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We love Steppes Teravel

We love Steppes Travel, they offer adventurous luxury travel. We find them attentive, efficient and top. notch!

Date of experience : April 12, 2024

Reply from Steppes Travel

Hi Jane, thank you for your kind words. We're so glad to hear that you're pleased with the service we offer. We look forward to helping you create many more Beautiful Adventures in the future.

Fantastic Support on a Variety of Trips!

I have used Steppes a number of times over the years for visits to Africa (Botswana, Namibia, and then Tanzania) as well as Iceland. The experience each time was excellent. Last year, I used a different travel firm (recommended by a friend as having speciality with the area we were visiting) to help me with a trip to Italy and found myself hugely disappointed with their support. I have returned to Steppes and will use them so long as they work in the areas where I want to go! My most recent experience concluded just last week. My husband and I traveled to Singapore and Steppes was incredibly helpful with (1) Our Singapore arrangements (hotel opinions/reservations, trips to and from the airport, and a fantastic walking tour guide); and (2) Suggestion of an Indonesian island excursion to Bawah Reserve, which was OUTSTANDING. We had the perfect mix of a city experience followed by a luxurious beach/nature excursion. I cannot say enough good things about this trip. It really has revived my interest in international travel and reaffirmed my belief in Steppes as a great partner for that travel.

Date of experience : March 15, 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience. We’re delighted to hear that your recent trip to Singapore exceeded your expectations and we’re thrilled to have been able to revive your interest in international travel. We look forward to helping you create many more unforgettable adventures in the future.

Excellent support with our South Africa trip

Steppes helped our family with a special trip to South Africa. Illona was a constant guide, knowledgeable about the area and came up with some great suggestions. The places we stayed were superb and the organisation was seamless. I would not hesitate to recommend Illona for anyone looking for a trip to the Cape.

Date of experience : January 19, 2024

Hi Colin, we're delighted to hear how Illona created you a special trip to South Africa. We hope to help you with your Beautiful Adventures again in the future.

Trustworthy agency

Rachael looked after us beyond belief. We had been scammed out of a very expensive holiday by another agency . Rachael on behalf of Steppes absolutely saved the day in actually a day!! 24 hours exactly !! She calmed my anxiety and gave me 3 options for an even better holiday resort... We were to fly out 3 days later and I was really in a panic. The resort she recommended was fabulous and Steppes contacted the director of the resort ( Anantara veli) who looked after us handsomely. The resort organised my sons wedding in less then a week. !! For a smooth , trustworthy travel agency with wonderful service and quality destinations I would highly advise a phone call to Steppes ( Uk) ..

Date of experience : January 15, 2024

Hi Mary, we're thrilled to hear how Rachael took care of you. We're delighted to have played a part in making your holiday and son's wedding unforgettable. Your recommendation is truly appreciated. Thank you for choosing Steppes and we hope to help you create your next Beautiful Adventure in the future.

Christmas in Tanzania …

Christmas in Tanzania & we had no idea which lodges to choose, but Steppes knew exactly what we’d like ( we’ve traveled with them several times before ) It had to amuse an active 15yr old chap & two oldies and Steppes fulfilled our brief amazingly. Two heavenly safaris in utterly different styles of lodges, one more old fashioned ( Selous) and the other super new & chic ( Rufigi) Wouldn’t travel with anyone else

Date of experience : December 30, 2022

Great First trip with Steppes

We travelled to India for the first time with Steppes. Charlie Lawton, an India expert, arranged the perfect holiday for us, she listened to what we wanted to do and see and tailor made the trip for us. We had a very good experience from the moment we were met off the plane and whisked through immigration and customs to our guide in Delhi. We had excellent accommodation at all the places we visited. Great guides and drivers. We were never hassled on the streets. We saw and experienced a good window on both urban and country life Our only problem was that we had greater expectations for the game drives we went on but we still had a wonderful experience, and no tummy problems. Charlie answered all our rather niggly doubts and gave us very good advice. We would not hesitate to recommend Steppes to tailor making the perfect holiday for you.

Date of experience : November 20, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're so pleased to hear that Charlie created the perfect holiday for you and that you wouldn't hesitate to recommend us. We hope to help you create your next Beautiful Adventure soon.

Excellent service and knowledgeable travel advice

This summer we had the most perfect holiday thanks to Steppes Travel. It had been a dream of many years to take the family on Safari but I had no idea where to start. From my first phone call, Illona and her team understood exactly what would work for us and put together a brilliantly planned itinerary within budget. Every aspect of the holiday was perfect and the company Steppes work with in Tanzania were equally professional, knowledgeable and excellent to be on Safari with. Thank you Steppes, you made a dream come true.

Date of experience : August 19, 2023

Hi Marishelle, thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us. We're so pleased to hear that Illona helped you to create your dream safari. We look forward to helping you design your next Beautiful Adventure in the future.

A truly memorable trip from start to finish

Charlotte at Steppes put together a wonderful 10 day trip to India for us. She had thought of everything and provided us with excellent pre-departure advice - took on board that my husband was slightly nervous of picking up a tummy bug and came up with a bespoke adventure. All the hotels were top class, dinners were delicious and all the guides and our driver spoke excellent English and ensured that we had an unforgettable experience. Nothing prepares you for the beauty of the Taj at sunset and sunrise.

Date of experience : November 01, 2023

Hi Linda, thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience with us. We're incredibly happy to hear that Charlotte created a wonderful India trip for you. We hope to speak with you again soon.

Highly professional travel advisors providing tailored advice

I really cannot say enough good about Steppes. Their travel experts are highly knowledgable and able to talk about their destinations and recommendations through having visited and experienced the location/property. They work hard to understand what their clients are looking for and aim to tailor the vacation to meet those goals. They are full of interesting ideas for vacations.I have now used them on five occasions visiting different parts of the world. I have been extremely happy with each of these vacations. They always take to time after getting back to discuss the experience and to understand what worked and whether there were areas that could have been improved. I will continue to use them in the future.

Date of experience : November 09, 2023

Hi Phil, thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience. It's incredible to hear that you've been happy with each of your holidays with us. We look forward to helping you realise your future travel plans.

Every time I book a 'Big Trip' I always use Steppes

Every time I book a 'Big Trip' I always go back to Steppes. Their service, knowledge and care is always exemplary and something I've rarely found elsewhere. My plans are always slightly mad so their advice on what's sensible and possible has always been valued (especially in hindsight!) and their ability to save the day on the odd occasion things have gone wrong is another reason to use them. Brilliant across the board - This last trip to Svalbard on the Polar Pioneer was one of the greatest things I've ever done.

Date of experience : June 25, 2023

Excellent holiday to Dubai

Steppes helped us plan and prepare the most amazing trip to Dubai. Their customer service was excellent. They listened to our requirements, factored in our budget and took care of all the extra details to ensure it went so smoothly. The hotel selected was perfect our group and we had a fabulous holiday - thanks Steppes.

Date of experience : January 22, 2023

First class recommendations and service throughout

Friends recommended Steppes to us and they couldn’t have been more helpful arranging our family holiday to Australia. We were visiting family in Sydney and Clare recommended exploring the south of the country which wasn’t our original plan. We are so pleased she persuaded us. Kangaroo island was incredible and camping out under the stars in the flinders ranges a definite highlight for us all. It was a magical holiday and we will definitely seek the help of Steppes when planning our next adventure.

Date of experience : June 30, 2023

Unforgettable trip to Costa Rica

John and the team at Steppes went out of their way to curate an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica for our family. From the rainforest to seeing the turtles in Tortuguero, every detail was expertly planned. I look forward to travelling again with you soon.

Date of experience : March 18, 2023

Steppes Travel provided a unique and memorable holiday

Steppes Travel provided a unique and totally amazing holiday experience for us, their attention to detail was excellent & everything ran smoothly and efficiently. The hotels and trips were outstanding. They listened to what holiday experience we wanted and they most certainly delivered we didn't waste a minute on the holiday it was packed full of fun & wonderful photo opportunities. They made our dreams come true.

Date of experience : May 15, 2023

Great Service & Communication

We had alot of questions and tasks to take care of before our travels. Illona and her team were always there to answer in a most timely manner. We have a wonderful trip. One small problem was completely taken care of with the utmost urgency. Highly recommend Steppes.

Date of experience : June 21, 2023

The best travel company we have ever used

We have used Steppes Travel on a number of occasions and once again they have come up trumps with a great itinerary for our trip to Chile, Easter Island and New Zealand. Their staff are all very friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about their destinations. Their attention to detail is excellent ensuring that your trip is tailor made to your own requirements. I have no hesitation in recommending them, you wont regret it!

Date of experience : August 23, 2023

Good quality service with excellent itineraries.

Steppes travel provide good quality service and are excellent at listening and tailoring itineraries to the client’s needs. Would thoroughly recommend them.

Date of experience : February 22, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're so glad to hear we've provided a high quality service for you and that you'd recommend us.

We haven’t been yet

We haven’t been yet! However to date we could not have had a better experience with planning our holiday and all our many holidays through Steppes have been organised brilliantly with great attention to detail !

Date of experience : August 31, 2023

The travel agent helped us identify…

The travel agent helped us identify where to travel at the time we had vacation and arranged in-country accommodations, guides and transfers. The level of service is incredible and made for one of the best vacations we've had

Date of experience : November 24, 2022

How Steppes Travel treated a loyal customer

I booked the Brazil - Jaguar and Maned Wolf Conservation group tour on 25th September 2019. I was not kept fully informed of new dates and cancellations by other clients during Pandemic postponements. On 16th June 2022 I paid the balance to travel on 6th September 2022. On the 27th July an agent phoned and said there was no one to share. My single room request was missed, so I must pay £1250 by 10th August, I was not offered an alternative. An invoice was emailed and I replied, ‘I am not best pleased’ and cancelled an unrequested tour, then received an invoice for £1200. Meanwhile I researched and emailed asking for my money back with a link to ABTA. She phoned immediately and repeatedly refused my requests for a refund. I confirmed my request via email and stated Steppes must not phone as I felt intimidated by the call. The following day I received an invoice with the charge removed, I replied asking for a full refund. This was followed by another unpleasant call. A manger emailed repeatedly saying I was not entitled to a refund as they were not charging me for anything but I could cancel and lose my money. Steppes continued to call, then I received numerous calls in just over an hour from an unknown mobile. After blocking that number, a director emailed and said he had been phoning re my booking made in MAY 2021, my booking was made 20 months earlier. Apparently, I am not entitled to a full refund as under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, they are not allowed to impose the charge for a single supplement as it is not a significant change and the charge was a mistake. I was advised that it was a significant change and as it was more than 10% of the cost I was entitled to a full refund. To safeguard most of my money, I accepted a refund minus £725 for their expenses. I have lost money on car parking, insurance etc. If in doubt check the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 and Steppes Terms and Conditions, then book with their competitors.

Date of experience : August 14, 2022

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North Island Okavango Brings Spacious Luxury Tents to One of Botswana’s Most Wildlife-rich Regions

Set on a private island, North Island Okavango offers safaris by boat, locally-sourced cuisine, and just three intimate tents.

Jeff Chu is an editor-at-large at Travel + Leisure .

Food and Drink

• Activities and Amenities

Family-friendly Offerings

• Accessibility and Sustainability

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Jeff Chu/Travel + Leisure

Partway through our first afternoon game drive at North Island Okavango, a new luxury camp in northwestern Botswana, our guide, Diesel Tshosa, said, “I can be quiet because I can get lost in the concentration of tracking animals, so ask me a question if you want.”

My 15-year-old nephew, Caleb, who had dreamed of going on safari since he was 5, responded, “I like quiet.”

The quiet wasn’t all that quiet: We could hear the grunts and snorts of warthog, often before we could see the funny creatures, which would stare at us as we passed them in our safari vehicle and then suddenly burst into a sprint. So many other sounds filled the air: the trumpet of a mother elephant beckoning its calf to draw nearer; the whoosh of water as it closed over a sinking hippo, leaving only a couple of oxpeckers visible on its submerged back; the calls of Cape turtledoves and laughing doves, followed by the whirring of their wings as they beat a quick retreat; the hooves of wildebeest and zebra as they trundled across the savanna. I heard a strange squawk as we passed a stand of trees. “What kind of bird is that?” I asked. “It’s a tree squirrel,” Diesel replied. “Why are you calling, Mr. Tree Squirrel?”

North Island Okavango is precisely as its name describes: The three-tent camp sits in the shade of towering ebony trees on a slight rise of land that the locals call Xuxuga. It’s in the neck of the Okavango Delta; to the south, the giant, slow-moving river fans out across the land. With few other camps nearby, a trip here feels particularly special. (Among those drawn by this privacy: the actor Will Smith, who was North Island’s first guest.) 

So, too, the architecture: The camp sits on a series of wooden decks lining a lagoon frequented by hippos and elephants. The aesthetic is spare but elegant, emphasizing contemporary African craft — woven rugs, rich woods, baskets, and pottery. While the details are lovely, their understatedness allows the natural beauty of the setting to shine.

A day at North Island begins early. I was already up when Diesel rapped on our door a little after 5 a.m. the following day. I hadn’t slept well, not because the bed wasn’t comfortable — it was sumptuous — but because my ears weren’t used to the nocturnal soundtrack of moans, groans, and roars. I recognized the chorus of frogs, but as I tried to describe what else I’d heard to Diesel, he chuckled through my pathetic imitations. Still, he deciphered everything: That wail? A male lion. Those grunts? A family of elephants nearby. What sounded like a chorus of baritone kazoos? Those hippos in the lagoon.

After breakfast — eggs cooked to order, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and beautifully strong coffee — we headed for a game drive. The list of animals we saw quickly grew longer and longer: lion, baboon, water buffalo, an African fish eagle, a horned antelope called the Southern reedbuck, a kudu doe and fawn. As the sun rose in the sky, drying the morning dew, the crisp air smelled fruity, almost herbal — like citrus and dried sage. We lingered awhile in the company of a family of spotted hyenas before returning to camp for lunch and a nap.

In the afternoon, tea was served, followed by another drive. Two rare highlights: a regal secretarybird, an endangered bird of prey that looks as if you took the body of an eagle and plopped it atop the long legs of an ostrich, and a leopard, which crossed our path just as the sun began to set. Neither Caleb nor I had ever seen a leopard in the wild. It was smaller than the creatures of my imagination, yet somehow also more imposing. “Wow,” I kept whispering. “Wow. Wow. Wow.”

As dusk dipped into the night, we drove back to camp with only the rustle of the breeze and the sound of the truck in our ears, punctuated occasionally by the call of this creature or that somewhere out there in the bush. Neither Diesel nor Caleb nor I had anything left to say. We just sat in the gorgeous quiet of wonder — wonder at the glory of nature, the wild diversity of the land, the chance to witness such beauty firsthand.

Here’s what you need to know about North Island Okavango.

North Island Okavango

• North Island Okavango's “tents” are comfortable, expansive, and elegant.
• With just three tents, the camp feels intimate and exclusive.
• The area of the Okavango Delta surrounding North Island abounds with wildlife, and because of its remote location, you’ll encounter few other safari vehicles.
• One never needs to go hungry — or even feel semi-full — at North Island Okavango because the food and drink are abundant and tasty.

Courtesy of North Island Okavango

The tents at North Island Okavango are really canvas-roofed luxury suites. Each has more than 850 square feet of indoor space, including a separate living room, a bar area with a Nespresso machine, and one and a half bathrooms, including an expansive ensuite with double vanities, soaker tub, and wood-lined, river-stone-paved shower. Each tent has an additional 650 square feet of outdoor space, including decking with lagoon views, a private plunge pool, and an outdoor shower.

Jeff Chu/Travel + Leisure

The cuisine at North Island Okavango is best described as abundant and eclectic. Going for a morning game drive? Your guide travels equipped with an array of fresh-baked cookies, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Evening game drive? A traveling bar — with snacks so you don’t drink on an empty stomach.

Meals are served family-style. After cocktails by the fire pit, everyone gathers around the long, wooden dinner table. The chef, Mr. T, told us he sources local and regional ingredients whenever possible. He often dishes up soup as a starter; during our visit, his richly spiced butternut-squash soup warmed us on a chilly evening. My nephew delighted in an ostrich stew — weird, perhaps, to eat a creature we’d seen just hours before on a game drive, but we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it was not the same bird. It was served alongside a fish curry (which would make little sense printed on a menu, but on the plate, it turned out to be delicious), lentil dal, couscous, and fluffy white rice.

Activities and Amenities 

Two game drives per day are included. Optional activities include fishing, hot-air balloon rides, and helicopter excursions.

Because of its unique location, North Island offers the opportunity to do water-based safaris year-round, either by mokoro , the dugout canoes long used by locals to travel the Okavango’s waters, or by motorboat. We opted for the latter one shimmering morning because Diesel said it would be quicker and we’d likely see more wildlife.

As our boat captain and guide, Zone, helped us into our lifejackets, we could see women at the water’s edge, harvesting turpentine grass traditionally used for thatching roofs. “I grew up cutting grasses and taking them to the village on mokoro,” Zone recalled.

As we motored down the river, which the locals call Xamoku, Zone pointed out birds: whistling ducks, which look as if they’re wearing white face masks across their black heads; pied kingfishers; Egyptian geese. We saw a pod of hippos — “There must be more than 50,” Zone said — and plenty of day waterlilies, their blossoms beginning to open in the morning sun. “People collect the roots. It tastes like chicken and also like a potato,” Zone said. “A chicken-flavored potato is so nice.”

On the banks, a group of fishermen was trying to catch bream. One shouted out to Zone that a hippo was downriver: “A very aggressive one.” It stayed hidden under the water's surface, but we did see one enormous crocodile sunning itself.

Tents can be set up to accommodate two adults and two children. Children over six are welcome — and the camp is especially suitable for an extended family traveling together.

Accessibility and Sustainability 

Environmental regulations require a light eco-footprint, so North Island Okavango’s design means that it can be entirely disassembled, leaving no permanent marks on the land. The camp is entirely solar-powered, and while there is no air conditioning, each tent has an over-the-bed Evening Breeze cooling system, which uses 75 percent less electricity than a conventional air-conditioner.

A local community trust controls the concession in which North Island Okavango sits, and revenues generated by tourist activity benefit the residents of five nearby villages. 

The gateway to the Okavango Delta is Maun International Airport in Botswana. From Maun, travelers must take a small charter flight — just under an hour — to the airstrip at Kadizora on Mack Air.

North Island Okavango is part of the Natural Selection family of lodges and camps. Like most Natural Selection properties, North Island Okavango offers honeymooners 50 percent off the nightly rate for one spouse. (The offer is available for 12 months from the wedding date.) During the shoulder season (April, May, November, and the first half of December), guests staying six nights or more will receive a 10 percent discount.

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Welcome to Shona Travel

Shona Travel creates bespoke, experiential safaris for memorable journeys across east and southern Africa. Based on a lifetime of living and exploring across Africa, we will advise you on places to discover and where to stay.

We take care of every detail, from choosing the right flights and picking the best lodges to organising guided experiences and planning special occasions. Whether it’s staying at a traditional tented camp in the heart of the Masai Mara or relaxing beside an infinity pool in an exclusive reserve in the Greater Kruger, we can help arrange it. Each of our holidays is like you – unique. So get in touch now to start planning your next adventure, your next escape or your next celebration.

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Editoral Review of Steppes Travel

Founded in 1989, Steppes was established to help adventurous, curious, and active travelers discover remote hidden gems around the world.

What Makes Them Stand Out?

Steppes is more than just a travel company - they are like a tight knit community. With their own travel magazine, loyalty programs, personalized touches, and incredible private guided experiences around the world, traveling with them is like traveling with really good friends. They have a strong focus in wildlife viewing and sustainable travel making them a great company for families and those hoping to incorporate more responsible practices into their everyday travel experiences.

Who Travels With Them?

Their tours are best suited to travelers seeking experiences and locations not available just anywhere. Private, customized, and wildlife focused tours are their speciality. They encourage travelers to engage and to be conscientious such as buying local and taking steps to minimize your carbon footprint.

Where Do They Operate?

They have tours around the world. Always focusing on hidden gems and off the beaten track locations and activities.

Why Travel With Them?

Their tagline is “travel with a guide not a guidebook.” And they deliver on this promise by offering consistently unique itineraries with extremely high standards of customer service. They also put some of the responsibility and flexibility back into the travelers hands to help you have the best experience possible.

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About the company.

We start by understanding you, take great pride in creating an itinerary tailored around you and finessing every detail before, during and after your holiday.

You can depend on us to deliver to high standards. We go that extra mile.

You can rely on us for our candour.

E-Expertise

We travel to the destinations in which we specialise, increasing our knowledge and experiencing what’s new.

P-Protected

Your monies are financially protected.

P-Pioneering

We strive to be innovators of the most inspirational travel experiences.

Courage is about standing up for what we believe in.

S-Surprising

We love out of the ordinary.

 Our 25 years of experience and combined expertise will create your holiday, your way.

THE BIRTH OF STEPPES TRAVEL

In the spring of 1989, sitting on a rough bench in the foothills of the Altai mountains in southern Russia, listening to folk songs playing on a guitar, I sat looking at some of the most beautiful mountain scenery I had seen anywhere in the world, hundreds of miles from civilisation. It was at that moment I realised that there were people out there, like me, who would also like to visit these remote areas of the world.

People who had neither the time, nor knowledge, to organise it themselves. People who appreciated their comforts, but who would nevertheless forsake all, to visit some remote hut in the mountains without a decent bathroom because it was worth it, because it was an adventure.

And so Steppes was born.

Our specialists have a wealth of travel experience under their belts and revisit their own areas of expertise each year to refresh their minds and discover new opportunities. Many have been with us for more than 14 years and have developed a following of clients who trust their judgement and will travel with no one else. We hope you will join those ranks.

They will tell you about those intimate, friendly hotels, introduce you to charismatic guides and our hidden gems - those extra qualities that make your holiday both unique and special.

REASSURANCE

With 25 years of experience and knowledge we have built up many long-standing relationships with our partners around the world, ensuring they deliver the very best service to you. You will not only be able to contact them throughout your stay abroad but also our office on a dedicated number that is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We go that extra mile to give you added security and peace of mind.

RECOGNITION

Rather than beat our own drum, the fact that 70% of our business is repeat and referral is, for us, the highest endorsement we could have. Plus being 25 years in the business confirms our expertise and professionalism.

Personalised touches as above make your holiday with us distinctive and individual.

WE HOPE WE REFLECT THE WAY YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL

Most importantly we remain a private company, not constrained by what or how we sell. This allows us to deliver a highly personal level of service and an itinerary that understands the way you like to travel. Above all, it gives us superb buying skills and agent loyalty often resulting in room upgrades, but more importantly, highly competitive prices for the type of travel we offer.

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Okavango Delta

Waterways glisten like the fine silks of a spider’s web and the seasonal swamps and floodplains provide a fertile breeding ground and a haven for birds and aquatic life.

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Made up of lagoons, channels and islands, the Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest wetland ecosystems, teeming with wildlife. Starting in Angola’s western highlands, it has no outlet to the sea and empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert creating an oasis.

The Diversity of the Delta

Stay in style or camp in comfort – the choice of accommodation is as varied as the activities on offer. Split into private concessions, as well as reserves like the Moremi, this vast protected area is home to a multitude of wildlife – from lions to wild dogs.

Explore by Land and Water

A safari in the Okavango wouldn’t be complete without complimenting game drives with water-based activities. Exploring by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) and motorboat allows you to get really close to all the area has to offer.

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Delta by Air

Fly low over the Okavango Delta in a helicopter. With the doors removed, this is perfect for photographing this maze of channels and lagoons from above.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Visit a Heronry

Travel by boat to one of the delta’s busy heronries. Here, herons, storks, cormorants and other birds congregate en masse to breed.

Suggested camp

Walk in the Delta

Head out on foot to explore one of the many islands that dot the delta. Get up close to the wilderness, spotting wildlife, identifying scat and following tracks.

Mokoro Trip

Glide through the waterways in a mokoro (traditional wooden canoe). Spot wildlife on the banks and watch as colourful birdlife flits across the water.

Need Inspiration? Browse our Botswana holiday ideas.

Our Botswana experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Okavango Delta Accommodation

Stay in style or camp in comfort – the choice of accommodation is as varied as the activities on offer. Split into private concessions as well as reserves, like the Moremi, all of which home to a multitude of wildlife from lions to wild dogs.

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Duke’s Camp

• Safari Lodge

On the banks of the Okavango Delta lies Duke’s Camp, a striking new safari destination rich in game and natural beauty, just waiting to be discovered.

North Island Okavango

• Tented Camps

Located on a private island upstream of the Okavango Delta, North Island Okavango embodies the essence of an iconic delta safari experience.

Duba Plains

• Safari and Wildlife Lodge

A remote and intimate tented camp, Duba Plains Camp is situated in the very northern reaches of the Okavango Delta in the 30,000-hectare Kwedi Concession. Set on a tree-covered island, Duba Plains has beautiful views over…

Camp Okavango

Situated just outside the northern boundary of Moremi Game Reserve at the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta on remote Nxaragha Island, is Camp Okavango. An African safari lodge, Camp Okavango assures a year-round unparalleled water…

Abu Camp is an exclusive elephant safari experience located in the private 180,000-hectare concession. The camp consists of six imaginatively designed spacious en-suite tents, each on raised platforms blending in with the surroundings. Each tent has…

Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

This striking lodge is a world away from the traditional tented camp. Sculpted from beautifully pale wood, it mimics a pangolin’s scales and curves with its contemporary design. Despite this eye-catching architecture, there is little doubt…

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.

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Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

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Makgadikgadi Pans

A place of extremes – from a lush watery expanse in summer to a golden wilderness in winter.

Chobe National Park

From the floodplains that surround the river to the grasslands of the Savute Marsh, a unique abundance of wildlife and birdlife can…

Selinda Reserve

Selinda Reserve is a privately owned, 135,000-hectare concession located on the flood plains of the Selinda spillway and part of the great…

Tuli Block is an area of reclaimed farmland, allowed to return to its natural habitat, and where native wildlife has been carefully…

Linyanti Reserve

The Linyanti region is located to the north of the Okavango Delta, adjacent to Chobe National Park and takes in some of…

Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert is an area of stunning vistas and vast night skies, of salt pans, deserts and grasslands - all transformed…

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• A Spot of Romance: Botswana Honeymoon Safari
• A Wellness Safari with Robyn Sheldon
• Botswana Conservation Safari
• Guided Botswana Cycling Safari
• My First Botswana Safari
• Uncharted Expeditions Botswana Mobile Camping Safari
• Walk of Ancient Wisdom
• A Desert Adventure
• Journey through Northern Namibia
• Namibia Flying Safari
• South Africa
• Wilderness & Wild Coast South Africa

Expeditions

A Kubu Island Adventure

Angola Expedition

Angola, Namibia & Botswana Expedition

Kalahari Desert Woman’s Safari & Expedition

Zakouma Expedition

• North Island Okavango
• Duke’s East
• Duke’s Camp
• Thamo Telele
• Little Sable
• Sable Alley
• Okavango Spirit
• Jack’s Camp
• Jack’s Private Camp
• Camp Kalahari
• Meno a Kwena
• Planet Baobab
• Kwessi Dunes
• Hoanib Valley Camp
• Shipwreck Lodge
• Safari House
• Etosha Mountain Lodge
• GweGwe Beach Lodge
• Lekkerwater Beach Lodge

PRICE FROM:

US$29,000 Per Person

GROUP SIZE:

Let the contrasting landscapes of Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans take your breath away.

Why you’ll love it:.

• Spend time with award-winning National Geographic explorers and scientists, led by brothers Chris and Steve Boyes, in their quest to find, learn and protect the source of Okavango, Zambezi and Kwando river systems.
• Discover never seen before species of frogs, fish and insects that are new to science.
• Explore the Cubango Game Reserve, an extraordinary conservation area set up by Angolan national, Stefan van Wyk, who set aside the land to protect it from logging.
• Let history come alive in Cuito Cuanavale and the battlefields region, the site of some of the fiercest and longest battles in the 1980s.
• Visit Namibia’s largest protected wetland, Nkasa Rupara National Park, an important wildlife corridor for animal migrations between Angola, Botswana, Botswana and Namibia.

This itinerary is fully customizable. To change this itinerary, please enquire with us .

What’s Included:

• Internal flights from Maun or Joburg
• Activities (most!), entrance and park fees & road transfers
• Accommodation as specified on a sharing basis
• All meals and local drinks
• Applicable tourism levies, taxes, and all relevant VAT

Exclusions: Premium brand drinks, gratuities and fully comprehensive travel insurance.

From the Source to the Sands

In 2020 we launched our new flying safaris to Angola. The first trips of their kind, each will be tailor-made to suit all interests but most will follow the paths of the rivers that feed the Okavango and Kwando river systems from their sources in the Angolan Highlands to the Okavango Delta in Botswana and finally, to the sands of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

The Source to the Sands is a 12-night itinerary and the ultimate Angolan expedition. It begins with three nights in a simple mobile camp in the source lakes regions of the Angolan Highlands, in the company of National Geographic explorers and scientists, followed by two nights in the Cubango Reserve, which straddles both the Cuatir and Cubango rivers, and a day trip to the Cuito Cuanavale battlefields. From there, it’s into Namibia to spend two nights on Nkasa Island in Nkasa Rupara National Park, then across the border into the Okavango Delta for three nights. This epic journey ends in the Makgadikgadi where the waters dissipate into the sands of the Kalahari Desert at San camp on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in the Makgadikgadi.

• Days 8, 9 & 10
• Days 11 & 12

Day 1: Arrive in the Source Lakes region of the Angolan Highlands

Depart either Lanseria or Maun and fly by KingAir B200 or a Pilatus PC12 to Cuito Cuanvale to clear customs in Angola, before heading to the source lakes of the Angola Highlands, the region that is at the very heart of the trip.

** This is a trip that deserves a discussion with one of our people.  It’s an expedition into an area that is seldom visited and you need to understand just how incredible it will be.  Call or email us and we will talk through this adventure in detail and whether it’s something for you.

Day 2 & 3: Source Lakes region, Angolan Highlands

Spend two days exploring this incredible area with the Boyes brothers and the team of explorers from Nat Geo. Activities are focused in and around the source lakes: snorkel in the water and view the many fish that are new (until recently) to science, e-bike between areas, or take to the skies and view the lakes from a chopper.

Accommodations

Angola is not a destination for those expecting the creature comforts found in the luxurious safari camps and lodges in the rest of southern Africa. There are none in Angola and whilst they could possibly start appearing in the coming years, the accommodation for the foreseeable future will be in expedition-styled mobile camps that are modest and simple. As always, beds will be comfortable, the bucket showers will be hot and food will be hearty and homemade and shared around the campfire.

Days 4 & 5: Cubango Game Reserve, Angola

Fly southwest to the 500,000 acre Cubango Game Reserve and spend two days exploring the region on foot, by boat and by vehicle.

Angola is certainly not a Big Five destination, but look a little closer and there is a wealth of wildlife to be spotted. It is worth noting, however, that those expecting the same relaxed herds of wildlife as can be seen in Botswana or Namibia will be disappointed. For animals to be relaxed around wildlife and humans, they need to have been free from harassment for several years, even perhaps decades. We hope this will come in time in Angola.

A safari to Angola is one for people who enjoy exploring grand wildernesses of a scale almost impossible to be experienced anywhere else. In the Source Lakes, scientists are discovering species of fauna and flora that have never been seen before. Visitors here will certainly be one of the very first “outsiders” to ever visit and thus, every day will be a voyage of discovery. In the Cubango Reserve, you will follow trails of sitatungas, roan and whatever else comes your way. The Bico area has the highest concentrations of wildlife, and you’ll find sable, roan, buffalo and elephant in the fore.

Day 6: Nkasa Rupara National Park, Namibia

Today, you will fly to Cuito Cuanavale to visit the battlefields of the dramatic wars of the 1980s, and then on to Katima Mulilo before driving to Nkasa Rupara National Park, on the northern bank of the Linyanti River.

Day 7: Nkasa Rupara National Park, Namibia

Explore Nkasa Rupara on game drives and walking safaris and spot elephants, buffalo, red lechwe and an impressive array of birds.

Finally, for the mammal enthusiast, it may be possible to add in two or three nights to visit the national parks in central Angola to search for the Giant Sable, an animal unique to Angola that has been the national emblem of the country since its discovery in 1909. For decades it was assumed that the Giant Sable (locally known as the Palanca Negra) was extinct, but thanks to the tireless work of Angolan conservation scientist Pedro vaz Pinto, small populations are thriving in two of Angola’s most remote reserves, the Cangandala and Luando.

Days 8, 9 & 10: Sable Alley or Duke's Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

In Botswana, accommodation will be in a variety of Natural Selection camps and lodges. From the light, bright and beautiful luxury of Sable Alley set amid the game-rich floodplains of the Khwai Private Reserve to characterful Duke’s Camp in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. This intimately wild and impossibly stylish safari outpost, offers serious safari panache, in an unfiltered African wilderness.

Days 11 & 12: San Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

The last stop on the trip is the vast and arid Makgadikgadi salt pan eco-system, where you will witness the waters of the Delta disappearing into the sands of the Kalahari.

Can this trip be customized?

Yes, absolutely. Every Natural Selection safari to Angola is customised to suit each group’s requirements, time frame and budgets. The group size can be anywhere between two and 10 people. The Source to Sand expedition is the full monty trip, but there are options to shorten the trip to 6 nights and visit the highlights of Angola only. Please click here for details.

Ready to book this safari?

This itinerary starts at US$29,000 Per Person /person * and is fully customizable based on the number of people and travel dates.

Price: US$29,000 Per Person

This itinerary is fully customisable. To change this itinerary, please enquire with us.

Each expedition will be tailor-made so please contact us for details. The supply lines to the areas we visit in Angola are long and arduous – and the thick sand takes heavy toll on vehicles. The safaris are therefore expensive and you will be looking at around US$20,500 pp for this all-inclusive trip.

Additional Information

When to go & what to pack:.

Like the majority of sub-Saharan Africa, Angola experiences a winter dry season from July to October, and a hot, wet summer from November to March/April. Our expeditions run strictly from July to early October, when the climate is temperate, the skies blue and the sun shining!

As a guide to what to pack, we recommend similar to what you would take on a trip to Botswana or Namibia: plenty of loose, cotton clothes in neutral colours, a sweater or jacket, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent and lip balm. For footwear, bring sturdy, closed walking shoes and socks (but no need to bring heavy hiking boots). Binoculars and a camera are a must and you may also like to bring swimming kit for the Source Lakes region, and an underwater camera (for example the Olympus TG6).

Policies & Access:

Child policy: Please enquire with reservations.

Disabled access: Sadly, this trip is not equipped for disabled access.

Wifi: There is no Wifi available on this trip.

Excluded: Visas; departure taxes; gratuities for guides; international flights to the starting point (either Johannesburg or Maun); fully comprehensive travel insurance; additional helicopter excursions.

Click on the images to see larger photos.

Other Trips You May Be Interested In

FROM: Priced from US$ 12,929 Per Person /person *

Source Lakes, Cubango Game Reserve, Cuito Cuanavale

FROM: US$ 22,000 Per Person /person *

5 nights/ 6 days

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

FROM: US$14,390 and up /person *

9 days/8 nights

Zakouma National Park

FROM: US$ 16,700 Per Person /person *

When you book Angola, Namibia & Botswana Expedition, you will be directly supporting the following Natural Selection conservation initiatives:

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Natural Selection In The News

North Island Okavango, Travel + Leisure, March 2024

Etosha Heights, Süd-Afrika Magazin, July 2023

Shipwreck Lodge, African Travel, 2023

Hoanib Valley Camp, GQ Germany 2022, Issue 5

Namibia Flying Safari, Luxury Hotels & Resorts, August 2022

Jack’s Camp & Tuludi, VIP International Traveller, December 2021

Tuludi & Jack’s Camp, Departures Magazine, December 2021

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, Robb Report, Sept 2019

Hoanib Valley Camp, CNT, Oct 2019

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, Robb Report, June 2019

Special Offers

Our special offers are designed to help you experience everything southern Africa has to offer whilst also saving some all-important pennies. Whether you’re about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime solo trip, or are celebrating a special occasion, have a peek at our offers and see what could be in store for you.

Celebrate your honeymoon under African skies

One spouse stays for 50% off in participating camps… We’re feeling the love! Spend your honeymoon with us and one spouse receives 50% off the...

The Long Stay Rates

Enjoy incredible savings with our Long Stay Rates! BOTSWANA Jan – Apr & Sep – Dec:  Stay for 6 nights or more at any of...

Mokolwane Introductory Offer

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to spend an extra two nights on us! Get 6 nights for the price of 4. Take advantage of our...

The Scratching Post

Nature Notes and News From Africa

From Little Things, Big Things Grow…

Pru Allison | May 02, 2024

Every guest who travels with us makes a positive difference to the environment and wildlife they visit, but for some the impact is even more significant. Three years ago, Hyena...

Conservation Faces of Khwai Private Reserve

Pru Allison | April 16, 2024

In northern Botswana, amidst the ornate, watery carvings of the Okavango Delta, lies 200,000 hectares of pristine wilderness. This is Khwai Private Reserve, affectionately known as KPR. Any guest who’s...

Climate Change and Conservation

Pru Allison | March 27, 2024

“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.” – Barack Obama For many of us the...

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John and the team at Steppes went out of their way to curate an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica for our family. From the rainforest to seeing the turtles in Tortuguero, every detail was expertly planned.

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Welcome to Foothills Travel Agency

Delve into Botswana’s eye catching natural environment without having to go through the hassle of organising everything yourself. As your number 1 booking partner; we pledge ourselves to providing you with first class bookings for all your adventures in Botswana. For a nominal fee, give us your itinerary and we will do all the hustle for you, while suggesting alternative and more exciting routes where necessary. Contact us today! +267 73 593 555

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African Bush Camps

With every night you stay with African Bush Camps, we contribute 10 USD towards the Foundation’s operational costs, so every donation you make will go 100% towards the intended project.

Donor Partners

ABCF has partnered with Go2Africa to support Maunga Primary School as part of their positive impact initiative. through our collaborative efforts, we aim to alleviate challenges identified at the school and improve the school pass rate, improve learning facilities, and increase the quality of education for learners in Zambia.

ABCF has partnered with Butterfield and Robinson to support the Female Guides Program in Botswana. B&R will sponsor 2 female guides a year for the next 3 years. This partnership is a great step forward toward our goal of developing and employing 25 female guides in Botswana by 2025.

We hosted our first Females In Safari event at our Thorntree River Lodge in Zambia in partnership with E levate Destinations. 

We have partnered with Steppes Travel who are sponsoring two female guides for 2023. Through their Steppes Travel Fund for Female Guides, they are determined to give young women access to education and training that will give them the knowledge and skills required to pursue a fulfilling and prosperous career as a guide.

ABCF has partnered with Jackson’s African Safaris to support our projects in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana.

ABCF has partnered with Niarra Travel to support our projects in Zambia.

The Jane Bubear Sport Foundation was set up in 2009 to help people in communities under challenge through the provision of sports kits. The charity is named in honour of Jane Bubear, who was a British international waterski champion who died of cancer at 37.

ABCF has partnered with GeoEx to support our projects in Zambia.

The Global Development Group, an Australian NGO approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is our main partner for fundraising on an international basis.

Implementation Partners

ABCF has partnered with The Conservation & Wildlife Fund in Hwange, Zimbabwe. CWF is a collaborative group determined to give conservation the impact it deserves. Our purpose is to enable communities and wildlife to thrive, supporting authorities to deliver sustainable human-wildlife co-existence.

ABCF has partnered with the Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit in Mola, Zimbabwe. The Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit is at the frontline of protecting Zimbabwe’s threatened wildlife, on the shores of Lake Kariba & Bumi Hills. The Bumi Hills Foundation provides protection and conservation of African wildlife in Zimbabwe through dedicated Anti-Poaching efforts, support of local communities in Human-Wildlife Conflict, and Wildlife Research.

ABCF has partnered with Wildlife Conservation Africa in Mola, Zimbabwe. Through our collaborative effort, we are increasing awareness around wildlife in the area and implementing preventative measures such as our lion guardian program, lion bomas, and conservation clubs in school to reduce human-wildlife conflict in the area.

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Albania is one of the most fascinating countries emerging from within the Balkan Peninsula. Discover the ancient city of Butrint with archaeological remains spanning 2,500 years and the Ottoman cities of Gjirokastra and Berat.

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Albania is an immensely diverse country with a multitude of options for a holiday. Archaeology enthusiasts can spend hours in the complex sites of Butrint and Byllis, while history lovers have plenty of ancient castles, Ottoman fortresses and museums in places such as Berati and Gjirokastra.

Art connoisseurs should visit the little-known medieval churches, with their beautiful frescoes, and the icon collections in Tirana, Korca and Berati. All of these towns and cities have a backdrop of mountains that cover 70% of the country. Cliched though it may be to say it, it is the friendliness and humour of the Albanian people that will remain with you.

Why we like Albania

We think that Albania is emerging as one of the most fascinating countries within the Balkan Peninsula. Far from being the stereotyped socialist satellite that one might expect, today Albania is more culturally allied to Greece and Turkey than it is to Russia. There is no denying Albania has a long way to go, but if you thrive on being one of the first, then we urge you to explore it now.

What to expect on your holiday or tour to Albania

The essence of Albania is to stay in small family-run hotels or guest houses in idyllic little mountain villages where delicious lamb, fresh vegetables and excellent Albanian wine are always on the menu.

The Essence of Albania

Albania is a short-haul destination that is emerging as one of the most fascinating countries within Europe. It is an eighth of the size of the UK, and the entirety of the country is accessible by road, enabling easy exploration.

from £2,950 pp

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What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Visit Kruja

Discover the family seat of Albania’s 15th-century hero, Skanderbeg.

Visit Butrint

Don’t miss the ancient city of Butrint, with archaeological remains spanning 2,500 years.

Explore Gjirokastra and Berat

Discover these Ottoman cities, with their unique domestic architecture and their imposing hilltop castles.

Rozafa Castle

Built before the Roman conquest, Rozafa Castle was last used for military purposes as recently as 1913.

Explore Albania

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When to travel

Albania in may, recommended reads.

Spring Flowers, Spring Frost

The Accursed Mountains: Journeys in Albania

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Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.

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Frequently asked questions about albania, what is the time zone in albania.

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Republic of Congo Holidays

Follow your instincts and embark upon an adventure in the Congo. You’ll have to be prepared for an untamed experience – rambunctious gorillas and mighty elephants roam freely throughout the forests here.

• Holiday Idea

Experiences

Where to stay.

• Our Experts

No other country holds the promise of adventure or delivers unforgettable travel experiences quite like the Republic Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville). The bais, clearings in the forest, are a great place to view western lowland gorillas and forest elephants.

For more adventure, roll up your sleeves and track primates in the forests of Odzala National Park. You will be in awe, not only at the scale of the jungle around you but also the unerring skill of the trackers.

• Regions to explore

Nouabale-Ndoki National Park

In the far north of the Congo, bordering C.A.R. and Cameroon, covering an area of just under 4,000 sq km, Nouabale Ndoki…

• Odzala National Park

A thrilling light aircraft flight over the forests, a muddy, roller coaster of a ride into camp and a genuine Congolese welcome…

What to expect on your Congo holiday

The Republic of Congo is unfenced and untamed – so too are its camps which can be a little unnerving on your first night. Distances are vast so journeys can be very long and delays and breakdowns are an occupational hazard of travel to the Congo.

So why go? The fun lies in getting there – flying over an endless horizon of green and driving along dirt roads into the depths of the forest – and entering a world where few people, let alone tourists, have set foot. In a world of increasingly contrived travel experiences, what better way to put the fun back into an adventure?

Some ideas for a Congo holiday

• Experience the Republic of Congo in style – fly to Odzala National Park, search for gorillas and watch elephants in the bai under a full moon whilst enjoying a delicious single malt around the fire
• Search for the Fresco of Africa, a painting at the entrance to Brazzaville’s Poto-Poto market which shows the history of Congo. The market itself is also great fun.
• Head north to the remote Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, where WCS researchers monitor the park’s threatened wildlife
• Charter a plane from Odzala National Park and fly north to the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve in the CAR, combining two of the region’s greatest wilderness areas.

Lowland Gorilla Trekking in the Congo Basin

Explore the wildlife riches hidden deep within the dense forests of the Odzala National Park. Track lowland gorillas and encounter forest elephants in a jungle wilderness that hides in the far north of Congo.

from £13,495 pp

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Explore Republic of Congo

• Nouabale Nkoki National Park

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Wildlife Safari

Explore by boat, 4×4 and on foot, looking out for forest elephants, monkeys, birds and more.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Meet Dr Magda Bermejo

Spend time with gorilla researcher, Dr Magda Bermejo for a fascinating insight into her work.

Track Gorillas and Elephants

Trek in search of western lowland gorillas, spending an hour with a habituated family.

Track Elephants and Gorillas

Experience thrilling encounters with lowland gorillas and forest elephants.

Forest Communities

Visit remote forest villages, alive with myths and superstition.

Poto-Poto Market

Search for the Fresco of Africa, a painting at the entrance to Brazzaville’s Poto-Poto market which shows the history of Congo.

Spend a night in the forest

Sleep in the forest and see what wanders through camp at night.

Discover Flooded Swamps

Paddle (or walk) through flooded swamps in wooden pirogues.

The Wildlife Conservation Society

Join wildlife researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society following gorillas and elephants.

Meet Ba’Aka Communities

Visit isolated riverside outposts and traditional Ba’Aka forest villages.

Suggested read: blog

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Mboko Camp £ £ £ £ £

• Republic of Congo
• Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Spread along the banks of a tributary of the Lekoli River, the beautiful Mboko Camp looks out over an area of lush grassland. This rich vegetation attracts a wealth of animals, including forest buffaloes, elephants and spotted hyenas.

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Ngaga Camp £ £ £ £ £

Located in the Ndzehi Forest on the western boundary of the park, the lodge sits at the crest of a glade, blending in seamlessly with the surroundings, looking out across the forest canopy. Each of the 6 forest huts are on raised wooden walkways, the thatch rooms have canvas screens at the front and back, hot showers, flush loos and ceiling fans, plus charging points for cameras and laptops, (but don’t expect wi-fi or phone reception).

Lango Camp £ £ £ £ £

Lango Camp sits in a spectacular setting, overlooking the bai from which it takes its name. Six traditional Congolese-style tree houses are connected by raised, wooden walkways that wind through the gallery forest.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

• 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Republic of Congo

When is the best time to go gorilla trekking in the republic of congo.

Given the rains in the Congo tend to arrive around October and continue through to April, the best weather is found outside these months. Despite this, the Republic of Congo can be considered a year-round destination if you don’t mind a bit of rain. It will always be hot and humid any time of the year.

What advice would you give for photography in the Republic of Congo?

When photographing wildlife, bear in mind you will be in humid rainforests, with a lot of moisture around so lenses can become foggy very quickly. It is best to keep a small, dry cloth in an old film canister or similar to counter this, along with putting plenty of silica gel packets in your camera bag. A good zoom lens is essential and a minimum of 300mm is recommended, but 400mm would be even better. Remember much of the photography in the forest will be in shadow, looking at dark subject matters so you will need to use a high ISO.

In the cities and markets, photographing people may not always be appropriate so please ask first and strike up a conversation to put people at ease. A wide-angle lens can be a great way to get a sense of place in the forest or a sense of scale in the markets.

What are the lodges and camps like in the Republic of Congo?

In Odzala National Park, the standard of accommodation is excellent. Here, there are upmarket lodges, catering for those who prefer their safaris on a fly-in basis, with high levels of comfort and great food and wine after a day in the wilds (although make no mistake, step outside your room and you are very much in the heart of Africa). These camps have private bathrooms, hot showers and are very comfortable – reflected in the higher costs.

However, outside of Odzala and the capital, Brazzaville, there is almost no tourist infrastructure and any accommodation options are extremely basic.

Is it safe in the Republic of Congo?

Yes. The Republic of Congo is not to be confused with the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. We have been running tours here for years and the safety of our clients is paramount. We remain in constant contact with government officials, tourism bodies, charities and lodge owners who update us on the political situation and the Congolese people are some of the most welcoming you will meet.

You are usually safer in the remote camps – given the difficulty in getting there – than you would be in the larger cities, although when in the cities, common sense prevails in terms of keeping an eye on your valuables as you would in any large city. The opening up of new, upmarket camps is a testament to the ongoing stability of the country.

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African Parks

We support projects right across the planet. For example, in the Republic of Congo, African Parks runs a mobile clinic in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, in the Congo, which provides quality healthcare to women. A donation from Steppes Travel supported a special programme of information, education and communication (IEC) activities for women and girls, making them less vulnerable.

When planning your trip speak to our experts about how you can also support the destinations you are visiting.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?

More about Steppes

Featured in the press