Secret Botswana and Victoria Falls Luxury Safari

Fly to Deception Valley and game drive transfer from the airstrip through the Central Kalahari Game Reserve to your safari lodge in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mile upon mile of African wilderness and nothing else.

On the way: The Central Kalahari is one of the largest game reserves in the world. Your game drive transfer takes about 3 hours through pristine Kalahari wilderness made picturesque by flat-topped acacia trees, soft savannah grassland and rolling hills. Giraffes do their bit to add life to your landscape pictures.

When you're there: Camp Kalahari is a traditional safari-style camp set in the eerie Makgadikgadi pans. The rainy season safari is particularly rewarding as vast herds of grazers move in to mow the fresh grass and prides of lion flank their sides pruning the herds along the way. Other exciting predators include cheetah, wild dog, hyena and the majestic black-maned Kalahari lions.

Many species of wildlife, not found in the more lush regions of northern Botswana, thrive in the semi-arid Kalahari including the graceful straight-horned gemsbok, elegant springbok, odd-looking hartebeest, shaggy-coated brown hyena and delightful meerkats that stand on their hind legs and look about like periscopes.

Activities at Camp Kalahari include quad-biking game drives and tracking expeditions with the San Bushmen hunter/gatherers who teach you about their ingenious survival techniques and fascinating traditions.

Accommodation: Camp Kalahari

Fly from Kalahari Plains Camp on the western side of the Kalahari to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on the eastern side of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

On the way: One last game drive transfer takes you back through the Central Kalahari en route to Makgadikgadi on the north-eastern edge of the Kalahari.

When you're there: The Makgadikgadi, while part of the Kalahari you've just seen offers a completely different experience. Here, vast pans shimmer into the distance that, in the rainy summer from November to March, fill up with water attracting thousands of flamingos, pelicans and migrants.

The summer rains also attract the second largest mammal migration in Africa as thousands of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope escape the predators up north for some succulent grass down south. The winter dry season offers good general game viewing and fascinating exploration expeditions to the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans.

Jack's camp is a hand-crafted antique-filled luxury tented camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Small, intimate and exclusive, Jack's is renowned for its habituated meerkats and brown hyenas. The guides and service staff are local villagers-turned-custodians and they offer amazing activities like San-guided nature walks, eco-friendly quad bike trails across the pans and luxury sleep-outs under the great starlit Kalahari sky.

Accommodation: Jacks Camp

From Makgadikgadi Pans National Park you will have a fly/drive transfer to Victoria Falls either on the Zimbabwean side or the Zambian side, depending on your preference – talk to your Travel Expert about the differences between the two to help you decide.

On the way: Clear customs and immigration and proceed to your lodge through the game reserves on either side of the Zambezi River.

When you're there: Victoria Falls is straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Both countries offer excellent hotels and safari lodges and a great view of Victoria Falls. Despite Zimbabwe's economic and political problems, the Victoria Falls region remains a safe and accessible destination and an essential addition to any African safari.

Your Travel Expert will provide current advice about visiting Victoria Falls before you travel and if the security level is threatened we will not hesitate to intervene and re-arrange your travel plans as necessary.

Victoria Falls is an exciting world of activities and sights. After a day spent at the beautiful waterfalls – a World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World – it's time for some Zambezi action. A scenic flight over the falls is amazing and the sunset river cruises are a must; walking safaris with lions and elephants are popular highlights and there are many adventure activities available for the young-at-heart including excellent white water rafting and canoeing safaris.

Hot tip: at full moon, both the Zimbabwean and Zambian Park sides stay open and you can explore the waterfalls at night – the full moon rainbow is eerie, beautiful and oh-so-romantic. Talk to your Travel Expert about arriving in time for the full moon experience at Victoria Falls.

Spend two days exploring Victoria Falls and either cramming in the activities or relaxing in your safari lodge with a beautiful view, a cool drink and the wonderful African weather. After breakfast on your last day, transfer to the nearest international airport and connect to your homeward flight at the end of a sensational African safari.

Accommodation: Stanley and Livingstone | Sussi Lodge and Chuma Villas

The flights to Jo'burg usually leave late afternoon so you have time to squeeze in any last-minute must-do activities or purchases.