Southern Africa Bush and Beach

A highlight on any Southern Africa trip, seeing Vic Falls in all its pounding, dramatic, mesmerising glory is unforgettable – and there is plenty to keep you busy in the area. Firstly, we recommend a walk (guided or unguided) to get a feel for the sheer enormity of the waterfall, before taking to the skies and marvelling from above in either a helicopter or a microlight. Both offer incredible views and big, bucket-list ticks.

To really get the adrenalin going, there’s a selection of daredevil activities to choose from – bungee jumping, gorge swinging, white water rafting and trips to the iconic Devil’s Pool spring to mind – but if something more sedate is on the cards, there are languid boat trips on the Zambezi, sundowner cruises and wonderful afternoon teas to enjoy.

If safari is on your mind, there are a couple of options to choose from. Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers good game viewing of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra (sadly no big cats) as well as fantastic rhino tracking opportunities and walking safaris. Otherwise, take a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for the Big Five and river cruises to see the hundreds of elephant the park is rightly famous for.

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.

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.