geographic's Best Trips of 2013, they featured some destinations in Africa that have great adventure possibilities, though they are not necessarily the most well-known countries on the African continent. Looking at Malawi and Uganda, the trips still feature safaris and amazing scenery.

Malawi

Locals call Lake Malawi the "Lake of Stars," and after nightfall, it is easy to see why as paraffin lamps illuminate the lake with firefly-like flickers while fisherman float in dugout canoes.

Lake Malawi is Africa's third largest lake, and is located in the Great Rift Valley.

"When you make friends with a Malawian, they watch out for you," says Moses Mphatso Kaufulu, a blogger from the historic capital of Zomba. "The depth of African experience rests on friendship-this is what makes my country second to none in the world."

The best time to go is from April to May or October to November for the lake and big game safaris. To see orchids in Nyika National Park, go from January to March. A good food to try is nsima, a thick cornmeal porridge molded into a ball and served alongside ndiwo, a relish-like meat, bean or vegetable side dish.

Visitors can wear casual dress, which is usual, but tank tops, bathing suits, short dresses and shorts should be reserved for vacation resorts. Foreign currency is also widely accepted.

Uganda

Often passed over by tourists heading for safaris in nearby Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda is the home of mountain gorillas, hippos, lions, savannas, lakes, rainforests, and the glacier-clad Rwenzori Mountains, one of Africa's tallest mountain ranges.

It also contains many parks, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, where nature is all around for visitors to bask in.

The best time to go is from January to March and June to August. Foods to try include luwombo, a mixture of meat, vegetables and sometimes peanut butter steamed in banana leaves.