Dickinson x 2 - Option 1 - 18 Day Southern African Safari

For a varied, diverse, exciting and fulfilling holiday, one would  be hard pressed to find a country in Africa, or the world, which offers more. South Africa has it all, including wildlife, mountains, deserts, beaches, forests, numerous cultures, first world cities, untouched landscapes, casinos, amusement parks, exciting activities, excellent roads and infrastructure, off road 4 x 4 routes, fantastic food, good wine, great sports stadiums, incredible people and a triumphant history.

Although usually only used for quick stopovers by most travellers, Joburg is an exciting and vibrant city, with some excellent hotels, fantastic shopping facilities, loads of historic signifcance, and a flourishing sporting culture. With the launch of the Gautrain in 2010, the Sandton district is now only 10 minutes from the airport, and this places one in a position to easily access most of the city's highlights.

City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport offers a convenient and comfortable sanctuary for both business and leisure travelers. Situated just a short walk from Africa's busiest airport and adjacent to the Gautrain Airport Station, it provides an ideal base for quick visits or relaxing layovers. With 365 well-appointed rooms, the hotel ensures a restful stay before or after flights. Guests can enjoy a spacious lobby lounge with real-time flight information, unlimited WiFi, and a variety of facilities designed for both productivity and relaxation. The hotel aims to make every guest's airport experience seamless and enjoyable. This hotel embodies "easy living" by combining accessibility with comprehensive amenities. Whether you are catching an early morning flight, have a layover, or are in Johannesburg for a brief business trip, the City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo provides a hassle-free and comfortable environment. The on-site restaurant and bar, fitness room, and outdoor swimming pool offer opportunities to unwind, while the proximity to airport retailers and banking facilities adds to the convenience. Its strategic location and array of services make it a prime choice for travelers seeking efficiency and comfort at the airport.

Well known as one of the great safari destinations in Africa, Botswana offers some of the most beautiful, luxurious, and active safari experiences in Africa. A Botswanan safari can never be long enough, and never experienced often enough.   Although one of the flattest countries you will ever visit, Botswana is blessed with an incredible variety of landscapes and eco-systems. It is the very flatness of Botswana which has created some of the world's most special wilderness areas, and exploring the Kalahari, Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans rewards you with memories for a lifetime. Easily accessible from Johannesburg, and simply combined with Victoria Falls, Botswana needs to be on your safari list if you are planning a visit to Southern Africa. As soon as you land in Maun or Kasane, you will know that you have arrived in a country which operates like nothing you have experienced before. With the warthogs running through the streets of Kasane, and the hippos grunting in the Chobe River, your welcome to Botswana is one which tells you straight away you are in Africa's wilds.

The very word "Okavango" evokes a sense of adventure and exploration, and this is exactly what the Okavango Delta is about.   Often called the Okavango Swamps, this intricate maze of waterways and sandy islands is an explorer's dream, and the destination should be on the wishlist of anyone looking for a unique travel experience. The geology of the Delta is fascinating, with its creation being attributed to tectonic plate action from thousands of years ago causing the Kavango River to flow from Angola into the Kalahari Desert as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean. So while the vegetation is lush, and the wildlife plentiful, the waterways are actually cutting through Kalahari Desert sand, and the entire delta is an enormous oasis. Termites are credited with the creation of the many islands around which the water slowly flows, as their mounds, common features of the landscape, are responsible for the formation of sand and foliage around them. There is a continuous scurry of life in the Delta, from the smallest of creatures to the largest of elephants, and every twist and turn of the channels brings some new form of  life into view.   The Okavango Delta is truly one of nature's greatest creations.

MmaTsebe Camp offers a secluded and authentic safari experience on 25 hectares of private land along the Mbudi River, a tributary of the Khwai. This owner-run camp provides a peaceful retreat bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, ensuring access to iconic wildlife areas while maintaining an accessible price point. Guests can enjoy thrilling game drives through both Moremi and the Khwai Concession, as well as unique activities like mokoro excursions and the "Sitatunga's Edge" boat trip. The camp's heart is an airy canvas-on-deck space housing dining and lounging areas, complemented by a refreshing plunge pool and a cozy boma for evening coffees and nightcaps. For those needing to connect, a Wi-Fi lounge is available without detracting from the immersive bush experience. Accommodation consists of nine private Meru-style en-suite tents nestled amongst mopane trees, each featuring plush bedding, a mosquito net, ceiling fan, double vanity bathroom with flush loo and hot shower, plug points, a desk, seating, and a shaded deck with river views. Its location, just a 20-minute drive from Khwai Airstrip, makes it convenient yet wonderfully remote, offering sweeping views and a truly characterful setting.

Accessed easily via a 1.5 hour flight from Johannesburg, or a 1 hour drive from Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park is the most visited park on a Boswana safari itinerary. With an enormous elephant population, as well as magnificent birdlife and a huge array of herbivores and aquatic animals, it is often hard to believe that Chobe National Park is for real. The game viewing starts from the moment you land at Kasane Airport, or drive across the border from Zambia or Zimbabwe, with warthogs foraging in the streets, buffalo being habitual visitors to the town, and hippos lazing around in the river.

Nestled on Impalila Island in Namibia, Ichingo Chobe River Lodge is a tented lodge enveloped by breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and exceptional fishing conditions. The lodge features eight spacious, air-conditioned Meru safari tents, each set on a secluded island beneath a riverine canopy on the banks of the Chobe River. It's an ideal destination for families, welcoming children of all ages to experience the magic of the African wilderness. Enjoy generous hospitality and riverside relaxation in this unique setting. Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis offers an immersive eco-lodge experience, combining luxury with a deep respect for nature. Guests can savor delicious meals prepared with seasonal local ingredients, indulge in refreshing drinks at the lodge bar, and embark on unforgettable lodge experiences. From photographic river safaris and guided birding tours to exciting tiger fishing expeditions and cultural tours, there's an adventure for everyone. The lodge is strategically located amidst dense forests, where the massive Chobe River teems with all types of wildlife and bird species, offering both tranquil retreats and thrilling encounters with nature.

These two days are spent enjoying the unique water-based safari activities offered by the lodge, including boat cruises and tiger fishing. You will have ample time to witness the wildlife that congregates along the riverbanks of the Chobe National Park.

Zimbabwe - a treasure trove of breathtaking wilderness, vibrant wildlife, and awe-inspiring natural wonders.   From the iconic Victoria Falls, where the mighty Zambezi River plunges into dramatic gorges, to the serene waters of Lake Kariba and the untamed beauty of Hwange and Mana Pools, Zimbabwe is a safari destination like no other. This remarkable country offers an unparalleled diversity of experiences. Explore the vast savannahs of Hwange National Park, home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, or paddle along the tranquil channels of the Lower Zambezi, where hippos and crocodiles linger at every turn. Thrill-seekers will delight in world-class canoeing and white-water rafting, while nature enthusiasts will revel in walking safaris led by some of Africa's most experienced guides. What truly sets Zimbabwe apart is its people. Warm, resilient, and welcoming, Zimbabweans add a unique vibrancy to every journey. Their deep connection to the land and dedication to conservation make every visit more meaningful. Whether you're drawn by the roar of Victoria Falls, the call of the wild, or the chance to experience one of Africa's most storied landscapes, Zimbabwe promises an adventure filled with wonder and unforgettable moments.

"Mosi Oa Tunya", or "The Smoke That Thunders", Victoria Falls are as magnificent on the 10th visit as they are on the 1st, and their thundering roar makes everything else seem strangely quiet once you leave them behind. As the mighty Zambezi flows over a chasm of 1 mile wide, and 110 metres high, to violently crash on the rocks below, the resultant spray is sent tens of metres up into the air, before it lands back down in a continuous rainfall.   The water then rushes through an opening of only 50 metres, as the Zambezi races further along, over churning rapids and through the deep Batoka Gorge. While the Falls are the major drawcard, there is a thriving tourist industry developed around them, with adventure activities of all forms being available. Tourism has been evident here ever since David Livingstone was the first European guided by the local tribes to this remarkable natural wonder.

Waterfalls Lodge, located in the heart of Victoria Falls, offers refined and accessible accommodation blending comfort and nature. Designed with a captivating waterfall theme, this sophisticated retreat immerses guests in the beauty of the surroundings. Just minutes from both Victoria Falls and the city center, the lodge provides easy access to adventure while serving as a peaceful haven for relaxation. The lodge embodies the Wild Horizons ethos of sustainability and authenticity, with thoughtful design inspired by the Zambezi and Victoria Falls.

Today you will enjoy a private guided walking tour of the spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, where you can marvel at the "Smoke that Thunders." In the late afternoon, you will board the Zambezi Explorer for a sunset cruise on the Signature Deck, enjoying drinks and snacks as you watch the sun dip below the horizon of the mighty Zambezi River.

Situated only 3 hours' drive south of Victoria Falls, and bordering Botswana to the west, Hwange National Park has become famous for its wildlife density and enormous elephant population. Due to the arid region, the park is an incredible dry season safari destination, with animals converging on the many man-made water holes, and game viewing being especially rewarding. With over 100 species of mammals, and 400 species of birds, Hwange National Park is sure to provide you with some excellent photo's and is a great inclusion on a Zimbabwe safari itinerary.

Somalisa Camp, a Signature Experience by African Bush Camps, offers a luxurious safari experience in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. Nestled under an acacia grove, the camp seamlessly blends elegant design with the natural environment, providing an intimate connection to the wild. Guests can anticipate close-up encounters with abundant wildlife, including significant elephant populations, and indulge in refined comfort within beautifully furnished tented suites. Somalisa Camp is a beacon of sustainable luxury, powered entirely by solar energy and recognized with a GOLD Green Tourism Certification. The camp features seven opulent tented suites, each boasting thoughtful amenities such as a wood-burning fireplace, a copper slipper bath, a king-size bed, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Private viewing decks offer breathtaking vistas and opportunities for wildlife spotting directly from your accommodation. The main area provides a communal swimming pool overlooking an "Elephant Pool," a cozy firepit, and a serene lounge. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, birding, and cultural visits. For an unparalleled romantic experience, the Somalisa Sleep-Out, a treehouse retreat, offers an enthralling night under the stars overlooking a watering hole.

Scenically spectacular, with an array of activities on offer, Cape Town is great for an extended holiday on its own, or for an add on to a safari in South Africa, or any other countries. As an easy 2 hour hop from Johannesburg, with numerous daily flights, as well as some international flights from and to various countries, Cape Town is easily accessible, and an enjoyable way to ease into, or wind down, an African itinerary. Cape Town has regularly been voted amongst the world's most popular holiday destinations, with many visitors returning year after year.

The Commodore Hotel, located in the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers guests sweeping panoramic views of iconic Table Mountain, the bustling Cape Town Harbour, and the historic Robben Island. This prime location provides an ideal base for exploring the best of Cape Town, from its cultural attractions to its natural beauty. The hotel blends luxury and convenience, ensuring a memorable stay for both leisure and business travelers.