Africa is a bundle of adventures waiting to be experienced, but what if time isn’t on your side? Work or budget constraints mean not everyone has weeks to spend on holiday, so we’ve put together a nifty list of itineraries that will still deliver a memorable African adventure with a limited time frame. Remember though: our itineraries are mere examples of what can be done – we can tailor-make any trip in line with your needs and wishes.
South Africa – Cape, Garden Route & Safari (10 days)
An excellent introduction to South Africa, this self-drive can be done in 10 days and is one of our most popular tours. The highlights include the Mother City and all its wonderful gems (think Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Point, the Cape Winelands and more), the lush Garden Route with its seemingly endless array of beaches, forests and hikes, finishing off with a Big Five Eastern Cape safari, a malaria-free wildlife destination that’s especially great families. The driving distances are reasonable plus the scenery and activities along the way make it a well-rounded trip for travellers of all ages, preferences and group sizes.
Click here to read more about our Cape, Garden Route & Safari itinerary.
Other suggested South African itineraries:
Botswana – Botswana Highlights (7 days)
It will only take you one visit to Botswana to fall head over heels in love. From the meandering waterways of the Okavango Delta, to the desert plains of the Kalahari, the animal-filled Makgadikgadi salt pans and the abundant elephants of the Chobe National Park, it will enchant you with its beauty, wildlife and people. Our Botswana Highlights itinerary gives you a taste of all the good stuff in just a week – more than enough to whet that appetite for a longer return journey to this wonderful country. Botswana also pairs perfectly with a visit to t Victoria Falls as they’re super close (see our Victoria Falls, Chobe & The Okavango Delta itinerary), or if you’re looking for some beach bliss after your safari, take a look at our Botswana & The Seychelles itinerary.
Click here to read more about our Botswana Highlights itinerary.
Top tip: Botswana is known for being quite pricey, but you might not know why. The three private concessions in the Chobe Area – Linyanti, Selinda & Kwando – are about the same size as Kruger National Park, but the maximum number of guests across all three at any one time is 250. In Kruger it’s approximately 10 000. So there’s your answer – it’s expensive because it’s so exclusive. You absolutely get what you pay for.
Malawi – Classic Malawi (10 days)
Discover Lake Malawi, hike across the magnificent slopes of Mount Mulanje and enjoy fantastic wildlife experiences in the many reserves and national parks…this is Malawi and it’s one of Africa’s hidden gems, with all of the flavour and none of the crowds. This lesser-known paradise delivers incredible natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage and some of the friendliest people on the planet. Our Classic Malawi itinerary is a 10-day trip taking you from vibrant capital city Lilongwe to the picturesque Zomba Plateau, on to the mopane-tree-filled Liwonde National Park and finally to the shores of serene Lake Malawi, the jewel in the crown.
Click here to read more about our Classic Malawi itinerary.
Give our blog seven reason to visit Malawi a read.
Réunion Island and Zanzibar – Classic Réunion Island (8 days) / Zanzibar Beach (5 days)
For a more tropical African experience, we recommend Réunion Island or Zanzibar (although Mauritius is a superb option too). Often referred to as the “lesser known cousin of The Seychelles and Mauritius”, Réunion also boasts white-sand beaches, but it’s the many activities on offer as well as its interior volcanic mountain ranges that set it apart from the rest. The archipelago of Zanzibar delivers an Indian Ocean experience that awakens the senses with an exotic mix of culture, beauty, adventure and that hypnotic island bliss. Explore the cobbled streets of Stone Town, spot the endangered red colobus monkey in the Jozani forest and breathe in the intoxicating scents of a range of spices on a famous spice tour. Then of course there are the stunning beaches with their pearl-white sand and warm azure waters – it’s almost impossible not to forget all of your worries.
Read more about our Classic Réunion Island and Zanzibar Beach itineraries.
You might like to read our blog things to do in Zanzibar
Beach meets Bush – Kruger & Mozambique Beach (8 days)
A classic combination that’s very popular with our travellers is our Kruger & Mozambique Beach itinerary. After enjoying three days on safari in Kruger National Park spotting the Big Five, you’ll spend a few idyllic days in gorgeous Mozambique. While away the hours with your toes in the sand, swimming, snorkelling or diving in the bluest waters, or just basking in the warm sunshine in your hammock with a cocktail and a good book. You can expect to return to reality feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated.
Click here to read more about our Kruger & Mozambique Beach itinerary.
For your ‘islands’ only, take a look at our Mozambique Island Escape itinerary (8 days).
These are just a few of our tours that meet the brief of 10 days or less, but we can customise any tour or create one from scratch depending on the time you have to travel. We’re here to bring your African dreams to life, so get in touch and let’s start planning.
