Southern African Tours, Safaris & Experiences

Southern Africa allows travelers to combine wildlife safaris, dramatic scenery, historic sites, coastal destinations, and outdoor activities in one journey. In the national parks and private reserves of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, you can sit on the deck of a luxury safari suite while watching animals move through the surrounding wilderness. You can encounter the Big Five and around thirty distinct antelope species during game drives and bush walks.

On the same trip, you could watch Southern right whales breaching off South Africa's southern coast, revel in the antics of the endangered African penguin at Boulders Beach, enjoy one of the world's most impressive views from the summit of Table Mountain, play a round of golf at the internationally acclaimed Fancourt Links or Montagu courses, or relax on a tropical beach in southern Mozambique. This variety makes it possible to combine wildlife, scenery, culture, outdoor activities, and time to relax in one carefully planned journey.

African Sky recommends that first-time visitors to Southern Africa consider an itinerary that combines Cape Town and Greater Kruger (includes the national park and the private game reserves with which it shares unfenced boundaries) in South Africa with a few nights at Victoria Falls, either on the Zambian or Zimbabwean side of the mighty Zambezi River. An ideal trip duration is between 10 and 14 days.

South Africa: We recommend visiting Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route, and the wilderness of Kruger National Park with overnight stops in off-the-beaten-track areas like the Overberg, Little Karoo or Mpumalanga Highlands. These regions are ideally explored on a fully guided private tour or combination private tour and fly-in safari package with a duration of 10 to 21 days for a comprehensive experience, or 4 to 7 days if you are visiting only one or two locations.

Botswana: A general rule of thumb is to spend a minimum of three nights per safari area. This affords two full days of enjoying nature activities in the region. Recommended Botswana safari packages are ideally 7 to 10 days.

Namibia: It is a vast country where long overland travel between destinations is the order of the day. For an optimal experience, itineraries to the highlights in the southern or northern areas (up to Etosha) of the country should be at least 7 days, and those that combine these areas ideally 14 days or more.

Zimbabwe or Zambia (Victoria Falls): To enjoy this natural spectacle and experience activities, a stay of 2–3 nights is sufficient.

Mozambique Beach Vacations: We recommend 7 to 10 days for a relaxing beach stay.

Absolutely. Though more costly than an unaccompanied trip, the insight provided by an expert guide on local history, attractions, wildlife, birdlife, plants, and geology will transform your journey. A skilled guide makes your tour immersive, informative, and stress-free. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience.

This depends on the safari areas included in your itinerary. Please always bear in mind that animals roam freely in these wilderness areas. In the Kruger National Park and the surrounding private reserves, you have an excellent chance of seeing all of the Big Five on a safari of three or more nights. This also applies to private game reserves such as Shamwari, Phinda, Madikwe Game Reserve, and Sanbona. Other South African national parks where all of the Big Five could be spotted include Pilanesberg, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, uMkuze, and Addo Elephant National Park.

In Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, you’re likely to see four of the Big Five on a safari of sufficient duration. Rhinos are rare and occur on Chief’s Island and in a limited number of protected and managed areas elsewhere in Botswana. Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier national park, offers the opportunity to spot four of the imposing animals; buffalo do not occur here. Etosha is one of the best places in Africa to see both black and white rhinos.

Yes, family safaris are possible and encouraged. Many lodges offer programs designed to teach children about nature and conservation in fun, interactive ways. Families traveling with young children should discuss malaria risk, suitable preventive medication and mosquito-bite precautions with a travel health professional before departure. Malaria-free safari areas provide useful alternatives, including Addo Elephant National Park, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Madikwe Game Reserve and Pilanesberg National Park.

Southern Africa is a year-round destination, with each season offering unique highlights in different areas.

• May to October: The dry winter and spring months are ideal for safaris in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Wildlife is concentrated near available water sources, and days are mild and clear, although October can be hot. Depending on the area, the first rains may fall by then.
• November to March: The warm summer season suits beach escapes, wine tours, golfing, and coastal exploration. This is especially true in Cape Town, Mozambique, and along the Garden Route.
• February to May: Victoria Falls is at its most dramatic as the Zambezi River peaks in flow.
• August to September: Witness the breathtaking wildflower bloom across Namaqualand and parts of Namibia.

Please discuss your requirements with one of our team members and receive advice on the best time of year to visit, tailored to your trip needs.