Combine a spectacular Kruger wildlife safari with the white sand beaches of the spice island of Zanzibar.

Bathe under an African night sky at Garonga

Garonga, Greater Makalali Private Nature Reserve

As part of Garonga's safari for the soul experience, it’s important to be able to unwind and they have created the perfect way for guests to do this. Hidden within the grounds of the camp there are two open-air baths where guests can relax with a loved one under the stars of an African sky. Set up with romantic lanterns, fluffy towels and indulgent toiletries, it’s the ultimate pampering session.

The bush bath is completely open whilst the star bath is partly nestled under a grotto but still gives an incredible view of the night sky above. 

As you walk out to your free-standing bath, the adrenalin starts to pump as you tune in to the sounds of the night, an owl hoots and the rumble of a herd of elephants can be heard in the far distance. Whilst you are only a short distance from the lodge, the baths offer complete privacy due to their unique setting.

As you arrive at your outdoor bathroom setting, as comforting as the towels neatly folded for you, the romance of Africa wraps around you. The flickering light from the lanterns adds a warm glow to the atmosphere. Filled to the brim with bubbles, as soon as you sink into the warm water, you start to relax. A wonderful way to unwind with a glass of wine and reflect on your day’s safari experiences with your partner as you gaze up to the velvety black sky filled with twinkling stars.

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Spend a night under the stars on Garonga’s sleep out deck

Greater Kruger Game Reserves

A popular activity for guests at Garonga is to sleep out under the stars. Perfect for romantics, the lantern-lit sleep out deck is located a 20-minute drive from the camp. Guests are driven to the sleep out area and as the sun starts to set, a three-course meal is served.

Behind the scenes, it takes about two hours to set up everything for guests, preparing the table for the evening meal and getting the four-poster bed ready. The guest’s room at the camp is kept for them in case the weather should change. Guests are driven to the sleep out area before sun set for an orientation of their night’s setting. They are given a safety briefing and once they know how to contact the camp, the magical atmosphere starts to take over.

As the sun starts to set, enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal. A few glasses of your favourite tipple will calm any nerves. From its elevated position, the deck overlooks a busy waterhole so there is often plenty of animal activity throughout the night, such as elephants making a splash or a leopard coming in for a drink. As you sink into the comfort of your bed, the atmosphere can be quite magical listening to the sounds of nature as you fall asleep under a glittery African night sky. Safari dreaming at its best.

Awaken the next morning to the sounds of the dawn chorus and watch as the sun rises. The start of a new day on safari begins.

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Safari for the soul at Garonga

Garonga, Greater Makalali Private Nature Reserve

Garonga is located within the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve. The philosophy here is safari for the soul as guests are encouraged to slow down and absorb the sights and sounds of nature. Spending time with animals and learning about their behaviour is an integral part of what they do. You can join a solitude walk. Walking in complete silence, your guide will point to a plant or insect, but no explanation will be given until you get back to the camp so that you fully immerse yourself in nature without any distraction. You may then wish to spend time on the yoga deck or relax in a hammock to rejuvenate mind, body and soul.

Covering an area of 22,000 hectares, the landscape is of rolling hills and wildlife rich open plains, set against a backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains.

You will go out on morning and afternoon game drives in open Land Rovers, to see the diversity of the wildlife. You will be in a Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) area but you may also see giraffe, zebra, hyena, hippo and wild dog. The birdlife is colourful and prolific with over 200 species identified. You can also join a walking safari. On this interactive walk, you can learn tracking techniques as you will be shown some of the smaller flora and fauna and their importance to the ecosystem.

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Stone Town Tour

Zanzibar

Discover UNESCO-listed Stone Town on this half-day trip, from its decorative Arabic doors to daily market life and Freddie Mercury’s former home.

The guided walking tour starts in Stone Town’s slave market, which lies next to the Anglican church and has a moving memorial sculpture. Here, you’ll learn about the sobering legacy of the slave trade in Zanzibar. You’ll get the chance to explore Darajani Market too, which is a hive of activity for locals. Wander around stalls filled with colourful produce and spices, taste some fresh sugar cane juice and spot the town’s famous carved doors.

Next, you’ll move on to visit the former home of famous Queen singer, Freddie Mercury, the Old Fort and House of Wonder, which was built by some of the island’s first British settlers. After learning about these key landmarks, you'll have time to go shopping for wooden carvings, spices or Tanzanite jewellery. The tour ends with a visit the Forodhani food market. This is the most popular place for locals and tourists to gather in the evening on Zanzibar, as it’s full of Swahili food stalls selling all kinds of seafood, pilau dishes and Indian cuisine. If your tour is in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a golden sunset from this busy market.

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Zanzibar Spice Tour

Zanzibar

Learn how Zanzibar’s world-famous spices are grown with a visit to a local farm. See how these precious spices are produced, from seed to harvest and then exported all over the world. The farm is also home to tropical fruit trees such as coconut, mango and papaya, some of which your guide will pick for you to sample.

On this half-day tour, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to one of the island’s top plantations, which has been growing various spices for generations. 

Throughout the tour, your guide will point out everything from black pepper, vanilla and ginger to turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon. One of the most famous spices you'll see are cloves, which locals often sun-dry and then squeeze to extract their oil for use in medicated soaps.

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Jozani Forest Tour

Zanzibar

Visit the Jozani Forest to spot rare wildlife in a protected natural reserve. Covering over 6,200 acres, it’s a haven of trees and plants known for their medicinal qualities, as well as wildlife including monkeys, bush pigs, tree hyraxes, dik diks and over 40 species of birds.

This three-hour tour starts with a transfer to the forest, which is a protected natural reserve and part of Zanzibar’s only national park, Jozani-Chawaka.

You’ll take a guided walk along the forest trails, stopping to look at the local flora and wildlife. Jozani Forest is filled with various species of trees, including eucalyptus, baobab, mahogany and teak and is a sanctuary for red colobus monkeys. Previously endangered, there are now about 2,500 in the reserve and their numbers are slowly increasing. The monkeys are very relaxed and used to visitors, so you can get incredible photos of them playing in the treetops and feeding on fruit.

Next, you’ll head over the other side of the park to see the mangroves, which are formed by salt water flooding in from the ocean. There’s a wooden boardwalk here which you can wander along for a glimpse into this lush ecosystem. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Zanzibar.

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