| Southern Africa is truly a unique and | | | | two contrasting ecosystems. The Linyanti |
| culturally diverse country, with an eclectic | | | | ecosystem is big game country where the |
| mix of wilderness and metropolis, wildlife | | | | majority of the 76,000 plus elephants in |
| and nightlife, Old Africa and the New World. | | | | Northern Botswana reside, the attraction |
| My Itinerary began with two days of | | | | being the permanent water and mopane forests. |
| sightseeing in the water front city of Cape | | | | Wildlife seen here also includes buffalo, |
| Town, the oldest European settled city on the | | | | lion, leopard, hippo, impala wild dog and |
| African continent. From our cable car ascent | | | | cheetah. The second area we explored was the |
| up Table Mountain we walked along trails with | | | | unique ecosystem of the Okavango Delta. |
| outstanding sea views. Other city sights | | | | Here, as the sands of the Kalahari meet the |
| included Robben Island where Nelson Mandela | | | | Okavango River, the waters spread into a maze |
| was imprisoned, the Cape of Good Hope, and a | | | | of meandering channels, forested islands, |
| visit to the only colony of penguins in | | | | papyrus thickets and placid lagoons. This |
| Africa.Forty miles away are Stellenbosh, | | | | green, wet wilderness teams with animal and |
| Franschhoek, and Paarl, surrounded by | | | | bird life. Along with day and night game |
| vineyards, fruit orchards and mountains, and | | | | drives, activities offered in this area are |
| renowned for their gracious blend of 18th | | | | mekoro trips (traditional dugout canoe) along |
| century Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian | | | | narrow canals and guided hikes.All our |
| architecture. There is a lot of exploring the | | | | safaris were off the beaten path because this |
| Cape's premier estates to do here, tasting | | | | unspoiled wilderness has more acres of |
| wines and enjoying the hospitality of this | | | | wildlife reserves than roads to get through |
| very special area.One thing worth tyring is | | | | them. That is why you are more likely to get |
| travelling on the ultra luxurious Blue train. | | | | transferred by air as you explore this |
| Gourmet cuisine, fine wines, high tea and | | | | countries vast, best and most pristine |
| sumptuous accommodations, combine with | | | | wildlife habitat.In each of our three camps, |
| romantic ambiance, impeccable service and | | | | individual bungalows provided a bedroom under |
| beautiful scenery, to make this a truly | | | | canvas or thatch, with en suite bathrooms in |
| magnificent way to travel from Cape Town to | | | | a most traditional safari setting. Built on |
| Pretoria.A quick flight from Johannesburg to | | | | raised platforms of wood canvas and stone, |
| Skukuza and then a short drive, and we were | | | | each camp, Kings Pool, Chitabe and Joa, |
| finally at our first game reserve. Mala Mala | | | | blended seamlessly into their lush |
| located in the Sabi Sand Reserve is adjacent | | | | backgrounds. We were made to feel as if we |
| to Kruger National Park. Within this private | | | | were experiencing an Africa suspended in |
| reserve, the luxury and tranquility of Africa | | | | time, having an authentic bush experience and |
| is ever present. Exceptional game viewing in | | | | yet still mad to feel safe and |
| open Land Rovers, dinner around an open camp | | | | comfortable.Our host during much of our stay |
| fire in a reed enclosed "boma", visits to | | | | in Southern Africa was Wilderness Safaris. |
| secluded hides and night dives are all part | | | | What I found so impressive about this company |
| of the unforgettable experience.Our next | | | | was not only do they provide a wonderful |
| destination, spectacular Victoria Falls. | | | | wilderness experience for their guests, they |
| Victoria Falls, Musi Oa Tunya "Smoke that | | | | clearly understand and take the |
| thunders" is one of the seven natural wonders | | | | responsibility to help protect the parks, |
| of the world and truly a sight worth seeing. | | | | reserves and wilderness areas around them. |
| Our lodging for the night was the River Club, | | | | They also understand the need to empower and |
| situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi | | | | uplift the communities around their camps in |
| River. The River Club's ten luxury thatched | | | | order that the local people can derive |
| roof bungalows overlook the Zambezi. The | | | | benefits from wildlife-based tourism. To |
| rooms are completely open in the back giving | | | | accomplish these ends as a company a portion |
| the best possible views of the river and | | | | of each guest's faire is allocated to the " |
| creating an Old World romantic atmosphere. | | | | Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust".Andy James |
| Although not a game lodge, the Zambezi | | | | has been travelling the world for many years |
| National Park is located just across the | | | | and has more than 30 years booking travel to |
| river. Hippos were regularly sighted, and we | | | | the most exotic and luxurious travel spots on |
| woke to their sounds in the early morning.On | | | | the planet. |
| to Botswana. Our safari in Botswana explored | | | | |