Southern Africa is some of the most varied safari country in Africa — the watery wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the thunder of Victoria Falls, the Big Five of South Africa’s private reserves, and the otherworldly dunes of Namibia.
It pairs effortlessly with cosmopolitan Cape Town, the Winelands and the beaches of Mozambique, making it ideal for a sophisticated, wide-ranging journey.
A Southern Africa safari trades the great herds of the east for exclusivity and variety: private concessions in the Okavango, leopards in the Sabi Sand, Victoria Falls thundering between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Cape Town’s food and wine to finish. Flights connect it all easily, and the dry-season viewing from May to October is among the most reliable in Africa.
Where to go in Southern Africa
Botswana
The Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Kalahari — water and wilderness.
Explore Botswana →
South Africa
Big Five private reserves, Cape Town and the Winelands.
Explore South Africa →
Zambia
Walking safaris in South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi.
Explore Zambia →
Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, Hwange and the wild beauty of Mana Pools.
Explore Zimbabwe →
Namibia
The red dunes of Sossusvlei, Etosha and the Skeleton Coast.
Explore Namibia →Best time to visit Southern Africa
Dry season — superb game viewing as wildlife gathers at the water.
Green season — dramatic skies, newborn wildlife and the Cape summer.
In the green months rates ease at many of these camps, the plains empty of vehicles and the light turns dramatic. What each season gives, and what it trades, is set out in our Safari Planning Guide.
Planning & cost
Fully tailor-made — priced privately to your camps, season and travel style. No fixed packages.
Every journey is privately designed, with private guides and vehicles arranged where specified, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout. At fly-in camps, game drives may be shared unless a private vehicle is reserved.
Everything else,
answered before you ask
The practical details that apply to every safari we plan — so this page is the only one you need.
US dollars and cards cover nearly everything, and tips are the only real cash need — exact amounts and etiquette are in our Safari Planning Guide.
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for routine shots and malaria advice (most safari regions require prophylaxis; parts of South Africa are malaria-free). Camps are remote but professionally run, with radio contact and evacuation cover — we require travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Connected in camp, gloriously offline on the drives — the full connectivity picture is in our Safari Planning Guide.
Soft duffel bags only (light aircraft cap luggage around 33 lb / 15 kg), neutral-colored layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, and binoculars. Laundry is included at almost every camp, so pack for 4–5 days no matter the trip length.
Full packing list →Continue exploring
Eastern Africa
An Eastern Africa safari spans the Great Migration, mountain gorillas and the spice islands of Zanzibar.
Explore → RegionBeaches & Islands
Africa’s beaches and islands — powder-white sand and turquoise water to end your safari.
Explore → ExperienceVictoria Falls
The largest sheet of falling water on earth — a natural wonder.
Explore →Southern Africa FAQs
Let's design your Southern Africa journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and start with a complimentary consultation. When you are ready, a $500 USD planning fee covers your personalized itinerary and revisions, and is deducted from your booking deposit when you book.
Inquire now