Botswana & The Seychelles

Your adventure starts in Kasane (or Maun) which is easily reached by road from Victoria Falls in approximately 1½-2 hours. A light aircraft transfer lasting about 40 minutes will take you to the Savute area of Chobe National Park for a two night stay.

Chobe is located in the north of Botswana and is the third largest national park in the country, covering almost 12,000km². The park has one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa and is also renowned for its elephant population, with an estimated at 70,000 greys - believed to be the largest concentration in Africa. The Savuti Marsh region that constitutes the western stretch of Chobe covers 10,800km² and is best described as the relic of a large inland lake. Fed by the erratic Savuti channel, it gives rise to rich grasslands and savannah woodland, as well as a large variety of trees and other vegetation, forming the perfect habitat for large concentrations of both lion and elephant. Here you will also see hippo wallowing in the waters, crocodile soaking up the African sun and a range of birds flitting about the bush in a splash of colour and sound.

Drink in the breath-taking views of the landscape below as another light aircraft journey transfers you into the heart of the Okavango Delta for a two night stay. Undoubtedly one of the main highlights of your Botswana trip, the Okavango Delta is a unique system of inland waterways best explored by mokoro, a traditional dug-out canoe. An experienced boatman uses a long pole to steer you quietly through the shallow water, moving the canoe along the narrow channels or cutting through the long grasses and papyrus reeds. It's a unique way to safari and this is the only place in the world that you can do it. Besides a mokoro ride, you'll also have opportunities to see game on a river boat cruise or on a walking safari. Fishing is also possible in season.

After another light aircraft transfer you will arrive at your next destination: the Moremi Game Reserve. This wilderness boasts one of the most diverse habitat and animal populations in Botswana due to its varied landscapes. The floodplains of the Kwai River are a magnet for elephants while leopard and wild dogs congregate around the central Xakanaxa Lagoon. You'll enjoy game viewing encounters by river powerboat or in open 4x4 vehicles, while the hundreds of bird species can be seen from just about everywhere, including the deck of your lodge. Moremi was the first African reserve to be established by the local people, spurred on by their concern for the growing decline of wildlife. This led to the Batawana people of Ngamiland proclaiming Moremi a game reserve in 1963, and today it remains a region of great conservation, environmental and scientific importance.

After a final day out in the wild, it is time to say goodbye to magical Botswana. Your last light aircraft transfer returns you to Kasane or Maun for your onward journey to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. From here, you will be transferred to your hotel for the night. You can choose to relax and sort through your hundreds of photos or we can arrange dinner and a night out for you in the City of Gold.

With a near-perfect climate and the clear warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at their shores, the 115 islands of the Seychelles (of which only 16 are inhabited) are an idyllic place to escape to. Experience movie-style island life with unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters and lush jungle interiors. Spread over 1,400,000 km² and lying 500-1,600km from the African Coast, the Seychelles is easy to get to and combines well with either a Botswana trip or with a Kruger safari. There are 43 mainly granite “inner” islands and 72 coralline “outer” islands. Daily flights leave from the main island of Mahe to many of the outlying islands, while other smaller islands are only accessible by boat. Some are just a handful of kilometres in diameter, so if you've ever had that deserted island fantasy with complete privacy and secluded coves where you can spend entire days on your own, this is the place to live it.

After spending languid days soaking up the sun, cooling off in crystal clear waters and relaxing “island style”, you’ll return home feeling refreshed and satisfied after a very special trip.