:: Inspirational Ideas

There is nothing quite like the thrill of walking through the African bush!

Experience the excitement of watching game on foot in Zambia's South Luangwa Valley and the North Luangwa, or in the Linyanti region of Botswana. Walk through Kenya's Northern Frontier District with Samburu guides and camels as your beasts of burden, or enjoy the remoteness of the immense Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania.

The leisurely pace of a walking safari provides excellent opportunities for the keen photographer and birders.

Botswana - Kenya - Madagascar - Malawi - Namibia
South Africa - Tanzania - Uganda - Zambia

Being on the back of a horse allows the rider to get close to game which is undisturbed by human intrusion. How about galloping through the clear shallows of the Okavango Delta during a morning ride or cantering across the Maasai Mara with giraffe and zebra?

There are also many places where it is possible to enjoy spectacular scenery and settings from horseback, including up on the Zomba Plateau in Malawi, in the Limpopo, Drakensburg and Waterberg of South Africa and along the beach in Tanzania.

For an ultimate thrill why not ride high on the back of an elephant. Whether you are riding these magnificent creatures or walking beside them as they go about their daily business of eating, drinking and bathing, this is an experience to cherish.

In the Okavango Delta you can ride them at Abu's Camp or walk with them at Stanley's. At Thornybush, upstream from the Victoria Falls in Zambia, it is possible to combine a morning or afternoon elephant ride as part of a full safari.

Drift over the desert landscape of the Namib in a hot air balloon enjoying the dawn light on the red sands or in East Africa, witness from the air the incredible spectacle of the great wildebeest and zebra migrations on the plains of the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara.

An even more thrilling ride is by microlight flight over the Victoria Falls or the vast South Luangwa National Park.

A helicopter flight over Cape Town or Victoria Falls gives a spectacular view of these famous areas of Africa, scenic flights over the Skeleton Coast reveal the remote and rugged coastline below and even a transfer by light aircraft over the bush turns into a game viewing experience.

Explore Africa's diverse waterways in your choice of craft! What about canoeing gently down the Lower Zambezi river, past wallowing hippos and elephants bathing? Or maybe look for game along the banks of the Chobe River as you travel upstream in a motorboat. If you are looking for tranquility then being poled through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (dug out canoe) is the perfect solution.

While relaxing on one of the Indian Ocean islands, enjoy the spectacular sunset from the comfort of a dhow.

Sail in luxury on Lake Malawi on a fully equipped and crewed ocean-going catamaran, either chartering as a live-aboard or for a transfer between different places on the lake.

For one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences, trek into the forested slopes of Uganda and Rwanda in search of the mountain gorillas. Time spent with them is a truly memorable experience.

Walk through the rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda or along the shores of Lake Tanganyika until you find the resident troop of chimpanzees then sit amongst them and watch the interaction of their busy lives.

It is possible to see both these incredible primates, together with a variety of monkeys and other game, on a safari in either country or combined with another country in East Africa.

The coast of East Africa and nearby islands offer pristine beaches and warm clear water. Relaxing on a beach in the shade of a palm tree can be the perfect end to a safari, or a delightful holiday in itself.

Try wind surfing, sailing or canoeing, or explore beneath the waves scuba diving or snorkeling, discovering the wealth of marine life. For something completely different, visit the beaches of the Cape peninsular – home, in season, to penguins, seals and whales.

For those who enjoy a spot of fishing, how about casting a fly for a tiger fish on the mighty Zambezi river catch a giant Nile Perch on Lake Turkana (the Jade Sea) in a remote corner of Kenya. Amateurs can try their hand spinning in the Delta for bream from Kwando Lagoon.

For those who are passionate about deep sea fishing, the coast offers challenging catches including yellow fin tuna, sailfish and marlin. Throughout Africa, the principle of tag and release is widely practised.

Africa has long been referred to as the 'cradle of mankind' and there is ample to support this in the ancient rock art, lost civilisations and remains of prehistoric settlements found throughout the continent. Discover the ruins of Great Zimbabwe or visit Olduvai Gorge and see the first footsteps of mankind.

Archaeological and historical tours can be arranged with the company of an enthusiastic expert. Combine a tour of the Battlefields of South Africa, a walk in the Kalahari with a !San Bushman, taste the Arabic influence on the Swahili coast or a visit to a local village with your safari guide, giving you a broader view of Africa, its history and people.

It must not be forgotten that Africa boasts some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. Include an excursion to the Victoria Falls while in Zambia or Zimbabwe to experience first hand the ‘smoke that thunders’, make a dawn visit to the dunes at Sossusvlei to catch them at their most beautiful, or go to the Ngorongoro Crater, often known as the ‘largest natural zoo’.

Other possibilities include Murchison Falls in Uganda where the mighty Victoria Nile is forced through a gap in the rock just seven metres wide and cascades down forty metres of rock face into the river below, the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast and the diverse ecosystems of the Okavango Delta.

For those who want to be challenged by Africa, why not climb one of her beautiful mountains - Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Rwenzori's (Mountains of the Moon) or Meru offer the energetic a rewarding experience.

Exert yourself on a cycling safari in northern Kenya or learn how to kite-surf on the South African or Kenyan coast. You can explore the desert on a quad bike, and at Victoria Falls there are many adrenaline-filled opportunities to bungee jump, abseil and raft the rapids of the mighty Zambezi.

There are some beautiful private houses which can be rented with a full staff compliment or on a self-catering basis - ideal for a family holiday or as a very romantic and exclusive hideaway. Fine examples are found on the bank of the Zambezi river above Victoria Falls, in the South Luangwa valley in Zambia, in the Laikipia District of Kenya or on the coast.

Exclusive use of a small bush camp or taking a private mobile safari can make wonderful family holidays.

If malaria-free is a priority, there is a fine choice of wonderful properties in South Africa.

Botswana – Kenya - Namibia - South Africa - Tanzania - Zambia

If you have a particular passion we can satisfy it! Whether your interest be specific wildlife such as birds, butterflies, meercats, rhinos, whales or wild dog, or an all-consuming hobby like drawing and painting, fine wines, golf, photography or steam trains, or, indeed, if you need some help arranging your wedding in a romantic corner of Africa, we are here to help you.