We believe that part of Southern Africa's charm is the wide variety of places to visit and the comprehensive range of travel options and safari activities to choose from. Your available time, interests and budget essentially determines the type of Southern African holiday that you choose and it is our aim to familiarise you with the different choices of safari types, styles and activities throughout the region. See our Safari Styles page.

Southern Africa can be visited in various ways, here are a few:

• Vacation Preferences
• Different Safari Options
• Different Types of Safari Activities
  
  

Vacation Preferences

"Stay Put" Holidays
The “stay-put” option allows you to spend your entire holiday in one place, this is ideal for people who want to relax and unwind and is also suitable for someone who has a special interest and would like to spend as much time as possible concentrating on this in a specific area.

One country only
First-time visitors often choose this option, to travel to one country at a time. In this way you can spend the maximum time exploring and acquainting yourself with a specific country.

Focus on a country with short add-ons
You may want to focus on a specific country with one or more short add-on excursions to another regional country. This option will give you a sneak preview of a possible future holiday, for example you may spend a couple of weeks touring in Namibia and then take a few days to visit Victoria Falls or Cape Town as a pre or post excursion.

Regional Experience
Should you have more time available then you may want to plan an extended visit to Southern Africa, opting for an all-in-one experience by visiting a combination of countries within the region.

For visitors seeking a more varied experience regular and reliable regional scheduled and charter flights conveniently connect the Southern African countries enabling them to explore two or more countries within the region.

Different Safari Options

Safari Type = Independent versus Guided/Escorted
Safari Style = Mode & Type of transport

How you will be travelling through any specific Southern African country is largely dependent on each country's infrastructure, road network and conditions, available time and budget.

Self-Drive Tours particularly appeal to the independent traveller who is looking for freedom and flexibility.

A lot of first-time visitors to Southern Africa opt for a Guided Tour which could be fully accommodated, camping, a combination of the two; adventure, budget or luxurious safaris. When time is of the essence, and for the more discerning traveller, Fly-In Safaris offer the opportunity to travel vast distances at a fraction of the time and presents a bird's eye view of the country being travelled.

You could even decide to take a combination of a Self-Drive Tour, Guided Safari or Fly-In Safari within a specific country or when travelling to two or more regional countries.

The right fit for you is entirely based on your individual style and personality and we therefore utilise our intimate knowledge of the region to put together a programme that best encompass your specific interests and needs.

Different Types of Safari Activities

An African safari offers many exciting activities, abundant opportunities to observe wildlife and view scenic and picturesque landscapes. Activities are based on the habitat, existence of rivers, climate, wildlife and the level of experience of the guides. It is advisable to acquaint yourself with the different habitats and animal behaviour before you travel. If you decide to focus on a particular area or are concentrating on certain animals or birds, prepare yourself well and select your destination based on the safari activities that suit your interests.

Game Drives
Undertaken in open safari vehicles, game drives are conducted by an experienced driver / guide who has an intimate knowledge of the area, the game movement and other ecological aspects of the region. To ensure the best chance of encountering abundant wildlife, game drives usually depart in the early morning and late afternoon when it is cooler for game to hunt and graze. Night game drives are also very exciting and allows you to witness fascinating nocturnal animals.

Game Viewing
Most game viewing activities take place in the early morning and late afternoon, which maximize the chance of encountering animals when they are most active. In the warmer months most animals find shelter during the heat of the day. The greatest opportunity to see a Lion is usually just after sunrise. Other large African animals like Buffalo, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Elephant are more visible an hour before sunset.

Bird Watching
Some areas offer better bird watching opportunities than others. The greatest number of birds may be seen between October and March, when the central African migrants are present. Endemic species can be seen throughout the year.

Walking Safaris
There is no finer way to enjoy the essence of the African bush than on foot. The freedom of being in the heart of the wilderness and in close proximity to Africa's magnificent wildlife is an unforgettable experience. Walking safaris inspire a degree of respect for the wild environment, as you soon realise that you are a participant and not just a spectator.

Boating, Canoeing and Mokoro
In some camps, boating is one of the activities on offer. You can travel out into the surrounding areas by boat looking for wild game, birds and at the general scenery. You can even fish in certain areas. In Botswana you will have the opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro (traditional dugout canoes). There is no better way to relax in the wilderness than a mokoro trip through the Okavango Delta.

Other Activities
Other exciting activities may include; horse-back and Elephant-back safaris, ballooning, quad bike drives, mountain biking, scenic flights, camping safaris...

Let us help you create your dream safari!