Safari in the Savute

Chobe National Park

Tucked away in the remote southwestern part of Chobe National Park is the Savute area. This fascinating region has been shaped by the unpredictability of the Savute Channel, sometimes remaining dry for years, other times the ancient waterways fill the Savute Marsh. Guests can experience its diverse wildlife and ancient terrain in a variety of ways.

The Savute is an amazing area for lions. You can head out on game drives into the vast, flat plains surrounding your lodge and spot their sandy coloured bodies in huge numbers of twenty or thirty, prowling the savanna in search of prey. You may also see other predators like leopard and cheetah that reside in the hilly terrain.

Visit the corridor of huge baobab trees. Their trunks are three times an average arm span and as you sip on a gin and tonic while admiring these ancient giants as the sun slowly sets, it's the perfect Instagram moment. If you’re feeling energetic you can climb the nearby hill to observe San Bushmen paintings which date back over 1,500 years old before returning to your lodge for star gazing.

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Okavango Delta Safari By Foot and Mokoro

Okavango Delta

Among the lagoons, channels, woodlands and islands of the Okavango Delta, you will be blessed with some of the most incredible wildlife-spotting in Botswana. There are several different ways to experience the region. Among the most popular activities are the walking safaris where being on foot gives you a completely different perspective.

Motorboats take guests to one of the islands to embark on a hike with an armed ranger. As you cruise along the river you might spot hippos, crocodiles or occasionally the rare sitatunga antelope. The morning light on the papyrus plants and water lilies is always beautiful.

Once on the island, you follow the guide in single-file, stopping to see wildlife while learning about the medicinal properties of the plants. It's a good opportunity to see the smaller things that might have been overlooked on a game drive, like the foam nest frog, which produces a fascinating nest in the tree. You can learn so much from even a pile of dung; you can see what the baboons have been scratching at and what the dung beetles have been busy at.

Seeing big game on foot is always special too – it might be an elephant, a buffalo, a giraffe or even a lion. Occasionally you might be lucky enough to see a full pride. Being on foot gives you a completely different perspective of the size of these animals.

The highlight of the delta for many is heading out on a mokoro trip – you’re ‘poled’ through the shallow waterways in a traditional wooden canoe, gliding through reeds and waterlilies as you pass elephants, hippos, crocodiles, fish eagle birds and other wildlife. It’s a really peaceful way to see the channels. Watching the sun set over the water is one of the favourite sights in the delta.

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Helicopter Flight over the Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta

People talk about Botswana as the last true wilderness – of course there are other places in the world that are equally remote, but there aren’t many other safari destinations that feel this wild and cut off. Experience the full remoteness with a helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. Choose from 30, 45 and 60 minute flights and to make it a little more adventurous, you have the option of flying with the doors off. The unrestricted views are amazing for photography.

An early morning flight reveals the waking wildlife. With unhindered views you can marvel at mighty oxbow rivers and vast networks of channels and lagoons without the presence of mankind. Ask the pilot to fly low and you can virtually skim the fig canopies to get a closer look at the Okavango’s exquisite game. This could include huge crocodile basking on the sun-drenched banks, hippo wallowing in the shallows and spectacular birdlife from great white pelican to diverse species of long necked herons. You’ll often hear the call of a lion roar over the wetlands. Your pilot, a top safari guide will point out where a pride might be roaming or where to capture the best panoramic picture.

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Horseback and Helicopter Ride from Eagle Island Lodge

Okavango Delta

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities don’t come around often. Horse riding in the Okavango Delta is one of those. From Eagle Island Lodge, it’s a ten-minute riveting heli-ride to the stables. The helicopter doors are completely removed so you can take in unrestricted views of the Okavango’s legendary wetlands. After savouring the intricate networks of channels and lagoons, you land and meet your well-groomed horses from glossy Arabians to home bred Botswana Warm Bloods.

The saddles are really comfortable and your new vantage point offers a whole new perspective of Botswana’s extraordinary wilderness. The wildlife here is undeterred by the presence of horses so you can tune into the unspoiled nature like an invisible bystander. Your guide, who’s happiest when in the saddle, will take you through the flooded grasslands and islets while regaling a story or two about the delta’s days gone by.

You may hear the haunting cry of a circling fish eagle or the light splash of long legged lechwe sprinting along the golden floodplains. You can cover great distance galloping at speed, water spraying from under drumming hooves. You might see grazing wildebeest, lumbering elephants trawling through the forest or large herds of zebra, a hazy vision of black and white shimmying through the grass. You may not even think about stopping for lunch but it’s a chance to feast and soak up the scenery which proves to be just as nourishing.

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Sidecar tour of the city

Cape Town

Experience a tour of Cape Town like no other – in the sidecar of a decommissioned military bike. Strap in for this mid-peninsula 3-hour ride along the wondrous landscape of the Chapman's Peak Drive via the Atlantic Seaboard, where you'll pass by the scenic sights of Camps Bay, Hout Bay and the Constantia Winelands in this unique adventure.

Suitable for all ages, there are also longer sidecar tours available with the option to tailor-make your own two, four or eight-hour routes.

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Helicopter flights: Table Mountain 360 - 24 minute flight

Cape Town

Take an exhilarating scenic helicopter ride for aerial views over Cape Town and the rugged Atlantic Seaboard. There’s no better view of Cape Town than from the sky, flying over the mountains and perhaps spotting whales and dolphins in the ocean. This Table Mountain 360° flight is a unique way to experience the Mother City on this 24-minute thrilling journey. The pilot will give a commentary pointing out the landmarks, allowing for plentiful photo opportunities along the way.

Taking off from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a highlight. Out at sea you will see Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. From the air, you can fully appreciate the sheer scale of Table Mountain, one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders. Passing Signal Hill and the Twelve Apostles you will be flown along the coast and over the white sand beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Circling above the picturesque harbour of Hout Bay, you may see ocean rip currents, whirlpools and, if you are lucky, whales.  After flying above the dramatic coastal road of Chapman’s Peak you will see the colourful beach huts of Muizenberg. Heading inland, the lush vineyards of the Constantia Valley unfold before you descend over the city bowl to land back at the V&A Waterfront.

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Cape Town Peaks & Penguins

Cape Town

On this full day private guided tour, you’ll visit Cape Town’s most famous sights, including Table Mountain before travelling along the dramatic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape point and the Cape Peninsula. There will be plenty of photo opportunities along the way, especially when you encounter the endangered African penguins at Boulder’s Beach. This excursion offers excellent value for money, providing a high-quality private guided experience with your own dedicated vehicle. It includes entrance fees and covers all of Cape Town’s key sights in a single day with plenty of fun along the way.

You’ll be collected from your hotel, and first stop will be at Bo-Kaap. Famed for its colourful houses, this area has many Cape Malay influences and gives an insight into Cape Town’s cultural heritage. Next, head to the base of Table Mountain where, weather permitting, you can take the rotating cableway to the summit. At the top, the views extend across the Mother City to Robben Island and the Atlantic Seaboard.

Return to the vehicle for a drive along the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive. This dramatic road has been carved into the cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the ocean below. After lunch at a local seaside restaurant (own expense) you’ll travel to Cape Point Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are said to meet. Explore the rugged cliffs, dramatic viewpoints, and the Cape of Good Hope. Walk up to the lighthouse or take the funicular (optional at own expense) for sweeping ocean vistas. In the afternoon, continue to Boulders Beach. Follow the board walks along the beach where a protected colony of endangered African penguins may be found. Travelling along the False Bay coastline, you will return to Cape Town late afternoon.

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Winelands Constantia Cycle Tour

Cape Town

Explore South Africa’s oldest wine region on this scenic cycling trip, complete with vineyard tours and tasting sessions. A private guide will tailor the half-day trip to suit your cycling ability and wine preferences, taking you along beautiful trails and teaching you the history of the winelands. There’s no better way to reward yourself afterwards than with a glass of Chardonnay in the vineyard you’ve just peddled through.

Depending on your preference, you can take a leisurely cycle along tarred roads or a more challenging trip on the new Constantia Greenbelt trails, which host the Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race. Generally, you will cover around 15-20 kilometres of flat terrain on the tour, with a maximum climb of 120 metres. Along the way, you’ll get to visit at least three vineyards. Set just outside of Cape Town, the Constantia winelands are home to some of the country’s oldest and most stunning wine estates. This is where Dutch governor Simon van der Stel launched South Africa’s wine industry in the 17th century and families have been tending vineyards here for over five generations.

You will visit some of the quieter, boutique wineries so you can get away from the crowds. Some favourites include Buitenverwachting, Steenberg, Glenwood and Groot Constantia. When you arrive, you’ll take a vineyard tour and then settle back to taste award-winning wines. There’s also the option to have a gourmet lunch at one of the estates (at own expense), which is the perfect way to end your tour.

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Waterfront Sunset Cruise

Cape Town

Watch the sunset over Cape Town on a classic sailboat, the Spirit of Victoria. Known as the grand old lady of charter boats her brick-red sails make it one of the most photographed boats on the V&A Waterfront. Enjoy sparkling wine and soft music as you sail towards the sunset.

The route takes you between Cape Town and Robben Island and the local guides will share their experiences of the city. You may sea seals lounging on the red buoys and curious dusky dolphins can often  be seen jumping the bow waves.

Ropes and pulleys manually lift the sails as you bob on the waves while watching the sunset on this one and a half cruise. After passing Mouille Point lighthouse, you will turn back towards Cape Town. Watch as the city's lights start to twinkle and the last rays of sun hit the often cloud-shrouded Table Mountain as you return to the Waterfront.

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