Colours of Africa 11 days

Kruger National Park and the adjoining private reserves of Greater Kruger National Park form one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas, offering superb viewing opportunities all year round. In one of the first national parks to be established in Africa, the custodians of Kruger faced tragedy, triumph and hardship, as they have strived to protect a pristine wilderness region that is sanctuary to over 700 species of mammals, reptiles and birds. We spend 3 nights in a private game lodge in Timbavati Game Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park, which boasts a similar range of animals to those found in the park proper. These include the 'Big Five', but the private reserves offer more opportunities for varied and close-up encounters. With open 4WD vehicles and a maximum of 9 people in each, there is ample space to observe the many different species as they interact with each other and their environment. Keen photographers also have the chance to take those special shots of unexpected and sometimes dramatic wildlife interactions, as well as of peaceful bushveld scenes. The tour spends one night in Hazyview, a base from where we explore the impressive Blyde River Canyon and visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, as well as enjoy views of the Three Rondavels and the vista from God's Window. We also visit a local Shangaan village, where we gain an insight into their unique way of life.

Victoria Falls is certainly Zimbabwe's most celebrated spectacle. Measuring some 1.7 kilometres in width and with a drop of around 105 metres, an immense volume of water passes over the cataract at the height of the inundation with a flow rate of about 550,000 cubic metres per minute. This massive rush of water sends a huge plume of spray into the sky, visible for miles and providing a stunning spectacle, as we walk on paths that border the ravine. Chobe National Park is one of Botswana's largest and its northern section that abuts on to the Chobe River is wonderfully picturesque.

The area around the river is home to a fabulous range of bird life and one doesn't have to be a birder to be enthralled by it all. Wallowing in the river are large numbers of hippos and crocodiles. These same waters also attract abundant land dwellers, foremost of which are elephants that, during the dry season, are probably the largest herds left anywhere in Africa. They often congregate close to the permanent water of the river and to see these animals drink at sunset, or even swim out across the river to some of the islands, is an experience that can only be described as magical. This all takes place in a scenically beautiful setting that provides for truly memorable sunsets across the river.