Time Well Spent:
Migrating Across Africa

Discover spectacular scenery and incredible wildlife on a life-affirming journey across Africa. Crafted in collaboration with James Wallman, time design expert and best-selling author of Time and How to Spend it, the third trip in our ‘Time Well Spent’ series is packed with bucket-list moments, from traversing the Serengeti alongside the Great Migration to canoeing past crocodiles in the Okavango Delta.

Covering 5,000 miles and six countries with just 15 hours spent in the air, our ultimate safari experience is the most efficient – and luxurious – way to encounter a wide range of African animals in the wild. The 16-night adventure can only be achieved within this timeframe when flying point-to-point by private jet, saving at least four days of travel time compared to scheduled services by cutting out delays, layovers and long road transfers.

Days 1-3:

Meet mountain gorillas in the Rwandan rainforest

Arriving by private jet, your adventure begins in Rwanda’s breathtaking Volcanoes National Park, where rainforest-cloaked peaks shelter some of the world’s only remaining mountain gorilla families. Led by an expert guide, you’ll embark on an intrepid trek up the park’s misty slopes for an unforgettable encounter with some of these magical creatures, watching in wonder as they forage, feed and play together. Coming face-to-face with gorillas in their otherworldly natural habitat is an experience you’ll remember forever.

You’ll spend two nights at Wilderness Bisate, an eco-chic retreat where just six thatched forest villas perch like giant birds’ nests in an eroded volcanic cone. The natural amphitheatre is a spectacular setting and you can soak up the views from your private verandah. Spend time with a local Batwa tribe, learning about their fascinating culture as you try your hand at pottery and tour a local school.

Days 3-5:

Soar over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon

Board a private jet to Tanzania, flying straight to the heart of the Serengeti for a two-night safari. You’ll stay at One Nature Nyaruswiga, a luxury camp where guests are pampered with spa treatments and gourmet cuisine. Taking under-canvas living to the next level, tents have enormous beds, cosy woodburners and butler service. Mix a drink at your private bar and soak in the copper bathtub while taking in beautiful views of the savannah.

Known as Africa’s big cat capital, the Serengeti is home to thousands of lions, cheetahs and leopards. You’re here during the Great Migration, when over two million wildebeest make the perilous journey to Kenya. You’ll have the chance to witness this magnificent spectacle from above during a sunrise hot-air balloon ride, floating overhead as huge herds thunder across the plains. Later, sip sundowners on an exhilarating evening game drive, before swapping stories around a crackling boma fire back at camp.

Days 5-8:

Watch a mesmerising sunset at Victoria Falls

Embark on a scenic helicopter flight to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with a rich array of wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, giraffes and elephants. The park’s most iconic attraction is the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, and you’ll have plenty of time over the next three days to discover the many faces of this awe-inspiring natural wonder. Experiencing it at sunset is a highlight of the trip, watching transfixed as the last rays of daylight penetrate the mist surrounding the cascading waters.

Nestled on the banks of the Zambezi River just 20 minutes from the falls, Thorntree River Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore this extraordinary setting on game drives, river cruises, cultural visits, bird-watching safaris, fishing expeditions, canoeing trips and rhino tracking walks. There’s so much to see and do that it’s tempting to pack every day with excursions – but make sure you leave some time to unwind back at the lodge, where every suite comes with its own private plunge pool and a viewing deck overlooking the river.

Days 8-11:

Cruise down the Okavango Delta’s winding waterways

Fly by private jet to Botswana for three days exploring the mighty Okavango Delta. This lush oasis offers some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife viewing, with scores of animals and over 400 bird species gathering on its maze of islands, forests and lagoons. You’ll have a front-row seat for all the action at Wilderness Kwetsani, staying in one of just five thatched treehouse suites tucked into a tropical grove with breathtaking views of the marshlands.

Glide down the meandering channels in a traditional mokoro canoe, snapping photos of passing hippos and crocodiles, and visit a local sanctuary to encounter orphaned elephants up close. When night falls, savour a delicious dinner by the campfire, hanging onto every word as your guides tell fascinating tales of the Delta. This is one of Africa’s best stargazing spots, so it’s worth requesting a 3am wake-up call to marvel at the impossibly twinkly sky.

Days 11-14:

Go wildlife spotting and wine tasting in Cape Town

Wave goodbye to Botswana and hop back on your private jet, this time bound for South Africa. You already know you’re flying to Cape Town, but that doesn’t stop your gasp of wonder at glimpsing Table Mountain from the sky as the flat-topped monolith presides over the cosmopolitan city on the southwest coast. Check in for a three-night stay at 21 Nettleton, a cliffside private residence with just six suites, a tranquil pool and 24/7 butler service.

Much of your time here will be spent discovering Cape Town’s incredible natural beauty. Hike up Table Mountain, watch penguins waddling along the sand at Boulders Beach, and head out on the water in search of great white sharks and migrating humpback whales. Taste the bounty of the region’s rich produce, sampling fine wines at a Cape Dutch vineyard and tucking into a traditional South African braai barbecue as the sun sets over the ocean.

Days 14-17:

Discover unique wildlife in the Madagascan rainforest

Your adventure draws to a close on the magical island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, which separated from the African mainland 165 million years ago and is now home to unique flora and fauna that can’t be found anywhere else. Touch down in your private jet for a night at Mantadia Lodge, a hillside retreat perched at the edge of the rainforest with panoramic views, setting off on foot after dark in search of rare fluorescent frogs and geckos.

A quick helicopter ride takes you from the east of the island to the central-eastern highlands. Your base here is Lac Hotel Sahambavy, an idyllic escape on the shores of a glassy lake. Experience the local culture, touring a tea plantation and spending time with a rainforest tribe, and trek through Ranomafana National Park in hopes of spotting an elusive golden bamboo lemur. Then it’s time to depart Africa for home, full of memories to last a lifetime.

*Subject to availability

Our experts at The Travel Division are waiting to curate your perfect journey. Get in touch today for more information on this itinerary or to discuss a completely bespoke trip to fit your needs.

Get in touch today

Our experts at The Travel Division are waiting to curate your perfect journey. Get in touch today for more information on this itinerary or to discuss a completely bespoke trip to fit your needs.

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Time Well Spent:Migrating Across Africa