Southern African Safari Circuit

Arriving at Johannesburg International Airport, the couple was met by a VIP agent for assistance through immigration, baggage collection and with their transfer to their hotel.

Day two took the pair to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Arriving at Livingstone International Airport, they made their way through the arrivals hall to meet their local representative for their transfer to Royal Chundu Lodge. En route to the lodge, Sarah and Dean took in a guided walking tour of the falls, taking in the immense 1.5km wide curtain of water cascading 111 metres into the Batoka gorge, which is surrounded by a luscious rainforest. After lunch the couple was transferred by boat to the Katombora Island, wrapped in the watery embrace of the Zambezi. With only four spacious villas on the island, Royal Chundu’s Island Lodge illuminates tranquillity, exclusivity and privacy. In the afternoon the couple took in a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. With plenty of drinks and snacks and 15km of private river to explore, the pair could watch the sun go down, spot crocodiles slipping off the banks and listen to the snorting hippos, while attempting to spy the area’s shier creatures like baboon, impala, warthog and buffalo. Day three was dedicated to enjoying one of the inhouse activities at the lodge and breakfast before departing via helicopter to the hub of Livingstone, where they headed to Livingstone Island. Their guides shared the incredible history of the island as Sarah and Dean followed the footsteps of Dr David Livingstone all the way to the edge of the waterfall.

Days four to eight were dedicated to visiting the glorious Okavango Delta via road, boat and plane transfers. On arrival at the airstrip, the couple was met by their ranger team to be transferred to the &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp for daily adventures and safari experiences. Ideally positioned to explore the magnificence of the Okavango, the camp is known for its elegant tented accommodation, which boasts breath-taking views of the ever-changing Delta. Blending skilfully with the environment, nine exclusive tented suites set on raised wooden platforms are tucked beneath a canopy of ebony trees. A visit to the Delta isn’t complete without a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) ride, which allowed Sarah and Dean to explore the delicate details of the glistening waterways, where iridescent dragonflies, frogs of every colour and jewel-like kingfishers live in the papyrus-lined banks. After three nights, the pair were transferred to the airstrip for their scheduled charter flight to Sandibe Okavango. Inspired by one of the Okavango Delta’s most secretive inhabitants, the guest areas of &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge rise out of the trees clad in a wooden skin of shingles and timber that mirrors the pangolin’s body armour of overlapping scales. Organic and handmade, the lodge blends perfectly with its surroundings, becoming one with the Delta itself.

From safari to city, the couple’s next stop was Cape Town. Staying at a hotel located within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront, the pair had easy access to some of the city’s most alluring attractions, restaurants and shops. The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art was located across the road, while the couple had pre-booked a vegan tasting menu dinner at the in-house restaurant at the famous Cape Grace Hotel. A full-day guided tour of the Cape Peninsula followed, where all the region’s top spots were checked off, including all the local gems along the False Bay coastline, past the navy town Simonstown to Boulders Beach where they could view the resident Penguin colony. Day 11 featured a Table Mountain and Cape Winelands tour. A local guide met Sarah and Dean for a full-day private tour of Table Mountain by aerial cable way, then the Cape Winelands. From olive oil, cheese, chocolate and bubbly tasting, the tour included a visit to the Babylonstoren Garden where they could pick some fruits in season and spend time in this very unique veggie/herb garden before a sumptuous lunch at Babel. That evening and the following day, the couple opted for a leisure day where they could wander through Cape Town taking in the local cultural, shopping, architectural and museum attractions, or Uber to other Cape Town highlights further away, such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

With an African city break under their belts, the couple headed to Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve for three nights at the luxury, five-star Londolozi Tree Camp for a winter safari experience. The natural rhythm of each day included sunrise game drives, brunch, bush walks, village experiences and massages, followed by high tea and sunset game drives before delicious dinners. Londolozi Tree Camp shares unfenced borders with the world-famous Kruger National Park. Raised on stilts, the camp is suspended in the trees on a prime site overlooking the Sand River. The camp’s six private suites are reached by elevated walkways and boast king size beds with mosquito nets, air-conditioning, private lounge areas, private decks with plunge pools and spacious bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers. Built high off the ground, the main lodge areas feature plush lounges, a bar and restaurant, as well as a large deck and swimming pool.

Sarah and Dean enjoyed a final morning safari before their transfer to the airstrip for their scheduled charter flight to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, then OR Tambo International Airport. On arrival in Johannesburg they were met and assisted to International Departures and the check-in counter for their final journey home.