A family escape in South Africa & Mauritius

An easy hour’s flight from Johannesburg, you won’t waste a moment before setting off in search of Madikwe’s wildlife. The 75,000-hectare reserve encompasses a variety of habitats, from red desert sands to woodlands, making for exceptional biodiversity and incredibly photogenic scenery.

On game drives (offered twice daily), keep your eyes peeled for sable, oryx and over 300 species of birdlife, and Madikwe’s ‘Super Seven’: cheetah, lion, elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard and African painted dog - it’s one of the best places to see them on the hunt.

To get a closer look at the landscape, explore on foot with an expert guide who will reveal tiny, often overlooked details of the bush. Many lodges are located along the river’s edge with fantastic hides and activities, while some offer night drives for tracking down bat-eared fox, aardwolf and brown hyena.

A striking and scenic corner of South Africa, the rugged wilderness areas of the Waterberg set the scene for a wonderfully low-key safari. Up here, there are relatively few other people, and the game viewing and lodges are exclusive and peaceful. There’s no rushing around either; instead, days are filled with slow but fruitful game drives (morning, afternoon and in some places, evening), leisurely boat trips, horseback safaris and walks, all providing a different perspective on the wildlife and landscapes. At the end of the day, a sundowner surrounded by the ever-changing mountain scenery is the ultimate cherry on top.

Wildlife-wise, the Big Five are all present, but the cats can be elusive. There is, however, an excellent population of both black and white rhino, and wild dogs are present in some parks (Madikwe is a good example), but not all. There is plenty of plains game around and the variety of habitats results in several different antelope species including tsessebe, eland and gemsbok, usually only found in much drier northern areas. Off-road driving also aids in the search for wildlife.

Mauritius is the quintessential Indian Ocean escape, ringed by blonde beaches and at its centre, a blend of stunning rainforests, mountains and waterfalls.

There’s no end to the aquatic activities on offer, including kayaking, paddleboarding, kite and windsurfing, water skiing and parasailing. Head out to deeper waters for a fishing excursion, as well as the chance to spot a variety of whales (year round) and migrating humpbacks (between July and November). Boat across a tranquil lagoon with the hopes of seeing a pod of Spinner or Bottlenose dolphins - and then jump in and wait for them to circle you curiously.

With up to 50 metres of visibility on the south coast, Mauritius is ideal for snorkelling and diving (day or night), where you might see moray eels, sea turtles and lion fish amongst incredible coral formations. For more experienced divers, the west coast is famous for its drifts and the northeast is lined with shipwrecks.

Back on shore, enjoy horseback rides into the mountains or along the beach, explore the mangroves and stop for a sunny picnic, or cycle down lanes of sugarcane.