Faces of Africa: An Epic Journey

Three nights in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This is ‘the’ place in Uganda to see the famous population of around 350 mountain gorillas. Located at the very southern point of Uganda, in the Great Rift Valley, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest covers 32,000 hectares and is known for its exceptional biodiversity. As well as mountain gorillas, it is home to other primate species, including the black-and-white colobus monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkeys and baboons, and a range of mammals, including duiker, elephant, bushbuck, bush pig, giant forest hog and several small cats.

Two days on safari in the grasslands of the North Serengeti

Spend your days exploring the northern reaches of the Serengeti National Park on safari, tracking the great array of game and wildlife that this vast area offers. If you’re there at the right time for the great migration (depending on the season), this is the region where the herds are at their most concentrated as they seek to cross the Mara River to reach the open grasslands beyond, and it’s where you might see iconic river crossings. It’s also an area of untamed natural beauty, of rolling hills, rivers, forests and open plains.

Two days on safari in South Luangwa National Park

Back in 1950, a young game ranger called Norman Carr initiated a far-reaching and visionary conservation concept which was to pave the way for modern conservation and tourism. He encouraged Senior Chief Nsefu – the paramount Chief of the Kunda people in the Luangwa Valley – to set aside a portion of his tribal land as a Game Reserve, where he built the first game-viewing camp open to the public in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). It later became established as South Luanga National Park and it sustains a whole host of wildlife (sixty different animal species and over four hundred different bird species). The guides and trackers here are some of the best in Africa and, as the birthplace of exhilarating walking safaris, there are few places on the continent where you can see so much on foot.

The Victoria Falls from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides

The mighty Victoria Falls rank as one of the most spectacular sites in all of Africa. As the Zambezi River crashes over sheer cliffs onto the rocks below it sprays a cloud of water high into the air that has earned it the local name of Mosi-oa-Tunya (literally translated as ‘the smoke that thunders’). You will witness the falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides, and learn a great deal about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa’s most famous natural landmark.

Two days in Botswana’s Mombo Concession

Set in the heart of the Okavango Delta, this is a very special and extremely exclusive area. Dubbed by many as the predator capital of Africa, the Mombo Concession is at the North West tip of Chief’s Island, which receives the most nutritious waters of the Okavango river drawing the best game and the predators that hunt them. Rhinos have also been reintroduced here so it’s one of the only places in Botswana where you have the possibility of seeing all of the Big Five.

Two days in the heart of the Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is rightly known as one of the premier wildlife habitats in the world, home to an enormous density and diversity of wildlife, particularly during the flooding of the Delta in the dry season.

The Okavango Delta is celebrated for its water safari activities. From zooming through the waterways on a powerboat to drifting along in a mokoro, your guide will reveal the secrets of the Delta, while you enjoy seeing tiny frogs and beautiful birdlife, from the lilac breasted roller to the larger waterbirds such as herons, storks and if you’re lucky, the Pel’s Fishing owl.

Two nights in the remote Kunene Region at Serra Cafema

Far in the north, the Kunene Region is a true wilderness outpost, a remote place even by Namibian standards. You will stay in the stunning Serra Cafema, in an oasis of this mostly desolate and arid region, on the banks of the Kunene River. Enjoy nature drives, guided walks and visits to local villages of the nomadic Himba people.

Two days deep in the Namib Desert

The Namib Desert, Namibia’s magnificent ‘sand sea’, is packed with incredible scenery as well as activities for you to enjoy during your stay in this tranquil area of the world. The experience here in the NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of desolate, copper-tinged beauty, tapestry landscapes, extreme geology, kaleidoscope colours, trips to Sossusvlei, unimaginable night skies, scenic drives, hot-air balloon flights and rewarding nature walks – along with luxury creature comforts.

Three nights immersed in the wonders of Cape Town

One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is a city that can really take your breath away. The horizon is dominated by the iconic Table Mountain, and in the foreground are the crisp waters of the cape, and the laid-back bustle of the city’s waterfront skirted by sandy beaches and picturesque suburbs.

Your visit will take you to the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (South Africa’s oldest building, built 1666–1679), the lively Green Market Square with its daily market, the Bo Kaap neighbourhood (formerly known as the Malay Quarter), the coastal suburbs, and of course, Table Mountain and Cape Peninsula.