Extending to safari
For a true Big Five safari beyond the Cape, Africa Privé can extend any journey into the Greater Kruger area of South Africa and Northern Botswana, with Victoria Falls available as a further add-on. Cape Town has direct commercial flights to Hoedspruit, the gateway to the Greater Kruger, and to Maun, the gateway to Northern Botswana. Should scheduled flights not suit, we can arrange a private charter instead. Reaching the camp will almost always require a further transfer, by road or by air — in Botswana this final leg is always by air.
Understanding the seasons
The Cape and the safari regions run on opposite calendars. November to April is the Cape at its best — and also the green season in the Greater Kruger and Botswana, when the safari regions receive their rain. May to October is the reverse: the safari areas are at their driest, while the Cape has its Mediterranean winter rainfall.
Green season game viewing
In our view, the green season delivers better, more spectacular game viewing, not worse. The landscape is a sea of green; animals do not disappear — this is when most species have their young, migrant birds are present and predator activity is heightened.
Kruger or Botswana?
With over thirty years in this industry, our view is that it comes down to what you personally value. In the Greater Kruger, shared sightings can be limited to under fifteen minutes, air conditioning runs throughout the camp and other vehicles are consistently around. Botswana is vast, wild and genuinely uncrowded, with no such restriction, plus boating and mokoro excursions — though air conditioning is typically limited to the bedroom. We offer both, and we will tell you honestly which fits you.
The travel day
The day you travel from the Cape to the bush is not counted as a safari day, which is why we recommend a minimum of three nights at a safari lodge. Day 1 is for settling in, lunch and a dip in the pool, then high tea, a late-afternoon game drive and sundowners. Days 2 and 3 are full safari days.
A day in the bush
Game drives run early morning, returning to camp around 10 or 11am for brunch or breakfast. A light lunch is offered, then high tea before the late-afternoon game drive, timed for when animals are most active. The middle of the day is yours: relaxing, swimming, resting. Times are indicative and flex by camp and season.
Private vehicle and guide
Non-negotiable: every safari we arrange uses a private vehicle and a private guide. You share with no one. For an extra layer of depth, we highly recommend bringing one of our own expert guides along.
Malaria
December to April falls within malaria season across these regions. It is not a serious risk when taken seriously — with proper prophylaxis and precautions, it should not be a barrier to travel.
Expectations in the bush
Wildlife sightings in the bush can never be guaranteed, however much is spent. What we do guarantee is that your expectations are managed honestly from the outset, and that your personal safety is treated as the highest priority at all times.
