Luxury Southern Africa Safaris & Tours

Generally, the dry winter months (May to October) are considered the peak time for wildlife viewing. During this period, the vegetation thins out and animals congregate around permanent water sources, making the "Big Five" easier to spot. 

However, if your bespoke safari in Southern Africa includes the Okavango Delta, remember that the floodwaters usually peak from June to August. For those visiting Cape Town, the summer months (November to March) offer the best coastal weather.

Absolutely - in fact, we recommend it. An iconic luxury Southern Africa safari seamlessly connects time in Cape Town with remote and extravagant game viewing in the Sabi Sands Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. One of EWT’s most popular itineraries is the vibrant culture and flora of Cape Town coupled with the variety of ecosystems in Botswana, around the Delta. Any trip can easily add a visit to Victoria Falls, always a highlight. And the Kalahari Desert, spanning Namibia, Botswana and South Africa offers some of the most remote and pristine wilderness in Africa.

As one of the premier tour companies for Southern Africa packages, we handle the complex logistics of cross-border permits and private charters to ensure you spend more time in the bush and less time in airports.

Beyond the legendary Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), Southern Africa is the playground for some of the continent’s most specialized and rare species. 

In the Okavango Delta and Zambia, you are in the premier stronghold for the endangered African wild dog (or painted wolf). If you venture into the Namib Desert, you’ll encounter "desert-adapted" specialists - elephants and lions that have evolved to survive in the shimmering heat of the dunes. Meanwhile, the Tswalu Kalahari offers a front-row seat to the "elusive five": the aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, brown hyena, and the prehistoric-looking ground pangolin.

If exclusivity is your priority, Botswana is the undisputed king; its "low-volume" model means you’ll often have thousands of acres of the Okavango Delta to yourself. For those who want five-star sophistication, gourmet dining, and the world’s best leopard sightings, South Africa's Sabi Sands is the gold standard. Finally, for the adventurer, Zambia  offers the rawest connection to the wild through elite-level walking safaris and the thundering majesty of Victoria Falls.

Yes, and in many ways, a luxury safari is one of the most secure ways to travel. Because our itineraries utilize private air transfers (lodge hops) directly from international hubs to remote bush airstrips, you can bypass the logistical friction of major cities entirely. Of course, South Africa cities have a wealth of culture, culinary delights, and engrossing history, so, if you have time, we always recommend a combination of wildlife and urban exploration.

Once in the bush, you are in a "controlled wilderness" where expert guides - among the most highly trained in the world - ensure your safety around wildlife. The lodges themselves are intimate sanctuaries with high staff-to-guest ratios, providing 24/7 security and a level of personalized care that makes the "outside world" feel very far away.

For most US, UK, and EU citizens, the visa process is remarkably simple. South Africa, and Botswana remain largely visa-exempt for stays under 90 days (usually just a stamp in your passport). For Zambia, we recommend the KAZA Univisa, which allows you to move freely between both sides of Victoria Falls on one permit. 

Regarding health, you should be up-to-date on routine vaccinations (MMR, DTaP). Hepatitis A and Typhoid are standard recommendations, and because many luxury areas are in malaria zones, a prophylactic is essential. A Yellow Fever certificate (either proof of vaccination or a certified exemption letter) is only required if you are arriving from an endemic country (like Kenya, Tanzania, or Ethiopia).