Departures

Discover wild landscapes galore on the best southern Africa trips

The southern tip of Africa is more diverse than many give it credit for: a spectacular blend of game-spotting safaris, echoes of ancient cultures and myriad landscapes ranging from widescreen dusty plains to thundering waterfalls. You’re certainly not short of options, and tour operators have greatly expanded their portfolios in recent years to reflect that. In short, they’re your wild key to seeing the very best this slice of the continent has to offer...

1. Zambia, Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe

Frame landscapes across four countries

Tuck into slices of a southern Africa pie on Cox and Kings’ Four Countries Safari. Spot hippos on a cruise along the Zambezi to Impalila Island, see herds of elephants in Chobe National Park and rub shoulders with Motswana tribal members. Encounter lions among the lush grasslands of Hwange NP before a final glimpse of the misty Victoria Falls. Who: Cox and Kings (020 3813 9340; coxandkings.co.uk) When: Year round How long: 12 days How much: From £4,475 (incl flights)

2. South Africa

See one of wildlife’s great spectacles off South Africa’s eastern coast on Dive

Worldwide’s Sardine Run Adventure. Each June, sardines track the cold winter currents past the Kwazulu-natal coast as they make their way deep into the Indian Ocean. Spend your days diving and snorkelling among the swarms and glimpsing the predators they inevitably draw, including orcas, humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins. Who: Dive Worldwide (01962 302087; diveworldwide.com) When: June–july How long: 10 days How much: From £2,545 (incl flights)

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3. Mozambique, South Africa & Swaziland

Go wild in a trio of countries

Seamlessly mix nature and urban delights on G Adventures’ Mozambique, Kruger & Swazi Discoverer trip to wildliferich parks in Swaziland and Mozambique before circling back to South Africa for the magnificent mammals of Kruger NP. Who: G Adventures (0344 2722040; gadventures.co.uk) When: Selected dates Jun–nov 2018; Feb-nov 2019 How long: 13 days How much: From £1,699 (excl flights)

4. Botswana & Zimbabwe

See two icons for the price of one

Bookend your adventure with a pair of African wonders on Jules Verne’s Victoria Falls to the Okavango tour. Feel the force of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, see lions in Botswana’s Chobe National Park and finish on the Okavango Delta. Who: Jules Verne (020 3733 9566; vjv.com) When: Selected departures Mar–apr, Jun–jul & Sep–dec 2018 How long: 12 days How much: From £3,695 (incl flights)

5. Swaziland & South Africa

Safari by foot or 4x4

Tread the wilds on Mountain Kingdoms’ Swaziland, Kruger & Wild Pafuri Walking Safari trip, fording the Malolotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland and South Africa’s Kruger NP, tackling its remote northern tip (Pafuri) on two feet and four wheels. Who: Mountain Kingdoms (01453 844400; mountainkingdoms.com) When: 11 Jun & 18 Aug 2018 How long: 14 days How much: From £3,420 (incl flights)

6. Zimbabwe, South Africa & Botswana

All aboard the Pride of Africa!

Hop on Titan Travel’s Tracks of Africa tour to see South Africa’s best bits from the comfort of a train. From Port Elizabeth, trace the coast to Cape Town and board the Pride of Africa to Pretoria before visiting Chobe NP and Victoria Falls. Who: Titan Travel (0808 115 5924; titantravel.co.uk) When: Selected dates 2018–2019 How long: 17 days How much: From £4,999 (excl flights)

7. Namibia

A road trip for all the family

See epic landscapes and wildlife that’ll wow both children and adults on Families Worldwide’s Cheetahs & Dunes trip. Drive the Skeleton Coast, cruise among dolphins at Walvis Bay and grin at lions, rhinos and elephants in Etosha NP. Who: Families Worldwide (01962 302062; familiesworldwide.co.uk) When: Selected dates Mar, Jun–aug, Oct & Dec 2018; Feb 2019 How long: 13 days How much: From £2,449/£1,625 (adult/child; incl flights)

8. South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland & Zimbabwe

Cross four wild borders on four wheels

Soak up epic landscapes as you wheel across four countries on Oasis Overland’s Cape Town to Victoria Falls Southern Explorer trip. Highlights include spying whales off South Africa and spotting the big five in Zimbabwe’s Hwange NP. Who: Oasis Overland (01963 530113; oasisoverland.co.uk) When: Selected dates Oct 2018–Mar 2019; May, Jul–nov 2019 How long: 35 days How much: From £1,685 (plus US$990/£715 kitty; excl flights)

9. Namibia

Camp out across the country

Join ATI Holidays on its Best of Namibia Luxury Self-drive tour for an incredible wildlife experience. Track cheetahs, watch rhinos at a waterhole and camp near desert elephants before ending with a hot air balloon ride over the dunes. Who: ATI Holidays (0808 234 9378; ati-holidays.com) When: Year round How long: 16 days How much: From £4,055 (excl flights)

MORE ONLINE Have these amazing wild Africa escapes got you thinking? Want to see more top trip options? Then go to wanderlust.co.uk/184