Voodoo, reed-dancing and oyster-shucking: 10 of Africa's best festivals
1. Moroccan magic
This year’s Fez Festival of World Sacred Music (June 22-30) has an “Ancestral Knowledge” theme, explored through Balinese dancing, Moroccan music, songs of the Italian Renaissance, Tunisian oud players, African Sufism, the Soweto Gospel Choir and more. Set in Morocco’s most beguiling city, venues include the courtyard of Bab Makina Palace and the graceful Jnan Sbil Gardens.
An 18-day Fez Festival tour costs from ￡1,880 per person including a full-day festival pass and stays in Casablanca, Fez, the Sahara, Essaouira and Marrakech. Flights cost extra. Departs June 18. Peregrine Adventures (020 7408 9021; peregrineadventures.com).
2. South Africa on a plate
The Knysna Oyster Festival (June 29-July 8) is a celebration of sport as well as food, though the focus is Knysna’s oyster heritage. The main draws are a half marathon and a two-day cycling race, along with swimming, canoeing and scuba diving. Foodies can slurp oysters, compete in cooking and shucking contests, or simply indulge in the Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras.
A 12-night Discover South Africa tour costs from ￡2,750 per person including flights and taking in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, the Garden Route and Knysna. Abercrombie & Kent (01242 547708; abercrombiekent.co.uk).
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3. Musical Malawi
On the sandy shores of Lake Malawi, the feel-good Lake of Stars festival (Sept 28-30) embraces African music and the arts. Visitors from more than 30 countries come to enjoy Western and Malawian bands in the “warm heart of Africa”. Aiming to benefit local communities, events include talks and workshops, theatre, acrobatics and film screenings.
An eight-day Safari & Beach holiday costs from ￡3,500 adult, ￡2,500 child. The price includes flights, accommodation, meals, safari activities and transfers, staying at Liwonde National Park and on the lake. Mahlatini Luxury Travel (028 9073 6050; mahlatini.com).
4. Ethiopian epiphany
Most travellers head to the city of Gonder to experience Timkat (Jan 19 2019), the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians’ Epiphany. But this tour affords a more intimate experience in the villages of the Central Highlands. Watch the parades as devotees carry a sacred replica of the Ark of the Covenant to be baptised, before the priest sprinkles blessed water on the crowd. Festivities last two days with jubilant singing and dancing.
A 15-day group tour to the Timkat Festival costs from ￡3,750 excluding flights but including all meals, accommodation and activities, taking in Lalibela, Gonder, Axum, Tigray and the Simien Mountains. Wild Frontiers (020 3504 2593; wildfrontierstravel.com).
5. Voodoo vibes
Benin is known as the cradle of voodoo and its Ouidah Voodoo Festival (Jan 10 2019) is fascinating. Believers are absorbed by rites and rituals around the voodoo temples involving dances and trances, fetishes and sacrifices (usually chickens but also goats), all in devotion to their gods. Prepare for a sensory overload and a unique cultural experience.
A 12-day tour of Togo, Ghana and Benin taking in the Ouidah Voodoo Festival costs from ￡2,349 including accommodation, activities and most meals but not flights. Departs Jan 7 2019. Undiscovered Destinations (0191 296 2674; undiscovered-destinations.com).
6. Right royal gathering
Taking place in Swaziland from Aug 27-Sept 3, the Umhlanga Reed Dance is a mostly private affair at which 40,000 young women collect reeds to present to their Queen Mother. The sixth and seventh days are public, as the women in traditional attire sing and dance in her honour, with the king attending on the last day. Be warned: taking photographs is not permitted.
A 12-day Reed Dance and Safari costs from ￡4,225 including flights, accommodation, most meals and activities, plus eight safaris. Departs Aug 28. Sense Africa (01275 877172; senseafrica.co.uk).
7. Gorillas galore
Home to almost half the world’s mountain gorillas, Rwanda celebrates these gentle giants during Kwita Izina (Sept 2), a ceremony at which each gorilla born in the past year is named. Unsurprisingly, the gorillas don’t attend but Rwanda’s president and 30,000 people from around the world come to celebrate success in conservation. Intore (warrior) dancing and singing add to the party vibe.
A six-day tailor-made trip to Kwita Izina, Volcanoes National Park and Kigali costs from ￡3,848 per person sharing, including driver-guide, most meals, a Kigali tour and a visit to the genocide museum. Also included are two gorilla trekking permits. International flights cost extra. Expert Africa (020 3405 6666; expertafrica.com/gorilla-0318).
8. Harmonyon the lake
Prepare to be mesmerised at the Marsabit Lake Turkana Cultural Festival, taking place in northern Kenya from June 28-30. Now in its 10th year, it showcases the singing, dancing and culture of 14 ethnic communities in colourful traditional costumes. Relaxed and authentic, it aims to promote tribal harmony.
A 10-day tailor-made trip to the Lake Turkana festival, Marsabit National Park and Samburu National Reserve costs from ￡3,235 per person sharing, including driver-guide, full board, park fees, internal flights and transfers. International flights cost extra. Expert Africa (020 3405 6666; expertafrica.com/turkana-0318).
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9. Swahili stone town
The Spice Island of Zanzibar is buzzing Feb 7-10 as the atmospheric Old Fort in Stone Town hosts the Sauti za Busara Swahili Music Festival. For four days, it focuses on Swahili music across the genres, from taarab to African, Asian and Arab fusion, attracting artists from east Africa and beyond. Relax during the day by exploring the island or chilling out on its white-sand beaches.
A 10-day trip to Zanzibar for Sauti za Busara costs from ￡1,650 per person including B&B accommodation in Stone Town and half-board at Pongwe Beach, international flights and transfers. Safari and Beach (01548 852914; safariandbeach.com).
10. Whale of a time
When the southern right whales return to Walker Bay, heralding the arrival of spring, the people of Hermanus and thousands of visitors welcome them at the Hermanus Whale Festival (Sept 28-30). As well as offering whale-watching trips, the festival celebrates all marine life with films, interactive exhibitions and ocean-themed adventures, accompanied by music, comedy, seafood and street parades.
A seven-day Hermanus Festival and Cape Town trip costs from ￡1,650 including international flights, B&B accommodation and car hire. Tailormade Africa (07791 360170; tailormadeafrica.com).