Lions & lemurs: a journey through South Africa & Madagascar

One of the continent’s most famous wildlife watching areas, the Kruger National Park and its surrounding private reserves need little introduction! Filled to bursting with an abundance of wildlife, the Big Five are all present and correct and the chances of seeing cats are excellent. Many come to Kruger to see the secretive leopard with a good success rate, and white rhino also feature high on the elusive species list. In the northern, remote areas, the birding is fantastic, and they are your best bet for a back-to-nature walking safari (although walks are also available in other areas too).

All in all, an iconic safari destination that you will remember forever.

In many ways, Johannesburg is the beating heart of South Africa. It’s the city that welcomes most international visitors and overflows with art, history and the signature ‘Mzansi’ atmosphere. For some, a luxury hotel may be all you see of Joburg before jetting off to your next stop on the continent, but there’s so much to discover if you have the time.

Rewind about 7 million years at the Cradle of Humankind, where some of the earliest hominid remains have been unearthed, and learn about the tumultuous period of history before South Africa became a democracy at the Apartheid Museum, Freedom Square in Soweto, and the unassuming building that was once the home of Nelson Mandela. Then, get under the skin of Joburg’s art scene with a walking tour of its street art or galleries. All of this can be done with a private guide or see where the hop-on, hop-off bus takes you.

On an island where curious, endemic wildlife and surreal scenery is the norm, Andasibe is one of the most spectacular destinations in Madagascar. Alongside its namesake national park, there are a number of other reserves, which you can explore on hikes, horseback rides and pirogue trips along quiet waterways. The really adventurous can even discover the unique nocturnal wildlife! Andasibe is home to 13 lemur species and there’s no better place to see these characterful creatures in the wild, especiall the largest lemur on Earth - the indri. The region is saturated with kaleidascopic flora, butterflies and chameleons, from the Jurassic Parson’s chameleon to ones the size of your thumbnail.

Sprawled across the hills, Madagascar’s capital city is packed with history, which is best discovered on foot. Highlights include the Cathedrale Catholique d’Andohalo, the ruins of the Rova palace complex (once home to the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar) or its recovered artifacts in the Musee Andafiavaratra, and learn about Madagascar’s many tribes at the Musée de l’Art et de Archéologie. Head a little out of the city to marvel at the World Heritage Site of Ambohimanga, sacred grounds with incredibly-preserved royal residences and graves. Get a sense of modern-day Madagascar at the lively Analakely Market and pick up hand-made souvenirs at La Digue Market, learn to make chocolate the Madagascan way and satisfy your taste buds at one of Antanarivo’s fabulous restaurants.