The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

By Travel + Leisure

Travel Africa Highlights the Africa Destinations

Planning new adventures as a new year approaches is always a thrill, but fi nding the best places to visit in 2022 is unique. After two years of border closures, cruise cancellations, and travel restrictions galore, 2022 is the year we hope to get back out there, uninhibited (albeit vaccinated and COVID tested), return to our favorite destinations, and cross new ones off our lists.

Though the hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic, many properties used the forced downtime to renovate rooms, add new amenities, and expand outdoor spaces to off er even more once guests return. 2022 is when many travelers will venture further from home, and even overseas, for the fi rst time since the start of the pandemic, fi nally reaping the benefi ts of these valiant eff orts.

Although COVID variants remain, regulations are still evolving, and precautions must still be taken, many of the destinations we chose for 2022 off er what we believe travelers are looking for in a post-pandemic world, from hotels with private accommodations to destinations teeming with fresh-air activities.

As cruising makes its comeback, we included unforgettable places to see by water, from Antarctica to the Nile.

Our 2022 list, organized alphabetically, doesn’t hold back, with aspirational trips as far away as India, Mozambique, Qatar, and even space. Because no matter what type of trip you’ve been dreaming of, we want to help you turn 2022 into the year you get back out there and make it a reality.

— Edited by Nina Ruggiero and Scott Bay

21. Ilha Caldeira, Mozambique

While South Africa and Uganda grab headlines for African wildlife, Mozambique has been quietly making strides protecting 17% of its land 21. Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira — including beaches, coral reefs, and islands — showcasing its dedication to its natural beauty both on land and underwater. Ever since the country’s 16year civil war ended in 1992, the southeastern African nation has been aiming to build back in the right ways. Case in point: the private island of Ilha Caldeira, less than seven miles off the coast as part of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, located within the marine-protected area with 20% of the country’s intact living coral. It’s here that the eco-luxury Banyan Tree resort chain has developed one of its most ambitious projects yet, a five-star property — accessible by jetty or helicopter — with 40 private pool villas that will be completely solar powered. Add to that a fi sh market restaurant with a 270-degree ocean view, the brand’s trademark Banyan Tree Spa, and world-class diving, all in a too-pristine-tobelieve beach setting, and this island escape is sure to draw attention away from its Indian Ocean neighbors when it opens at the end of 2022. — Rachel Chang

23. Kafue National Park, Zambia

Straddling three regions of Zambia, Kafue National Park is the largest (and oldest) in the country, measuring 8,648 miles. In the wildliferich Busanga Plains — located in the secluded northern side of the park — spend the night at newly opened Chisa Busanga Camp in their bird’s nest shaped rooms. Enjoy a silent safari, thanks to e-cruisers or an e-bike safari provided by the property. See wildlife from above with a hot air balloon safari from Shumba Camp or Busanga

32. Uniworld S.S. Sphinx

23. MukambiSafari Lodge

Chisa Busanga Camp

la Safari Lodge

Bush Camp. Other off erings in the park include riverfront Ila

Safari Lodge

and Mukambi Safari Lodge. Both properties off er fi shing, walking safaris, boat cruises, and have Instagram worthy pools (perfect for a soak and the traditional safari sundowner: a gin and tonic). — Mazuba Kapambwe

There is no trip that will convert you to a life of river cruising quite like a sail down (well, technically, up) the Nile. In fact, the world’s fi rst river cruises sailed in Egypt, a country designed around the central waterway, where it makes sense that the Nile would act as your home base. A typical Egyptian river cruise sets sail from Cairo to Luxor and then Aswan, with the occasional stop to visit an island temple along the way — complete with sights like the Pyramids, Valley of Kings and Queens, Nefertari’s tomb, and the Temple of Kom Ombo. In 2022, there’s more than one new river cruise to choose from, between Uniworld’s newly launched S.S. Sphinx and AmaWaterways’ Amadahlia, both of which sailed their inaugural voyages in fall 2021. — Maya Kachroo-Levine www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-placesto-travel-in-2022 Image credit: wantedonline.co.za, Uniworld

Boutique River Cruises, Chisa Busanga Camp, zambia-in-style.com, mukambi.com