Wildlife experiences

Get to know the wilds of Kenya on a walking safari over golden grasslands, forested hillsides and wildlife-filled conservancies of Laikipia. Depart just after dawn-break to make the most of the daylight as you track African painted dogs (hopefully seeing them trot across a quiet path) and learning to sniff out where a lion may be snoozing while herds graze bravely on the plains. With the sprawling Laikipia plateau before you, lean in for a closer look as you spy a dung beetle rolling by and examine tree bark for signs of life. If you're staying on private land, there are no strict paths and you can really blaze a new trail. There's also the option to extend your walking safari into a multi-day activity, stopping to camp beneath the stars.

Staying in a conservancy just outside of the main Samburu National Park has its perks, most notably, the night drives! Under a moonlit sky, head out to experience a safari of a different kind when the big cats are in full hunting mode, their eyes glowing from behind the acacias. The daytime crowd has retired for the evening and a new host of creatures can be seen. As your eyes adjust, enjoy a game of 'what's that sound', which your guide should know the answer to and spot the likes of porcupine and mongoose to the bat-eared fox and aardwolf.

In any Cape Town brochure, you'll likely see images of tiny, suited penguins waddling over rocks and splashing in the water. On an excursion to Boulders Beach, you'll have the chance to marvel at this sight in person. Nowhere else in the world are you able to be this close to wild African Penguins, as curiosity leads them across the sand towards you. It's also a lovely spot for a swim when you'd like to cool off. If you're visiting between March and May, look out for eggs laid in nests beneath the boulders and bushes. There are around 2500 penguins at Boulders Beach and its an experience you won't soon forget.

With its tie-dye coat and mouselike ears, it's easy to see why the African wild dog (or the more endearing 'painted dog') has become a talisman of a true safari. They are also one of Africa's most endangered carnivores but thanks to unwavering conservation efforts, there are now over 350 mature painted dogs in the Luangwa Valley. While these animated hounds are constantly on the move to avoid their nemeses (lion and hyena) and sniff out prey, the fantastic guides in South Luangwa have a trick or two for tracking them - and you might just see them mid-hunt. Most active in the early morning and late afternoon, you'll set out from camp (we know some good ones) in good time, looking for the pack.

If you though game drives in the wilds of Hwange were magical enough, prepare yourself for the Hwange 'night act' featuring a whole new cast. After tea and hot drinks, you'll depart from camp with your guide, spotlight and camera at the ready. This is the ultimate time for spotting the big cats, from leopards prowling in stealth mode or lion on the hunt, followed by spotted hyena looking for leftovers. Of course, there is wildlife of the 'cuter' variety - the lesser bushbaby, mongoose, honey badger and the ever-elusive pangolin (finger's crossed). Moving silently through the darkness in the hopes of seeing one of these rare creatures...unforgettable.

On this remote and rugged coast, you'll find a battalion of Cape fur seals - one of the largest in the world! On a drive down Skeleton Coast, marvel at the sheer numbers (over 200 000) of seals barking and calling to one another. Shielded from the world by sea and sand (and a wall to make sure no one bothers them), the seals feast on fish brought in by the Benguela current. November marks the beginning of mating season and if you're in the vicinity by December, the rolling pups make for quite a sight! Orcas lurk beyond the surf and hyenas wait on the rocky outskirts at dusk and dawn, so you may witness a hunt.