Southern Africa
Getting beyond the safari camps
Southern Africa is not so much a geographic or political entity, more a convenient term—often used by outsiders, including travel guides like ourselves—to group a collection of states marked by an astonishing diversity.
Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, occupy the southern tip of Africa; their location being one of the few things they have in common (some include Angola; the island of Madagascar is usually excluded because of its distinctiveness).
One thing they do share is a troubled past: a visitor to any of these countries will find plenty of food for thought as to the long-term effects of colonialism, many of which are still playing out, including, arguably, in the travel industry.
On the positive side there are the most fantastic sights on offer, and experiences to be had. The natural beauty is, of course, breathtaking; a safari in one of the world-famous national parks is an adventure not to be missed. But there's so much more to Southern Africa than its safari parks. There are nearly 70 million people living here, speaking something like 1,500 different languages, with individual cultures and distinct identities. You'll come for the safari, but you'll fall in love with the people.
It will be stunning, it may be unsettling. But a trip to Southern Africa comes with one guarantee: the memories you take home will stay with you forever.
South Africa safari
An expert guide to safaris in South Africa
South Africa is safari heaven. From the world-famous Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands to the lesser-known Karoo and family-friendly experiences in the Western Cape, there’s a wildlife experience to match all needs. First-time visitors will probably want to hit the Big Five highlights of the major parks, but don’t dismiss the more accessible lodges in the North West Province and around Cape Town...read more
Southern Africa Travel Guides
6 days
Kafue National Park safari and Victoria Falls
Wildlife, waterfalls and wilderness
7 days
South Luangwa and Victoria Falls Safari
Zambia's classic safari itinerary in 7 days
10 days
Victoria Falls and Zambia’s wildlife
Wildlife sanctuaries and powerful waterfalls
13 days
Kruger & Kwa-Zulu Natal Safari Itinerary
13 day route to the jewels of South Africa
-
Botswana
Safaris for those in the know
With almost one third of its land set aside for conservation, a low-density tourism policy that leaves it blissfully crowd-free and the largest free-roaming elephant population on the planet, a Botswana safari is for those in the know... -
Okavango Delta
World-renowned as a mecca for wildlife, this year-round watery paradise is sustained by rainfall in the Angolan highlands which arrives in the form of an annual flood just as natural rain-filled pans are beginning to dry out... -
Chobe National Park
Nestled in Botswana’s north-eastern corner, Chobe National Park incorporates Chobe Riverfront (close to the Zimbabwe and Zambia borders), famous for its large elephant herds; and Savute (in the west), where a juxtaposition of contrasting habitats and handful of pumped waterholes sustain a melting pot of species... -
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
At some 52,000 square kilometres, making this Africa’s second largest reserve, Central Kalahari feels as wild and unfathomably remote as it was 50 years ago... -
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Once the heart of an ancient superlake, the vast network of the Makgadikgadi salt pans is now a mesmerising void expanse the size of Switzerland... -
Nxai Pan National Park
This compact, often overlooked park is worth visiting just to see the remarkable cluster of seven ancient baobabs (named after explorer and painter, Thomas Baines), presiding over a pristine salt pan... -
Okavango Panhandle
Although not a big game destination, the broad meandering Okavango river in the northwest of the country is a birder’s paradise, with over 350 recorded species including several iconic Okavango specialties... -
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
In the far south of Botswana, this transfrontier park spills over into South Africa... -
Northern Tuli Game Reserve
Located in the far southeastern corner of the country and formerly divided into a number of segregated farms, NTGR is now the largest privately-owned conservation area in southern Africa... -
Tsodilo Hills
Towering above the contourless landscape, the climbable summits of these four hills range from a short stroll to a day-long hike, rewarding you with expansive views in all directions... -
Kwando Reserve
Spanning over 2,300 square kilometres in Botswana's far north, the Kwando Reserve presents a vast, pristine, and lesser-visited wilderness... -
Kwando River
... -
Selinda Reserve
Scattered along the northern waterways of the perennial Linyanti and Kwando rivers, and the seasonal Selinda spillway, the camps in these three neighbouring private concessions operate in a similar manner to those inside the Okavango Delta... -
Kasane
... -
Moremi Game Reserve
... -
Xakanaxa
... -
Maun
... -
Sankuyo
... -
Khwai Private Reserve
... -
Sepopa
... -
South Africa
Safari and beyond in the Rainbow Nation
The Rainbow Nation has really come of age as a tourism destination and is a perfect introduction if you've not explored this mighty continent before... -
Johannesburg
... -
Kruger National Park
The showpiece of South African tourism, Kruger National Park is one of the world’s most famous protected areas, and for good reason... -
Balule Nature Reserve
Covering an area of 250 sq km, the Balule Nature Reserve is an integral part of the Greater Kruger eco-system, seamlessly blending with its surroundings... -
Kapama Game Reserve
Kapama, located within the greater Kruger region, serves as an ideal first-time safari destination... -
Thornybush Game Reserve
Thornybush, once a fenced reserve ensuring the presence of numerous large mammals, restricted wildlife movement between the reserve and Kruger... -
Timbavati Game Reserve
Timbavati, a private reserve bordering the main Kruger Park, hosts a wealth of mammal and bird species due to its unobstructed access... -
Klaserie Nature Reserve
Spanning 60,000 hectares, Klaserie Nature Reserve is among South Africa's largest privately-owned reserves... -
Manyeleti Game Reserve
Manyeleti, translating to "Place of the Stars" in Shangaan, spans 230 sq km and shares an unfenced border with Kruger... -
Karongwe Game Reserve
Karongwe, a moderately-sized private game reserve, boasts an impressive likelihood of leopard sightings, nestled between four rivers and featuring views of the Drakensberg Mountains... -
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
A place of superlatives, Sabi Sands Game Reserve is in effect a continuation of the massive Kruger National Park, but by anyone’s standards Sabi Sands is no mere Kruger add-on... -
Sabi Sabi Game Reserve
A collection of former rangelands, Sabi Sabi is a good choice for discerning safari enthusiasts seeking luxury and exclusivity... -
Lion Sands Game Reserve
Lion Sands Game Reserve, located within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, is known for its high density of large mammals, in particular its three separate pride of lions... -
Londolozi Game Reserve
Londolozi Game Reserve, one of South Africa's original private reserves, has a rich history spanning nearly a century... -
Mala Mala Game Reserve
Mala Mala, one of South Africa's original private game reserves, spans an expansive 130 sq km and has been operational since the 1920s... -
Ulusaba Game Reserve
Ulusaba Game Reserve, owned by Richard Branson, showcases many of the exceptional aspects of the Sabi Sands region... -
Kwazulu-Natal
Centred on the beach bum surf city of Durban, the huge, and hugely diverse, province of KwaZulu-Natal on South Africa’s east coast doesn’t have the stellar international wildlife reputation of other parts of South Africa... -
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Second only to Kruger National Park, the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is a nearly thousand square kilometre slab of wilderness surrounded by private game reserves... -
Phinda Game Reserve
If you’re a fan of that spotted blur of speed, the cheetah, then Phinda Game Reserve will make you very happy... -
St Lucia
... -
Pongola Game Reserve
... -
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, on the KwaZulu-Natal far northern coast, is a real gem for nature lovers... -
North West Province
If I can’t visit Kruger, I head for the North West and into Limpopo... -
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe is unusual in that it is owned by the state in partnership with local communities and the private sector... -
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
The vast upland massif of the Waterberg region is one of only two biosphere reserves in all of Africa... -
Pilanesberg National Park
Pilanesberg is safari made easy... -
Eastern Cape
In many respects, the Eastern Cape is a microcosm of the best of South Africa... -
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari, an esteemed and exclusive private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, lies near Addo Elephant National Park... -
Addo Elephant Park
Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa's largest, is renowned for its elephants but offers a diverse landscape encompassing river valleys, mountains, savannahs, forests, and beaches... -
Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala, a compact private reserve of approximately 75 sq km, offers an impressive wildlife experience... -
Kariega Game Reserve
Kariega, a family-owned and managed 10,000-hectare private reserve, occupies former ranch and farmland in the Eastern Cape... -
Kwantu Game Reserve
Kwantu Private Game Reserve, spanning 6,000 hectares, is relatively small compared to other African reserves... -
Lalibela Game Reserve
Encompassing five distinct ecosystems, the malaria-free Lalibela reserve is home to a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, including the Big Five... -
Pumba Game Reserve
Pumba Game Reserve, situated near the bustling city of Port Elizabeth, attracts more visitors than some of the region's more remote parks due to its accessibility to day guests who participate in the reserve's organised safaris... -
Tsistikamma National Park
... -
St Francis Bay
... -
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, in South Africa's Eastern Cape, is home to the famous Big Five – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceros – as well as cheetahs, giraffes, and various antelope species... -
Western Cape
For most visitors to South Africa, the Western Cape is all about the finer things in life: food, wine, beaches and Cape Town — arguably the most beautiful city in Africa... -
Aquila Private Game Reserve
Aquila Private Game Reserve, named after the endangered black (Verreaux) eagle, is a 10,000-hectare conservancy established in 1999... -
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve combines big cat sightings with wine tasting, offering a unique experience... -
Wilderness
... -
Noordhoek
... -
Oudtshoorn
... -
Cape Town
... -
Durban
... -
Nelspruit
... -
The Karoo
... -
Madikwe Game Reserve
... -
Pilanesberg National Park
... -
Hluhluwe Game Reserve
... -
Welgevonden Game Reserve
... -
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
... -
Lion Sands Game Reserve
... -
Londolozi Game Reserve
... -
Ulusaba Game Reserve
... -
Stellenbosch
... -
Table Mountain National Park
... -
Port Elizabeth
... -
Plettenberg Bay
... -
Knysna
... -
Hermanus
... -
Pretoria
... -
Drakensburg
... -
The Kalahari
Big horizons and the feeling of nature in the ascendant is what draws me to the Kalahari in South Africa’s remote far north... -
Hazyview
... -
Northern Cape
... -
|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
... -
Zambia
Discover Zambia, experience Africa
It’s ironic that landlocked Zambia is best known for its waterways... -
Victoria Falls
At the height of the rainy season, more than 500 million cubic metres of water plummets over the edge of the Zambezi River into a gorge 100m below... -
Livingstone
Relaxed Livingstone is best-known as the base for visitors to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, but it also has a growing adventure scene... -
Lower Zambezi National Park
The Lower Zambezi National Park’s wildlife is centred around the floodplain along the northeastern side of the Zambezi River... -
South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park, in the Eastern province of Zambia, is one of the most wildlife-rich national parks in the country... -
Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s oldest — and largest — national parks... -
Lusaka
Sprawling Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and commercial centre... -
Kasanka National Park
Kasanka National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Zambia... -
Liuwa Plain National Park
Liuwa Plains National Park is located in the Western Province of Zambia in the upper plains of the Zambezi river... -
Luambe National Park
... -
Victoria Falls
... -
Chirundu
... -
North Luangwa National Park
North Luangwa National Park is synonymous with walking safaris and is my favourite National Park in Zambia... -
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Zambia is famous for the Victoria Falls, the greatest sheet of falling water on the planet, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and a natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe... -
Bangweulu Wetlands
Bangweulu means ‘where the water meets the sky’, and I think it’s a perfect description of this extraordinary, community-owned and protected wetland in northeastern Zambia... -
Zimbabwe
Double-concentrate safari
Going on safari in Zimbabwe is like a concentrated version of the safari experience... -
Mana Pools National Park
Many travellers fall in love with UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mana Pools National Park, in northern Zimbabwe... -
Victoria Falls
... -
Hwange National Park
At the eastern edge of the six-country Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area which is known for having the highest concentration of elephants in Africa, Hwange is very much a part of that heritage: elephants are everywhere... -
Gonarezhou National Park
Down south in Zimbabwe and sharing wildlife with parks just across the borders with Mozambique and South Africa, Gonarezhou sees far fewer visitors than it deserves... -
Matusadona National Park
I’ve never quite understood why Matusadona isn’t world-famous... -
Matobo Hills
... -
Zambezi National Park
It may be a cliché, but there’s a very good reason why Victoria Falls is one of the most popular places to visit in Africa... -
Malawi
... -
Lake Malawi
... -
Blantyre
... -
Majete Wildlife Reserve
... -
Liwonde National Park
... -
Cape Maclear
... -
Lilongwe
... -
mulanje
... -
Zomba
... -
Namibia
Southern Africa's hidden gem
If there's one place that's truly about the journey, not the destination, it is Namibia... -
Kalkrand
... -
Namib-Naukluft National Park
... -
Swakopmund
... -
Damaraland
... -
Ongava Game Reserve
... -
Omaruru
... -
Windhoek
... -
Okonjima Nature Reserve
... -
Etosha National Park
... -
Divundu
... -
Nkasa Rupara National Park
... -
Onguma Game Reserve
... -
Sossusvlei
... -
Bwabwata National Park
... -
Walvis Bay
... -
ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
... -
NamibRand Nature Reserve
... -
Gondwana Namib Park
... -
Mauritius
... -
Eswatini (Swaziland)
... -
Mbabane
... -
Madagascar
...