Southern Africa is crammed with scenes straight out of The Lion King, but we don't know if there's one quite as endearing as seeing a tiny meerkat wriggle out of their burrow to inspect the human in front of them. In the surreal Makgadikgadi Pans, you'll be escorted by a guide to the sandy home of habituated meerkats. These animated creatures aren't tame but they are certainly curious and might curl up in your lap on a chilly morning or use your head as a platform for a better view. It's fascinating to watch their eyes dart and noses sniff the wind as they keep a lookout for predators.