Highlights of Southern Africa
The highlights of Southern Africa are so interesting and make a great first trip consideration because this region is peppered with such diverse elements. Read More
You start with a soft landing in Cape Town. You have 4 nights at a great hotel to use as your base to explore Africa's most cosmopolitan city. You have exciting days touring to visit the penguins at Boulders Beach along the Cape Peninsula, take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain and tasting your way through wine country. We will round out your stay with all of your restaurant reservations at the cities top restaurants.
You continue into Northern Botswana for your 6 night wildlife safari split between 2 different eco-systems. Our itinerary recommendations shift throughout the year to position you perfectly for the game movements during these different seasons. Botswana, with the exception of the Okavango Delta, consists almost entirely of the Kalahari Desert and as such, rainfall is low. Phrases like ‘rainy season’ or ‘afternoon thundershowers’ need therefore to be seen in context. Rain typically falls in short thundershowers in the late afternoon which produce spectacular dark skies and vivid rainbows before passing.
Game viewing is good year round, however, there are some seasonal highlights such as the concentrations of elephants in the Linyanti/Selinda over the dry winter months (high season). The wide dry grasslands with small forested islands of the Linyanti create a beautiful game rich environment. Powerful prides of lion, Botswana’s largest herds of buffalo, families of elephants and the rare and endangered wild dog are commonly seen. During the summer months (green season) the predator concentrations of the Central Kalahari.
The annual seasonal inundation of the Okavango Delta are a big part of the story with the floods hitting in May each year and the animals congregating in 2-3 times their normal concentrations so they have access to the remaining permanent water. As explore on land, this is prime leopard habitat. Cruise the papryus-lined water ways on water based safaris that expose the hippos in deeper channels, crocs sunning themselves on the banks, diverse birdlife and painted reed frogs.
After your exciting safari, you return to civilization in Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to see this natural wonder of the world and do a little last minute shopping before you start your journey home. Close
Best
12 Nights - $30,400
Privately guided touring of Cape Town's iconic sites, a hip luxury hotel and two legendary safari lodges during the height of their prime season make this itinerary spectacular. Of course, this comes with all the extra bells and whistles, such as access to the absolute best wildlife areas and a complementary use professional camera for every guest at Zarafa. Finish in pure relaxation and luxury just above Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.
Better
12 Nights - $22,975
This itinerary is all about charming little properties that deliver wonderful service and great locations. Look at Cape Town marina and Table Mountain beyond right from you room. Explore the Okavango and Linyanti with a combo of two camps that complement each other to create a truly memorable wildlife safari during the prime season. Reflect on your safari with a finale at the immensely beautiful Victoria Falls.
Great
12 Nights - $14,995
In a word, this itinerary is crafty. By making a few key adjustments, we can offer a more affordable but still impressive experience of this dynamic and popular region in high season. A charming boutique hotel in the heart of Cape Town makes a lovely base to explore the surrounding sites. Delve into the Okavanago Delta where the two camps we have suggested offer some of the best wildlife viewing in Botswana. Finish at a lovely historic hotel in Victoria Falls so close to the falls you can see the mist right from the lawn.
Best
12 Nights - $24,575
This shoulder season combo is dripping with luxury during every moment! Meander the immaculate gardens and art collection at this gorgeous oceanview property just outside Cape Town. Explore prime wildlife locations for your safari - be ready for big cats, elephants galore and all the plains game you can imagine. Sip sundowner cocktails at a luxurious riverfront camp just upstream from Victoria Falls for a fitting end to this much travel bliss.
Better
12 Nights - $16,400
Pairing the vibrant culture and city lights of Cape Town with a homerun combo of wildlife camps in Botswana ensures this itinerary packs a punch. From wine tasting and coastal hikes to big cat action and epic wildlife displays in the Okavango Delta, there's no end to the memorable moments. Drinks on the sundeck at your boutique lodge in Victoria Falls watching the Zambezi river flow by is a suitable finale moment.
Great
12 Nights - $12,250
During the shoulder season, you strike the sweet spot between cooler weather, lower prices and the edge of high season wildlife sightings. Cape Town brings a dose of culture, history and coastal scenery before diving head first into two Botswana wildlife destinations. The Okavango Delta is a mecca for all types of wildlife, especially big cats and impressive bird diversity. Chobe, defined by its river, attracts huge herds of elephants and fabulous other game densities. A finale at Victoria Falls closes out a grand African adventure.
Best
12 Nights - $19,825
This itinerary provides luxury travelers some interesting and unique experiences packed with gorgeous stays. From a Cape Town cliffside overlooking the ocean to the heart of the wild Okavango Delta and a finale at the majestic Victoria Falls, this trip delivers it all. Be ready for curated private tours, extraordinary wildlife, amazing food and impeccable hospitality.
Better
12 Nights - $16,100
From the city lights and cultural scene of Cape Town to the prime wildlife habitats of the Okavango Delta and the majestic Victoria Falls, this itinerary offers a little taste of all the highlights. Pairing a traditional camp with a private mobile camp, this will put you in the heart of all the best wildlife action. Round out your adventure with a stop at Victoria Falls, including a guided tour and sunset river cruise.
Great
12 Nights - $8,975
This entry level itinerary gives a fabulous sampling of all that Southern Africa can offer. It blends time at one of our favorite charming boutique hotels in Cape Town with two very different ecosystems in Botswana and a finale at Victoria Falls. The Central Kalahari comes to life with the seasonal rains, attracting an impressive amount of wildlife without any crowds. Contrast this against the watery paradise of the Okavango Delta where prolific wildlife is the norm. Your hotel in Victoria Falls is brilliantly located within walking distance to everything.
Best
12 Nights - $30,400
Privately guided touring of Cape Town's iconic sites, a hip luxury hotel and two legendary safari lodges during the height of their prime season make this itinerary spectacular. Of course, this comes with all the extra bells and whistles, such as access to the absolute best wildlife areas and a complementary use professional camera for every guest at Zarafa. Finish in pure relaxation and luxury just above Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.
Best
12 Nights - $24,575
This shoulder season combo is dripping with luxury during every moment! Meander the immaculate gardens and art collection at this gorgeous oceanview property just outside Cape Town. Explore prime wildlife locations for your safari - be ready for big cats, elephants galore and all the plains game you can imagine. Sip sundowner cocktails at a luxurious riverfront camp just upstream from Victoria Falls for a fitting end to this much travel bliss.
Best
12 Nights - $19,825
This itinerary provides luxury travelers some interesting and unique experiences packed with gorgeous stays. From a Cape Town cliffside overlooking the ocean to the heart of the wild Okavango Delta and a finale at the majestic Victoria Falls, this trip delivers it all. Be ready for curated private tours, extraordinary wildlife, amazing food and impeccable hospitality.
Better
12 Nights - $22,975
This itinerary is all about charming little properties that deliver wonderful service and great locations. Look at Cape Town marina and Table Mountain beyond right from you room. Explore the Okavango and Linyanti with a combo of two camps that complement each other to create a truly memorable wildlife safari during the prime season. Reflect on your safari with a finale at the immensely beautiful Victoria Falls.
Better
12 Nights - $16,400
Pairing the vibrant culture and city lights of Cape Town with a homerun combo of wildlife camps in Botswana ensures this itinerary packs a punch. From wine tasting and coastal hikes to big cat action and epic wildlife displays in the Okavango Delta, there's no end to the memorable moments. Drinks on the sundeck at your boutique lodge in Victoria Falls watching the Zambezi river flow by is a suitable finale moment.
Better
12 Nights - $16,100
From the city lights and cultural scene of Cape Town to the prime wildlife habitats of the Okavango Delta and the majestic Victoria Falls, this itinerary offers a little taste of all the highlights. Pairing a traditional camp with a private mobile camp, this will put you in the heart of all the best wildlife action. Round out your adventure with a stop at Victoria Falls, including a guided tour and sunset river cruise.
Great
12 Nights - $14,995
In a word, this itinerary is crafty. By making a few key adjustments, we can offer a more affordable but still impressive experience of this dynamic and popular region in high season. A charming boutique hotel in the heart of Cape Town makes a lovely base to explore the surrounding sites. Delve into the Okavanago Delta where the two camps we have suggested offer some of the best wildlife viewing in Botswana. Finish at a lovely historic hotel in Victoria Falls so close to the falls you can see the mist right from the lawn.
Great
12 Nights - $12,250
During the shoulder season, you strike the sweet spot between cooler weather, lower prices and the edge of high season wildlife sightings. Cape Town brings a dose of culture, history and coastal scenery before diving head first into two Botswana wildlife destinations. The Okavango Delta is a mecca for all types of wildlife, especially big cats and impressive bird diversity. Chobe, defined by its river, attracts huge herds of elephants and fabulous other game densities. A finale at Victoria Falls closes out a grand African adventure.
Great
12 Nights - $8,975
This entry level itinerary gives a fabulous sampling of all that Southern Africa can offer. It blends time at one of our favorite charming boutique hotels in Cape Town with two very different ecosystems in Botswana and a finale at Victoria Falls. The Central Kalahari comes to life with the seasonal rains, attracting an impressive amount of wildlife without any crowds. Contrast this against the watery paradise of the Okavango Delta where prolific wildlife is the norm. Your hotel in Victoria Falls is brilliantly located within walking distance to everything.
Best
People sit around and dream about better and more exotic surprises to ‘wow’ their guests. Ultimate locations. The world’s very best, most exclusive properties smoothly stitched together to build an epic adventure.
Better
These itineraries include some fantastic iconic locations, staying at expertly run properties with lots of extra love in the pampering and luxury department. Extra focus to enlighten your senses with culinary delights, draw a bath with rose petals and surprising bush breakfasts on the savannah are all part of the program.
Great
Itineraries at this level are all about the experience. We have worked hard to discover these little gems where the focus is on quality guiding, prime location, intimate size and providing guests a great time and sense of place. Properties have all the musts haves like comfy beds with linens, en-suite bathrooms and healthy food but less fuss about luxury.
Priority: Date/High Season
High season is generally Africa’s winter time when you will rarely see rain. During these dry, typically cooler months the grasses get eaten down on the savannahs, the deciduous trees lose their leaves, so the viewing into the bush is more open. Animals come together in higher concentrations at the remaining permanent sources of water. The rain forests are always lush but hiking is a less muddy affair.
Expectantly, during these ideal game viewing conditions prices rise. This is the most expensive time of the year to travel.
Priority: Date/Shoulder Season
These are the pieces that go in between. In many areas, these are the biggest months of rain. Expect higher temperatures and humidity. There can be more insects. But there are less tourists and prices are fantastic.
These months shoulder the high season so the game viewing just does not change dramatically in a few days. We love the last week in May for example. When budget becomes part of the equation, you can afford to travel longer and/or stay at more luxurious properties in prime locations than you could do during the high season.
We expertly navigate itineraries to prime areas specific to this time of year to ensure great experiences.
Priority: Date/Green Season
This is a lush and green time of year. Rain is common but usually not in down pour mode. The grass gets taller, the bush thicker. Animals enjoy plentiful water sources so they spread out into neighboring areas sometimes outside the boundaries of the national parks. Animals have their babies.
In most areas, this is an affordable time to travel with the exception of Tanzania where the birthing season of the annual wildebeest migration stuns us all with the power and beauty demonstrating the circle of life.
Camp choice due to location is important and different from high season favs.
