Kruger, Namibia & Cape

Set to the northeast of South Africa, Johannesburg is the great commercial heart of the country and the main transport hub, a sprawling mess of a place, scarred through its heart by the gold mines. It is not somewhere safari travellers tend to linger too long, although the Cradle of Mankind may be worth a visit.

Set in South Africa, Kruger Park North is the more remote sector of this vast reserve, with bigger scenery, lower wildlife densities, much lower vehicle traffic, great hiking and cultural activities and a handful of good quality lodges on large private concessions.

Set in the northeast of South Africa, Timbavati is a very strong private safari reserve to the west of Kruger National Park, containing a full range of safari wildlife and hosting a very strong range of relatively well-priced lodges.

Windhoek is the capital of Namibia and the location of the main international airport, so most visitors pass through here at least once in their trip. It is usually possible to connect through without having to overnight, but actually it is a rather relaxed and pleasant place to break a journey.

Set in the southwest of Namibia, Sossusvlei is home to the enormous and iconic orange dunes of the Namib Desert, a truly remarkable combination of desert landscapes. Guest accommodation is in around twenty lodges of various levels, offering a good range of activities including quad-biking, ballooning and scenic flights.

Swakopmund is the main town on the Namibia Coast, a bizarre Germanic outpost, atmospheric and strangely appealing. Guest accommodation is in around twenty diverse hotels, offering a wide range of marine and active experiences.

Set in the west of Namibia, Twyfelfontein is the best known and most frequently visited area in the country for desert elephants and rock-art, plus some superb hiking and geology. Guest accommodation is in half a dozen decent lodges.

Etosha South is an area of very popular private reserves clustered outside the South Gate of the main park, containing a selection of reasonably good quality camps which provide a more peaceful bush environment from which to raid into the park for wildlife viewing.

Etosha East is an area of private reserves clustered outside the East Gate of the main park, containing a selection of reasonably good quality camps which provide a more peaceful bush environment from which to raid into the park for wildlife viewing.

Set on the south bank of the Kavango River in the northeast of Namibia, Rundu is a pleasant little town which can serve as a reasonable place to overnight on the long drive up the Caprivi. Maybe even be worth two nights in a slower paced trip.

Set in the extreme northeast of Namibia, Mudumu and Mamili are two small wildlife reserves which are able to offer Botswana style safari at a fraction of the price. Guest accommodation is in a handful of decent lodges, offering a good range of wet and dry safari activities.

Set in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, across the river from Zambia, Victoria Falls is one of the most alluring locations in Africa, surprisingly pleasant and undeveloped, with guest accommodation in around 20 diverse hotels and lodges, offering a very wide range of safari, cultural and adrenaline-based activities.

Set just 130 km south of Victoria Falls, Hwange is the most popular wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe, renowned for the quality of its safari guiding, rich and varied wildlife, authentic walking safari and superb hides, with guest accommodation in around 25 largely earthy and authentic lodges and camps.