An Incredible Getaway to Africa
JO’BURG TO VICTORIA FALLS.
Holidays in Africa offer a rich tapestry of cultural, religious, and historical celebrations that reflect the continent’s diversity. Each country, region, and ethnic group brings its own traditions to life during these special times. Whether through religious observances, national commemorations, or deeply rooted cultural festivals, holidays in Africa are a vibrant expression of its people and heritage.
Spectacular Victoria Falls
We flew South African Airways Perth-Johannesburg on the nonstop service then connected Joʼburg to Victoria Falls. These flights resumed in April 2024 after a 4 year hiatus due to Covid.
Itʼs by far the quickest way of travelling from Perth to Africa and whilst the aircraft offers older style cabins, they are still very comfortable, and we found the service form the crew was great. All our flights operated on time.
First stop was Victoria Falls, and we stayed on the Zimbabwean side at Victoria Falls River Lodge.
This is a great option for travellers to Victoria Falls as itʼs on the banks on the Zambezi River with beautiful views and offers a surprisingly good safari experience which we werenʼt expecting! Itʼs only a short drive to the town and to the falls as well.
The falls in October are not their highest in terms of water level but still spectacular and worth visiting. We went very early right as the park opened to avoid the heat and crowds. Overall, Victoria Falls is a great way to start any African safari.
BOTSWANA, THE OKAVANGO DELTA
From there, we transferred by road to Kasane Airport, where we boarded a light aircraft that took us on a short but scenic flight into the heart of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The Delta, renowned for its lush landscapes and diverse wildlife, set the stage for an unforgettable safari experience. Our first lodge was Xaranna an exquisite retreat nestled in the wilderness of the Delta.
Botswana is known for excellent game viewing and the game viewing here did not disappoint; it was incredible. We did two game drives per day, early morning, and late afternoon as is the norm on most safari trips.
All accommodation is private luxury safari tent with private pools and beautiful nature views. Itʼs an older property but was a highlight of our trip.
What truly elevated our experience was the outstanding team of staff. Every member of the team was warm, attentive, and dedicated to ensuring that we had the best possible experience. Their knowledge of the area, their passion for conservation, and their genuine hospitality made a significant impact on our stay.
Stunning Sandibe
After a short 15-minute light aircraft flight, we arrived at our next lodge, Sandibe and were immediately captivated by its breathtaking beauty.
The lodge boasted impressive architecture, blending effortlessly into the landscape. Our private deck, complete with a pool, overlooked the water where we watched elephants drinking, bathing with one even coming up to our pool for a drink!
The combination of stunning views, luxurious accommodations, and incredible wildlife experiences at Sandibe made it another unforgettable highlight of our trip.
THE HEART OF THE KALAHARI DESERT
We then travelled to Jackʼs Camp in the heart of the Kalahari Desert, an experience that left a lasting imprint on my memory. The camp is located within the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a vast, otherworldly landscape that feels like stepping onto another planet. Jackʼs Camp is nothing short of extraordinary.
The “tents” are spacious, luxurious, and absolutely unique—each one is an impressive 270 square meters, designed to evoke the feeling of stepping into a beautifully curated museum. Every detail, from the vintage furniture to the rich tapestries and collections of artifacts, creates an atmosphere of elegant exploration and adventure.
Our time at Jackʼs Camp was filled with exceptional activities, one of the highlights being quad biking across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The vast, barren landscape made us feel as though we were exploring another planet.
The salt pans stretch out endlessly, with the cracked earth beneath us reflecting the harsh yet beautiful environment.
Riding across this desolate expanse, surrounded only by the flat horizon and the occasional mirage, was surreal. The solitude and vastness of the landscape left us speechless.
We also had the chance to have an up-close and personal encounter with the habituated meerkats in the area. These curious little creatures are accustomed to human presence and would allow us to sit amongst them.
NAMIBIA, NAMIB DESERT
After Botswana we travelled to Namibia to stay at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
This is one of the best places, if not the best place, I have ever stayed at in the world. It was the perfect end to a busy safari. The property sits deep in the Namib Desert, literally in the middle of nowhere. Itʼs hard to describe the sheer awesomeness of being out here.
The tranquillity is something I can only compare with being in Antarctica. The night skies are extraordinary and there is a resident astrologist on sight to assist with star gazing from their own observatory with state-of- the-art telescope. We hiked to the top of “Big Daddy”, one of the highest sand dunes in the world.
We visited Deadvlei, a clay pan characterised by dark, dead camel thorn trees contrasted against the white pan floor. The pan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded, and the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. However, the climate changed, and the sand dunes encroached on the pan, blocking the river from reaching the area.
The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old but they have not decomposed due to the dry climate.
Desert to the Atlantic
And we took an amazing helicopter ride out from the lodge across to the desert to meet the Atlantic Ocean, it was breathtaking to witness the landscape changes from reds to eventually white and the huge undisturbed seal colonies out by the coast.
Our pilot landed the helicopter on the top of a mountain, and we were able to get out and take photos and have a surprise champagne!
Namibia was a real highlight of this trip and one I would recommend anyone include on an African trip.
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Getting There
A nonstop flight with South African Airways from Perth to Johannesburg is often considered the quickest journey between the two cities due to the elimination of layovers or connecting flights. These direct flights typically span around 11 to 12 hours, depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and other factors.
Africa is a vibrant and diverse continent that offers a unique perspective on life, culture, and nature. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich history and warm, welcoming people, it’s a place where you can truly immerse yourself in adventure and relaxation.
Whether you’re exploring vast savannahs, encountering wildlife in their natural habitat, or indulging in mouthwatering local cuisines, Africa promises an unforgettable journey.
So, pack your bags and prepare to experience the wonders of Africa!
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