Activities and special interests...

We appreciate that everyone has their own individual interests, and to get the most out of a safari holiday, you should focus on what appeals to you. Whether you are an avid birdwatcher, have a passion for big cats, or are wanting a 4x4 driving experience, we will arrange your itinerary to best suit your tastes and requirements. We know the best places for certain species - and although sightings of any wildlife are never guaranteed on a safari - we will do our best to maximise your chances.

Of course, southern Africa is not just about the wildlife. The solitude of the wilderness is what captivates many people. Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans and Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Namibia’s Skeleton Coast leave impressions that last for a lifetime. We can arrange a whole host of activities as part of your trip - from mokoro trips and sunset boat cruises, to walking trails and hot air balloon flights. There are also many fascinating and authentic cultural activities you can partake in.

See below for a brief guide to what is available (we have focused on Botswana but we can also book activities in Namibia and Zambia too.

Mokoro trips

The mokoro is synonymous with Botswana’s Okavango Delta - a traditional dug-out canoe made from a large straight tree (although fibreglass is used frequently to conserve these diminishing resources). The mokoro is pushed along by means of a wooden pole, allowing you to move silently through the shallow waters in total tranquility. Mokoro trips of varying lengths can be arranged - from a couple of hours, a full day trip, an overnight catered camping trip, or the ultimate delta experience - a three day mokoro trail, camping on pristine islands in the delta.

Makgadikgadi Pan trips

The Makgadikgadi Pans are an incredible expanse of salt flats - only accessible in the dry season. The best way of experiencing the pans is a sleepout under the stars, on an overnight trip (there are no dangerous wild animals in the pans themselves). This is done on quads, on specially marked quad bike tracks, so as not to cause damage to the fragile pan surface. Also possible is a longer quad bike excursion to Lekhubu Island, and an overnight trip (without quads) to Nxai Xini Pan - part of the Makgadikgadi but in the north - where you sleep out by a waterhole.

Godikwe Island (Moremi)

A popular option from Moremi Game Reserve is to camp at one of the wilderness island campsites. These catered trips depart from Mboma boat station, taking you by boat along the reed lined waterways and open lagoons of the delta, to a mobile camp on Godikwe island, set up in advance with bedded dome tents. Bucket showers and field toilets are provided. The boat and guide stay with you at all times. An evening meal is cooked around an open fire, prepared for you after your return from a game viewing boat trip in the late afternoon.

Botswana

Sunset boat cruises

The sunset boat cruise along the Chobe riverfront is very special, especially for the first time visitor. These commence around at 3pm and last until sunset. Apart from sights such as elephant crossing the river, and hippos yawning, the birdlife is prolific and photographic opportunities abound. Also possible are similar trips in the Okavango.

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Cultural activities

A range of cultural activities are possible in Botswana, although self-driving affords you the opportunity to genuinely experience aspects of Botswana culture yourself. The most popular activity is the San (bushman) experience, and there are some very good authentic guided trips available, where you can experience the traditional San way of life.

Scenic flights

Seeing the Okavango Delta from the air gives you a measure of the size of this world heritage site. Scenic flights are an option from Maun, and generally last for an hour, although if your itinerary includes a fly-in trip to a lodge in the delta, you will experience this anyway. The best time is late afternoon, when the light is best for photography.

Other activities

Walking safaris (Okavango Delta and Tuli areas), horseback safaris (Okavango Delta - previous horseriding experience preferred), night drives (not allowed in the parks and reserves), traditional cattlepost and homestead visits, and historical tours.

Namibia

Activities in Namibia focus on 4x4 eco-trails, and Swakopmund offers a whole host of ‘adventure’ activities on the nearby dunes - sand boarding, quad biking and paragliding. The Caprivi area offers similar water based activities to Botswana, and cultural visits to traditional Himba villages are arranged in Kaokoland. A highlight of a visit to the famous Sossusvlei dunes is a balloon trip, starting at sunrise - a very special experience.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls has the widest range of activities - ranging from game viewing and sight seeing to pure adrenaline seeking. Boat and canoe trips on the Zambezi River focus on wildlife viewing, where white water rafting trips in the gorge below the falls are for those with a true sense of adventure. Microlight and helicopter flights give you the opportunity to see the falls from the air.