Turtle time – experience one of nature’s miracles

November to February is an exciting period when you can witness female turtles nesting on the northern beaches of KwaZulu-Natal or watch as hatchlings emerge from the sandy womb and make their way to the ocean.

We love the fact that by visiting these sites you get to play a role in ecotourism.

Both the critically endangered giant leatherback turtle, as well as the loggerhead turtle nest on stretches of coast within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and its marine protected area (MPA) provides important feeding grounds for these reptiles.

Get close to the turtles on land, or if you don a snorkel and mask (or scuba gear) you have an extraordinary opportunity to observe them underwater. Besides the leatherback and loggerhead turtles that nest on our beaches, you may spot a non-breeding resident green turtle in the water too.

It’s quite incredible that while loggerheads and leatherbacks can swim the length of the continent, once mature and ready to reproduce, female turtles often return to lay eggs only metres away from where they once hatched.

Active conservation in the MPAs has produced positive results, according to Marine Protected Areas South Africa.

“Ongoing monitoring since 1963 has revealed remarkable results demonstrating the importance of beach protection for nesting female turtles.

In 1966, fewer than 10 leatherback turtles nested on the Zululand coast. The average number of nesting leatherback females has now risen to more than 70 nests per year. The number of loggerhead turtles has risen even more spectacularly from less than 250 in the early 1960s to 1 700 nesting annually within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.”

Whether you spot a loggerhead, leatherback or green turtle, like the character Crush from Pixar’s Finding Nemo, the experience may leave you as inarticulate as the animated creature who said, “I saw the whole thing dude! First, you were like, ‘woaaaah’, and then we were like, ‘woaaaah’ and then you were like, ‘woaaahh’”.

We’d love to help you plan a journey to experience this wonder of nature.

Happy travelling,
The Leopard Team

P.S. Drop us an email at [email protected] to find out more and remember to share this newsletter with someone who’d love to swim with turtles.

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

The romance and excitement of an East African safari.

Drumroll, please! Leopard now offers safari holidays to Tanzania and Kenya. Writing this gives me goosebumps because I’ve long wanted to offer East Africa holidays to Leopard clients. We’ve also added two new adventure destinations, Congo Brazzaville and Madagascar. This means that we can help you visit 16 countries on the continent.

People often ask us about the difference between a Kruger and a Serengeti (Tanzania) or Masaai Mara (Kenya) safari. Each have compelling reasons to visit, so it is not an easy decision to make. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is know for it’s abundance of wildlife, and the great migration of vast herds of wildebeest across the land. Kruger does not have wildlife in the same numbers, but has a better density of wildlife, meaning that you are likely to see the Big Five (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino) within a few days. 

The landscapes are also quite different. In the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, you typically find open grassland savannah. In Kruger, you will find a variety of habitats including shrub mopane, thorny acacias, marula trees and giant baobabs. Both destinations are family friendly, although each lodge has its policy on whether children are allowed on safari game drives.

Kenya and Tanzania’s tented camps are perfect for those who love nature and the idea of just a sheet of canvas between you and the wild. Depending on your budget, the camps in Kenya and Tanzania often have only basic facilities (no TVs, air conditioning, some may have a bucket shower and chemical toilet). In Kruger, especially in the private reserves that make up Greater Kruger, you will find a selection of luxury lodges with modern facilities, excellent service and outstanding cuisine.

Cost is another consideration. The cost of a safari depends on variables such as time of year, location, logistics and level of luxury you would like. In general, Kruger is more affordable at around $350 – $550 per person per night for a comfortable four star pad compared to $550 – $700 per person per night in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. In Kruger, a luxury five star lodge will cost between $1,000 and $2,000 per person per night, compared to $1,550 – $3,000 in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing a safari. It depends on the kind of experience you wish to have, the time of year you wish to travel, and your budget. 

As always, we are just an email or WhatsApp away, if you’d like to have an exploratory discussion on any of our incredible holiday destinations. We look forward to welcoming you to East Africa. 

Happy travelling,

Diana

P.S. We have just updated our website. Please take a look and let us know what you think! I love the videos we created for some of the holiday inspiration pages, to better showcase the experience. I think this is my current favourite: https://leopard.voyage/2022/01/24/island-escape/

The Great Migration video can be viewed below.

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

Garden Route galavanting. The perfect playground for families, couples and solo travellers.

Whether you’re looking for a family holiday or honeymoon destination or planning an adventurous solo escape, the Garden Route is as rich in beauty as Elon Musk’s mind is in profitable ideas. 

Driving from Cape Town to Mossel Bay, which marks the start of the Garden Route will take just over four hours, while a flight from Cape Town to George (the next town along the route) takes an hour. From here, it’s an easy drive on the well-maintained N2 that connects Mossel Bay to George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The road continues northeast across the Bloukraans Bridge, where you can experience the world’s highest commercial bungee jump.

Ideal for families
The wonder of exploring caves with chambers housing massive stalactites and stalagmites sculpted over time is worth the drive inland from George to Outshoorn’s Cango Caves. Take an Adventure Tour (for children over six years old), which makes its way deeper into the network of caves than the standard tour. An experienced guide will lead you from the main caverns down Jacob’s Ladder and through narrow spaces like the Tunnel of Love and the Devil’s Postbox before you return to the main chambers. 

You’ll find Acrobranch at Timberlake Organic Village (between Sedgefield and Wilderness), where children and adults can manoeuvre across obstacle courses suspended in the trees. Afterwards, head to Pomodoro in Wilderness, arguably the best Italian restaurant you’ll discover on your trip. 

Boat rides along the Keurbooms River pass between forested banks where Knysna loeries and woodpeckers, sunbirds and giant kingfishers make their home. A trip on the Knysna Pirate Ship will have you entertained by Captain Fish and crew member Mad-Maton as you sail across the Knysna Lagoon.

No family holiday to the Garden Route would be complete without visiting Birds of Eden. This two-hectare domed aviary allows its 3,500 birds (some are rescues) to fly freely between the treetops and creepers in the indigenous forest, complete with walkways and waterfalls. You’ll find Monkeyland next door, which offers guided walks through a forested enclosure to search for primates.

Garden Route romance
Sail to the Knysna Heads and beyond, into the Indian Ocean, on The Heads Explorer catamaran. You can laze on the trampolines sipping champagne while taking in the extraordinary views. When you’re ready to hang your hat, you’ll find several treetop lodges in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay’s forests, where couples can retreat from the shoreside buzz.

A picnic and wine tasting at Newstead Wine Estate is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, or head to the top of Baron’s View Estate to enjoy a meal with spectacular views at Sky Villa Boutique Hotel’s restaurant, which overlooks the Keurbooms Lagoon and Plettenberg Bay.

Spend a morning in nature by hiring a tandem canoe and paddling up the Touws River in Wilderness. Your canoe can be left at the mooring spot so you can stroll through the moss-lined pathway in the forest that takes you to the Touws River Waterfall.                    

Solo adventure travel along the Garden Route
The adventurous may want to begin the journey at Mossel Bay by leaping out of a plane to experience the exhilaration of tandem skydiving. If you prefer the water to the sky, you’ll find great white shark cage diving in the bay, and for a good combination of land, air and sea, there’s the Mossel Bay Zipline. This zipline – the longest over-ocean zipline in the world – begins on the cliffs at The Point before taking you over the sea. Hurtle down the line at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour, with a chance of getting splashed by surging waves as you pass by. 

Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are full of exciting networks of mountain bike trails that wind through the Knysna and Harkeville forests and, like those at Cairnbrogie and Harkerville, which run along the cliffside overlooking the ocean. A hike through the fynbos-clad cliffs of the Robberg Nature Reserve will also provide you with dramatic views over Plettenberg Bay, where you have a good chance of spotting whales and dolphins in season.

Let us know your favourite spots along the Garden Route!

Happy travelling,

The Leopard Team

P.S. Look out for some exciting news in the next newsletter – we are expanding!

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

7 Cape Town Summer Adventures to Add to Your Bucket List

While Cape Town has beautiful beaches, fine wine, cocktail bars and restaurants, it also provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventure. Below are a few of our recommendations to get your heart beating a little faster, for more than just love of this city.

1. Paraglide over the Atlantic Seaboard
Get a birds-eye-view over Cape Town’s spectacular coastline as you float on thermals with an experienced tandem paragliding pilot. From the parking area on Signal Hill, it’s a short hike to the launch spot on the lower slopes of Lion’s Head and then it’s up, up and away. The views are magnificent and when you’ve finished soaring with the birds your pilot will orchestrate a soft landing on a grassy field.

2. Kayak to see African penguins
Dip your paddle in and out of the ocean as you make your way from a jetty in Simons Town, through a little harbour with bobbing yachts, past the naval harbour and along the South Peninsula towards a colony of African penguins. Depending on the weather, you may stop for a dip or land on a beach and enjoy a snack. Alternatively, you could also kayak from Greenpoint in the summer and possibly paddle past a pod of dolphins, with the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head behind you.

3. Take a sidecar trip
A chauffeured sidecar trip to explore the Cape Peninsula, or the Cape Winelands, will give a different perspective of the surrounding beauty. You’ll feel the breeze across your face as you wind your way along the Atlantic Seaboard and look up from a low vantage point to the towering mountainscape of the 12 Apostles. Alternatively, fill your day with flitting between wine farms in Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, in 1940s style, enjoying wine tasting and lunch. 

4. Learn to surf
With nearly 3,000 kilometres of coastline it’s not surprising that South Africa has a strong surfing culture, especially in Durban, Jeffrey’s Bay and Cape Town. Muizenberg’s small rolling waves and warmer water offer the perfect environment in which to learn. There are two surf schools on the beach that offer lessons and provide all the equipment you’ll need. If you can already catch a wave, you can advance to Big Bay beach at Blouberg, while other spots like Llundudno, Glen Beach and Scarborough are better suited for skilled surfers.

5. Hike to the top of Table Mountain
There are several routes to the top of Table Mountain like the steep Platteklip, Kasteelpoort or Skeleton Gorge ascents, or a more gradual climb from Constantia Neck. You could also meander around the mountain’s base on the Pipe Track while still enjoying spectacular views. While you don’t necessarily need a guide; never hike alone, make sure that you have a good pair of walking shoes, some water, snacks and a waterproof jacket (even in summer). You can find more tips for hiking on Table Mountain on the SANParks website.

6. eBike in the Stellenbosch vineyards
Electric mountain bikes have made offroad trips accessible to the whole family even when not everyone is equally fit. The battery power allows you to enjoy the natural surroundings without breaking too much of a sweat. There are various tours available which include historical tours of Stellenbosch with a wine tasting experience and half-day trips from Stellenbosch up through the Idas Valley and down the Banhoek Conservancy trails to Boschendal. There are also lengthier tours from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek with a lunch stop at a wine farm, or e-biking from one wine estate to another through the vineyards (stopping to sample the wines in between).

7. Snorkel with seals
After a friendly briefing and donning a wetsuit, enjoy a boat trip from Hout Bay harbour to the nearby Duiker Island. Here you can slip into the sea and swim with curious seals (remember to bring a GoPro with a floating handle to capture the curious creatures as they twirl and somersault in front of you). You’ll need to be comfortable in the open ocean, however, there are floating buoys that you can hang on to if you need to catch your breath.

Happy travelling,

The Leopard Team

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

The Okavango Delta, an emerald paradise in an untouched wilderness.

Ancient tectonic earth movements created the Okavango Delta Basin that traps river water; which spreads across the land instead of flowing into the sea, bringing life to the plants and animals in this ecosystem. This is a remarkable place – a unique wetland oasis in an arid country. 

The delta is created by seasonal flooding, and counter-intuitively, the dry season is the best time to visit. This is because the water arrives in the delta only after the rainy season in Angola. The Cubango River flows slowly from the wet Angolan Highlands, through Namibia and reaches the delta five to six months after leaving Angola. Like all natural phenomena, it is hard to predict, but the flood waters arrive around June and start receding due to evaporation, around August. 

Going on safari in the Okavango Delta is one of life’s highlights. From seeing herds of red lechwe running through water to photographing leopard lying lazily on tree branches, witnessing herds of elephant crossing the deep water channels, enjoying a sundowner drink while watching hippo yawing at sunset and identifying the myriad of beautifully coloured birds, the Okavango Delta is a safari experience that delivers everything you would expect and more. It is perfect for first-time safari goers and for the safari veteran. It is a photographer and birdwatcher’s paradise and an exclusive, romantic escape for couples. In short, it is everything you could desire from an African holiday.

I’ll be sharing more about where I stayed, all the water, land and air activities on offer – and other insider tips in upcoming newsletters. Stay tuned. 

If you’d like to know more, or want a tailor-made holiday to the Okavango Delta, just reply to this email. 

Happy travelling,

Diana

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

What to expect from a South African safari.

As you immerse yourself in the wonders of Africa’s wild spaces, just as every sunrise and sunset is unique, each safari destination provides something a little different. 

South Africa offers an incredible variety of luxurious options. You could choose to sleep high above the surrounding bush at Phinda’s Mountain Lodge and Kruger Shalati’s Train on the Bridge or be lulled to sleep under the stars in an open-air treehouse, or deck, complete with a king-sized bed. There are lodges with modern African decor and those that imbue the essence of an old-world safari. 

While each setting and experience will have its own flavour, here’s a guide to some of what you can look forward to on safari.

Game drives, guided walks, or conservation experiences 
You’ll need to abide with the rhythms of the wild when you come to Africa to see its wildlife, or you risk missing nature’s show. This means an early morning start, as animals tend to be most active around dawn and dusk, which happily coincide with the best light for photography.

You can expect to wake before dawn for your morning safari. The open safari vehicle will generally depart at 5am in summer or 6am in winter for the day’s first adventure. While, guided wilderness walks also leave at first light to avoid the heat of the day. Walking safaris are accompanied by a specially qualified ranger and are only available to those who are fit and over 16 years of age.

While there are no guarantees of what you’ll see on any given game drive, rangers are skilled at tracking animals and alert each other to sightings via two-way radio. As you journey through the bush they’ll share interesting facts about the wildlife in the area and use their well-trained eyes to point out creatures that you may have missed. Each outing is exciting in that you can’t predict what is going to happen. Will you witness a Whalberg’s eagle feasting on termites, watch elephants swim across a river, or spot a leopard sauntering by?

The evening game drives are no less thrilling. After the African sun dips behind the horizon, you could find yourself bumping along a dirt track under the night sky, resplendent with stars, as your guide swings a powerful lamp from side to side in search of reflective pairs of eyes.

For something extraordinary, you can join a wildlife team that includes a vet and rangers and take part in a conservation experience. You’ll get to witness an animal, such as a rhino, being darted from the air and then get up close to see the notching and microchipping procedure as well as the collection of DNA samples. This once-in-a-lifetime experience contributes to the conservation of our magnificent African wildlife. 

Enjoy sumptuous fare
Foodies don’t need to worry about being isolated in the bush without access to good food. High-end lodges often partner with renowned chefs to create stellar menus. Whichever lodge you find yourself at, your day will most likely start with a hot beverage and some light snacks before you set off on your first game drive. When you return there’ll quite often be an extravagant brunch, followed later by various lunch options as well as freshly baked goods for tea time. Most lodges will cater for special dietary requirements, as long as you let them know ahead of time. Dinners can range from a braai (barbeque) in a boma under the stars to refined meals paired with some of South Africa’s premium wines.

An unhurried pace
Between morning and evening game drives and your meals, you’ll have time for a languorous afternoon nap, relaxing in and around the pool or spa, or reading in your private quarters or in the communal lodge lounge. If you do need to connect to the outside world, there’ll usually be WiFi (at least at the main lodge), however, you may find yourself pleasurably distracted by the natural world with no desire to enter into the daily digital fray.

The stillness of a sultry afternoon provides the perfect time to unwind as you drink in the beauty of the natural world all around you, perhaps with a gin and tonic in hand.

We’d love to hear from you
If you have any questions about the best time of year to visit and what to anticipate in various regions, or at certain lodges, we’d love to hear from you.

Happy exploring,

The Leopard Team

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

Southern Africa’s most romantic spaces.

There’s a vast selection of romantic destinations in Southern Africa, where rim-flow pools look as if they spill over into the African savannah or merge with the ocean along its coastline. Sunsets are rich in colour, the stars put on a spectacular show and the food is varied and flavourful.

Choosing the best place to savour time as a couple, on honeymoon or holiday, can be overwhelming. Here are a few of our favourites:

Unwind in tropical Mozambique

Mozambique’s tropical beaches and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean ooze a sense of relaxation, and provide a dreamy destination for romantic getaways. 

You can spend time snorkelling or scuba diving together, lazing on the sand banks, horse riding on the beach, or sharing a candlelit dinner at the water’s edge to the sound of gently lapping waves. The freshly caught seafood is often infused with flavours of Portugal and there’s ample time for long walks on palm-lined beaches or a leisurely boat trip on a local dhow. And if you’re fortunate enough, you may get to swim with a gentle whale shark or spot a rare dugong.

Be entertained in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands

Whether you’re an adventuring couple who likes to get outdoors or you prefer to sip on world-class wines and enjoy culinary delights, Cape Town and the nearby winelands provides this and more. 

Take a helicopter flip from the V&A Waterfront over the dramatically beautiful coastline or try a chauffeured sidecar ride from beneath Table Mountain, along the Cape Peninsula. You can enjoy romantic dinners at fine-dining restaurants like Fyn, Epice and Indochine or a picnic of artisanal foods and crisp sauvignon blanc under the pine trees at Boschendal Wine Estate. There’s also no shortage of luxurious accommodation with suites overlooking the ocean, as well as a selection of more secluded romantic establishments, to choose from. 

Be enthralled on safari in the Kruger

Wake up to bird song (or the snorts of animals foraging nearby) in wild spaces that offer you and your partner the perfect escape from the constant pressure of everyday life. You’ll have the option of joining skilled game rangers, who have in-depth knowledge of the plants and animals, on morning and evening game drives. In between there’s time to enjoy meals and drinks overlooking the bush or river, relax at the pool, read, or have a spa treatment.

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s most well known big game reserve and forms part of a larger wilderness area that extends past its borders to private reserves like Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Thornybush. These and other unfenced reserves on the western border of the Kruger National Park make up what is known as the Greater Kruger. Each wilderness section has its own characteristics and animals that you are more likely to see. Sabi Sands is known as one of the best places to see leopard, the most elusive member of the Big 5, while elephant and buffalo are commonly spotted near the Kruger National Park’s Mopani Rest Camp. 

Whether it’s a bush break, a beach holiday, experiencing the best in food and wine or a combination of all of these, at Leopard we’re always eager to share the very best of what Southern Africa has to offer.

Have you always wanted to see a pride of lions in the wild, swim with dolphins, or float over the winelands in a hot air balloon? Whatever your romantic African dream entails, we’re here to help you bring it to fruition in the most memorable way.

Happy travelling,

The Leopard Team

P.S. My husband and I recently escaped the city for the glorious Drakensberg Mountains. We stayed at Montusi Mountain Lodge in the northern berg. The setting was sensational and the staff warm and friendly – the key ingredients for a perfect weekend. What we most wanted to do was get out into the mountains.

We did the Mudslide and Crack hikes in Royal Natal. It was challenging and adventurous, taking us high into the mountain. There is something special about being in the wilderness, far from civilization, with only a few baboons and soaring eagles for company. You can see some photos on our Facebook page. – Diana

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

Authentic travel experiences.

After spending two years in slumber, travel has recovered. At Leopard, we are seeing excellent demand for holidays to Africa. People don’t want to put off their dream holiday for a year, they want to travel while they can. The next 12 months are going to be filled with sweet adventures and new ways of travelling. 

One of the novel ways people are travelling is with a focus on authentic experiences and exceptional encounters that they will remember forever, instead of visiting only the usual tourist hotspots. 

One of my most treasured travel memories is from 2011 when I visited Morocco. I booked a five-day tour of the Sahara Desert with a local travel company. (This was the second time I had used a travel company, after an excellent first experience in Central America using a local company in Cuba). It was the best decision because I was able to enjoy both the incredible beauty of the desert and meet nomads who have lived there for centuries. It was an experience I would have had difficulty achieving independently of the travel company. 

I travelled during Eid al Adha, a time of celebration in Morocco. A nomadic family invited us into their tent (pictured above and below), where we drank sweet tea and ate a traditional dish of goat meat. It was the most delicious meal I have tasted and one I will always remember. 

Here are a few tips if you would also like to have more exceptional, and memorable, experiences while travelling:

1. Use a local travel company to book your holiday. This may feel riskier but there are a number of ways to confirm that local tour companies are reputable. It’s by far the best way to make the most of your holiday, especially if you are unfamiliar with the region. 
2. Take time at each stop. Don’t be in a rush to tick destinations off a list. Rest a while and explore, opening yourself up to seeing places with fresh eyes. 
3. Visit the highlights, like Table Mountain, but also spend a few nights in some off-the-beaten-track places, such as Gugulesizwe in Maputaland. 
4. Eat at local restaurants. This will give you the opportunity to taste traditional food, interact with local people and contribute to the local economy. You will be warmly welcomed, well-fed and will leave with lifelong memories! 
5. Use local guides. I am always surprised when I see groups travelling with guides from their home country. Local guides know the place infinitely better. Use them instead. 

Wishing you exceptional and authentic travel experiences on all your upcoming holidays! 

Happy travelling,

Diana

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

Incredible Family Travel Destinations in Southern Africa

Southern Africa offers a wealth of experiences for families to enjoy, from interacting with multiple cultures to immersion in nature and adventures that are safe and simultaneously thrilling. 

The region is vast and there is a boundless list of places worth visiting and things to enjoy on a family vacation. Below are just a few of our favourite spots.

Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a family-friendly destination with a wide appeal for people of all ages. It boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, with brilliantly white sand and a dramatic mountainous backdrop. 

A visit to the Mother City with the kids wouldn’t be complete without taking them to the top of Table Mountain via the aerial cableway, or you could opt for a guided hike to the summit with older children. There are also several other trails, like the Pipe Track, which aren’t too strenuous and offer spectacular views over the ocean. Another popular outing is visiting the endangered African penguin colony along the beaches of the South Peninsula.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
The main reason people visit Victoria Falls is to see ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. If you opt for a guided tour, you’ll be led through the rainforest to various viewpoints while hearing fascinating facts about this wall of water, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. A helicopter ride will give you an aerial view of the entire waterway where the Zambezi spills over the lip of the falls and disappears into the Batoka Gorge.

Another activity to share as a family is a sunset Zambezi River cruise, where you may spot hippos, crocodiles, and even elephants in the water. After enjoying drinks, snacks, and hopefully animal sightings, you’ll get to see the fiery orange sun slipping beneath the horizon, leaving a dramatic silhouette of foliage against the African sky. 

Vilanculos, Mozambique
If tropical beaches are your idea of the perfect family getaway then Mozambique’s Vilanculous should be on the top of your list. Take a boat trip to the nearby Bazaruto archipelago where the protected reefs provide a safe environment for snorkelling in warm blue waters, with visibility of up to 40m. Alternatively, you could kayak lazily along the shoreline, spend time on the water in a local dhow (sailboat) or pick a sand bar to relax on. 

There’s also horseriding on the beach and for those with older children that are certified scuba divers, you’ll have the chance of diving alongside whale sharks or even encountering the rare and endangered dugong.

Namibia
Namibia is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, being among the least densely-populated countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The open spaces and night skies, where stars shimmer competitively, offer a perfect setting to reconnect. The dunes at Sossusvlei are safe to climb and a predawn start will have you on top of Dune 45 in time to watch the sunrise and enjoy the expansive views beneath. The surreal landscape of Deadvlei, where petrified acacia trees reach towards the sky in a sunbaked pan of cracked salt and clay, is also a must-visit spot.

Quad biking in the desert at Swakopmund makes for a memorable family outing and an exceptional experience when visiting Namibia is a hot air balloon ride over Namib Desert.

Greater Kruger, South Africa
There’s nothing quite like getting into the bush and searching for Africa’s famous Big Five on safari. This type of adventure allows you to experience the wonders of nature together, away from digital distractions. It’s worth noting that not all lodges offer game drives for kids and some request you book a private vehicle at additional cost. Others cater specifically for children and some allow children over a certain age to join in on open-vehicle safari drives.

If you’re considering a safari or visiting any of the destinations listed above, get in touch and we’ll help you find the perfect lodges and activities to meet your family’s specific needs. And, if you have another African destination in mind let us know and we’ll share our insider info and help you plan your trip to perfection.

Happy travelling!

The Leopard Team

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard

5 spectacular Southern African migrations

The great migration of roughly two million wildebeest across the Serengeti in Tanzania, into the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and back again, is one of the greatest shows on earth. Wildlife documentaries like to show the frantic herds crossing the Grumeti River, where crocodiles lay in wait, or criss-crossing the Mara River but these river crossings are difficult to predict and witness.

However, despite the buzz surrounding the migration in the northern half of the continent, Southern Africa offers five lesser-known migrations that are well worth considering. 

1. Zebra migration in Botswana
Botswana’s zebra migration occurs bi-annually when herds of zebra make their way from Chobe in the north to Makgadikgadi Pans in the south and later return. They move with the rainfall, searching for fresh grazing land and covering distances of over 1,000 kilometres. The zebra migration is most dramatic during the rainy season in Botswana, from December to March, allowing visitors to benefit from lower lodge rates and fewer people.

2. Fruit bat migration in Zambia
Roughly 10 million giant fruit bats migrate from West Africa to a forested area in Kasanka National Park between October and December, making this migration the largest migration of mammals on Earth. In the evening, these large bats –  with wingspans of up to one metre –  can be seen flitting in multiple directions, silhouetted against the African sky. They come to feast on milkwood, musuku, mufinsa, mahogany pods and other wild fruit that grow after the first rains. 

3. Sardine run in South Africa
Every year, between May and July, winter storms cause an upwelling of cold water that gets pushed along South Africa’s coastline and massive shoals of sardines are driven north with it. Marine predators like dolphins, sharks, and Cape Gannets follow the travelling buffet of sardines, which has been described by BBC as ‘the greatest shoal on Earth’. Although not trailing the sardines specifically, numerous humpback whales can be seen at this time of year too as they migrate from Antarctic waters to warmer breeding grounds.

4. Blue wildebeest migration in Zambia
The second-largest wildebeest migration, of about 40,000 animals, takes place on the Liuwa Plains around November each year. While the scale is smaller than the migration in the Serengeti, it can be hard to tell as you watch thousands of galloping, grazing and snorting wildebeest move in a disarrayed unison across this wild space. Where there are herds of wildebeest you’ll also find lions, tracking them closely in anticipation of their next meal.

5. Southern Right Whale migration in South Africa
Hermanus and De Hoop, in South Africa, are two places that offer some of the world’s best land-based whale watching from up close. From around June to November, Southern Right Whales migrate to South Africa’s waters to give birth in sheltered bays. It’s not uncommon to see whales breaching, tail slapping or expelling seawater from their blowholes.

Happy travelling!

Diana

Sign up for more newsletters like this here: https://mailchi.mp/2e4afa50d15f/leopard