Home to some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth, the countries of Southern Africa offer rich history and life-changing experiences. We asked experts on Southern Africa to create a bucket list guide for the area. Here are their top picks.

Okavango Boating Safari

“The Okavango Delta is totally wild and remote with an incredible variety of game,” said Sarah Fazendin, business development director for Rothschild Safaris. 

Located in Botswana, the delta is flooded half the year, which means clients can experience its wildlife via a boating safari and stay at one of the area’s island camps, says Starla Estrada, managing director for Africa and the Middle East at Geographic Expeditions. 

For clients who want to visit during the dry season, a driving safari is also an option, she added.
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“Mobile safaris provide the magic of old-time safaris just like the ones Hemingway used to do,” said Estrada.

​Read more at TravelAge West.

Robot butlers are no longer something relegated to science fiction or “The Jetsons” — they’re here, they’re speaking binary and they’re delivering you new toothbrushes at the Aloft Cupertino hotel in Cupertino, Calif.

Officially called Botlr, the robot helper debuted last year at Aloft Cupertino to much ado (and many guests asking to take selfies). Due to the success of Botlr, Aloft is now having its original cyber associate tour the country and make guest appearances at other Aloft properties, while also introducing a second Botlr at Aloft Silicon Valley in Silicon Valley, Calif. 
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Produced by Savioke, a company dedicated to creating autonomous robot helpers, the Botlrs are based on its robot prototype called Relay and are capable of maneuvering around hotels to make deliveries to guests. After delivering amenities like toothbrushes and towels, the cyber associate asks for a tweet in lieu of a tip.

​Read more at TravelAge West.

One question on everyone’s mind at the 2015 Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) was how the country plans to respond when Cuba fully opens to the North American market.

Nicola Madden-Greig, president of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA), offered her opinion when he took the stage during the conference’s opening ceremony.

“I personally believe this is an opportunity to promote a ‘new Caribbean,’” Madden-Greig said.

Madden-Greig urged for the creation of a Caribbean experience, on par with the Mediterranean experience — instead of competing, the islands should work together to create the strongest possible itineraries.

Read more at TravelAge West.

In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a day of remembrance for friends and family who have passed on, but it’s far from a somber affair. The holiday, which takes place on Nov. 1 and 2, ushers in a wide variety of colorful and fun festivals and celebrations throughout Mexico every year.

Below are three Mexican cities and their local festivities, as well as tips from local hoteliers in the area on how best to commemorate Dia de los Muertos so that clients will want to celebrate year after year.

Read more at TravelAge West.

It’s safe to say that female travelers — and especially solo female travelers — love to travel. Sixty-three percent of Intrepid Travel’s bookings were made by women, and Small Luxury Hotels saw a 53 percent increase in demand for single female bookings from 2011 to 2012.

In order to help you learn more about the preferences of this thriving demographic, we interviewed five female travel bloggers that we think you can learn from — they might just inspire your next solo journey.   
Read more at TravelAge West.