Romantic Africa Getaway: Big Five Safari, Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls Tour

The day begins as you are welcomed to the Johannesburg Airport and quickly arrive in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. Upon your arrival you look out over the African expanse and have found the picturesque nature that you imagined for your romantic escape. The reserve drapes over 160,000 acres and sits adjacent to the largest national park in South Africa, Kruger. The plains give way to trees and the watering holes are in abundance, keeping the surplus of animals in the area happy and prevalent along the watery banks. Settle into your accommodation, whether watching out over the riverfront in the serene greenery or upon the tranquil mountainside that offers a glimpse of the park’s reaches along with the wellness of a romantic removal from the bustle of life; you can let the true African landscape calm you.

The pre-dawn morning is vibrant with the lion roars that have woken you. The comforts of your accommodation are inviting but you are ready to explore Sabi Sands, venturing out on a semi-private game drive through the diverse landscape to witness the sensational life of the African wild. Once within the lush trees and open road the sunlight overtakes the darkness and the nocturnal calls have been replaced with the daily sounds of the brush. The scent of fresh dew begins to drift away. In the trees you can see an awkward branch hanging at an odd angle.

Soon you realize that the branch is no branch at all but a tail that belongs to a leopard. Sabi Sands is known for its large population of leopards. One of the most prolific big cats, the leopards are also the hardest to find, as they expertly blend in with the bark and the canopy. The cat lazes within the shade watches the distant grounds in search of prey, able to take a catch of up to 100 lbs straight to the treetops. The speckled coloration of it fur adds to the cat’s beauty while its balance surely adds to the leopard’s grace.

In the afternoon you can take in a fabulous spa treatment from a room that overlooks the landscape, giving you both the relaxing and romantic touch of a couples massage within the inspiring wild that surrounds you.

The comfortable calls of the wild rouse you awake with the echoes of the trees that bring birdcalls and hyena laughs from the distance. The scent of fresh coffee and herbaceous tea gives you an extra boost in the pre-dawn light as you step into an open vehicle and venture out into the wilderness. The expansive national park became South Africa’s first in 1926 and extends over 7,500 square miles. As you journey through the diverse biosphere you come across lakes and rivers, tall grass and even taller trees.

Zebra graze beside the road and their dark stripes are a considerably lighter brown than you have ever seen. Your guide stops the vehicle and points into a clearing through the trees. You look out through the dangling branches and leaves to find the wide berth of a white rhino picking at the grass. The third largest land mammal, the males can be particularly territorial toward other male white rhino, but within the calm afternoon of the brush there is only awe as you see the majesty and grace of the rhino sifting through the wild.

The scent of a luscious breakfast and the sounds of the wild actively searching through the trees and brush rouses you from bed. After you feel refreshed from the surrounding splendor you will transfer to the airport and quickly find yourself along the riverbanks of your luxurious accommodation in Livingstone, Zambia, home to Victoria Falls. Enjoy the wilds as the royals used to in a lavish, safari-style tent set along the Zambezi River. The infinity pool looks as though it reaches out into the river that will eventually bring you to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Victoria Falls is a remarkable display of nature extending over 5,500 feet wide and 350 feet in height. You can see the mist rising up from the distance like smoke from a volcano, creating the world’s largest falling water sheet. This cascade is almost twice the size of Niagara Falls. Within the mist of the falls lies a series of pathways that can take you to a variety of different vista points giving you all the best angles from which to view the water and the precipice. The warm air is clouded with the cool mist, a comfortable and encompassing drape.

The sound is like an endless train with a particularly enjoyable rhythm. Whether visiting the swooping waves and trundling water on a boat touring around the singular island’s greenery or sitting within the swirling panorama of the Devil’s Pool at the top of the cliff, the romance is tangible in the sweet air and breathtaking nature. You return to your majestic accommodation on the riverbanks up-stream now knowing where the water goes as the call of the falls begins to lessen.

You rise to the morning light stretched over the river at whatever time you prefer today, hearing the gentle chorus of birds along the banks. After breakfast the day is yours to spend at your whim and pleasure within the plentiful wonders of Livingstone, whether with a cultural exploration at Zambezi Jewels or a venture deeper into a wildlife connection of the African Big Five by walking with lions. The tour is a unique conservation effort that brings you to the sides of lion cubs on their daily jaunt through the plain to romp, pounce, and laze along the riverbank.

The staff’s excitement is mirrored only by your own as you soon come within feet of a cub no older than 18-months. The goal of the project is to help breed lions within captivity that will then breed lions that have had no human interaction and can therefore be released into the wild. The noble effort of the project, combined with the immense interest and joviality of walking so close to a lion cub brings a mixture of emotions to the day, to the walk, and to an unforgettable experience.

Today you will transfer from Livingstone and arrive in the sensational Linyanti Reserve, a private game park that mixes modern luxury with spectacular wildlife. Within the park you notice the splendid landscape, filled with lush trees and marshlands reaching over the tall grass. The water is reflective of the springing trees around the banks. Relax in your accommodation filled with the variety of the reserve’s landscape and wilds and where you can look out over the water and watch zebra and antelope lapping at the wet banks. In the heat of the afternoon you can also sit in the pool letting the cool water wrap around your skin within the privacy of your room. Looking out over the Botswana expanse, you can hear the exotic and rare Narina trogon calling through the trees.

The morning calls of the wildlife brim before the morning light, as a sliver of sun peeks over the horizon. Lions roar, birds chirp, and elephants trumpet within the cool, early mist. Venture out into the marshlands where you can see wild dogs within the 275,000 acres of land. Their playful yipping and disk-like ears are unmistakable. Their howls sound more like birds, catching most people off guard as they watch the black and brown, fun loving pack prance in the early day. With approximately 6,000 remaining worldwide, the African wild dog is a treat to experience, not only because of their rarity, but because of their joviality as they leap through the marshes, flinging mud at one another, and wrapping themselves in the cool crust of the earth to keep from overheating in the warm afternoon.

After breakfast you will soar over the African savanna witnessing some of the most romantic landscapes in Botswana, where the climbing grass brushes against the waters of the Okavango Delta as you settle into your water-based camp. Within the heart of the Delta on a private island is the idyllic retreat where the classic lodge looks over the water in lavish comforts and the lights in the evening twinkle off of the winding paths like starlight. Soon you will come to know why this region is part of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, where the water floods and never fully evaporates, providing lush earth and drawing vibrant wildlife. You can see the lechwe antelope skimming through the waters, springing out of its depths and onto dry grass as if they had never submerged at all.

Your day is centered on you, with the romance of the delta surrounding you with every step, from the trickle of the water to the early morning birds calling one another in the dim sunlight. The delta winds through the marshlands like bush snakes, creating the diverse landscape expanding over the flat earth to the horizon. After a light breakfast you will step out into the sensual display of nature filled with the blend of aromatic grass and water. In the sweeping savanna you can see for what feels like miles in every direction. The rise of Chief’s Island can be seen, a product of a fault line uplifting the wide area and creating a refuge for wildlife in high water.

Sporadic trees rise from the flat outlook now and again. In the distance you notice the swiftness of a spotted coat, the bright black dots becoming a blur in the grass following the swift burst of antelope springing before them. When the hustle recedes you can see the cheetah sauntering to a shady spot beneath the coveted shade. A cheetah sighting, no matter how swift or slow, abundant or scarce, is exciting, with their long stretch of black fur reaching from their eyes to their mouth like teardrops. With a swish of his tail, the cheetah yawns, stands up, and disappears into the grass, camouflaged once again.

The calls of the wild seem to dissipate with the late morning, where the sounds of birds and hippos are quieted after you enjoy a delightful breakfast. The sun rises over the grounds and shimmers off of the endless waterway. After your meal you will transfer to the airport where soon you will journey from Johannesburg back home. Your time within the wilds of Southern Africa have shown you the wonders of the wildlife, from remarkable lions to regal elephants, joyful wild dogs to swift cheetahs, all within the comforts of luxurious lodges and unparalleled company. You can always choose to stay a little longer, but either way you know that your days within the wilderness helped accentuate a treasured romance.