The Spanish government’s demands have already created backlash
The mysterious Messum Crater in the Goboboseb Mountains is where to admire the equally weird Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant endemic to the Namib Desert whose alien-like form rather suits the otherworldly environment of this 130-million-year-old collapsed volcano.
Angola's civil war also disrupted Iona National Park, but, likewise, concerted efforts by several wildlife foundations and Africa Parks, a non-governmental organization focused on biodiversity and conservation, has seen wildlife numbers flourish. Iona lies in the northern Namib Desert and is contiguous with the Skeleton Coast National Park in Namibia.
Kissama (also spelt Quiçama) was established as a nature reserve in 1938 and upgraded to a national park in 1957. Wide-scale poaching and neglect during the civil war decimated the animal population. Fortunately, a commendable wildlife regeneration program has seen the reintroduction of a number of species, especially elephants, to make Kissama Angola's most accessible and well-stocked wildlife park.
While Angola's wildlife population continues to recover, the country still provides visitors with a wealth of sightseeing opportunities, natural wonders such as the spectacular Tunda-Vala volcanic fissure, where you can climb to 8,530 ft (2,600 m) above sea level for jaw-dropping views.
Sources: (UNESCO) (National Geographic) (International Union for Conservation of Nature) (Space for Giants) (Africa Parks)
See also: The best safari destinations in Africa
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is Botswana's largest national park, and one of the world's biggest. Set in the Kalahari Desert, it's home to a staggering variety of wildlife and the San, or Bushmen, nomadic hunters who have roamed the area for thousands of years.
Moremi Game Reserve stands out as one of Africa's most beautiful reserves, teeming with diverse wildlife and offering an unparalleled safari experience. It covers one-third of the vast inland Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where it's not uncommon to see zebra and other land animals take to the wetlands in an unusual role reversal.
Famed for its enormous elephant population, Chobe is another one of Botswana's outstanding safari parks. A major wildlife-watching area is the Chobe Riverfront, which supports the largest wildlife concentration in the reserve.
Located high up in the Maloti Mountains, far-flung Sehlabathebe National Park is one of the region's lesser visited wildlife reserves. Recognized for its biodiversity and cultural heritage, Sehlabathebe's visual beauty is simply breathtaking.
Lesotho's other top park is Ts'ehlanyane, which is also tucked away in the Maloti Mountains. This is serious hiking country, with elevations reaching 8,500 ft (2,600 m) in places. It's the domain of the bearded vulture and other high-altitude fauna.
Many adventure travelers exploring Southern Africa make a point of ticking off the Sani Pass. Bordering KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and Mokhotlong in Lesotho, the pass snakes through the Great Escarpment in its highest region, the Drakensberg Mountains, which reach an elevation of over 9,840 ft (3,000 m).
Nyika is Malawi's largest national park. It's also the country's oldest, established in 1966. It's mostly comprised of the Nyika Plateau, a vast expanse of rolling grassland home to large numbers of leopard and antelope and ideal for escorted trekking.
The UNESCO-protected Chongoni Rock Art Area on the plateau of central Malawi features the highest concentration of ancient rock art in the region. The site contains 127 rock art and painting sites dating back to the Late Stone Age.
Lake Malawi is the fourth largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, a portion of which is included in the UNESCO-listed Lake Malawi National Park, the only national park in Malawi that was created with the purpose of protecting fish and aquatic habitats.
Mozambique's stunning Bazaruto National Park protects the five islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago. The reserve encompasses terrestrial and marine habitats of exceptional ecological value that serve as sanctuary to dozens of bird species, including fish eagles and pink flamingos, plus red duikers, bushbucks and, especially on Benguera, Nile crocodiles.
Inhaca Island is anchored in Maputo Bay and is easily reached by ferry from the country's capital, making it a favorite bolt-hole for locals and foreign visitors alike. The island is also a regular destination for ecotourists and ecological researchers, with Inhaca boasting an exceptional variety of flora and fauna.
It's worth heading north to discover Mozambique Island. This remote, UNESCO-listed outpost was once the capital of colonial Portuguese East Africa. A cultural highlight is the 16th-century Fort São Sebastião.
Namib-Naukluft National Park encompasses part of Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by colossal dunes that tower up to 1,066 ft (325 m) above the valley floor.
Namibia's Etosha National Park is one of Africa's most rewarding wildlife-viewing venues. The area is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including several threatened and critically endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.
One of the largest game reserves in Africa, and one of the world's most famous, Kruger ticks all the boxes. The 'Big Five'—the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo—share the bushveld with a supporting cast of 140 other mammals and over 500 varieties of bird.
Scenic Cape Town's singular beauty makes it one of the most alluring cities on the entire continent. Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for a breathtaking perspective before discovering the city's rich heritage. Make a point of visiting Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 of his 27 imprisoned years.
Elsewhere, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is both one of the world's largest canyons and one of South Africa's most outstanding natural sights.
Established in 1979 initially as a refuge to save the pure Nguni breed of cattle from extinction, Mkhaya has gone on to include other endangered species such as the black and white rhinos. It's also where to admire the nimble tsessebe, one of the fastest antelopes in Africa.
Umhlanga, or reed dance, is Eswatini's best known cultural event. The eight-day ceremony sees women and girls in traditional costume cut reeds and present them to the Queen Mother (Indlovukazi) to be used in repairing holes in the reed windscreen surrounding the royal village.
In this diminutive nation, big things come in small packages, and what Eswatini lacks in established tourist infrastructure it makes up for with place like Sibebe Rock. Located 5 miles (8 km) from the city of Mbabane, Sibebe Rock can be climbed, but only if you're reasonably fit and get a kick out of looking down sheer rock faces!
South Luangwa National Park is world renowned. Set in the valley of the wide Luangwa River, the park is especially loved for its birdlife, with about 400 species so far recorded within its boundaries, including the colorful southern carmine bee-eater.
Tourism is a major industry in Zambia, with the city of Livingstone often referred to as Africa's "adventure tourism capital." This is due in part to its proximity to Victoria Falls, one of the most celebrated natural wonders on the planet. For the truly adventurous, how about bathing in Devil's Pool, set directly on the edge of the mighty waterfall?
The largest national park in Zambia is Kafue. Named for the Kafue River, the reserve hosts at least 152 different species of mammals, and around 515 bird species. And an added benefit to this sensational destination is that it's accessible by public transport.
Zambia shares Victoria Falls with neighboring Zimbabwe. In fact, some two-thirds of the waterfalls are located here, including the main falls themselves, which are part of the Victoria Falls National Park. For the most spectacular outlooks, head down to Devil's Cataract for a dramatic view of the falls—often accompanied by a rainbow prism effect.
Zimbabwe is home to the mysterious ruined city of Great Zimbabwe. This medieval African city dates back to the 11th to 15th centuries CE and probably served either as a royal residence or a symbolic grain storage facility. Today it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Of all Zimbabwe's national parks, Matobo is the most visually dramatic. The area is characterized by a landscape of granite kopjes, small isolated hills of rock that appear as if put together by a playful ogre.
Planning a trip to Southern Africa but not sure which country to visit? Well, the southernmost region of the continent encompasses several countries including Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Some have a more developed tourism infrastructure than others, but all are worth exploring for their variety of wildlife, stunning scenery, and cultural heritage.
Still not decided? Click through this gallery for an at-a-glance list of places to go and things to see.
The must-see tourist hotspots in Southern Africa
Where to go and what to see in the southernmost region of the African continent
TRAVEL Destinations
Planning a trip to Southern Africa but not sure which country to visit? Well, the southernmost region of the continent encompasses several countries including Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Some have a more developed tourism infrastructure than others, but all are worth exploring for their variety of wildlife, stunning scenery, and cultural heritage.
Still not decided? Click through this gallery for an at-a-glance list of places to go and things to see.