Adventure experiences

It's not called Cape Point for nothing, jutting out into the icy Atlantic Ocean with panoramic views as far as the eye can see. Exploring the nature reserve can easily take the entire day, with hidden, white sand beaches and fynbos-clad hiking or biking trails. Keep your eyes peeled for speeding ostriches, various antelope and over 270 species of bird. Plus, listen out for the telltale bark of a chacma baboon (but don't share your lunch)! Travel via the 'Flying Dutchman' funicular to scenic lookout points and picnic spots - you may even see whales between August and October. Make sure you get a look at the Cape's original lighthouse (and a few snaps) before you go.

Gazing over the edge of the glorious Victoria Falls, it's no surprise to learn that its local name means, 'the smoke that thunders'. Spend the morning or afternoon exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World, meander along the walking trails and stop off at each of the 4 view points to see the falls from every angle. As one of the world's largest waterfalls, there is no bad time to be there but it reaches a roaring zenith in May when 10 million litres of water cascades into Batoka Gorge. If you want to have a more involved experience then this can be booked as a guided activity and you can easily pop over to the Zimbabwean side to experience the falls from a different angle for an additional cost.

Like a scene from a National Geographic doc, the terracotta landscape of Sossusvlei must be seen to be believed. It's here that towering dunes stop the barely-flowing Tsauchab River and hide a world of desert-adapted wildlife from the coast. Depart from the lodge in a 4x4 and let your breath be well and truly taken away by the star-shaped monoliths that are constantly shifted by the wind. Brave a trek to the peak of 'Big Daddy' for the ultimate snap of an oryx strolling in its shadow or walk amongst the dunes as your guide tells you how this place came to be. Stop for a chilled drink and, if you choose an afternoon excursion, catch the sunset before returning to home base.

After the rains come, the lower stretch of the Zambezi branches out onto the floodplains of Northern Zimbabwe. This natural waterpark is a haven and a canoe safari is the best way to explore this seasonal gathering, bringing you much closer to the animals than possible on the land - especially as you wend your way past harrumphing pods of hippo. Sit safely just a few yards from an unhurried pride of lions lapping at the water’s edge, paddle past elephants as they cross from one side of the Zambezi to another and enjoy the myriad of bird species that make their homes on the banks of the river. Crocodiles and hippos are in abundance and therefore these magical journeys are not for the faint hearted. This experience is always carried out with a highly qualified guide and can last anything from 2-3 hours to 2-3 days, the choice is yours.

Depart from your lodge, led by your all-knowing guide, to see for yourself why it's called the Skeleton Coast. Drive along the craggy coastline where the remains of boats tell the story of seafarers who lost their battle with the ocean and the bleached skeletons of whales stand eerily among them. Hear the legends and truths of these shipwrecks from your guide and stop to capture the most photographed wrecks in Namibia. As the fog rolls off the Atlantic Ocean, the surreal landscape becomes even more so!