Our Journal

An Extraordinary Southern African Journey

Cape Town

The journey opened in Cape Town, swept along by the force of the South Easter. The ocean drive toward Cape Point was dramatic, the Atlantic pounding against sheer cliffs while the road traced the edge of the continent. Ostriches appeared unexpectedly along the route, unbothered and perfectly at home in the wild coastal landscape.

Within Cape Point Nature Reserve, the views stretched endlessly—raw ocean, rugged headlands, and the unmistakable feeling of standing at the edge of Africa. From there, the mood softened at Boulders Beach, where the penguin colony offered a quieter, more intimate encounter.

As the light faded, the day concluded at Groot Constantia, glass in hand, watching the sun drop behind the vineyards in warm, golden tones.

Christmas Day unfolded with a sense of occasion. The climb up Platteklip Gorge was steady and rewarding, each step revealing broader views until the summit of Table Mountain delivered a breathtaking panorama—city, ocean, and mountains meeting in perfect balance.

The afternoon slowed naturally in the Cape Winelands, where long lunches, exceptional wines, and festive ease carried the day toward evening, setting the tone for the remarkable journey that lay ahead.

 Namibia

An early start ushered us smoothly through customs and onto a private PC-12, lifting off into clear skies and wide horizons. Below us, the landscape transformed steadily until we touched down in Lüderitz, before continuing on an extraordinary flight deep into the desert toward Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. The arrival alone was unforgettable—vast, empty, and humbling.

That afternoon unfolded in motion and light: quad biking across the red dunes, the sand glowing as shadows lengthened. A desert sundowner followed, the silence broken only by wind, the scale of the Namib impossible to ignore.

Before dawn the next morning, we entered Sossusvlei itself. Deadvlei revealed its stark beauty in the early light—white clay pan, blackened camelthorn trees, and towering dunes rising sharply from the valley floor. The climb up the Big Daddy dune (one of the tallest in the world) was demanding but rewarding, the view from the top stretching across a sea of red.

The afternoon invited stillness. Time slowed as the desert cooled, and the day ended with another glowing sunset, the silence of the Namib settling in completely.

The following morning delivered one of the journey’s most profound experiences: a hot air balloon flight at sunrise, floating silently at 3,000 feet above the desert. The dunes rolled endlessly beneath us, sculpted by light and shadow, a reminder of just how ancient and untouched this landscape remains.

 Botswana – Okavango Delta

From desert to delta, the contrast was immediate. We departed for Maun, where private customs clearance had us airborne again within minutes. A short flight and gentle boat transfer brought us to Little Vumbura, gliding through waterways lined with reeds and water lilies.

The first afternoon drive set the pace immediately—cheetah, sable, elephant, and buffalo all in one remarkable outing.

The following morning began on the water, moving quietly by boat as the sun rose over the delta. Hippos surfaced nearby, their presence constant and reassuring. Transitioning to a vehicle, we encountered the Kubu lion pride, resting but clearly alert, eyes fixed on a nearby herd of zebra. Later, three male lions appeared, followed by a special sighting of a young female leopard cub, curious and completely unbothered by our presence.

The final day brought both anticipation and surprise. A morning search for wild dogs ended instead with an unforgettable bush brunch, perfectly timed and completely unexpected. That afternoon, towering thunderstorms swept across the delta, dramatic yet fleeting, clearing just in time for an exhilarating sunset helicopter flip—the Okavango unfolding below in gold and green.

 Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls

An early departure carried us north into Zimbabwe, arriving at Victoria Falls, where we were met by the unmistakable roar and mist of Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke That Thunders. Standing at the edge of the falls, the power of the Zambezi was overwhelming—raw, relentless, and unforgettable.

 Singita – A Perfect Finale

A smooth flight delivered us to Singita, welcomed by warm smiles and effortless hospitality as we prepared to ring in the New Year. The afternoon drifted gently into a private sundowner boat cruise, the river glowing as the light softened.

Game drives delivered continuously—rhino everywhere, including a dramatic black rhino charge, a reminder of the wild intensity that still defines these landscapes.

Morning thunderstorms slowed the pace, creating the perfect atmosphere for a quiet start to the day, listening to rain and distant thunder roll across the reserve. The final afternoon drive brought more lions and rhino, before the journey closed under a rising full moon, its light reflecting off the landscape and marking the end of an extraordinary journey shared with remarkable people.