Experiences

Bucket List

Wild places to explore

There are few left on earth: places without fences, where the rhythm of nature sets the beat. Where souls are renewed, discoveries are made, and beauty surrounds you. It’s one million wildebeest on the run, thousands of quelea flocking, hundreds of hippo wallowing and prides of lion stalking prey – these are the places we seek to share with you, and we know just where to find them.

BUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS

Our ‘not to be missed’ recommendations for your holiday

Rwanda Gorilla safari

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda makes an excellent add-on to a Tanzanian or Kenyan safari, as the brief trek is easy to fit into a full itinerary. A gorilla visit can entail anything from an hour to several hours trekking through the forest, led by experienced trackers, ending with one full hour observing these incredible animals. The trek will lead you from quaint farmlands through the dense rainforests of the Parcs de Volcans – Rwanda is considered the ‘Switzerland of Africa’ for its breathtaking mountainous landscapes.

You may spot golden monkeys or see buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of birdlife. The high point, of course, will be spending an hour with these gentle giants as they go about their daily life – feeding, playing, resting and caring for their young. The rest of the time can be spent on a Golden Monkey trek or simply enjoying the surrounding vistas. We also recommend a visit to the impressive and moving Genocide Museum in Kigali.

Gorilla trekking: one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth.

Great Migration safari

Designed during the peak river crossing season, the Great Migration safari flanks the border of the Maasai Mara (Kenya) and Serengeti (Tanzania) with its eye on the prize: to catch a crossing. You will see all sorts of other wildlife as well, but we will spend days on either side of the river just waiting for the wildebeests to leap in the river below in this dramatic seasonal event.

From mid-July to October, the migration is usually concentrated in the northern part of the Serengeti where the wildebeest accumulate in the Mara River area, and then on the opposite side, in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Depending on what time you will visit, we will suggest what camps will be ideally positioned to take advantage of this spectacle.

Follow the path of the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania.

Livingstone, Vic Falls

Known as the gateway to the Zambian side of the magnificent Victoria Falls, and named after the Scottish explorer David Livingstone, this mid-sized town still possesses a distinctly colonial feel with lovely architecture and character. The main appeal here is the Falls, the Zambezi River, and the host of adrenaline-pumping activities that have earned it the title of the continent’s ‘Adventure Capital’.

A stay in Livingstone enables you to visit both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides of the Falls easily, as it’s simply a quick day trip across the border. A highlight of the Zambian side, however, is the walk along the Fall’s precipice to the Devil’s Pool in dry season. After a short swim across the river, you’ll reach the pool where you can sit comfortably (albeit fearlessly!) and enjoy the views.

More things to do and see

Experiences for your bucket list holiday
EXPLORE THE OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

Covering 15,000 square km of water channels, islands and lagoons, the Okavango Delta is one of the most incredible wilderness sanctuaries in Africa. Each year, floodwaters from its northwestern neighbor Angola (more than 1,000km away) flows into the Delta and form this incredible wetland paradise within a desert; a truly unique and pristine ecosystem. The dynamic flood levels attract a great variety of flora and fauna; providing excellent game viewing year round. The Delta is home to large numbers of wildlife; from predators like lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog to amazing birdlife such as the rare wattled crane to ungulates seen infrequently like sitatunga. Mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions offer an authentic, unobtrusive way to experience this wondrous wetland.

VISIT CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Flanked by Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town’s natural beauty has made it a top choice destination in recent years. With pristine white sand beaches and a network of trails through vast mountains, adventurous types can enjoy a wide array of activities in nature.

Affectionately named the ‘Mother City’ in the 1930s for one traveler’s opinion that it was “the only city in Africa capable of calling itself a metropolis,” Cape Town still embodies many aspects of European culture and lifestyle. Offering a range of hip eateries and stylish shops, Western travelers never feel far from home.

CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA

Spectacular Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa – its peak at 5,895 metres. Towering over the plains of Tanzania and Kenya, it is considered the highest ‘walkable’ mountain in the world – the ultimate adventure for climbers in Africa.

Enjoy some physical rigour before or after a leisurely safari. And climb on a less crowded route with very competent guides. We offer mainly customized, private climbs, but if you are looking for group climbs, we offer these departing on fixed dates. For details on routes and other climbs please contact us for more information.

EXPERIENCE NAMIBIA'S SOSSUSVLEI

Its red dunes, white salt pan and Deadvlei make Sossusvlei one of Namibia’s most spectacular landmarks. Located in the southern part of the ancient Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by iconic high red dunes.

"A wonderful experience planning and organizing our Bucket List trip to Africa"

CATHY W. (USA), TRAVELLED SEPTEMBER 2018

The perfect bucket list stays

Stay at carefully selected camps and lodges

Wide views over the Serengeti right from your own tent
Take a dip in the camp's pool, you might even spot wildlife from there...
Enjoy the swimming pool while looking over the Serengeti
Elegant, stylish guest tent interior

Sayari Camp

Serengeti, Tanzania

Located in the un-spoilt northern Serengeti area, Sayari Camp offers superb views of the Great Migration crossing the Mara River (typically from mid-July to early November) – with crocodile and hippo ever-present along with the abundant birdlife of the Serengeti. Non-migratory inhabitants include big cats, elephant, giraffe, hippo, crocodiles, groups of numerous large antelopes and many other incredible animals. The whole experience is enhanced by the exclusivity of this remote area.

Sayari’s spacious, elegant tents have panoramic views of the never-ending Serengeti. With delicious food and a large swimming pool, this camp immerses guests in the bush without sacrificing style and comfort. Sayari is definitely one of our favourite permanent tented camps, for the combination of authenticity and luxury – not to mention outstanding guides!

Bisate Lodge

Volcanoes, Rwanda

With dramatic views of the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes, Bisate Lodge is located adjacent to Volcanoes National Park. The lodge is situated within easy driving distance of the park’s entrance, from where gorilla treks depart daily. Encountering one of the local gorilla groups is an absolute unique experience. The location provides an ideal base for your gorilla trekking. Although Bisate is all about Mountain Gorilla trekking, other activities include guided nature walks, hikes to the nearby lakes and caves, visits to local neighbourhoods and birding; of the 178 bird species in the area, at least 13 are endemic to the Virunga area.

Bisate Lodge is Rwanda’s first genuinely luxurious and eco-sensitive safari camp. The contemporary and welcoming design of the six elegant en-suite forest villas, offers a personal, intimate atmosphere. It’s dedicated to sustainable conservation, including a tree-planting and reforestation programme and opportunity to visit the Karisoke Research Centre. Established in 1967 by Dian Fossey, this was the location for her famous 18-year study of the Mountain Gorilla. 

Victoria Falls Hotel

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Lovingly referred to as the ‘Grande Dame of Victoria Falls’, originally built in 1904 as accommodations for workers on the Cape-to-Cairo railway, it is now a 5-star luxury hotel. Walking through the hallways is like walking through a museum. Dramatic views of the gorges of Victoria Falls., and incredible dining and an exquisite high tea service.

Staying here offers easy access to all of the activities that Victoria Falls is famous for: bungee jumping, white water rafting, helicopter rides and more. A wonderful place to stay in the heart of Victoria Falls.

Little Vumbura

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Situated on a beautiful island in a private concession in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. Surrounded by water and lying close to large rivers, water-based activities are just as popular as those on land, both offering spectacular, diverse wildlife sightings.

Little Vumbura is a beautiful, luxurious camp with 6 tents shaded by the canopy of an ancient forest. Each well-appointed tent offers en-suite facilities and a lounge deck with incredible vistas – perfect for sitting back and relaxing. Cool off in the plunge pool or enjoy a book in the beautiful reading area overlooking the floodplains, and finally a star deck leads off over the water from the dining area. Coupled with a southern Delta camp makes for an extremely well rounded safari experience.

Rooms at night
Family room set up
Skeleton Coast
Main dining area

Shipwreck Lodge

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Located in Namibia’s remote, wild and inhospitable Skeleton Coast, Shipwreck Lodge is nestled between the dunes with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, where the cold Benguela current provides a refreshing breeze. The lodge’s uniquely designed 10 shipwreck-shaped chalets resemble the wrecks that line the coastline. 

Explore a raw, rugged and impossibly remote slice of African wilderness. Activities include game drives within the Skeleton Coast National Park, sundowners, enjoy a beach walk or go fishing on the beach. Discover the enchanting desert flora or end your day sitting atop the magical roaring dunes as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Cape Grace

Cape Town, South Africa

Discreet in its presence but powerful in its reputation, this much-adored hotel, on the marina at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a nice balance between boutique in its service and style but with the amenities of a larger hotel. Just 20 years ago, it started out merely a fraction of what it is today, but it maintains that personalized brand and experience.

Choose from dining at Signal restaurant, whisky tasting at the Bascule Bar, or lounging in the outdoor area overlooking the beautiful marina – between excursions in Cape Town, of course!

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