DESTINATIONS AFRICA | SAFARIS


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Elephants at Wilderness Safaris’ Jao Camp, Botswana; quiver tree, Namibia; Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal; Zambia PREVIOUS PAGE: Wildebeest in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania


new Little DumaTau, set to open on the Linyanti Reserve in Chobe National Park by the end of the year. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, wild dogs, elephants and buffalo all call the reserve home, while a spa, wellness centre and four tented suites (each with outdoor showers, plunge pools and a ‘Star Bed’) promise an exclusive


experience with uninterrupted photo opportunities. Book it: Mahlatini Luxury Travel offers a seven-night all-inclusive itinerary combining Wilderness Safaris’ Jao Camp, Little DumaTau and Mombo Camp from £10,150 per person, based on two sharing. Price includes flights from London, all transfers and daily camp activities. mahlatini.com


BEST FOR . . . ADVENTURE Safaris aren’t only about game drives, and for clients looking to get a little more adventurous, there are plenty of options. For one of the best, look to the Zambezi, where canoeing trips take visitors to glimpse hippos, elephants, waterbucks and other creatures grazing by the water, and walking safaris add bigger game into the mix. Abercrombie & Kent combines both on a 10-day Classic Zambia itinerary, adding in a visit to the Luangwa Valley, with sunset cruises, night safaris, a sleep-out under the stars and optional helicopter ride


over the Victoria Falls among the adventure highlights. Book it: Trips are tailor-made but a 10-day sample itinerary starts at £8,580 per person including accommodation in luxury bush camps and riverside treehouses, with domestic and international flights. abercrombiekent.co.uk


36 12 NOVEMBER 2020


claire farley managing director, 2by2 Holidays exper expert ASK THE


“Contrary to our initial predictions, we believe Africa will be among the first long-haul destinations to reopen to international travel – a safari in the bushveld offers a perfect socially-distanced holiday. Countries such as Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia have been virtually untouched by the pandemic, as they closed their borders very early. The two largest destinations, South Africa and Kenya, have both handled the pandemic extremely well and have already introduced stringent Covid protocols. “In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in enquiries and bookings for both


2021 and 2022. We are also getting more enquiries for private tours and exclusive- use game vehicles. My top tip would be to warn customers that availability for 2021 is already extremely tight, so recommend clients book sooner rather than later, particularly as most operators are currently offering very flexible booking conditions.”


BEST FOR . . . CONSERVATION INVOLVEMENT No list would be complete without South Africa, where the KwaZulu-Natal region sees the ‘big five’ roam the plains, while manta rays, reef sharks and humpback whales frequent the coastline. It’s not only about the viewing opportunities, though; for those interested in learning more about


conservation and the local communities who live in this area, suggest andBeyond’s Phinda Impact Journey, which combines bird-tagging, rhino notching, wildlife tracking and other ranger activities with culturally immersive experiences organised in a responsible way. Guests can also choose to learn photography skills, step out on walking safaris and sleep under the stars, with private game


drives, a dedicated butler and personal chef on hand to add an extra helping of luxury. Book it: From about £6,230 per person for six nights’ all-inclusive, based on two sharing at Phinda Zuka Lodge in the Phinda Private Game Reserve, with domestic flights from Johannesburg, game- viewing activities, photography guide and an andBeyond ranger, for selected departures in 2021. andbeyond.com


TW travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock; Dookphoto; Abercrombie & Kent/Justin Weiler; Crookes and Jackson


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44