Africa + Indian Ocean

Botswana

Our next stop was Shinde Camp on the Okavango Delta. Once again, upon arrival, we were whisked off on an afternoon safari. The Delta was spectacular with an abundance of animals and birdlife. Our guide  – as with all the guides we had during the trip – had an extensive knowledge, not only on local history but also about the birds and animals that reside here. The meals were outstanding and we all ate at a communal table, which enabled all guests to mingle and exchange experiences. The highlight of this camp was the helicopter flight giving us a 'drone' perspective of the region, during which we could truly appreciate the intricacy of the multiple waterways, lagoons and vegetation. Our gorgeous chopper pilot, all the way from New Zealand, surprised us with Champagne by the edge of a massive lagoon. What a treat! Shinde was probably our favourite camp, mostly because of its diversity of animals, birdlife and landscape.

Next was the Kalahari Plains. This camp was very different to the previous two, being in a semi-arid savannah area with limited water, though this didn’t detract from the wildlife. We were fortunate to see a pack of wild dogs, which is a rarity and we were able to follow the pack for quite some time. Once again, the birdlife was fantastic and our guide’s knowledge was encyclopaedic. We also took the opportunity to spend an afternoon with the local bush people, who lived a traditional lifestyle. The highlight of the Kalahari for us was the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The food here was also outstanding, and with each meal, we were seated at a communal table. Overall, our safari was an incredible experience, made up of three very different camps, spending three nights in each and made even more special by our guides and the supporting staff at each of the camps. The care and attention to detail throughout the trip was faultless.

"In the city you get a newspaper; in the bush you have tracks. They tell you everything you need to know about the day’s activities." 

"I'm so grateful to Henrietta Loyd for persuading me to take the children to Africa now."

"We have just arrived home and we miss Africa already!"

"Our honeymoon was perfect, the absolute trip of a lifetime. Each place we stayed made us feel so special and I know a lot of that is down to the work of you and the cazenove+loyd team."