Safari experiences

In Namibia's far north, you don't have to look far for the wildlife. In the early morning light or once the midday heat subsides, head out on a game drive where your seasoned guide will share the headline and low-key creatures of Etosha. Zig-zag between nearby waterholes where the big cats stop for a drink as herds of zebra and antelope gather in herds on opposite banks. Let your eyes wander across the plains where tall giraffes and tiny Damara dik-diks graze, and families of elephant stroll among the mopane trees. Not to mention the chance of spotting the endangered white rhino! Stop for a steaming cuppa or sundowner before returning to camp.

In one of Tanzania's wildest spaces, take your safari to new heights as you explore the lush, tree-laden rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Where vehicles cannot go, you'll join an expert guide on an early-morning foray into the forest as rare birds show off their colourful plumage and waterfalls cascade toward the Crater below. Discover Ngorongoro's unique wonders like the 'Elephant Caves', which are deep hollows dug into the earth as the elephant forage for rich soil with their tusks. Ascend the crater wall for the ultimate panorama, watching as the Big Five roam, hippos guffaw and flamingos sit like a pink cloud over the lake.

Depart camp at dawn or in the late afternoon sunshine to discover the epic wildlife of Lake Manyara. With your knowledgable guide to lead the way, endless floodplains, acacia woodlands and shimmering lake reveal grazing plains game, herds of trumpeting elephant and lion draped over the branches of a mahogany tree, not to mention the clouds of pink flamingo. Stop on a grassy spot near the lake to enjoy a morning cuppa or ice-cold sundowner as incredible birdlife dips in and out of the water. As one of Tanzania's smallest and most underrated parks, Lake Manyara has one of the country's highest wildlife densities and you'll have few other safari-goers to contend with.

Where the glimmering waterways of the Central Okavango meet the arid Kalahari in a twist of fate, there are few better places for an epic game drive. Take your pick from a dawn or dusk (or a combination of both) safari where your expert guide will take you on a journey across the lush landscapes, splashing through shallow waterways and exploring the plains. Keep your binoculars at the ready to spot the world-famous wildlife of the Delta. Massive herds of elephant and antelope gather in the natural channels, lion and leopard are spotted often, and the flash of an African painted dog makes for a startling sight! After a steaming cuppa or celebratory cocktail to finish, you'll return to camp.

Depart from camp as the sun peeps over the horizon or as the midday heat subsides to find the jaw-dropping herds of elephant Linyanti is famous for. Your guide knows the landscape like the back of their hand and will have no trouble finding the magnificent tuskers as they gather along the permanent water sources to cool off and rehydrate. This is especially true in the dry season from May to October! Explore the lush marshlands, open grassland and shimmering channels, with your binoculars at the ready to spot the tough-skinned giants of Linyanti. Before you head back to camp, sip on a warm cuppa or chilled cocktail!

With all the crowds hanging around the Masai Mara and Serengeti, it might be an idea to look for somewhere that's a little less known on the safari circuit, but also has an incredible wildlife on offer. Look no further than Ruaha in Tanzania in October, when the dry season ends and the wildlife in concentrated around the rivers, making excellent sightings practically to yourself. It can be hot and dry, so prepare yourself.

Within the super remote Central Kalahari, as dawn breaks or dusk approaches, your expert guide will lead you on a game drive journey across this untouched desert landscape. Traverse the Kalahari in search of big cats (including black-maned lion), meerkats surveying the scene from rocky outcrops and, if you're around between November and April, herds of gemsbok. Stop for a refreshing cup of something hot or a sundowner before you return to camp.

Where the glimmering waterways of the Delta meet the arid Kalahari in a twist of fate, there are few better places for an epic game drive. Take your pick from a dawn or dusk (or a combination of both) safari where your expert guide will take you on a journey across the lush landscapes, splashing through shallow waterways and exploring the plains. Keep your binoculars at the ready to spot the world-famous wildlife of the Delta. Massive herds of elephant and buffalo gather in the natural channels along with red lechwe antelope, and the flash of an African painted dog makes for a startling sight! After a steaming cuppa or celebratory cocktail to finish, you'll return to camp.

Depart from your lodge in the wee hours or after a delicious afternoon tea lunch with your binoculars and eyes ready to spot the enthralling wildlife in this particular corner of the Eastern Cape. The Big Five are all present across the Eastern Cape's reserves, with elephant in their abundance. There is also a vast variety of plains game including zebra and giraffe, their dazzling patterns standing out against the grasslands.

With the dew barely dry, rise with the sun as you float over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. Besides puffs of heat to move you skywards, there is nothing but blissful silence as you soak up every inch of the landscape. Let the wind be your guide, revealing the untamed spaces of Tanzania where very little can hide from this vantage point. Ascend to heights of 1000 feet for the ultimate panoramic view or drop low enough to practically brush the acacias, as tiny moving specks become monochrome zebra, elephant bathing in the waterhole and scampering African painted dog. If you fancy seeing the rowdy herds of antelope and wildebeest begin to cross the mighty Mara River, August and September - are the prize months to go. This is a shared activity with other guests.

Rise with the sunbirds to hop aboard a hot air balloon and watch breathtaking views appear in technicolour as dawn breaks over the Masai Mara. Let the early morning winds be your guide as you enjoy the pure magic of a safari from the air. You may be reluctant to blink and we don't blame you! As one of Kenya's most iconic wildlife treasures, the Mara reveals snoozing prides of lion amongst the acacias, elephants marching across the plains and hippos that bask in the river. If you're travelling between August and November, you may even see the Great Wildebeest Migration as it spills over the savannah. When you come back down to earth, toast the experience with champagne or enjoy a hearty breakfast in the bush before returning to camp.

Depart camp at dawn or in the late afternoon sunshine to discover the epic wildlife of Lake Manyara. With your knowledgable guide to lead the way, endless floodplains, acacia woodlands and shimmering lake reveal grazing plains game, herds of trumpeting elephant and lion draped over the branches of a mahogany tree, not to mention the clouds of pink flamingo. Stop on a grassy spot near the lake to enjoy a morning cuppa or ice-cold sundowner as incredible birdlife dips in and out of the water. As one of Tanzania's smallest and most underrated parks, Lake Manyara has one of the country's highest wildlife densities and you'll have few other safari-goers to contend with.

If you've ever wondered whether you'd see a mammoth, we've found the closest thing. Legendary, impressive and rather photogenic, the 'Big Tuskers' of Amboselli are aptly named for their enormous tusks that weigh in at over 50kg and almost brush the ground as they walk. Enjoy a game drive with Mount Kilimanjaro as your backdrop in search of the elephants as they stroll across their domain. There are less than 30 of these soulful creatures left in the world and to see them in the wild and up-close...well there's nothing quite like it.

A safari in South Africa isn't complete without a game drive in the Kruger, a stomping ground of the Big Five and a plethora of other wildlife. Depart from camp as dawn breaks or in the cooler afternoon, as your guide introduces you to the wonders of the Kruger. Keep your binoculars at the ready to spot the hordes of plains game (especially in the centre of the park), hippo yawning from the river and the endangered African painted dog. Our pick for the best time to go is in the quieter months of April - May and October - November. Stop for refreshments under the limbs of a baobab before returning to camp.

Depart from camp with your expert guide and tracker in tow to follow the trail of the rare black rhino. Venture out in a 4x4 as your tracker susses out the location of these tough-skinned beauties, where you'll continue on foot. Learn the ropes of rhino tracking from the best and experience the thrill of seeing these secretive creatures in the wild and up-close. Watch in wonderment as they trundle amongst the boulders and nibble on a euphorbia plant as your guide fills you in on the hard-won conservation efforts in Damaraland.

As the birds start to sing, set off to explore the Lake Manyara National Park on foot. Armed with a lifetime of knowledge, your guide will take you on a journey through grassy floodplains and lush forests where you'll spy the 'Little Five', named after their larger and more famous counterparts and track big cats, who are often found snoozing in a shady spot. Stop for a picnic of your own under the shade of an acacia before trekking on in pursuit of wildlife. Marvel at your guide's ability to sniff out a herd of elephant, learn the survival tricks of smaller creatures and stroll beside the lake, where flamingos gather in their thousands and thirsty zebra stop for a drink.