Climb atop a scorching sand dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia, and listen to the overpowering silence. Fall asleep to the sounds of grunting hippos and howling hyenas in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Stand on the sidelines during Swaziland's Umhlanga Dance, while potential wives parade before the king.

8 authors, 249 days of in-country research, 109 maps, 97 buses. Specialist music chapter and full-color wildlife section. Incorporating 1073 traveller tips and suggestions.