Best of Southern Africa—Custom Safari

Cosmopolitan Johannesburg is the jumping-off point for this grand adventure through Southern Africa's most wildlife-rich regions. Upon arrival, you are met and taken to your hotel. This city of 3.6 million is a vibrant mélange of colors and cultures. Food and music are central to life in "Joburg," and its clubs and pubs are an integral part of the social fabric.

Today, fly from Johannesburg to Skukuza Airport, adjacent to the world-famous Sabi Sand Reserve. Sabi Sand is one of the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife locales. This private 150,000-acre reserve shares a border with Kruger National Park and is named for the two rivers that flow through it. Renowned for its excellent “Big Five” viewing—the elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and abundant leopard, which were once favorite hunting targets—Sabi Sand has led the way in bringing them back. Enjoy morning, afternoon and evening wildlife drives, seeking out big mammals, birds and nocturnal wildlife. Guided bush walks are also available on request. Each evening, enjoy the classic African tradition of sundowner refreshments in the bush before returning to camp for a sumptuous dinner.

Transfer by road this morning to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and fly on to Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls. The spray from the falls, visible for miles, is your first indicator of its presence. It’s easy to see why the falls are called Mosi-oa-Tunya—"the smoke that thunders"—by the local people. The roar of the cataract follows, as the Zambezi River plunges 350 feet over a basalt cliff into the gorge below. View Victoria Falls on rain forest trails, from the famous bridge, or via an exhilarating helicopter or ultralight flight—activities abound in Livingstone, including whitewater rafting, canoeing and sunset cruises, all subject to extra cost and availability.

Fly from Livingstone to the private Linyanti Reserve in Botswana today, with one stop en route to clear customs and immigration. The Linyanti and Selinda Spillway in northern Botswana are noted for their shifting landscapes, from riverine vegetation to dry pans, from woodlands to plains. Perennial water attracts great herds of animals that come to slake their thirst during the dry season. Large prides of lion and other predators steal behind, making for exciting wildlife viewing. Previously dry for 30 years, the Savuti Channel began flowing periodically once again, at times becoming a hippo-filled stream. Elephant, zebra and giraffe are also abundant. Twice-daily wildlife drives that linger into the evening are customary, and walks can sometimes be arranged on advance request.

A scenic, low flight conveys you into the wetlands of the Okavango Delta today. Where the Okavango River meets the Kalahari Desert, a green oasis sprawls amid the sands and parched savanna. The maze of channels sustains a profusion of wildlife in permanently flooded lagoons and on land. Explore the marsh by poled mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, and wildlife drives on higher ground. Islands and wetlands are home to prolific birdlife, hippo and red lechwe, a rare water-adapted antelope, while elephant, lion, leopard, zebra and giraffe thrive beyond the water’s reach. Safari-goers typically awaken early in the morning and enjoy the best hours of wildlife viewing before a hearty brunch and siesta, followed by an afternoon wildlife drive that may last until early twilight. Exact wildlife sightings and activities vary by camp, which your Adventure Specialist can help you to select.

After breakfast, fly to Maun today, where you will connect with your departing flight.

Click here to view the seasonal variations of weather and wildlife viewing in Botswana.