East & Southern Africa
Area Destination Guides

The Republic of Kenya, located in East Africa, borders the Indian Ocean and has nearly 50-million people. Its largest and capital city is Nairobi. Before you go on safari, here's everything you need to know about the country to prepare for a fantastic visit.

Archaeological evidence in Damaraland, Twyfelfontein, and Brandberg demonstrates that while Portuguese explorers may have made landfall in 1485, Namibia has been inhabited by hunter-gatherers for over 25,000 years. Before Namibia became independent, it was formerly known as South-West Africa and became a German colony in 1884. During World War I, this region was taken over by South Africa and it wasn’t until Resolution 435 of the United Nations, that gave Namibia independence in 1990. Today, over 35,000 San peoples still live semi-nomadic lives, along with the Nama, Damara, Himba, and Herero who are part of the 11 ethnic groups that call Namibia home.

South Africa is the world's 25th largest landmass and Southern Africa's biggest nation. The country is so big that it has three capitals, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Pretoria. South Africa is the biggest manufacturer of platinum, gold, vanadium, alumino-silicates, manganese, and chromium. It is also the home to over 850 species of birds and 300 exotic mammal species, including giraffes, buffalo, cheetahs, and warthogs. Over 55-million people also inhabit the nation.