Southern Africa is where safari meets drama: the flooded channels of the Okavango Delta, the roar of Victoria Falls, leopards in South Africa’s private reserves and the red dunes of Namibia. It also pairs beautifully with East Africa, so you can follow the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara with a completely different wilderness on the same trip. This guide covers where to go, when to travel and how we plan a private, tailor-made safari across the region.
Where to go on safari in Southern Africa
Okavango Delta and Chobe, Botswana
The Okavango is a vast inland delta where floodwaters spread across the Kalahari each year. Days are spent gliding through papyrus channels by mokoro (dugout canoe), on game drives and on guided walks. Nearby Chobe National Park is known for its large elephant herds and river cruises at sunset. Botswana is famous for low-density, high-quality camps, which makes it one of the most exclusive safari experiences in Africa.
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, “the Smoke That Thunders”, sits on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. You can walk the rainforest paths opposite the falls, take a helicopter flight over the gorge or enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Two or three nights here fit easily between a Botswana safari and a flight home.
Kruger and the Sabi Sands, South Africa
The private reserves bordering Kruger National Park, such as the Sabi Sands, are some of the best places in Africa to see leopard. Rangers and trackers can drive off-road to follow sightings, and the lodges range from classic to contemporary. A safari here combines easily with Cape Town and the Winelands.
Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert, Namibia
Namibia offers wide open landscapes rather than big herds: the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei, the white clay pan of Deadvlei and some of the darkest night skies on earth. Many guests add Etosha National Park in the north for classic game viewing around its waterholes.
South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Zambia is the home of the walking safari. South Luangwa is known for leopards and expert walking guides, while the Lower Zambezi offers canoeing, fishing and game viewing along the river.
When is the best time to visit Southern Africa?
For most safari areas, the dry winter months from May to October are the classic season. Vegetation thins out, animals gather around water and the weather is mild by day and cool at night. The Okavango floods usually peak in the middle of the year, which is ideal for mokoro trips. Victoria Falls is at its fullest from around February to July, while the later dry months give clearer views of the rock face. Cape Town is at its best in the southern summer, roughly November to March.
How to combine East and Southern Africa
Regional flights link East Africa’s safari hubs with Johannesburg, Livingstone, Victoria Falls and Maun, so a two-region journey is simpler than many travellers expect. Popular combinations we design include:
- Serengeti + Victoria Falls + Okavango Delta: the Great Migration, the falls and a water-based safari.
- Rwanda or Uganda gorillas + Cape Town: primate trekking followed by the coast and the Winelands.
- Maasai Mara + Sabi Sands: two of Africa’s best big-cat areas in one trip.
We plan the routing so that you spend more time in the wild and less time in transit.
Practical travel tips
- Visas: rules differ by country and nationality. The KAZA UNIVISA can cover Zambia and Zimbabwe for Victoria Falls trips. Always check current requirements before you travel.
- Health: malaria prevention is recommended for many safari areas, though not for Cape Town. Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure.
- Packing: bring warm layers for early morning drives in winter, neutral-coloured clothing, a sun hat, sunscreen and good binoculars. Light, soft bags work best for small aircraft transfers.
- Booking ahead: the best camps in Botswana and the Sabi Sands are small and fill early, especially from July to October.
Plan your Southern Africa safari with us
Every journey we create is private and tailor-made. Tell us when you would like to travel, who is coming and what you most want to see, and our team will design a route across East and Southern Africa around you.
