15 days in South Africa, Southern Province & Botswana Itinerary

The landscapes of South Africa match its people in terms of diversity, richness, and vitality. From desert lands and coastlines, to the famous nature reserves sheltering the "Big Five" game animals, the country has natural charm in spades. The main cities provide a wealth of bars, clubs, shopping districts, and entertainment options to please the most demanding visitors, while traditional life can still be admired and respected in a collection of villages with beehive-style huts and an age-old cultural heritage. When in need of a minute to digest all that's happened during your trip to South Africa, sit down to a braai (traditional barbecue), and a bottle of wine made at one of the country's thriving vineyards.

Much of the Southern Province's tourism centers around Zambia's best-known tourist attraction, Mosi-oa-Tunya, or Victoria Falls--one of the seven natural wonders of the world. A wide array of tour operators take advantage of this breathtaking sight, offering activities for thrill-seekers and casual sightseers alike. Beyond that, you can marvel at big five game on safaris and national parks, and walk with the rhinos, lions, and giraffes. Given the surge in vacations to Southern Province, expect higher prices here than elsewhere in the country.

Sparsely populated Botswana possesses some of the most unadulterated wilderness and animal-rich areas in Africa. Largely unfenced national parks allow the world's largest population of elephants to roam freely--these protected areas also shelter varied birdlife and many endangered and rare mammal species. Tourism in Botswana largely caters to visitors seeking luxury lodges and exclusive safari experiences, but expeditions into traditional villages are also strongly recommended. The preserved cultures of these agricultural settlements show a link between man and nature formed over centuries, a relationship that many visitors to Botswana come to reconsider in their own lives.