Best in Travel 2023: Lonely Planet selects South Africa & Zambia as top travel destinations for 2023!

Global travel and tourism book publisher Lonely Planet has unveiled its top destinations to visit next year with the release of Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2023. The new edition of the annual ranking is in a slightly different format than it has been in the past years. Rather than a simple list, this year's list centers expert local perspectives at the heart of each destination, and is sorted by the type of trip best had there: eat, journey, connect, learn and unwind.

According to Lonely Planet, South Africa and Zambia are among the countries travellers should not miss in 2023. South Africa is featured in the eat category, while Zambia is on Lonely Planet's journey list. Congratulations!

South Africa
Complementing its internationally known (and loved) vineyards, South Africa's new generation of chefs is propelling the country’s culinary scene forward making it a destination to visit not just for wine, but food as well. src.

Zambia
With memorable activities like swimming on the ledge of a mighty waterfall to a walking safaris, it’s surprising Zambia is less visited than other spots on the continent of Africa. We recommend making it top of mind if you are considering a journey that involves spotting wildlife. src.

Each year, Lonely Planet's Best in Travel lists start with nominations from Lonely Planet's vast community of staff, writers, bloggers, publishing partners and more. The nominations are then whittled down by its panel of travel experts to just 30 destinations. Each is chosen for its topicality, unique experiences, 'wow' factor and its ongoing commitment to sustainability, community and diversity.

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2022": Malawi is one of the top countries for travel in 2022!

Global travel and tourism book publisher Lonely Planet has unveiled its top 10 countries, cities and regions to visit next year with the release of its Best in Travel 2022. Best in Travel 2022 is Lonely Planet's 17th annual collection of the world's hottest destinations and the must-have travel experiences for the year ahead. This edition places particular emphasis on the best sustainable travel experiences — ensuring travellers will have a positive impact wherever they choose to go. According to Lonely Planet, Malawi in Southeastern Africa is ranked ninth in the Best in Travel - Top 10 Countries category. Congratulations!

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2021": A lodge in Namibia named winner in the "Sustainable Accommodation" category! [update]

update (08 December 2020): Lonely Planet has released a video about the Grootberg Lodge in Namibia's Damaraland, which the guide book publisher describes as "a one-of-a-kind tourist resort in Namibia driven by sustainability and empowering the local community." Enjoy! 

Travel guide book publisher Lonely Planet has released its long-awaited Best in Travel list for 2021. Due to the corona pandemic and its massiv impact on travel and tourism, this year's list has been radically reimagined. While Lonely Planet normally issues lists including the best countries, cities and regions, the Best in Travel 2021 is split into three new categories, namely "Sustainability", "Community" and "Diversity".

• The Grootberg Lodge in Namibia's Damaraland has been named winner in the "Sustainable Accommodation" category. The lodge is 100% owned by the the #Khoadi/Hoas conservancy in which the lodge is located. Built from natural materials and powered by the sun, the luxurious accommodation blends effortlessly into the surrounding Klip River Valley. 
• Rwanda's mountain gorilla conservation program, which uses sustainable tourism as a vehicle to implement long-term conservational change, has been named winner in the "Sustainable Wildlife Program" category.
  

Botswana: Lonely Planet adds the Okavango Delta to the Top 10 of its "Ultimate Travel List"!

The popular travel guide book publisher Lonely Planet has released the second edition of its "Ultimate Travel List". According to Lonely Planet, it is the 500 most thrilling, memorable, downright interesting places on this planet ranked in order of their brilliance. Decided by the publisher's global family of writers, editors and industry experts, the Okavango Delta in Botswana was ranked fourth out of the Top 10 travel experiences Lonely Planet thinks you should experience, that will humble you, amaze you and surprise you.

Other destinations on the "Ultimate Travel List" include the Unesco Heritage Site of Petra (#1) in Jordan, the Galapagos Islands (#2) in Ecuador, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (#3) in Australia, the Yellowstone National Park (#5) in the US, Lake Bled (#6) in Slovenia, the Iguazú Falls (#7) on the border of Argentina and Brazil, Angkor Wat (#8) in Cambodia, the Salar de Uyuni (#9) in Bolivia and the Annapurna Circuit (#10) in Nepal.

Lonely Planet: eSwatini is one of the top countries for travel in 2020!

According to Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2020", the Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland) is one of the top countries to visit next year. The country is ranked fifth after Lonely Planet's top country of the year, Bhutan, England, North Macedonia and Aruba. The largest travel guide book publisher in the world names the following reasons why eSwatini is one of the top destinations for the coming year:

Petite, pleasant and packed with culture, adventure and legendary wildlife, the newly named Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) is one of Southern Africa’s most underrated (and least visited) destinations. A new international airport, as well as improved road infrastructure between it, conservation areas and the capital, are aimed to increase visitor numbers in the years ahead – get here in 2020 to ensure yourself a front seat. The varied landscapes within its parks and reserves provide one exciting revelation after another, whether it’s zip lining, trekking, whitewater rafting or mind-blowing rhino encounters. Mix in a pervading sense of peace and enthralling cultural festivities and you’ll be smiling all the way home. [src.]

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel" is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. The Top 10 lists in "Best in Travel" were compiled by teams of experts, who took into account special events going on next year, recent developments in each country/region/city, and new things for travellers to see or do.

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2020" - Top Countries:

1. Bhutan
2. England
3. North Macedonia
4. Aruba
5. Kingdom of eSwatini
6. Costa Rica
7. The Netherlands
8. Liberia
9. Morocco
10. Uruguay

Lonely Planet: Zimbabwe is one of the top countries for travel in 2019!

According to Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2019", Zimbabwe is one of the top countries to visit next year. The country is ranked third after Lonely Planet's top country of the year, Sri Lanka, and Germany. The largest travel guide book publisher in the world names the following reasons why Zimbabwe is one of the top destinations for the coming year:

While it may be known for making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Zimbabwe has always been a country that travellers on the ground have raved about. Not only is it one of Africa's safest destinations, it’s one blessed with ultra-friendly locals, Big Five-filled national parks, World Heritage-listed archaeological ruins, forested mountains and, of course, the mighty Victoria Falls. Although the controversial 2018 election may have dampened the unbridled optimism following the end of Robert Mugabe's time in power, the sense of hope for what the country can become remains strong in Zimbabweans. And as always, a visit here is viewed by locals as a sign of support of them on their journey to a new dawn. [src.]

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel" is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. The Top 10 lists in "Best in Travel" were compiled by teams of experts, who took into account special events going on next year, recent developments in each country/region/city, and new things for travellers to see or do.

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2019" - Top Countries:

1. Sri Lanka
2. Germany
3. Zimbabwe
4. Panama
5. Kyrgyzstan
6. Jordan
7. Indonesia
8. Belarus
9. São Tomé & Príncipe
10. Belize

Lonely Planet names South Africa among top countries to travel to in 2018

Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide book publisher in the world, has named South Africa as one of the top countries to travel to in 2018 in it's annual "Best in Travel" publication. Lonely Planet describes the country, which was ranked number 10 on the list of the top 10 countries, as follows:

Beaches and mountains, wildlife and wine, and let’s not forget vibrant culture and cosmopolitan Cape Town – South Africa has long been one of the world's most alluring countries. This year the country's many attractions will be bolstered by ‘Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018: Be the Legacy’, an official programme of events – some sporting, some educational, others devoted to the arts – aimed at honouring the legendary leader. The theme is to inspire values-based societies, with exhibitions related to transparency, service, respect, passion and integrity. So with more to see than ever, and favourable exchange rates offering great value, 2018 is a phenomenal year to visit South Africa. [src.]

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel" is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. The Top 10 lists in "Best in Travel" were compiled by teams of experts, who took into account special events going on next year, recent developments in each country/region/city, and new things for travellers to see or do.

Lonely Planet's Top 10 countries to visit 2018:

1. Chile
2. South Korea
3. Portugal
4. Djibouti
5. New Zealand
6. Malta
7. Georgia
8. Mauritius
9. China
10. South Africa

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel": Namibia named second best value destination for 2017!

Namibia has been named 2nd in the "Best Value" category in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2017 list. The publication describes the country as follows:

Namibia's dollar, pegged to the South African rand, has been depreciating in value against many currencies for a few years, making now an opportune time to experience this amazing country. And what experiences are on offer: desert- wildlife spotting in Etosha National Park, the incredible wilderness hike through Fish River Canyon and sand surfing at the mighty Sossusvlei Dunes. Avoid South African and European school-holiday times, especially late December and January, for the best-priced flights, which generally connect through Johannesburg, or look for seasonal charter flights from Frankfurt (Germany) operated by Condor. The great blue sky, contrasted with the clear starry nights that remain the longest in the memories of many visitors to Namibia, won’t cost you a dime. [src.]

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. The Top 10 lists in Best in Travel were compiled by teams of experts, who took into account special events going on next year, recent developments in each country/region/city, and new things for travellers to see or do.

Lonely Planet's Best Value Destinations 2017:

1. Nepal
2. Namibia
3. Porto, Portugal
4. Venice, Italy
5. Debrecen, Hungary
6. Belize
7. Morocco
8. Russia
9. Bellarine Peninsula, Australia
10. Michigan's Upper Peninsula, USA 

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel": Cape Town named second best city for 2017!

Cape Town in South Africa has been named 2nd in the "Top Cities" category in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2017 list. The publication describes the Mother City as follows:

Cape Town's deceptively laid-back folk have been working hard to add cultural and culinary cred to the Mother City's famous natural charms, cementing its reputation as an African city with a global outlook. Local gastronomy is as impressive as Table Mountain’s flat-topped mass, with historic wine estates in every direction, hip markets selling the fruits of the Cape's fertile terrain, and inventive restaurants winning global plaudits. The art and design scene will be given a boost in September by the opening of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), the world's largest museum of contemporary African art and a post-industrial architectural marvel occupying a century-old grain silo.[src.]

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. The Top 10 lists in Best in Travel were compiled by teams of experts, who took into account special events going on next year, recent developments in each country/region/city, and new things for travellers to see or do.

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Cities 2017:

1. Bordeaux, France
2. Cape Town, South Africa
3. Los Angeles, USA
4. Merida, Mexico
5. Ohrid, Macedonia
6. Pistoia, Italy
7. Seoul, South Korea
8. Lisbon, Portugal
9. Moscow, Russia
10. Portland, Oregon

Lonely Planet ranked East Africa third in "Best Value Destination for 2016"!

Great news for East Africa. Lonely Planet has ranked the region third in the "Best Value Destination for 2016" category in the 2016 editon of Best in Travel. Congratulations! The travel guide book publisher names the following reasons for selecting Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the rest of the region as the third best destination to stretch your travel budget in 2016:

The outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa has, unfortunately for other areas of the continent, had a knock-on effect in terms of bookings for 2015. So listen up: London, Madrid and Paris are hundreds of miles closer to the outbreak in West Africa than East Africa's tourism heartland. Africa is a massive continent (the United States would fit in the Sahara Desert) so you’ll be doing yourself and tourism in East Africa a favour if you take advantage of the cracking deals on offer to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the rest of the region. And in the process experience some of the world’s great wonders, from gorilla encounters to Rift Valley scenery to squeaky-sanded beaches. [src.]

Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. Other countries on Lonely Planet's list of Best Value Destinations for 2016 include Estonia (#1), Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam (#2), New Mexico in USA (#4), Bosnia and Hercegovina (#5), Galicia in Spain (#6), Québec City in Canada (#7), Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast (#8), Timor-Leste (#9) and Western Australia (#10).

Botswana named "Top Country to visit 2016" by Lonely Planet!

update (03 Nov 2015): Lonely Planet has uploaded a "visual portrait of the top country in their Best in Travel 2016 selections, Botswana.



Great news for Botswana. The country was named top country to visit in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2016 list. Congratulations! The publication describes Botswana, which will celebrate its 50th year of independence in 2016, as follows:

Democratic, progressive, enlightened – but above all, invigoratingly wild. The story of Botswana's journey from poverty to become one of Africa’s most stable, thriving societies is inspirational; the country celebrates 50 years of independence in 2016 and there's a lot for it to shout about, not least the way it has balanced economic growth with protecting its natural riches. Prepare for a severe case of slack-jawed-with-awe syndrome when you visit. [src.]

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. The Top 10 lists in Best in Travel were compiled by teams of experts, who took into account special events going on next year, recent developments in each country/region/city, and new things for travellers to see or do.

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2016 - Top Countries:

1. Botswana
2. Japan
3. USA
4. Palau
5. Latvia
6. Australia
7. Poland
8. Uruguay
9. Greenland
10. Fiji

Lonely Planet ranked South Africa second in "Best Value Destination for 2015"!

Great news for the South African tourism industry. Lonely Planet ranked South Africa second in the "Best Value Destination for 2015" category in next year's editon of Best in Travel. Congratulations! The travel guide book publisher names the following reasons for selecting South Africa as the second best country to stretch your travel budget in 2015:

"Currency fluctuations mean that for certain travellers South Africa is more affordable than it has been for many years. Instead of just rejoicing in the undercooked rand, consider what South Africa offers value-seeking travellers at any time. How about fantastically accessible wildlife watching for all budgets, bargain public (and traveller-friendly) transport and free entry to many of the country’s museums? Most visitors will find something to please their budget, whether it’s a cheap-and cheerful Cape Town seaside cafe or an affordable safari campsite. Come in South Africa's shoulder seasons (March to May, September and October) for the best combination of low crowds and comfortable weather." [Read more]

Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. Other countries on Lonely Planet's list of Best Value Destinations for 2015 include Tunisia (#1), Shanghai (#3), Samoa (#4), Bali (#5), Uruguay (#6), Portugal (#7), Taiwan (#8), Romania (#9) and Burkina Faso (#10).

Lonely Planet: Namibia one of Top 10 countries to visit in 2015!

Lonely Planet has just rankend Namibia second in this year's Best in Travel - Top 10 Countries category. Congratulations! Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. Other countries on the list include Singapore (#1), Lithuania (#3), Nicaragua (#4), Ireland (#5), Republic of Congo (#6), Serbia (#7), Philippines (#8), St Lucia (#9) and Morocco (#10).

Lonely Planet: The World's Best Spicy Food (book)

It seems that most travellers love spicy food. Not necessarily hot food, but definitely all sorts of spicy dishes. Thats at least the impression I got while travelling Europe, Africa and Australia over the last 10-15 years. The people of Lonely Planet must have had the same feeling and recently published "The World's Best Spicy Food", the follow up title to 2012's "The World’s Best Street Food".
I was a little hungry and thinking about dinner the other day when I first stumbled on Lonely Planet's new book. I flipped through the pages on shop.lonelyplanet.com and had to immediately buy it. What a great book! More than 100 spicy recipes from around the world, including mouthwatering recipes for Bunny Chow (South Africa), Piri-Piri Chicken from Mozambique, Sambaro from Tanzania and Doro Wat from Ethiopia! But it is not only about the recipes. You also get to learn where all the dishes come from, what they taste like and where you can ususally find them. If you or someone you know loves travelling, eating and cooking, Lonely Planet's "The World's Best Spicy Food" is definitely a must-buy! Enjoy!

The World's Best Spicy Food is available on shop.lonelyplanet.com

Lonely Planet's world's best places to stay 2014: Southern & East African hotels, lodges & hostels

Lonely Planet recently unveiled three new top 10s, including the most extraordinary hotels, the best-value hotels and outstanding eco-hotels. Six out of the 30 hotels from around the world are located in Southern and East Africa: four in South Africa and one in Botswana and Tanzania respectively. Congrats!

Top 10 extraordinary places to stay in 2014:
1 - Mihir Gahr, Rajasthan, India
2 - Planet Baobab, Gweta, Botswana
3 - Prendiparte B&B, Bologna, Italy
...
8 - Thonga Beach Lodge, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Top 10 best value stays for 2014:
1 - The Backpack, Cape Town, South Africa
2 - Sydney Harbour YHA, Australia
3 - Inkosana Lodge, Champagne Valley, Drakensberg, South Africa
 
Top 10 eco stays for 2014:
1 - Lapa Rios, Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica
2 - Bulungula Backpackers, South Africa
3 - Chole Mjini, Chole Island, Mafia Archipelago, Tanzania

Lonely Planet: Victoria Falls named one of the Top 10 Regions 2014

The mighty Victoria Falls, located right on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, got voted 6th in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 - Top 10 Regions category. Congratulations! Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. Other cities on the list include Sikkim in India (#1), the Kimberley in Australia (#2), Yorkshire in England (#3), Texas in the United States (#5) and the West Coast of New Zealand (#8).

Lonely Planet says that the reasons for selecting the Victoria Falls as one the Top 10 Regions in 2014 are the following:

• to experience the raw power of the Victoria Falls is an all-round sensory encounter with mother nature
• Vic Falls (Zimbabwe side) and Livingstone (Zambia side) were hosting the 2013 General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization and therefore got multibillion-dollar makeovers
• Since the US dollar replaced the much-maligned Zim$ in Zimbabwe, the economy has recovered from years of hyperinflation – making 2014 the best time to visit in 15 years.
• Laid-back Livingstone took over the the mantle as the falls’ premier tourist town

Malawi listed 5th in Lonely Planet's Top Countries for 2014

Congrats, Malawi! Lonely Planet named the southern African country one of the top countries in the world for travellers in 2014 in its Best in Travel 2014 publication. Malawi ranked fifth in the list headed by Brazil and Antarctica, but comes ahead of the likes of Mexico and Seychelles. Best in Travel is produced annually by Lonely Planet as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year.
Lonely Planet says that the main reasons for selecting Malawi as one of the Top 10 Countries 2014 are:

• the Majete Wildlife Reserve, home to the famous Big Five, for an uncrowded game drive
• Lake Malawi for some high-visibility snorkelling
• Mount Mulanje for a hike over hazy peaks in an otherworldly moonscape
• the Viphya Plateau, a haunting wilderness of grasslands and whaleback hills that feels downright prehistoric

 

Lonely Planet: Cape Town named one of the Top 10 Cities 2014

Cape Town in South Africa just got named the third best city to travel to in 2014 in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 Top 10 Cities list. Best in Travel is produced annually as a guide to the top destinations, trends and experiences for the upcoming year. Other cities on the list include Paris in France (#1), Trinidad on Cuba (#2), Riga in Lativa (#4), Zürich in Switzerland (#5), Shanghai in China (#6), Vancouver in Canada (#7), Chicago in the USA (#8), Adelaide in Australia (#9) and Auckland in New Zealand (#10).

Lonely Planet says that the reasons for selecting Cape Town as one the Top 10 Cities in 2014 are that there is actually never a bad time to visit the city and, above all, that the Mother City will be the World Design Capital 2014. Enjoy Cape Town!

Lonely Planet: Download "Best in Travel 2013" for free!

Almost all travellers I know own at least one Lonely Planet guide book, are members of the famous Lonely Planet Thorntree, follow the publisher on twitter, and are, of course, fans on Facebook. Thinking about it it didn't surprise me to read that Lonely Planet recently topped the one million followers mark on twitter (@LonelyPlanet) as well as the one million fans mark on facebook (fb/lonelyplanet). Two million fans/followers in the world of social media is quite a milestone, so the world's largest travel guide book publisher is not only partying about it, but wants to say thank you to everyone by making its "Best in Travel 2013", which is now out of print, available as a FREE digial download (pdf & iBook)!
Lonely Planet's annual "Best in Travel" is a compilation of the best places to go and things to do all around the world in the year ahead. It covers the top 10 countries, regions and cities to visit, best travel experiences as well as over 35 events mapped out month by month in the (2013) travel planner. Congrats & kudos Lonely Planet for the free download!

Download Lonely Planet’s "Volunteer: A Traveller’s Guide to Making a Difference Around the World" for FREE

Lonely Planet’s Volunteer: A Traveller’s Guide to Making a Difference Around the World usually costs €16.50/£12.99/USD $19.99 per copy (print), but you can currently download it for FREE for a limited time in the Apple iBookstore and as a free PDF download!
The book is packed with information and inspiration and will definitely help you planning your perfect short- or long-term volunteer experience anywhere in the world! I don't know for how long the download will be for free, so you better hurry up and download it ASAP! Safe travels!

screenshot
lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/travel-tips-and-articles/75816 (03 Dec 2012)

download "Volunteer" for free in the Apple iBookstore >>
download "Volunteer" as a free pdf >> 
Volunteering in Southern & Eastern Africa >>