When you’re heading overland and travelling from country to country you’ll be treated to some long, but truly inspiring journeys, and there’s nothing like a few good tunes to compliment those jaw dropping vistas. If you’re thinking of hitting the road with us, check out our five fave tracks, and make more of these spellbinding routes on the continent. From the more obvious, to the up and coming – we can promise the music will get you in the mood for Africa!
Travel up the dramatic scenic coast via Inhambane to Tofo on our NEW 14-day Mozambique & Zimbabwe Explorer. Your final destination, a chilled beach town with wide-open stretches of white sand. En route, tune into Maia Von Lekow, her fresh sound weaving jazz, funk, folk and blues into the mix. Maia’s latest offering, Jellyfish, has a tropical feel that have you feeling mellow once you reach the beach.
On the 6-day Troop To The Gorillas, green terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations, steep mountains and tangled forests line the route from Kampala to the Queen Elizabeth National Park – the occasional herd of Ankole cattle with their magnificent curved horns often found roaming across the roads in this rural region of Uganda. Feast your eyes on the Pearl of Africa and find out why Tom Diakité’s Fala and the soulful strumming of that guitar will add something special to this once in a lifetime journey.
According to travel blogger Toni White, when you drive out of South Africa’s Mother City you could mistake the landscape for the English countryside. A moment later and the vineyard territory is reminiscent of France, a very arid Arizona-esque landscape coming into view as you head north on the 41-day Cape Town To Kenya. Paul Simon might sound like a cliché, but Graceland still has major appeal for these stunning backdrops, our must have track Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
Leave the bustling city of Dar es Salaam and warm Atlantic coast behind you, the 24-day South East Adventure taking you inland to Iringa. The route runs through the Mikumi National Park, where you might spot forest elephant or giraffe feeding near the side of the road. Pepe Haze’s Rain On My Lips has one line that captures the spirit of Africa, “you write a song on my soul,” and the catchy beat and animal magnetism of this trip are a great combination.
Hop on our 17-day Zanzibar To Mount Kilimanjaro and spy the magnificent snow-capped Kili from afar before attempting the climb. When you’re facing the highest Mountain in Africa and getting yourself fired up for the challenge and your moment of glory when you reach the peak, this World Cup 2010 hit is a tough contender!
Still undecided about where you’ll be ringing in 2014? For a truly authentic beat, book your seat on our NEW 8-day Victoria Falls New Years Carnival overland tour – the event billed as the as the largest cultural infusion of Southern African talent.
Written by: Johnny Chen