While I'm a big fan of independent travel, taking a tour certainly has its advantages, especially when time is a key factor. This is often the case for those who live and work in the US, where a 10 day tour is about the limit of most people's vacation budget. Since there's so much to see and do in any given African country, having your accommodation and transportation organized for you, is certainly more efficient than going it alone. Below are some recommendations of tours that offer excellent value for money, security and adventure, all in a 7-10 day package.

The Kasbah to the Sahara - This is a 7 day (land-only) tour offered by TunisUSA that showcases some of Tunisia's most compelling sights. You'll get to enjoy bazaars (souqs), Carthage, troglodyte dwellings, old forts, desert oases, as well as the spectacular dunes of the Sahara Desert. Cost is $1995 (land only) and covers deluxe accommodation, most meals, transportation, and entrance fees to sights.

South Africa in Style -- is a remarkable luxury tour with 4 nights in Cape Town and 2 nights in Timbavati Game Reserve -- all for just $1999. This price includes the international flight (from NY or DC) as well as domestic flights in South Africa, luxurious accommodations, several meals, safari drives and a half-day tour in Cape Town.

Southern Charm Morocco Tour -- opt for the deluxe version of the tour with Journey Beyond Travel and get to stay at an intimate hotel in the middle of Marrakech's Medina, as well as a Kasbah in the Atlas Mountains and end up on the beach in Essaouira. This 6 day tour offers lots of free time to explore on your own, which is the perfect way to go in Morocco. Cost is around $1500 (land only), which includes all accommodation, tour guides, village stay, breakfast and transportation within Morocco (from Marrakech).

Aquarium Package in Egypt -- is a 10 day package that includes Cairo and the Pyramids, Luxor, a cruise down the Nile and a couple nights in Hurghada on the Red Sea Coast. This is not a luxurious package, but middle of the road, and best of all, it's a private tour. Best Way Travel offers this for around $1000 (excluding your international flights) and they're flexible about upgrades and changes.

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_{View of Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa -- © South African Tourism}

Woodstock is celebrated in South Africa this November, not in Woodstock, but at River Sands Farm in Johannesburg. Join thousands of young South Africans and camp at this 4 day celebration of music, dance and extreme sports.

If you're a movie buff you will certainly enjoy one of the most important film festivals held in November in Cairo. The festival will feature shorts, documentaries and full length movies from around the region.

Ghana livens up (even more) in November with a wonderful display of chiefs in their finest regalia accompanied by drumming and dancing for the Hogbetsotso Festival.

If you're in Mombasa enjoying the beach, don't miss out on the great carnival and parade held annually down the main streets of the city.

Find out more about African festivals in November.

_{Image of a Chief in Ghana © Robert Eilets}

Amaya and Eric have been cycling around Africa, they've been on the road for more than two years, covering over 40,000km's (25,000 miles) . I've followed them every month (since they left France) to see how they're getting along. This month they crossed the border between Malawi and Tanzania, cycling north for two weeks, to reach Zanzibar. Here are some excerpts from their latest adventure:

Lush and lovely soon turned into dry, drab and very dangerous as we swooped back down to the bush, following one of Africa's main transport arteries which links the port at Dar Es Salaam with the interior. Lorry after lorry thundered past (on the flats) or trundled by (on the climbs) often forcing us off the narrow two-lane road. When the wind kicked up--which was most of the time--we'd get caught in the draft as vehicles passed and had to hold tight just to keep upright.

Strolls around Stown Town (the historical center) where highly atmospheric and, jaded though we may be, we were duly charmed. A labyrinth of narrow alleyways leading past tiny shops, children shouting out 'Jambo' in greeting as we pass, mosques on almost every corner, elegant colonial era buildings lining the seafront.

Tanzanians love Barrack Obama. We even found a shrine to the presidential candidate tucked away in one of Zanzibar's side streets.

Click here for Amaya and Eric's full story and check out the charity they're doing it all for.

_{Amaya comparing loads with fellow Tanzanian Cyclist -- © Amaya Williams and Eric Schambion}

African festival tours are becoming increasingly popular as visitors are finding African culture to be as compelling as its wildlife. The benefit of joining a tour that's based around a specific festival is that you're guaranteed to get a flight, hotel and a front row seat to the event. Since some of Africa's most spectacular festivals change their dates year to year and web sites dedicated to festivals are not always updated (in many cases they are non-existent), it's hard for an independent traveler to get the timing right. Luckily there are tour operators who specialize in handling these events. Some of the more compelling ones I've come across include:

• Festival in the Desert - a 7 day trip from Palace Travel to Mali where you'll camp and enjoy a 3 day international music festival celebrating Touareg culture, just north of Timbuktu. January 5 - January 11, 2009.

• Ethiopian Religious Festival Tours - Celebrate Timket (January), Fasika (April) and Meskel (September), the three biggest and most colorful religious celebrations in Ethiopia, with scheduled tours from Grand Holidays Ethiopia.

• Festival on the Niger: Saga Tours offers private tours that are scheduled around a unique 4-day music and arts festival in Segou, along the banks of the Niger River in Mali. January 28 - February 7 2009.

• Essaouira Gnaoua Festival - a unique combination of music and mysticism draws artists from all over the world to Essaouira, a beautiful little town on Morocco's Atlantic coast for a 4 day festival. Sahara Soul Travel offers a 7 day package to coincide with the festival held every year in June.

• Sounds of Wisdom (Sauti za Busara) -- is a 5 day music festival celebrating Swahili culture in the heart of Stonetown in Zanzibar. Zanzibar Festival Tours offers a 2 week package that includes tickets to the festival, accommodation in Stone Town and at the beach. February 11 - February 23, 2009.

More about African Festivals...

_{Touareg Men in Timbuktu, Mali -- © Getty Images/Peter Adams}