Highlights of Southern Africa
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The Gateway to Southern Africa
Southern Africa is a region of incredible diversity in landscape, wildlife and culture. Experience desert, savannah, forests, coral reefs, endless beaches, mountains, modern cities, ancient ruins, epic scenery and prolific wildlife - all possible within a nine day holiday.
Johannesburg is the gateway to Southern Africa and offers first world infrastructure, hotels and a variety of world-class restaurants. Johannesburg, the gold mining town that sprung up so haphazardly in the 1880s, is now a sprawling commercial city.
In addition to South Africa (including Swaziland and Lesotho), we also operate in the following countries: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe (w/Victoria Falls), Namibia, Malawi, Congo, Madagascar and Mozambique.
Very few countries rival South Africa's scenic splendour and cultural diversity. South Africa is a diverse mix of third and first world cultures, and offers a full range of travel experiences, from verdant subtropical beaches and forests to the sublime isolation of the desert and national parks with exceptional safari opportunities.
Cape Province is renowned for cosmopolitan Cape Town and the world famous landmark Table Mountain, its vast Cape Winelands and a most exquisite coastline. Also worth a visit is the World Heritage Site of Robben Island. Cape Town offers chic harbourside dining, panoramic views from Table Mountain and access to the many vineyards of the region, as well as Robben Island.
The Garden Route is one of the most scenic areas and stretches for two hundred miles from Heidelberg in the west to the mouth of the Storms River in the east. The world renowned Kruger National Park has several luxurious private reserves within and on its borders.
Other attractions include the ancestral home of the Zulu nation KwaZulu-Nata, the ancient lava mountains of the Richtersveld, the granite chasm of the Augrabies Falls and elephant spotting in Kruger National Park.
KwaZulu-Natal is well known for its cultural attractions, being the ancestral home of the Zulu nation, as well as having endless golden beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean. At first sight a seemingly featureless semi-desert, the Northern Cape Province is home to the ancient lava mountains of the Richtersveld, the red sands of the Kalahari, the granite chasm of the Augrabies Falls, shimmering saltpans and Namaqualand's annual floral spectacle.
Botswana is a landlocked country, famous for its spectacular inland Okavango Delta and dominated by the Kalahari Desert which covers nearly 85% of the country. Botswana offers exceptional wildlife and game viewing all year round in Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, as well as concessions within the Okavango Delta.
The Okavango Delta is the world's only inland fresh-water delta and creates an oasis in the wilds of the northern Kalahari. The Chobe River, flowing eastwards, forms the northern natural border with Namibia, and is the only other permanent water in Botswana. Because the Okavango Delta and the Chobe River provide a year-round water supply, most Southern African mammals are found in Botswana's parks and reserves. The delta's floods are fed from the Angolan rains, which start in October and finish sometime in April. The floods cross the border between Botswana and Namibia in December and will only reach the bottom end of the delta (Maun) sometime in July, taking almost nine months from the source to the bottom. During the peak of the flooding the delta's area can expand to over 16,000 square kilometres, shrinking to less than 6,000 square kilometres in the low period.
Known as the "land of the legendary African walking safari", Zambia has some of the greatest natural scenery on the continent - a gently undulating plateau of forest, savannah and marshlands, studded with lakes. Zambia offers travellers a real challenge, but that is part of the country's attraction.
Zambia boasts world class wildlife parks such as Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park which is home to one half of the Victoria Falls. The park also offers intimate and relaxing drives along the river where a variety of species may be viewed, including numerous antelope species, zebra, giraffe, warthog, and a variety of birds and smaller animals. Elephants cross the Zambezi and walk freely through the park and the surrounding area. Lower Zambezi National Park was for many years a forgotten wilderness, lying along the northern banks of the Zambezi River. Nestled at the tail end of the Great Rift Valley, in the Luangwa Valley, the South Luangwa National Park is a wild and remote destination.
Victoria Falls, the tourist capital of Zimbabwe, is one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Declared a world Heritage Site, the Falls are steeped in legends, romance and myth. Long before the Scottish missionary and explorer, Dr. David Livingstone, 'discovered' the Falls on November 16, 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi-Oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders.
Zimbabwe is very conservation conscious and as a result more than 13% of the land has been allocated for national parks, allowing for a great variety of wildlife sanctuaries. The diversity of its landscape runs from the great Zimbabwe Ruins outside Masvingo - the oldest town in Zimbabwe - to Bulawayo, originally the royal kraal of the legendary Ndebele kings where the very wide streets were originally designed to allow a full span of oxen to turn.
The Zambezi National Park is situated along the banks of the river, an ideal location to spot elephants, waterbuck or buffalo, not forgetting the hippos and birdlife along the banks of the river. Hwange National Park is the largest and probably the most popular national park in the country. With a land area of more than 14,000 square kilometers, the park boasts over a hundred species of animal and over 400 species of bird. Hwange is also one of the few great elephant sanctuaries left in Africa
Namibia's name was derived from the Namib Desert, a unique geological feature that is home to some of the country's top tourist destinations - Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast Park.
Namibia is the least known of the Southern African countries, but its attractions are unparalleled and it is a photographer's paradise. Damaraland is one of the most interesting and dramatic regions in the country. It includes fascinating geological features and some of the most extensive rock art in the world. Dense fog, mighty storms and violent surf caused many ships to run aground along the Skeleton Coast, the world's largest ship graveyard. Etosha National Park is one of the greatest wildlife parks in Africa. Depending on rain the plain is either dry or filled with shallow water which attracts thousands of wading birds, including flamingos to the glistening pools. Sossusvlei is the largest conservation area in Africa, and fourth largest in the world, boasting immense rich ochre coloured sand dunes in the heart of the Namib Desert.
Endless beaches, World Heritage sites, colonial architecture and colourful local culture make Mozambique a fascinating place to visit. This tropical paradise on the east coast of Africa has over 2,500 kilometres of rugged coastline and has something to offer everyone, from exciting diving and snorkeling to deep sea fishing and sailing. The southern coast is renowned for its beautiful beaches and the magnificent islands of the Bazaruto archipelago in the Inhambane province. The Ibo islands and the city of Pemba in the north of the country are also very popular tourist attractions. Mozambique Island, also in the north, is steeped in history and culture reflecting indigenous African culture and architecture, combined with Arab and Portuguese influences.
Best time to go to Southern Africa
South Africa: The northern parts of South Africa (Kruger, Gauteng, Limpopo) are best during the winter months (June to September) with wildlife and game viewing at its best. The temperatures are mild (maximum 20-23�C), with bouts of cold conditions and, very rarely, snow. There is very little winter rainfall in the north.
The southern parts (Cape Town, Garden Route, Eastern Cape) are best during the summer months (November to March). The temperature can reach 28-30 deg C or higher. The Atlantic Ocean brings relief in the form of a cool breeze along the coast. Rainfall is low during the summer. May to August is considered to be the worst time to be in the Cape, due to the weather usually being wet, cold and windy.
Tourism in Southern Africa peaks between Christmas and mid-January, and again in Easter. Accommodation in tourist areas and national parks is heavily booked, and prices can increase by more than double.
Botswana: The high season is from July to October. The shoulder season from May to June is dry with very cold mornings and evenings. November to April is a less popular time to visit due to the rains that cause animals to disperse over wider areas and many roads become inaccessible due to the mud. Photography is excellent year-round, scenery is most spectacular from September to February during the first rains. For wildlife the winter months from May to September are best as the vegetation is less dense and game viewing is generally more prolific. Birding season is from October to March. Flood season starts in April.
Mozambique: The best time to visit is from May/June to November when temperatures average 24-27�C and there is little rainfall. The rainy summer months (December to April) are sticky, with temperatures exceeding 30�C.
Zambia: The dry season generally runs from May to October, while the wet season generally runs from November to March. During the dry season temperatures range from 6-24�C while the wet season is much hotter, averaging 25-35�C. During the dry season the bush thins out and game viewing is at its best, while the wet season is ideal for bird watching.
Zimbabwe: The summer months are November to April, this is also the rainy season. Winter is May to October, early mornings and sunrises can be cool but there is little rainfall. Wildlife viewing is at its best during the winter months, especially September and October. The Victoria Falls are spectacular from April to June after the rains, although the thick spray may obscure your view. At the end of the dry season, October to December, the water levels are low and the magnificent rock formations can be seen.
Namibia: Winter is May to December, temperatures range between 18 and 25�C during the day, but it can go below 0�C at night, with frost. Summer is October to April, daytime temperatures range between 20 and 34�C. This is also the rainy season when over 600mm falls annually along the Okavango River. Mammals are best viewed in the drier months, June to October, when they gather around waterholes while birds are more prolific during the wet summer months.
Just a small sample of our suggestive programs...(of course this is not the complete list)
Duration: 8 days
Highlights: Cape Town, Royal Malewane Private Game Reserve
From beaches to bush, wine tasting to game viewing, this itinerary provides the ultimate introduction to South Africa.
Duration: 8 days
Highlights: Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe
Discover beautiful Botswana - spend time at three exclusive lodges nestled in wilderness with superior game viewing opportunities.
Duration: 6 days
Highlights: South Luangwa National Park, Livingstone, Victoria Falls
Zambia has much to offer the visitor - exciting game drives, exclusive lodges and the mighty Victoria Falls. This itinerary is ideal for a first time visitor to the region.
Duration: 21 days
Highlights: Johannesburg, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, Lower Zambezi National Park, George, Knysna, Hermanus, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Royal Malewane Private Game Reserve.
The ultimate group itinerary combining beach and bush - stay in luxurious camps and lodges in some of South Africa and Zambia's most remote national parks and private game reserves. The programme also includes a stay on the coast.
For further information and booking, please contact our User Friendly Africa Experts today at:
Phone: 620-221-4085
