From Whales to Waterways - A Safari Across South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe

There is something truly special about taking guests on a journey that links some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. From dramatic coastlines and flooded delta channels to the thundering majesty of Victoria Falls, this recent hosted safari was a perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and raw wilderness. I couldn’t have asked for better sightings or a more enthusiastic group to share them with.

The Journey Begins: Cape Winelands
We started in the Cape Winelands, where the crisp air and bold flavours set the tone for what was to come. At Tokara, we enjoyed award-winning wines with views over Stellenbosch Valley. Later, we savoured a memorable meal at Babel, Babylonstoren, where fresh garden produce, artful plating, and warm service made every bite a delight. It was the perfect sensory start to the adventure.

Above: Chilly Cape Town weather could not prevent us from having a "whale of a time"

Singita Sojourn: Pangolin Magic
After our time in the Cape, we parted ways briefly so our guests could enjoy the warm hospitality at Singita Lebombo and Boulders Lodge. During that time, one of the rarest and most magical sightings happened. Lawrence Mkansi, my trusted tracker and dear friend, managed to track down a super elusive pangolin in broad daylight. Witnessing this shy, usually nocturnal creature in the wild was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Into the Wild: The Okavango Delta – Kwetsani Camp

Above: Red Lechwe running through the Delta

We reunited in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where floodwaters were the highest I have seen in years. We reached Kwetsani Camp by speedboat, gliding through mirrored channels lined with papyrus. The camp was surrounded by water and shared with a pride of lions that made themselves at home.

Game viewing was extraordinary. Red Lechwe splashed through the flooded plains, and lions moved silently through camp. One evening, as we sat around the firepit in the unfenced camp, two lions reunited just a few metres away. They greeted each other with deep rumbles and gentle nuzzles. It was an intimate and powerful moment I will never forget.

We also explored by boat, passing between herds of elephants as they waded through the channels. On Hundu Island, we were lucky enough to spot an African wild dog. Elusive and always on the move, it gave us a thrilling glimpse before disappearing into the bush.

Linyanti Magic: Duma Tau
From the Delta, we travelled to Duma Tau in Linyanti. The camp is set on a wide channel where elephants wade and swim, visible right from our rooms. One morning brought great laughter as a group of young lions clumsily climbed into a fallen mopane tree. We held our breath, expecting the tree to give way, but it stood strong.

Above: The branch manager.

Our last evening at Duma Tau gifted us one of the most memorable sightings of the trip. A female leopard and her two sub-adult cubs rested elegantly in the branches of a sprawling tree. The mother’s blue-green eyes met mine, soulful and wild. It was a moment of pure magic.

Victoria Falls: The Grand Finale
We ended our journey in Zimbabwe at The Palm River Hotel, perfectly situated on the banks of the Zambezi River. The Falls were in full flood, thunderous and misty, drenching us with their spray. We also experienced a bird’s-eye view from a helicopter flight above the roaring water. The scale and power of the falls left us breathless.

Final Reflections
This trip was a tapestry of moments that stirred every sense. The scent of wild sage, the deep roar of lions at night, the silky tannins of a well-aged wine, the shimmer of floodwaters under the sun, and the mist of Victoria Falls on our skin. From one extraordinary landscape to the next, we shared laughter, awe, and that indescribable connection to Africa.

Until the next adventure