Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, has a few noteworthy sights such as the National Museum, but the real fun begins on safari. The Tuli Block area, in the southeast, is popular with birdwatchers, and is a great spot for a horseback safari trip or a mountain bike tour. Ancient rock formations, add a rugged element to the landscape, and date back billions of years.

The Okavango Delta area is Botswana’s main draw, with its exquisite natural beauty and diverse range of fauna. The landscape is mostly grassy plains, tree covered-ridges and an extensive network of waterways leading to lagoons. Francistown is mainly a jumping-off point, but the town has a rich and interesting past. Once a gold town, Francistown still has some working mines, as well as the Supa-Ngwao Museum, which documents the local history.

Serowe is one of the largest villages in Botswana and is also the birthplace of the country’s first president. There are a number of interesting sites in the village including the Khama III Memorial Museum, a small Khama rhino sanctuary and the ruins of an 11th century settlement.

The selection of accommodation available in Botswana is as varied as the wildlife. Visitors can choose a style to suit their needs and their budget. The range includes five star hotels, bed and breakfasts, self catering villas, houseboats, budget motels and caravans. The main gateway to Botswana is Gabarone Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, which serves a number of destinations including Paris, London and Johannesburg.

The capital city of Maseru, is situated on a wide flatland and is home to around 200,000 inhabitants. The city has little to offer in the line of attractions, but offers insight into the typical African routine. On the outskirts of the city, villages such as Phomolong provide a glimpse of a more traditional way of life.

Not far from Maeru, Teyateyaneng is famous for its Basotho handicrafts, especially a distinctive peaked hat. A wide variety of arts and crafts are for sale in the village, as part of a government initiated project. The meticulously crafted wares include tapestries, carvings and tribal wool products.

Adventure seekers can sign up for a pony trekking trip through the mountainous interior of the northeast. A ski region can be accessed through the Sani Pass, although facilities are not very developed at this point. The modest town of Mokhotlong is a great base point for exploring the surrounding barren countryside on hikes and trails.

Accommodation is plentiful in Lesotho, and the locals are known for their warm hospitality. From backpacker hostels to high-end hotels and a range of quality lodges, there is something to suit every traveller and budget. The majority of visitors to Lesotho arrive by car from the neighbouring South Africa; however, there are regular flights from Johannesburg to Maseru’s Moshoeshoe International Airport.

Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, has a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere and can be safely be navigated by foot. The Alte Feste Fort serves as a museum and provides detailed information about the country’s past. Swakopmund, a seaside town characterised by its old colonial buildings, enjoys a pleasant coastal setting and is a good base point for reaching the Skeleton coast.

Etosha National Park is Namibia’s main draw and it is the best place to witness elephants, giraffes and zebras in their natural surroundings. The Etosha Pan is the central plain and this is where the majority of the game lodges can be found. Lüderitz is a pearl on the south coast, boasting incredible scenery and home to a large colony of seals and flock of flamingos.

Namibia’s Fish River Canyon is the second largest in the world, after the Grand Canyon. Camping and lodging facilities can be found in Hobas, and it also the starting point for hiking trails. Namibia’s interior mainly consists of coarse desert, however the north east boasts expansive flood plains and is known for its fishing and game viewing.

Accommodation in Namibia ranges from luxury five-star resorts to country lodges and friendly guest houses. Namibia’s main international airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport; situated just outside Windhoek it receives direct flights from the UK and other European cities. There is a regular shuttle from the airport to the city centre, which takes 30 minutes.

Cape Town has become a popular holiday hotspot, with its Table Mountain first on the list of every tourist’s agenda. The city centre is mishmash of old and new architectural styles and the Victoria and Albert Waterfront is a modern development aimed at tourists. There are boats from the Albert Waterfront to the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned.

The surrounding area boasts a number of beautiful beaches and resorts including Muizenburg, Blouberg, and the upmarket Camps Bay. Wine lovers will enjoy a day trip to Stellenbosch, to visit the picturesque vineyards. East of Cape Town, the Garden Route provides a magical journey through forests, mountains, lakes and beaches.

Durban is home to strip of luxury beach resorts and has a vibrant entertainment scene. Also situated in Kwazulu Natal Province, the striking Drakensburg Mountains and the UNESCO listed St Lucia Lagoon Wetlands. Kruger Park, located in the east of South Africa, is one of the largest nature reserves in the world and is a great place to observe elephants, buffalos, lions, zebras and giraffes.

Most visitors to South Africa fly into Johannesburg International Airport. A host of connections to other regions are easily arranged on arrival at the airport. There is a wide range of accommodation available in South Africa, with something to suit every traveller and budget. Options include hotels, self-catering, bush camps, game reserves and much more.