2017 saw us sending travellers to far-flung corners of Africa on some truly spectacular trips, designed and created by guests themselves. But which was the most popular camp? Where did the most intrepid of travellers end up, and which destination was everyone clamouring to get to? Read on to find out what we (and our guests!) got up to in 2017…
Most popular country
Namibia
2017 was the year that proved there really is something about Namibia, and more people than ever designed trips to the spectacular country. We had once-in-a-lifetime safaris, complete with hot air balloon floats above the apricot-coloured dunes of Sossusvlei, wildlife-watching extravaganzas in Etosha and cultural encounters in Damaraland. And if our recent enquiries are anything to go by, Namibia looks set to be just as popular in 2018…
Most off-the-beaten-track trip
Larry and Dunya do Zambia
5 nights in South Luangwa National Park & Luambe National Park
In August 2017, Larry and Dunya set off for Zambia for their first safari outside South Africa – and there was a little something different in store too… They settled in to the safari way of life at Flatdogs Camp in the iconic South Luangwa, where wildlife-filled game drives and all-day picnics were the name of the game. Then, it was off to Zambia’s hidden gem, Luambe National Park, for a couple of nights at the only camp in the pristine wilderness – Luambe Camp. As well as fabulous walking safaris, we heard rumours of wild dog, herds of elephant crossing the river, and lion prides complete with teeny-tiny cubs. What an introduction to Zambia!
Follow in Larry and Dunya’s footsteps here.
Most epic experience
Skeleton Coast Flying Safari
Namibia
We like to think that most of our experiences are of the epic variety, but there’s a few that get us really excited. In March 2017, Michael designed his trip to Namibia and, much to our delight, included a flying safari with the legendary Schoeman brothers at Namibia’s hauntingly-beautiful Skeleton Coast. As well as flying low over the mist-enshrouded beaches and dunes in a tiny Cessna, there’s also the opportunity to hop in a Landrover and do some wildlife-watching from four wheels.
Discover more about our epic Skeleton Coast flying safaris here.
Most popular route
Emily and Dan’s Botswana Adventure
Botswana & Vic Falls
Botswana is one of those classic safari destinations that never fails to inspire – and a stop at the spectacular Victoria Falls simply adds to the excitement. At the beginning of 2017, Emily and Dan began designing their honeymoon to the safari hotspot, and their awesome trip to Bots and Vic Falls turned in to one of our most popular routes of the year! They took in all the highlights of the Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta and Chobe, and chose a variety of different camps to match their style and make the most of the activities on offer. Two nights in Zimbabwe at our favourite waterfall made sure the trip ended with a bang – or should that be a splash?!
Check out Emily and Dan’s Botswana safari, and start designing your own today.
Our favourite South Africa trip
Rhys and Pandora Hit South Africa
7 nights in Cape Town, Paternoster & Cederberg
We promise we’re not biased (well, maybe a little bit!), but we love a good South Africa trip. In February 2017, Rhys and Pandora flew over from a wintery London and straight into South Africa’s sunshine-strewn Western Cape. After a few days of beach-hopping in Cape Town, they chose to head to the pretty fishing village of Paternoster for sunset beach walks and long, lazy lunches. Then it was off to the rock-strewn landscapes of the Cederberg, before ending with a few days of fine wine and even finer food in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. Now that’s the way to see the Cape…
Discover the Western Cape using Rhys and Pandora’s trip as a starting point.
Longest trip
Jennifer & Scott’s multi-country adventure
15 nights in Cape Town, Tanzania & Pemba
If you’ve got a little time to spare, how about a multi-week, multi-country expedition with a taster of (almost) everything Africa has to offer? If that sounds up your street, look no further than Jennifer & Scott’s African odyssey for some serious travel inspiration. They eased into the continent with an exploration of Cape Town to take in the sights and sounds of our handsome city, before zooming off to see the Big Five in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti brought a few more days of wildlife-watching, and then it was time to hit the sandy shores of Pemba Island for some much-needed R&R – and a little scuba diving!
Create your multi-country adventure here.
Most popular safari camp
Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp
Tanzania
In 2017, our trips weren’t just about luxury hotels. Our intrepid guests designed safaris with cross-country train journeys and sleek game lodges, off-the-beaten-track boltholes and grand private houses. But our most popular camp of 2017 was an authentic mobile camp in the heart of the Serengeti, Kati Kati Tented Camp. Simple and functional (and a good bit stylish too!), the focus at Kati Kati is on top-class wildlife encounters and fabulous game viewing in two of the Serengeti’s best locations – and it won’t cost you an arm and leg either.
Start designing your Serengeti safari here – and include a couple of nights at Kati Kati too!
Most adventurous trip
Jessica and Josh’s Trip to the DRC
11 nights in Rwanda & DRC
We were green with envy when Jessica and Josh began designing their trip to Rwanda and the DRC – and even more so when the time came to travel. They kicked off their safari of a lifetime with chimpanzee trekking and canopy walks in Rwanda’s primate-rich Nyungwe forest. Next up was a night on the shores of the stunning Lake Kivu, before a quick hop across the border to the DRC’s Virunga National Park, for some of the most incredible gorilla trekking on the continent. An adventure to say the least!
Design your adventurous trip for 2018 now!
