A privately guided safari in Botswana
Our direct flight from New York left us with just enough time to spend a day exploring Johannesburg. We kicked things off with a fascinating visit to Soweto, followed by a deeply moving trip to the Apartheid Museum. Both stops gave us such an insightful and humbling glimpse into South Africa’s complex history and vibrant culture.
Into the Kalahari: Wildlife Encounters and Lion Choruses
By lunchtime the next day, we found ourselves in the awe-inspiring Kalahari. We marvelled at crimson-breasted shrikes flitting through the trees and watched herds of mighty kudus gather at Dinaka’s waterhole. By nightfall, we had a close encounter with one of the Kalahari’s legendary black-maned lions, whose bone-rattling roars echoed through the darkness right next to our vehicle — an experience we’ll never forget.
The excitement continued the next day with even more lion antics. A lioness quietly strolled to the waterhole hide, silencing us all with her commanding presence. Later, she proudly introduced us to her cubs and the rest of her pride. We also spotted rhinos, oryx and an unexpectedly delightful array of birdlife, from kori bustards to guineafowls. After some feather foraging and a lesson in bushcraft, it was time to move on to the next adventure.
Maun to the Okavango Delta: A Wilderness Like No Other
After a quick stop in Maun for some shopping (it’s hard to resist a little retail therapy), we touched down in the iconic Okavango Delta. Straight away, we were in the thick of things with a coalition of six male lions, casually stalking a herd of buffalo as the sun dipped below the horizon. The golden light reflecting off the water and filtering through the palm trees was pure magic.
The next morning was dedicated to a stunning female leopard, and what a morning it was. She posed on termite mounds, strolled gracefully through the grass beside us, and found herself a snack in the bushes, completely unbothered by our presence. Being the only people for miles, it felt like an incredible privilege to witness her in such an intimate setting.
The Delta didn’t stop surprising us. We enjoyed mokoro rides, made pizza in a termite mound, and had a close call with a rather determined hyena. As if that wasn’t enough, the floodwaters arrived during our stay at Seba, transforming the landscape and delighting the local catfish. A helicopter ride over the Delta was the icing on the cake, offering breathtaking views of red lechwe, elephants, hippos, buffalo and even the elusive sitatunga.
Selinda Explorer’s Camp: Luxury and Adventure Combined
A slight detour to the wrong camp didn’t faze us, and we eventually arrived at Selinda Explorer’s Camp in style. Greeted with cold towels and cocktails, we wasted no time diving into more wildlife encounters. Our streak of leopard sightings continued, but the camp itself was a highlight too. I’ll never forget falling into elephant dung while trying to photograph an egret, only to realise a hippo was lurking nearby!
Evenings around the campfire were cosy and filled with laughter, as we indulged in treats like bacon-wrapped bananas (trust me, they’re a game-changer). A cold front one night even froze my toothpaste, but it only added to the adventure.
Victoria Falls: The Grand Finale
The journey ended on a high note at Victoria Falls, on the Zambian side in Livingstone. Visiting in June meant the falls were at their thunderous best — and yes, you’ll get soaked! High tea at 4 o’clock sharp is a must for anyone visiting, and while the tiger fish weren’t biting, the sheer beauty of the experience more than made up for it.
Final Thoughts
A huge thank you to everyone we met along the way for making this adventure so special. Southern Africa has truly stolen our hearts. So, where to next? We’d love to hear your travel recommendations — let’s plan the next journey together!