South Africa calling - World Cup holiday ideas

With England officially qualifying for next year’s World Cup, now is the time to start organising your trip to South Africa as flights are selling fast.

Why not take the opportunity to extend your stay and experience the magnificent nature and wildlife of southern Africa’s most famous wilderness regions? Explore the national parks of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and even the thundering Victoria Falls, which are only an hour’s flight from Johannesburg.

Adventure specialist World Expeditions offers a wide selection of trips which allow you to truly experience southern Africa’s wilderness. Unlike many other operators, who rely on vehicle-style safaris, World Expeditions’ safari holidays allow for plenty of opportunities to get active, leave the car and get up close and more personal with wildlife.

'Botswana Elephant Trail' (Botswana*, Namibia, Zambia)
Summer 2010 Trips: 12 June, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August, 21 August 15 days
Pricing: £1,795

The diverse and beautiful wilderness of southern Africa is showcased on this itinerary across Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. You will experience the legendary Okavango Delta, with its burgeoning wildlife-filled channels and islands. Travelling by traditional dugout canoe (or ‘mokoro’) you will float past elephant, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, hippo and kudu, before visiting the semi-arid parks of Namibia that provide an alternative habitat for wildlife including elephants, giraffes and zebras.

The big game haunts of Moremi and Chobe are home to lions and cheetahs, but also provide another opportunity to see large herds of elephants in their natural environment. This itinerary allows you to walk amongst World Heritage rock art sites, created over the eons by the diminutive bushmen of southern Africa. The journey is completed in Zambia at the Victoria Falls, considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, where you will observe the Zambezi River fall over one hundred breathtaking metres.

'Botswana Leopard Trail & Kalahari' (Botswana*, Zambia)
Summer 2010 Trips: 3 June, 15 July, 12 August 17 days
Pricing: £1,995

A diverse and stimulating experience, this trip provides a comprehensive travelling experience throughout Botswana for those with an adventurous spirit looking to see the wild side of Africa. You get to traverse the country from the vast Kalahari Desert (meaning ‘a waterless place’ and home to the San Bushmen, who have lived there for 20,000 years), to the magnificent game reserves in the north. Continuing into the world famous Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta on earth, you will explore this wildlife-rich region by traditional Mokoro canoe and on foot.

Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or on your first African safari, there are few places on earth that are as impressive as Moremi Game Reserve and the Chobe National Park, where huge herds of elephants roam. And to conclude this spectacular adventure you will cross into Zambia to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world.

'Southern Africa Explorer' (Botswana*, South Africa, Namibia) Family Friendly Itinerary
Summer 2010 Trips: 11 July, 1 August, 5 August, 8 August 21 days
Pricing: from £1,495

The countries that lie at the southern end of the African continent evoke a strong spirit of the wild and this itinerary traverses the greatest parks, reserves and landscapes that Africa’s south has to offer. From Cape Town head north towards the arid wilderness of Namibia. Explore the boundless Namib Desert (the second-oldest desert in the world), encounter one of the world’s largest seal colonies at Cape Cross, spot the desert elephants of Etosha (once the largest game reserve in the world) and marvel at the enormity of the Fish River Canyon, Africa’s largest Canyon.

In Botswana go in search of some of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences in the surprisingly diverse Moremi reserve and the Okavango Delta. The magnificent Victoria Falls is an inspiring backdrop to a multitude of adventurous options before travelling south across the land of the indigenous Bushmen to Johannesburg, where the journey concludes.

'Great African Adventure' (South Africa, Botswana*, Zambia)
Summer 2010 Trips: 1 August 25 days
Pricing: from £1,795

From the vast deserts of Botswana, through the lush pristine South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, and then to the rugged mountains peaks surrounding Lake Malawi. Here, you will explore the best scenery, wildlife and culture that Southern Africa has to offer: camping on the banks of the Chobe River, with its abundance of birdlife and wildlife; crossing to the great Victoria Falls; canoe down the gentle currents of the Lower Zambezi, watching the wildlife from your camp, and taking an optional night game drive in search of predators in the world-renowned wildlife haven of South Luangwa, one of the best-known national parks in Africa for walking safaris.

On this trip you get to visit traditional African villages with vibrant markets, spend nights camped under coconut palms near the wide deserted beaches of Mozambique and enjoy your days overlooking the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean. En route to Johannesburg, where this classic and unique African journey terminates, you also pass through the famous Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa.

For bookings visit worldexpeditions.co.uk.

*Please note that Botswana is only an one-hour flight from South Africa.

World Expeditions’ all-inclusive policy ensures that there are no local payments.

Prices quoted above do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.