Most people planning a trip to Africa know that many of the large predators on the continent include lions and venomous snakes—but Africa is also home to many deadly creatures that are much smaller (NOTE: these creatures do not pose any serious threat to travelers. This post is intended to simply introduce you to some of these creatures that you will likely not come in contact with while traveling to Africa). Here’s a look at some of the most dangerous tiny creatures that call Africa home.

Six-Eyed Sand Spider: Found in sandy places (including deserts) in southern Africa, this eight-legged creature hides in the sand and strikes when an animal gets too close to its home. The bad news is that its venom can kill a rabbit in a matter of hours, but the good news is that no confirmed human bites have ever been reported. This deadly spider is also mercifully shy.

Image above taken from GoAfrica.about.com.

Deathstalker Scorpion: Located throughout northern African countries, this brightly colored arachnid has the most highly toxic venom of any of its species. While healthy adults are not likely to die from a deathstalker’s sting, the elderly, very young, and those with medical conditions might be at risk. Luckily, a number of European pharmaceutical companies manufacture anti-venoms specifically for deathstalker bites.

Image above taken from PetBugs.com.

Mantella Poison Frogs: Concentrated largely in Madagascar, Mantella frogs have brightly colored skin that alerts other animals and humans to their toxic qualities. While a Mantella frog’s skin contains significant levels of toxins, humans are at little risk because their bright hues make these frogs easily avoidable.

Image above taken from mantella.amphibiancare.com

Blowfish: Known by many names (including pufferfish, toad fish, and sugar toads, among others), this spiky swimmer can be deadly to humans—but only when eaten. Though blowfish are found in some African water bodies, they are not generally served as food in this part of the world. (The Japanese, on the other hand, consider blowfish a delicacy and chefs in Japan train to learn how to prepare it so that it’s safe).

Image above taken from FactZoo.com

Tarantula Hawk Wasp: Technically, this wasp is only deadly to tarantula spiders, but its behavior is too fascinating not to include in this list. Female hawk wasps prey on tarantulas; after stinging them, a wasp drags the paralyzed spider to her nest, where she lays an egg in the spider’s body. The egg matures and hatches in the tarantula, which remains alive the entire time! After consuming the spider’s body for nourishment, the baby hawk wasp emerges. Word to the wise: even though hawk wasps aren’t deadly to humans, their stings are considered among the most painful in the world.

Image above taken from SDRP.org

Staying Safe on an African Vacation

It’s important to remember that deadly animal species live on every inhabited continent—not just in Africa! Part of traveling safely and healthily is learning about the risks you might face on the road—and preparing to keep yourself well.

Loved this post? Check out one of our previous blog posts on Africa’s Most Dangerous Animals Revealed.

To me, the perfect trip is one that is filled with life-changing cultural experiences, allows me to meet locals and international travelers, unfolds at a moderate pace (not too fast and not too slow), allows some level of flexibility, and ignites something within me that I never knew was there before.

If you agree with me about the elements of a perfect trip, then here are some tips to ensure that your future trip to Africa is all that you imagined and more:

Don’t Be Shy: In order to truly immerse yourself into the local culture, it sometimes takes stepping outside of your comfort zone. Start conversations with merchants, restaurant personnel, safari guides, and accommodation staff members. I promise you that by the end of your trip you will think that Africans are some of the most genuine and hospitable individuals you have ever met. In fact, many of our clients return home with a new appreciation for African cultures, new friends and relationships, and a warm feeling in their hearts, thanks to the locals of Africa.

Think New: You wouldn’t visit Paris to go shopping at the GAP, right? No, probably not. You’d want to visit local boutiques, art galleries, and shops that can’t be found in your homeland. This should be your same mindset when visiting Africa. The best way to absorb the various cultures and spark self growth is by trying new things, tasting new dishes, and exploring new places. The mystery of new experiences adds a thrilling element to your trip—and who knows, you might just learn something new about yourself (e.g. that you like tripe or smileys)!

Pick and Choose: Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many individuals. For these travelers, they often think that jam packing their itinerary with stuff they’ve always wanted to do is the best course of action. We have had many travelers come to us looking for a filled-to-the-brim itinerary, and often times, when they return home, they say that they wish they opted for more downtime in their itinerary.

When you’re moving fast, going from activity to activity and place to place, sometimes you miss the most beautiful and finite elements. Taking in your surroundings, enjoying the leisureliness of sundowners on your private veranda, and watching Africa slowly unfold around is you much more moving and enriching than a fast-paced itinerary. Not only can a packed itinerary cause stress, but it also results in zero flexibility with your schedule.

Therefore, when you are in the process of planning your trip, be sure to do your research and ask the advice of fellow travelers and your safari vacation agent.

Capture Moments: Some of the best ways to capture memories of your trip is by writing in a journal each night—describing what you saw and did during the day and your observations—taking photographs of the landscapes, wildlife, and people, and buying souvenirs that resonate with a specific experience you had.

How do you absorb the most culture from your travels?

You’ve seen them as a child in picture books, in zoos, on Discovery Channel, and in National Geographic magazine. You’ve put Africa on your bucket list just so you could see them in person and feel the pure exhilaration of an authentic safari. They are The Big Five and are one of the biggest reasons why many travelers visit Africa.

The Big Five are made up of some of Africa’s largest creatures (many of which are known as the world’s most fearsome predators) and include the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. And here’s a fun little fact for you: there is also such a thing as The Little Five, which include the elephant shrew, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver, leopard tortoise, and antlion. These creatures are very small, of course.

So how did The Big Five get their name? The origins of this title come from big game hunters who would categorize these animals as the most dangerous and difficult to kill. They would boast about their victories over these huge creatures, which all possess similar attributes, including large bodies and teeth, strength, and speed. Today, these animals are known by the safari industry as The Big Five.

Because these animals are completely wild in the African bushveld, unlike a zoo, you cannot schedule sightings of these animals on safari and there is no way to guarantee a sighting. However, choosing the appropriate destinations and time to travel play a huge role in your game-viewing experiences. Various weather conditions (including the seasonal rains), migration patterns, and fluctuating food sources can affect where animals are more likely to be seen.

Below are just a few fun facts about each of The Big Five:

Lion

• A male lion’s mane typically begins to grow about a year and half after being born and can range from a light brown color to a dark chestnut color.
• Prides are comprised of various lion families and will hunt in packs. In fact, lions are the only cat species that hunt in a community effort.
• The lionesses are the ones in charge of attacking prey—not the male lions.
• Lionesses usually give birth to 3 cubs in one litter and female lions in the same pride usually give birth around the same time.
• Ever wonder why lions roar? They roar to attract their mates.
• Cubs are often the last ones to enjoy the fruits of a kill, which is why starvation is the number one cause of death for young lions.

Leopard

• The elusive leopard is often seen finding relaxation in the trees. In fact, they love lying on the branches so much that they will bring their fresh kill up the tree with them. This also helps to prevent scavengers from trying to get in on the kill.
• Just by the position of a leopard’s tail, antelope and another prey will know if a leopard is in hunting mode or not. When a leopard is not hunting for food, it can walk through a whole herd of antelope without startling them. The antelope know that the leopard is not hunting them because the leopard will flip its tail up and show its white bottom.
• A leopard will show its presence to others by coughing. This shows the intruding leopard that it has entered on the other’s territory.
• Leopards have been known to eat fish and small crustaceans and are particularly good swimmers.
• Black leopards often seem to be one solid color and are referred to as black panthers.

Elephant

• The elephant has approximately 100,000 muscles, just in its trunk! Their trunk is a highly diverse body part and can pick up large items, inhale and project water, feel for items on the ground, and detect temperature variations.
• Musth is the name for the time when male elephants go through an increase in reproductive hormones. This, in turn, causes their aggression and sexual activity to skyrocket.
• There are two species of elephant—the Asian elephant and the African elephant, with the Asian elephant being the smallest of the two.
• Elephants’ ears are an important cooling mechanism during those hot African days. Their ears emit heat in order to cool their bodies. Another way elephants keep cool is splashing through the water. They suck water up their trunks and spray it over their bodies to remain cool.

Rhino

• Rhinos love their space. In fact, they have been known to create territories as large as 3 square miles.
• The rhino’s strongest sense is its sense of smell. This is why on walking safaris, your professional safari guide will take into account the direction of the wind to ensure that your scent won’t travel to the rhino.
• Rhinoceros are a group of five species of odd-toed ungulates in the family rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia.
• The rhinoceros family is characterized by its large size (one of the largest remaining mega fauna alive today), and all species are able to reach one ton or more in weight, have a thick protective skin (1.5–5 cm thick) formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure, have relatively small brains for mammals this size (400–600g), and have a large horn.

Cape Buffalo

• Approximately 900,000 Cape buffalo live in sub-Saharan and South Africa, making it one of the most populated animal species in Africa.
• The Cape buffalo live in herds of hundreds and do not mark their territories.
• With very few natural threats to the Cape buffalo, humans are the largest predator to these creatures.

What is your favorite Big Five animal?

We would also like to let you know of an excellent wine distributor, One Mouth One World, which sells great South African wines for affordable prices. Click here to visit their website.

The key to a great gift is the thought that goes into it. Although a nice sweater, watch, kitchen appliance, tie, or scarf makes for a fine gift, the gifts that really touch the receiver are the gifts from the heart. Just think of all the past gifts you’ve ever received. Which are the ones that you remember the most? Probably the ones that you feel a personal connection to.

So, if you’re tired of racking your brain for amazing, thoughtful gift ideas, look no further than our safari-inspired holiday gift guide:

Image to the left taken from www.grape.co.za.

South Africa Wine & Wine Accessories: South African wine can range anywhere from inexpensive to pricey, so staying within your budget with a South African wine gift shouldn’t be a problem. Whether the recipient loves bold reds or refreshing whites, most grocery stores and wine stores carry a variety of South Africa wines. At Hills of Africa, we often use World Premier Wines to ship our wine gifts, as they feature a great variety of South African wines, including Cederberg’s Bukettraube, Paul Cluver’s Seven Flags Pinot Noir, Jardin’s Nine Yards Chardonnay, The Winery of Good Hope’s Radford Dale Gravity, and more.

If you’re looking to send an accessory with your gift, be sure to include a copy of Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2012.

African Artwork: One of my favorite stores in all of Africa is Tribal Textiles, which is located in the rural village of Malimba in eastern Zambia. I have purchased numerous gifts for family and friends while visiting and have had the sheer pleasure of witnessing the surprise and love that each of my gift recipients experienced when opening these gifts. Specifically, Tribal Textiles produces hand-painted fabrics with traditional techniques, including bed linens, table clothes, wall hangings, bags, aprons, home accessories, and children’s room décor. Some of the popular prints include floral, animal print, tribal patterns, and even Christmas colors and designs. These gifts are great for all ages and can be purchased from anywhere in the world. Visit their website at http://www.tribaltextiles.co.zm/.

Image above of Tribal Textiles’ kids bedding taken from the Tribal Textiles website.

The Gift of Travel: The gift of travel is the ultimate way to touch your loved ones’ hearts. To me, experiences, memories, and joyful moments make our lives rich and fulfilled. No material gift can compete. So whether you’re looking for an unforgettable gift to give to your family or to your significant other, a trip to Africa will undoubtedly change your lives forever.

Make a Donation: For individuals who are interested in giving the gift of education, medical support, or community upliftment to those in need, making a financial contribution to a trusted African organization can change someone’s life this holiday season.

Below are some of our suggestions on the best foundations and organizations to donate to in Africa:

Camfed: Give the gift of education this holiday season by donating to Camfed (short for “Campaign for Female Education”), an organization that provides financial and educational support to women and girls in rural parts of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania. Camfed’s stated mission is to fight both poverty and HIV / AIDS through education and other support structures (including microloans, scholarships, and leadership networks).

Abalimi Bezekhaya: Abalimi Bezekhaya means “the planters of the home,” and its mission is to teach communities the principles and practice of organic microfarming and gardening to become self-sustaining.

Abalimi aids families and community groups in planting their own vegetable gardens and creates jobs and commerce through its garden centers, which provide free advice, gardening tools, fertilizer, and seeds. Abalimi also trains 1,000 people each year through a basic organic vegetable-growing course.

Ol Malo Trust: The goal of the Ol Malo Trust is to allow the Samburu people to use current technology and methods to develop a high quality of life while empowering them to practice ancient traditions. This preservation includes helping the Samburu continue their time-honored values of respect, hospitality, compassion, and honesty—and to continue their nomadic lifestyle. The Trust supports educational and health issues in a way that honors the Samburu and avoids fostering dependency.

What will you be giving your loved ones this holiday season? We’d love to hear in our comments section.

Image above of a bedroom at Tarkuni Tswalu, taken from Tswalu.com.

Below are some of our picks for the best accommodations in southern Africa:

Best Safari House Accommodation: Tswalu’s Tarkuni Safari House

For a tranquil family escape, travel to the remote reaches of the Kalahari to enjoy a private experience with your loved ones at Tswalu’s Tarkuni Safari House in the savannah plains. Situated between two vast mountain ranges, Tarkuni Safari House is surrounded by a unique variety of fauna and flora that can easily be explored via safari game drive.

The house is completely private and is comprised of five lavish suites that can accommodate up to 10 guests at a time. To immerse you into the most relaxing setting possible and ensure that all of your individual needs are met in an instant, Tswalu provides Tarkuni guests with a private chef, host, game drive vehicle, tracker, and safari guide.

Some of the house’s most celebrated features include a poolside deck, swimming pool, two lounges with fireplaces, and outdoor showers.

Best Accommodation for Game Viewing: Great Plains Conservation Selinda Camp

Set along the quiet banks of the Selinda Spillway in northern Botswana’s Selinda Reserve, Great Plains Conservation’s Selinda Camp is beloved for its unique synchronization of modern amenities and traditional tented ambiance. With a blanket of treetops situated above the camp, guests can enjoy the beauty of nature unfold before them.

The camp is surrounded by wildlife-clad floodplains and savannas, which guests can look out on via raised decks that project into the water. Whether relishing in an outdoor dinner or reminiscing about the day’s events while overlooking the plains, visitors will never experience a dull moment at camp.

Image above of Selinda Camp taken from GreatPlainsConservation.com.

While visiting, guests can take part in morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris, and boating to get a holistic insight into all of the various ecosystems surrounding the camp. The Selinda Camp is also operated on an all-inclusive basis, which includes accommodation, all activities, meals, park fees, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding imported and premium drinks). Transportation to and from the accommodation are separate.

Best City-Based Accommodation: Cape Grace Hotel

If you’re interested in experiencing the best of Cape Town, South Africa’s urban culture, you’ll want to make it a point to stay at the luxurious Cape Grace Hotel. This boutique accommodation has been globally celebrated for its fantastic location and extraordinary amenities and services.

Located on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront) harbor and in front of the historic Table Mountain, Cape Grace Hotel brings the best of Cape Town to life. Cleverly pulling elements of Cape Town culture into its design and ambiance, Cape Grace Hotel features the award-winning Signal Restaurant, the Spa at Cape Grace, and the Bascule Whiskey, Wine, and Cocktail Bar. This quaint hotel also offers lavish private yacht charters around the Cape—ideal for a romantic evening in luxury.

From the early morning hours to the late evening hours, V&A Waterfront is constantly bustling with contagious energy. Simply walk outside of the Cape Grace Hotel for some extraordinary shopping, beer making, harbor cruises, movies, bicycle rentals, exceptional dining, live jazz, and so much more.

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One of the world’s most charming coastal routes, the Garden Route runs along the South African coastline in the Western Cape, and is speckled with wild flower fields, uninhabited white beaches, bays, harbors, mountains, and thick forests, making it a pure paradise for hikers and nature-lovers.

Below are a few things to see and do in the Garden Route that you won’t want to miss:

Cango Caves: One of South Africa’s top attractions, the Cango Caves contains huge stalagmite formations that date back hundreds of millions of years ago. Various tours are offered throughout Cango Caves, which range from low intensity to adventurous, bringing visitors through dripstone chambers and narrow tunnels with magnificent formations and structures. Some of the chambers visitors will pass through while on tours through the Cango Caves include Van Zyl’s Hall, Botha’s Hall, Rainbow Chamber, Bridal Chamber, Fairyland Chamber, and Drum Room.

Outdoor Activities: There is no shortage of exhilarating outdoor adventures to take part in while visiting the Garden Route. Home to world-renowned golf, fishing, hiking areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and towering cliffs, the Garden Route’s natural surroundings are a playground for adventure and nature lovers.

For golf-junkies, the Links at Fancourt is one of South Africa’s finest and most prestigious golf courses. Not only does the course’s unique design provide great challenges to golfers, but it is also one of the world’s most beautiful courses.

And for hikers, nearly every inch of the Garden Route is ideal for exploring.

Beaches: Each of the Garden Route’s beaches offers much more than a great day soaking in the sun. Visitors find unique cultural, dining, and historical scenes at almost every one of the Garden Route’s beaches. Some of the area’s most celebrated beaches include Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, The Wilderness Beach, and Port Elizabeth. The unique thing about all of the Garden Route’s beaches is that each one differs from the next.

Mossel Bay is famous for its water sports, aquarium, and maritime museum, while Plettenberg Bay is most noted for its astonishing mountainous surroundings. The Wilderness Beach, on the other hand, is comprised of rugged terrain, serrated mountains, and frothy, crashing waves. And, as for Port Elizabeth, visitors will find great delight in this seaport village’s gorgeous beaches, shopping districts, and palette-pleasing eateries.

Bird Watching: Soak in the natural surroundings of the Tsitsikamma National Park as you search for perched birds and small forest-dwelling creatures. This protected area offers some of the best bird viewing opportunities and is a must-visit destination for nature-enthusiasts and individuals seeking sanctuary.

As one of the top birding destinations in the world, South Africa is home to a vast number of endemic bird species. Some of these endemic bird species can be found throughout the Garden Route region, and include the orange-breasted sunbird, Cape sugarbird, Cape siskin, Cape rockjumper, and Cape penduline tit—to name a few.

For a real treat, visit the town of Oudtshoorn to witness the largest ostrich population on the planet!

Image taken by one of our clients, Gary Harwyn

Scenic Drives: At the start of the Garden Route lies the quaint town of George, where picturesque views of the Outenique Mountains and vast green landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. The Garden Route continues on through picturesque villages, Heidelberg, the Tsitsikamma Forest, and Storms River—all areas offering something new and inspirational for visitors. Driving along this stretch of road is a great way to explore towering cliffs, dramatic scenery, and South Africa countryside.

And don’t forget to check out Swartberg Pass, which is an unpaved road that will take you up to the Swartberg Mountains for some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Karoo region.

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Below is our list of the top five things to see and do while visiting Kenya:

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage: For a truly enlightening experience, visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage where Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick and her highly experienced veterinary team and anti-poaching units offer their untiring support and hands-on assistance to help rehabilitate orphaned elephants and endangered black rhinos. The Trust places most of its attention on Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, lending 24 / 7 support to rearing and protecting orphaned elephants and black rhinos, creatures that have suffered nearly 20 years of poaching. Visitors to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage can witness elephant calves being exercised, bathed, and fed via a bottle using a special milk formula that Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick invented. This milk formula provides rhinos and elephants with the nutrients and sustenance they need to grow and reach adulthood.

Where to stay: Ol Donyo Lodge

Gedi Ruins: Become a modern-day Indiana Jones as you journey through the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and play detective through ancient ruins of the long lost city of Gedi. Established in the 13th-century, Gedi boasted a population of more than 2,500 individuals, and hundreds of homes, mansions, mosques, and ancient tombs. To this day, historians debate on what really happened to the town of Gedi and why it was abandoned in the 17th-century. When visiting the area, book a private tour to learn about the mysteries of Gedi and some of the many archeologist theories.

Where to stay: Ol Tukai Lodge (located in Amboseli)

Cultural Visits with the Maasai: You’ll have the extremely rewarding opportunity to interact with the local Maasai people when you visit Masai Mara. Whether you wish to journey through the plains on an interactive bush walk with a Maasai guide or explore a nearby Maasai village, there is no other place in the world where you can interact with the people of this unique culture. No matter what activity you choose to take part in with the Maasai, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the people, learn about their culture and traditions, and witness their everyday life.

Where to stay: Mara Plains Camp

Horseback safaris through Chyulu Hills and Amboseli: One of the most breathtaking locations in Africa, Chyulu Hills, Kenya, is a picturesque locale, spotted with the snowy peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, sprawling plains, and rolling countryside. Arguably the best way to explore this unspoiled area is on a riding safari, where you’ll witness all of the unique wildlife Kenya has to offer at a close range, while feeling the sheer exhilaration of horseback riding through open plains. With nearly 1.4 million acres of untouched wilderness to explore, Chyulu Hills and Amboseli appear almost infinite. Comprised of savannahs, swamps, acacia forests, and rolling hills, Chyulu Hills and Amboseli combine to create a melting pot of biodiversity and eco-systems. On a horseback safari, you’ll witness the Big Five, giraffe, hyena, zebra, and much more.

Where to stay: Ol Donyo Lodge

Visit Lake Nakuru: It’s hard to imagine what a cluster of thousands of pink flamingos looks like in the wild, but as soon as you step foot in Lake Nakuru National Park, this awe-inspiring vision comes to life. Covered with wildlife-clad marsh, grasslands, outcrops, and acacia forests, Lake Nakuru National Park is a peaceful sanctuary for both large and small game, as well as a variety of bird species. Aside from the almost-endless amount of flamingos, Lake Nakuru is also home to residential black and white colobus monkey, black and white rhino (which is an extremely rare feature to boast!), waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, pelicans, and much more.

Where to stay: Giraffe Manor

Where in Kenya would you love to visit?

From arid deserts to thick forests, and lush grasslands to sprawling coastlines, Africa is known for its extreme bio-diversity and is truly one of the most diverse continents in the world. Since Africa is bisected by the equator, each area has a different climate. When researching national parks, reserves, concessions, and countries in Africa, you’ll notice that each region is characterized by its own unique combination of wildlife-dense eco-systems. Therefore, the animals you will witness on safari vary from country to country and region to region.

Below is a brief description of types of eco-systems that are found across Africa (Note that many regions contain more than one type of eco-system):

The Savannah: A mixture of woodland and grasslands, a savannah is speckled with trees and grass. One of the most popular tree species found in savannah regions is the acacia tree, which is recognized for its flat canopy.

The savannah is home to an abundance of large game, including giraffe, buffalo, zebra, elephant, and lions, as well as diverse birdlife, making these regions the premier destinations for game drives and birding safaris.

One of the most famous savannahs in Africa is none other than the Serengeti. This broad span of land stretches across Tanzania and Kenya and is home to one of the world’s most fascinating natural phenomena, The Great Migration.

Scrublands: Prominent in areas of low rainfall, such as the Kalahari, scrublands are characterized by their towering termite mounds and woody plants and thorny shrubs. Because of the area’s nutrients-lacking soil, and rocky ground, tough shrubbery are some of the only plants that can grow in this arid region. Here, wildlife populations and diversity can increase drastically, depending on rainfall.

Deserts: Africa is known primarily for two deserts in particular: the Namib and, of course, the Sahara.

Celebrated for its breathtaking, orange sand dunes and jagged mountains, Namib Desert in Tanzania has been attracting travelers to its picturesque landscape for decades. The desert’s arid climate also brings forth bizarre desert-adapting creatures, including exotic reptiles, peculiar insects, fascinating birds, and even desert-adapted elephant. Travelers who combine a visit to the Namib Desert with a savannah-based safari will see a drastic difference between the two regions and benefit from the various experiences and excursions in each area.

The Sahara Desert, on the other hand, is the largest desert in the world, spreading across over three million square miles of land. Because the Sahara is extremely dry, it lacks high concentrations of fauna and flora.

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If your idea of the perfect vacation is a plush and private retreat to a secluded destination where superior service accommodates your every need, then a private villa in Africa should be on your travel radar.

Built for the discerning traveler, opulent African villas cater to those who want an experience separate from other travelers and tourist activities with convenient access to lavish amenities. With everything you need at your disposal, a villa is more than remarkable accommodations, it is a home. Although each deluxe villa differs, most are equipped with a gourmet kitchen, laundry room, indoor and outdoor dining areas, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, sprawling decks, a library, swimming pool, gym, en-suite facilities, and even a private chef. Many villas also offer the option to hire a private safari guide for all of your safari excursions, and any additional helping hands such as an au pair, butler, and / or nurse.

Private villas are perfect for . . .

Large families / family reunions: It can be quite challenging gathering your entire extended family together, and when you finally do, you want to make sure you experience the trip of a lifetime. Forget the ordinary destinations and plant your sights on a private villa nestled in the majestic African bush.

When you stay in a private villa, the entire family benefits from all of the personalized and superior services, as well as the convenient amenities that are always in hands reach. For families with younger children, villas have all necessary amenities to accommodate little ones’ needs including television rooms, books, children’s rooms and facilities, and the option to hire an au pair.

Your family will feel closer than ever before with natural surroundings all around and no other travelers to distract staff from focusing primarily on you and your family. You’ll also find that your itinerary is highly flexible, inviting spontaneous opportunities to arise that you and your family can take part in and enjoy.

When you stay in a villa, you can enjoy a private safari guide who will take your family on whatever special interest safaris they wish and the scheduling of these safaris remains flexible.

Privacy seekers: Whether you’re a well-known celebrity, crave a romantic retreat in privacy, or wish to completely immerse yourself within nature without other travelers around, a private villa’s accommodations and included amenities provide you with complete seclusion from other travelers. There’s no need to leave the comfort of your villa and vast natural surroundings that encompass you because everything you need is already there.

You also receive front door service for all of your game drives and other safari activities. If you wish for all of your activities to remain private this can certainly be arranged with a private safari guide who will take you on your very own personalized safaris through the wildernesses of Africa.

Ellerman Villa

Ellerman Villa

Small groups: Have a blast with your closest friends as you laugh by the fire and drink wine while reminiscing about the day’s activities in the privacy of your outdoor lounge and bar area. No one is there to close the bar or tell you it’s time to retreat to your suites.

When small groups travel to boutique hotels or camps, it can sometimes be difficult for staff to accommodate all travelers at once. For example, dining arrangements, safari activities, and shared amenities can be limited when there are other travelers involved, aside from those in your small group. When you stay in a private villa, every activity you partake in includes the entire group; no one is excluded due to other travelers’ needs.

Some of our favorite villas include the . . .

• Lion Sands Private Game Reserve’s 1933 Lodge.
• Singita Castleton.
• Singita Sasakwa Lodge.
• Chongwe River House.
• Ellerman Villa.

Botswana. An exotic locale where reality takes a back seat to unimaginable visions and experiences. It’s a place where wildlife spills from winding rivers, vast deserts, and lush forests. From the minuscule dragonflies to the boisterous lions, there is something magical in every element of Botswana’s intricate wildlife.

Home to the celebrated Okavango Delta, a pulsing oasis nestled within the sprawling Kalahari Desert, a vast array of travelers can enjoy mokoro safaris through the crystal blue lagoons, observe elephant from a river’s edge, or search for endemic bird species. Whatever you fancy, Botswana will never fail to impress.

Things you don’t want to miss:

• The flamingos that fill the Makagadikgadi pans with rich, rosey hues.
• Walking safaris with the Sans Bushmen—a unique and legendary tribe.
• A helicopter safari over the intricate Okavango Delta where you’ll witness plump baobab trees, giraffe, elephant, and lion from a birds-eye-view.
• A visit to the world-renowned Tsodilo Hills, where 20,000-year-old rock paintings grace the rocky outcrops.
• A mokoro safari down one of the many lagoons of the Okavango Delta to witness vast species of bird, insects, and reptiles, as well as big game such as hippo, zebra, giraffe, and crocodile.

See below for a visual glimpse into the beauty of Botswana:

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