Johannesburg is one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. This bustling city offers a wide range of activities, attractions and plenty to do in and around the city including nearby Pretoria. Downtown is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra-modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.
The world-famous Pilanesberg Game Reserve is situated in South Africa’s North West Province, north of Rustenburg. Set inside an alkaline volcanic crater (one of three in the world), characterised by vast ridges, the park’s fascinating rock and history attracts geologists and photographers from all over the world. Pilanesberg is also known for its mammoth achievement of re-introducing numerous long-vanished species and is home to roughly 360 bird species. It is a beautiful place in which to catch sight of the ‘Big Five’ as well as cheetah, giraffe, hippo, zebra, crocodile, and many other animals. Around 360 bird species also inhabit the park. An array of activities are on offer, including guided walks, game drives, and hot-air balloon rides. It is also possible to watch traditional tribal dance performances, participate in music workshops, and enjoy luxury spa experiences.
Flanked by Ghanzi in the north and Sekoma in the south, the quiet Kalahari Desert town of Kang provides a relaxing base from which to explore Northern Botswana, Namibia, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Central Kalahari Park. The remote village is strikingly scenic, providing many interesting hiking and photographic opportunities in its vast stretches of flowering plains, ochre desert hills and enormous, strangely-shaped baobab trees. One of the major drawcards of the area is the variety of thrilling game drives offering the possibility of spotting cheetah, leopard and many different types of game species. After an exciting day on safari, don’t miss the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in one of the swimming pools at Twee Rivieren, Kalahari Tent, Mata Mata and Nossob camps at the nearby Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
The Hainaveld and Ghanzi Farms surround the northwestern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana and serve primarily as game viewing areas. Aside from excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities, this safari area is known for its great accessibility, cultural tourism and first-class bird watching. The Hainaveld and Ghanzi Farms offer the quintessential, authentic African bush experience featuring remarkable desert landscapes inhabited by a wide range of desert-adapted wildlife, including gemsbok, springbok, giraffes, ostriches, to name a few. It is also home to a blend of cultures, including the Bakgalagadi, the original inhabitants, the Herero, the San, the Batawana, and the Afrikaners. Visitors can explore local villages, learn about the ancient traditional way of life of the Kalahari hunter-gatherers, take a nature walk with an expert guide, relax at a luxury lodge or spend a day on safari spotting abundant wildlife. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the rare black-maned Kalahari lions.
Set on the banks of the beautiful Thamalakane River in northern Botswana, Maun is the third-largest town in this spectacularly scenic southern African country. Maun is the starting point for most expeditions into the Okavango Delta and as a result, has developed into a bustling metropolis that is considered Botswana’s tourism capital. Area attractions include a renowned riverboat that offers cruises up and down the Thamalakane River; the forest groves of the Maun Game Reserve; and Moremi Game Reserve, home to hippos, lions and rhinos. Maun also serves as the jumping-off point for many safaris and air charters as well as offering private 4x4 rentals. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Nhabe Museum exhibiting the local history, art and culture of the Ngamiland region.
Known as the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans, the tiny old Botswanan village of Gweta is a pleasant place to stay while exploring the vast salt pans. Take a guided walk or quad bike ride through Gweta’s surrounds and discover flint-head spears and other artefacts abandoned by the area’s early Stone Age inhabitants. Experience a barbeque under the star-studded African sky while sipping on traditional, organic sorghum beer or a creamy baobab milkshake. During the rainy season, the Gweta area teems with zebra and wildebeest and these, in turn, attract hungry predators such as lion and cheetah. If a unique and interesting getaway is what you are after, Gweta won’t fail to impress.
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Botswana, on the banks of the famous Chobe River, the scenic little town of Kasane rests on the doorstep of the spectacular Chobe National Park. There are no boundary fences separating the village from the park and game such as elephant and hippo are often spotted roaming around the town. If on the lookout for elusive game, pay a visit to the Sedudu Valley Road, where large dead trees provide temporary homes for leopards. Within Kasane, an ancient baobab tree stands on display, once serving as a local prison. Visitors can look forward to a multitude of activities including: enjoying a game drive through the park, taking a sunset cruise down the Chobe River, visiting a local village or jumping on a day trip to the breathtaking Victoria Falls.
Situated along the southern border of Zambia, Victoria Falls is a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River. It forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and stretches across almost two kilometres into a gorge over one hundred metres below - making it one of the world’s widest waterfalls. Dubbed ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ by locals, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular tourist destination for those visiting Zambia. It is world-renowned for its sheer beauty and offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in spectacular landscapes inhabited by abundant wildlife. Visitors can look forward to a wide range of adventure sports such as kayaking, white water rafting, ziplining, bungee jumping and bridge swinging; and those looking for more relaxation can enjoy a sunset boat cruise, game viewing, or browsing through the vibrant local Livingstone Market.
