Paul's Southern African Water Journey
Though other months have their strengths, April combines rising waters in the Okavango, Victoria Falls at its thundering peak, and the last warm days of summer in the Cape. It’s ideal for families over Easter, while couples may prefer the quieter spell just before or after the school holidays.
Three nights in each of five locations – two in the Okavango, one near Victoria Falls, and two on the Cape – creates a wonderfully varied journey of landscapes, wildlife and experiences. There’s plenty of pace and interest, but never the sense of being rushed.
This itinerary is just one way to experience these locations. At Journeysmiths, we craft every journey around you – your interests, your pace, your idea of perfection. Let this spark your imagination, then get in touch and we’ll shape something that feels unmistakably your own.
Highlights of this Journey
Taking in two camps to maximise wildlife viewing, this journey begins in Africa’s most abundant and atmospheric safari landscape.
An unforgettable display of power and beauty, the Falls contrast with the calm, persistent river that feeds them through the Zambezi National Park.
A blend of coastal beauty and oceanic history, offering refined elegance – plus superb food and wine after inland safaris.
Among dunes, beaches and cape woodlands, you’ll encounter a completely different ecosystem – with whales and dolphins offshore.
From flying into the Okavango to boat hops between camps and 4WD arrivals, the transport becomes part of the adventure.
The predator-rich territories in the Okavango, the Zambezi National Park, and the contrasting Cape Floral Kingdom make wildlife the star.
Bush luxury reed huts and safari tents pair complement an elegant riverside lodge, an iconic Cape Town hotel and contemporary oceanside comfort.
From the Team
“Knowing that the Okavango’s water levels were exceptional in 2026, I seized the chance to take my own family to these five remarkable locations. Water became the thread running through the journey: the calm, wildlife‑rich channels of the inland delta; the astonishing power of Victoria Falls; and the rich ocean experiences at Africa’s southern tip. And yes – there were swimming pools at every stop, much to everyone’s delight.”
Okavango Delta, Moremi
From April to August, the floods transform the delta: islands become sanctuaries for land‑living animals, birds arrive in their thousands, and water spreads across plains and channels. The ecosystem shifts into overdrive – plants, prey and predators all responding to the surge – and at its heart lies the renowned centre of biodiversity, the Moremi Game Reserve. Protecting around 40% of the delta, it’s UNESCO‑recognised for its vital conservation importance; and for those fortunate enough to stay in one of its few camps, it offers rich wildlife encounters – from elephants and big cats to exceptional birdlife.
Paul's Insights
Lodge Choice: Experience also told me that Okuti Camp, in the Moremi Game Reserve, is an outstanding base for a classic safari, with superb game drives and mokoro canoe excursions. You can arrive by air – a spectacular introduction to the delta’s splendour – or drive in by 4WD, turning the journey itself into a game adventure.
Kalahari Alternatives, Families & Couples: For a complete contrast with the lush Okavango Delta, you could begin this journey in the nearby Kalahari, experiencing a landscape defined by the scarcity of water, and discovering how the San people and the wildlife adapt. Kanana and Dinaka camps both cater brilliantly to families, and like Okuti and Shinde (the next stop on the journey) – they also suit couples seeking a quiet, high‑end safari; especially if you visit in May or June, when tranquillity is virtually guaranteed.
Okavango Delta, Shinde
Viewed from above, the higher delta is a maze of sinuosity: meandering waterways and looping lagoons, some permanently full, others detached in the dry season and revived only by the annual floods.
Amid this water world lies the Shinde Lagoon, a permanent oxbow, with Shinde Camp set on its bank within a private concession. The meander has carved into higher ground – high enough for a small airstrip – but when the floods are in, arriving across the great floodplains by boat is by far the most evocative way to reach camp.
Paul's Insights
The Joy of the Journey: For us, the transfer was phenomenal. With the floodwaters high, much of the landscape was submerged, making a low‑draught boat safari between Okuti and Shinde not just feasible but an utter joy.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a spectacle that almost defines the word. It is spectacular. It hits every sense: its scale and beauty are energising and awe‑inducing; its thunder is a relentless soundscape for the ears; its drifting mist gives it a physical presence you can feel on your skin. If smell is the only sense left untouched, the others more than compensate – delivering an encounter of overwhelming natural drama.
Paul's Insights
At Mpala Jena the falls are only five kilometres away – close enough for effortless access, yet far enough to feel entirely separate. Here, the river becomes the stage for evening dhow trips, gentle safaris and fishing, all within Zambezi National Park, home to one of the region’s highest lion concentrations.
Adventurous Options: The Falls areas is also the theatre for more adrenaline‑charged encounters with the Zambezi’s churning waters – perfect for teens and energetic adults – from whitewater rafting and head‑dipping bungee jumps to the unforgettable lip‑of‑the‑falls Devil’s Pool.
Privacy for Couples: Mpala Jena has two private villas tucked away upstream. They each come with a dedicated butler, private guide and an exclusive-use safari vehicle.
Table Mountain’s famously misty summit phenomenon – its ‘tablecloth’ cloud – forms where moist ocean air is forced to rise. Most common on summer afternoons, it’s not just a reason to head up early; it’s a reminder of how this great city sources its water from the surrounding highlands. And those hills feed far more than taps and swimming pools: the vineyards, and the glass of wine you enjoy on Mount Nelson’s terrace, rely on them too.
Paul's Insights
Our camps and lodges all had excellent pools with exceptional outlooks, and when we reached Cape Town – at Mount Nelson – we suddenly had two. The Oasis is one of the largest heated outdoor pools in the country, while the Cottage Pool is adults‑only, perfect for couples and for parents seeking a quiet moment.
Penguins: Towards the Cape itself, the coastline brings further fascination. At the end of Table Mountain National Park lie Foxy and Boulders Beaches, where the ocean becomes playful. Here you can watch, and even swim alongside, the penguins.
Cape Whale Coast
Onshore, this is a landscape of dunes and fynbos, shaped by salt winds and ocean weather, where coastal trails, cliff‑top viewpoints and pristine beaches complete one of South Africa’s most dramatic seascapes. Here in the Cape Floral Kingdom, there are 9,000 species of plant, seventy percent of which are endemic. It’s the only place where the South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea, grows wild. Within this pristine coastal habitat is the 3500-hectare Grootbos Reserve, where dozens of new plants have been discovered in recent decades.
Paul's Insights
Perfect for Couples: For those seeking seclusion, the 16 luxury suites at Grootbos Forest Lodge are the natural choice. With a wine cellar, a romantic milkwood boma and an infinity pool overlooking the fynbos slopes, it’s a place made for quiet indulgence and reconnection.
Botanical Tours: On foot, horseback or by four‑wheel‑drive, you can explore the magical world of the fynbos. It’s an immersion in an entire ecosystem: the precision‑crafted sunbird beak, the industry of bees, and the extraordinary diversity of plants found nowhere else on Earth.
Positive Impact: Grootbos offers a first‑hand look at its model of ‘Progressive Tourism,’ where sustainable livelihoods in local communities are woven directly into the reserve and the daily operations of the lodge. It’s a thoughtful, tangible expression of positive impact, and aligned closely with ethos of Journeysmiths.
Who This Journey Works Best For
The camps, lodges and hotel all offer excellent family accommodation, and with pools everywhere there’s always a place for younger travellers to cool off and burn energy while adults rest and reset.
I’ve known these camps and lodges for many years and have watched them evolve with rising guest expectations – refurbs and new amenities are always interesting to see first‑hand. What struck me this time was how well each base caters not only for families and groups but also for couples seeking seclusion, thanks to private accommodation options and dedicated guiding that keeps experiences exclusive. And of course, if you’re a couple wanting to avoid even the faintest echo of high‑pitched voices on the breeze, simply come outside the school holidays.
The Journeysmiths Way
Logistics – bespoke, effortless, sometimes intrepid and surprising – are our speciality, but we are far more than planners of the nuts and bolts. We work with you to shape the very character and rhythm of the journey itself.
This sample itinerary reflects how we celebrate Africa, the continent of our origin, where we love weaving its many facets into a journey full of diverse wonders and quiet surprises. It’s simply a starting point – a template to spark ideas and inspire the adventure that will be yours.
Smooth & Safe: Our journeys may reach extraordinary places, but safety is constant. We match every experience to your abilities, and our trusted field partners operate with proven professionalism. We’re also available 24/7 throughout your trip.
Always Bespoke: No two travellers are alike, so nothing we create is off the peg. Group size, ages, passions and capabilities all shape the challenge we love of designing something uniquely for you.
Valuable and Value: Long‑standing partnerships give us preferential rates and availability, ensuring you pay no more than arranging everything independently. Leaving logistics to us frees you to dream – and enjoy the journey far more.
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
The Places We’ve Chosen for This Journey
On the permanent waterways of Moremi’s Xakanaxa region, Okuti offers effortless access to abundant wildlife, year‑round mokoro and boat excursions, and a deep, immersive connection to the Okavango’s landscapes.
A lush ebony‑ and mangosteen‑shaded island deep in the Okavango Delta, Shinde blends treehouse elegance with year‑round land and water safaris, offering one of the region’s most atmospheric and wildlife‑rich settings.
With a luxury tented camp and the option of even greater privacy and exclusivity at its two riverfront villas, Mpala Jena offers easy-going indulgence on the banks of the Zambezi River – combining classic safari experiences with the relaxed rhythm of life on the water.
Set amid sweeping lawns and century‑old trees, Mount Nelson offers a calm, luxurious retreat in the heart of Cape Town, with gracious service, beautiful interiors and a quietly glamorous atmosphere.
A contemporary sanctuary set above Walker Bay, Grootbos Forest Lodge immerses you in ancient milkwood forests, sweeping ocean views and world‑class fynbos experiences, all delivered with refined, nature‑forward luxury.
Set on a secluded stretch of the Zambezi River within Zambezi National Park, Mpala Jena Private Villas offer an exclusive safari experience with complete privacy, personalised guiding, and easy access to both wildlife-rich landscapes and Victoria Falls.
Grootbos Garden Lodge is our favourite for families on the Groobos Private Nature Reserve. The array of exciting and engaging activities on offer here is simply enormous and the setup for children, with a playroom and small farm, is unbeatable.
Faultless
Paul Hawley listened to what I wanted (a visit to Botswana with a specific non-safari element) and organised it with his team, including the right level of accommodation, the animals I wanted to see and seamless transport arrangements. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Enjoy Botswana’s magnificent landscapes and abundant wildlife through intimate, small-scale lodges. From wild wetlands to star-scattered desert skies, there’s nowhere quite like Botswana for an unforgettable private wilderness escape.
When seeking advice, we all agree that we should trust someone with first-hand experience. A frequent visitor to Botswana, Laura knows the luxury lodges and camps that reveal Botswana’s remarkable wildlife and the distinct landscapes that shape each safari experience.
Zimbabwe has been part of the story of Journeysmiths from the very beginning, and it remains one of our favourite places. It’s a country that guarantees an amazing safari experience that can be enjoyed in luxurious comfort.
Discover Zimbabwe on a tailor-made luxury holiday following the route of the Grand Tour.
Botswana, a land of contrasts, captivates travelers with its seasonal transformations. The Okavango Delta floods draw abundant wildlife, while rains blanket the Makgadikgadi and Nxai salt pans in green. Chobe National Park hosts vast elephant herds, and the north's lush landscapes contrast with the Kalahari's stark beauty in the south. This unforgettable journey offers Africa’s most exclusive safari in complete luxury.
Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary
Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.
The Kalahari is a fascinating place for a family safari. The children can sit by a meerkat den watching these curious little creatures foraging and playing as one stands guard on its hind legs looking out for eagles. They can watch enthralled as a San Bushman reveals hidden secrets that have enabled them to survive here for thousands of years.
South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.
Botswana is one of the best places for a family holiday of a lifetime! There are millions of animals across plains, deserts and deltas.
Escape into the wilds of Botswana, where the pristine landscape and varied wildlife abound. On a luxury safari in Botswana, you can expect to share your safari with only a handful of other guests, as our travel insider Philippa Page discovered.
There are few other safari destinations that offer the sheer diversity of landscapes that Zimbabwe does. The cascading waters of Victoria Falls and forested banks of the Zambezi River contrast with the arid open plains of Hwange and the rugged mountain terrain of Matusadona. Together, they create a completely unique safari experience.
Booking your family safari to Botswana opens a door to a world of exciting adventure. From the minute your Cessna touches the bush strip, your family will be in the wilds with expert guides. We curated the top 10 family experiences in Botswana to whet your appetite.
For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.
Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.
To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.
Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain.
in South Africa
Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.
If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.
The best way to give your family the facilities it seeks may be to book out an entire camp or lodge. Perhaps you are planning a multi-generation safari. Or you may want to fulfil a dream of walking, mokoroing and camping out in the Okavango. You may simply crave an extra degree of privacy. Most lodges we use take fewer than 16 guests, some take only eight, so booking a whole lodge is a viable option.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
From mysterious baobab groves, to the arid sands of Hwange, the balancing rocks of Matobo, and the awesome Zambezi River as it rages over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is a country that serves up all that could be hoped for in an African holiday destination.
With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
Between safaris there is plenty for children to do in camp while the adults relax. Safari lodges may be small and in remote locations, but they have excellent facilities and your hosts’ purpose is to give you the best possible time. In this section we also suggest a couple of places that combine easily to complement your Botswana safari.
Botswana is a great choice for an exclusive family safari. Roaming the spectacular deserts, deltas and savannahs are literally millions of animals. The fertility and abundant water of the Okavango and Linyanti Deltas supports an incredible 200 different mammal species. The Government’s high value, low volume tourism policy helps conservation and enables you to enjoy a top quality private safari.
Here’s something you might not expect. The people looking after you on safari might create some of your happiest safari memories. You’ll remember laughter and those after dinner stories and jokes around the campfire. During a three-night stay in a luxury camp, you’ll get to make friends with your guide, the chef, the vegetable gardener and the other people who love their work.
Imagine gliding silently along an Okavango waterway in a mokoro canoe as zebra and impala graze the grasslands. Or cantering on horseback with your guide alongside giraffe. In the Kalahari, take an early morning walk with a San Bushman as he explains the ancestral secrets of survival.
Botswana is Africa’s most exclusive safari destination. Each enormous private reserve has just one or two luxury lodges guaranteeing a series of private experiences as you travel from one exquisite location to the next. Expert guides will take your family on safari among big cats and vast elephant herds in beautiful deltas and deserts.
See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
From the glistening floodplains of the Okavango Delta, to the pristine wilderness of Linyanti, and beyond to the shimmering salt flats of Makgadikgadi - this family friendly safari will leave you all with lifelong memories. Experience the diverse ecosystems and wildlife Botswana has to offer in this spectacular journey from Delta to Desert.
The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.
Travel across Southern Africa in complete luxury, staying at some of the most exclusive properties on the continent. With every single detail taken care of by exceptional guides and staff at each location, you can concentrate on what really matters - immersing yourself in an exclusive African safari experience.
This memorable safari combines a journey through one of Africa’s most game rich areas, with a visit to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Experience Botswana’s abundant wildlife in the spectacular Okavango Delta and Linyanti, before heading to the winding Zambezi River to see the astonishing Victoria Falls.
From the pristine wilderness of Linyanti, to the glistening floodplains of the Okavango Delta, and beyond to the shimmering salt flats of Makgadikgadi - this Botswana safari will leave you with incredible memories from beginning to end. Experience the diverse ecosystems and wildlife Botswana has to offer in this epic journey from plains, to delta to desert.
Diverse natural habitats for awe-inspiring wildlife.
Luxurious safaris and vibrant Cape Town - South Africa is the Rainbow Nation.