Leg Five

South Africa to Mauritius

Below you’ll find ways to see the world from a new perspective, from different angles, constituent parts of wider trips. Some historical, some cultural, some in the presence of wildlife, some in the absence of almost everything; some serious and some, purely, for the sake of fun. A list to make you think, to ponder and to dream, where suggestion is merely a starting point and where cognition, conversation and consideration will, no doubt, take you somewhere different; a place where one can feel and feel alive.

Hold your breath South Africa Join champion freediver and ocean conservationist Hanli Prinsloo for an immersive underwater journey into South Africa’s coastal kelp forests. Learn freediving techniques and explore this vibrant ecosystem in a single breath. Swim alongside Cape fur seals in their natural habitat, witnessing their playful, acrobatic nature up close. This unique adventure offers intimate marine encounters and a different view of South Africa. Contact us Easy tiger! Zimbabwe Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest reservoirs, spans 2,000 kilometres of shoreline along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border in Matusadona National Park. Stay at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge and find abundant wildlife – hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birdlife. Enjoy the combative thrill of fishing for tiger fish (catch and release) and enjoy watching the sun set over the lake. Contact us Skeleton ghosts Namibia The Skeleton Coast, scattered with shipwrecks and whale bones, tells haunting tales of maritime misfortune. Further south lies Kolmanskop, an abandoned town in the Namib Desert’s ‘forbidden zone’. In the early 20th century, diamond fever drew hordes of prospectors and a thriving town emerged. Today, Kolmanskop is slowly disappearing into the desert. Drive out, discover forgotten ships and forgotten towns, losing yourself in its eerie beauty. Contact us Ramble in the remote St Helena Explore the volcanic island of St Helena on foot, following rugged coastal paths. Pass landmarks that whisper of Napoleon’s exile and end your journey with sundowners in the harbour, on a secluded beach, or cliff-top vantage point. St Helena’s ‘Post Box Walks’ will satisfy both the casual walker and intrepid hiker. This series of trails showcases the island’s diversity. Could you complete them all? Contact us San survival Botswana Walk, hunt and gather with the San Bushmen of the Kalahari, learning how they thrive in the harsh desert. Track wildlife, forage for food and master traditional fire-making skills. Experience a simpler way of life, gaining insight into the survival techniques of this resilient community. Contact us On patrol Zambia Kafue National Park, home to wild dogs, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and over 20 antelope species, offers some of Zambia’s best game viewing opportunities by Jeep and on foot. Stay at Musekese Camp and meet the Musekese Conservation antipoaching team, gaining insight into their efforts to protect wildlife. Contact us Seabed saunter Mauritius What better way to explore the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean than walking along the seabed itself? Embark on a 30-minute underwater walk and experience the thrill of weightless exploration. Observe vibrant reefs and their inhabitants up close, hand-feeding the fish and enjoying the peaceful underwater world – all while breathing naturally through a special helmet. It’s an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in the beauty that lies beneath the surface and its thriving ecosystem. Contact us Flock to Liwonde Malawi Liwonde River attracts flocks of birds making it a haven for bird watching. Liwonde is home to antelopes and elephants, and reintroduced rhinos, cheetahs and lions. Managed by African Parks since 2015, Liwonde’s chilli-elephant barrier has reduced human wildlife conflict, allowing a focus on restoring predators and restocking other reserves with its growing populations. Contact us Congo kayaking Republic of Congo Paddle the Congo Basin’s waterways, spotting elephants, buffalo, monkeys, antelope and kingfishers along the riverbanks. Launch from Mboko Lodge into the Lekoli River with a private guide, passing dense rainforest, bais and swamps. Combine with gorilla trekking from Ngaga Camp to observe endangered western lowland gorillas. Contact us Follow the herd Tanzania Drive Tanzania’s northern circuit, either as a self-drive or guided tour. Between July and September, witness the thrilling Mara River crossings as thousands of wildebeests and zebras dodge crocodiles in a desperate dash. From Ngorongoro’s rim, enjoy views of the fever tree forest, alive with elephants, leopards and buffalos. Tarangire offers sightings of dry-country antelopes like the fringe-eared oryx and long-necked gerenuk. End your journey with a relaxing Zanzibar escape. Contact us Trooping with baboons Kenya Walk with a troop of 90-strong habituated olive baboons, the largest primates on the Savannah, accompanied by a specialist guide who knows each baboon by name. Learn about their behaviour as you walk through the bush near Shompole Wilderness Camp. A thrilling family experience. Contact us Meet the family Rwanda Journey through Volcanoes National Park, led by experienced guides, in search of mountain gorillas. Observe as they groom, play and eat. Trek through dense forests, home to forest elephants, giant forest hog, bushbuck and 200 bird species. A maximum of eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day. Permits are limited – book well in advance. Contact us Wild at heart Madagascar Take a private speedboat across the Bay of Antongil to reach the remote Masoala Forest Lodge, accessible only by boat. Masoala National Park is home to 10 species of lemur and 50% of Madagascar’s plant species. Step out on a night walk to spot the blue coua, ring-tailed mongoose, giant leaf-tailed gecko and the endemic rare red ruffed lemur. Contact us
Leg Six – Indian Subcontinent & Central/North Asia >