Backroads

Often called the "river that never meets the sea," Okavango is the world's largest inland delta - a labyrinth of lakes, channels, lagoons and islands harboring a vast array of African wildlife that would otherwise not survive in the harsh Kalahari. Spend two unforgettable days exploring the region by mokoro (canoe) and Land Rover.

Lions. Rhinos. Elephants. Buffalos. Leopards. (Plus cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeests, baboons…) Get amazingly close to big game at Londolozi Private Game Reserve, a 35,000-acre exclusive safari destination and prime wildlife haven. And benefit from Londolozi's excellent relationship with local villages - a friendship that allows for our unique access to tribal Africa.

The South African dining experience is as diverse as the country itself: think East meets West - and North and South. Savor Cape Malay cuisine, a sweet and spicy mix of Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Indulge in decadent European-style afternoon tea. At our remote game reserves, dinner feels like an adventure as you feast beneath the star-filled African sky, serenaded by an occasional chorus—of hyenas!

Your family will get to know South Africa through the eyes of our charismatic regional experts, such as Thandu, our Xhosa guide, who provides insight into the everyday life and traditions of black South Africans. Meet Lotus, a young Shangaani, who coordinates community development projects for the villages bordering Sabi Sand Game Reserve. And enjoy a presentation by author Margot Winer, a South African archaeologist who now lectures at the University of Cape Town.

Bushman's Kloof wilderness reserve is home to 130 known ancient San (Bushman) rock art sites. Peer into South Africa's past during an interpretive walk to Fallen Rock, which contains some of the region's best-preserved images, exquisite in their subtle detail and fascinating in their depiction of the spiritual world.

Thanks to tremendous progress made by local vintners in the post-Apartheid years, the world is positively gushing over South African wines. On this trip, we dive deeply into a heritage that extends over 350 years, tasting some outstanding regional wines you might never find at home, including the heralded pinotage, a blend of pinot noir and hermitage endemic to South Africa.