Be captivated by the contrasts of South Africa, from the wild expanses and Big Five of Kariega Nature Reserve, to Cape Town's melting pot of cultures, and Franschhoek Wine Valley's excellent food and wine. The flat-topped Table Mountain commands Cape Town's skyline and offers an excellent vantage point from its summit to admire sweeping views of the city.

Home to vast national parks, golden savannas and the Big Five, Kenya is a wildlife haven. Venture deep into the Maasai Mara where hippos, crocodiles and lions roam. Amboseli National Park is renown for its large elephant population, while Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley plays host to flocks of fuchsia flamingos.

Hordes of zebra drinking at the banks of a waterhole. Lazing lions by the thousands. Golden plains dotted with squat acacia trees. The jewel in Tanzania's crown – Serengeti National Park – offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. Plus, discover World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Crater, and gaze in wonder at Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Botswana is home to the world-renowned Chobe National Park, a sprawling wilderness area famous for its immense elephant population. The Chobe River attracts thirsty game and predators: see hippos, buffalo, lions, giraffes and even crocodiles on the river banks during a river cruise.

Zimbabwe's terrain varies widely, from granite inland plateaus to mountain forests and the World Heritage-listed Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders), Victoria Fall's sheer size and power makes its easy to see why it's considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Be awed by the great plumes of mist that rise from the base of the falls, and the lush rainforest of the surrounding area.