Sossusvlei, the Okavango Delta, and South Africa’s Sabi Sands… In one amazing adventure!
When you combine the best Southern Africa has to offer with the added luxury of a superlative private guide and expert photographer, the result is something close to safari heaven… Read on, and see if you agree!
Return clients who absolutely love Africa asked Liesl to put together a BLOCKBUSTER trip like no other. They wanted a flawless itinerary that included the most photogenically diverse destinations, guarantees of incredible wildlife, and hosted by in-demand private photographic guide, Matt Meyer.
See more of Matt Meyer’s incredible wildlife photography on Instagram matt_meyer_africa
Matt is a supremely experienced and lots of fun to travel with, this energetic South African-born expedition leader and all-round wilderness enthusiast accompanied our clients on their southern Africa tour de force, kicking off in one of his favorite places – Sossusvlei – and a stay at the wonderful Sossusvlei Desert Lodge!
Oceans of sand and flights of fancy…
Sossusvlei is the poster child for Namibia – a sea of towering red sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, soaring 300m high over ancient salt and clay pans dotted with long-dead camel thorn trees. This extraordinary place has become synonymous with the ancient sands of the Namib, the world’s oldest desert.
Through Matt’s lens, the dramatic landscapes of this most awe-inspiring corner of southern Africa come to life, giving tantalizing snapshots of the vastness of the Namib Naukluft National Park and some of the fascinating creatures that call this challenging environment home.
From the magic of a sunrise hot air balloon flight, with the first rays of the rising sun hitting the parched sands turning them all the shades of purple imaginable to the dark, velvety desert night skies dotted with the billions of stars that make up the Milky Way, Matt has managed to capture the essence of this magical place.
A lone oryx in a sea of sand, punctuated by clumps of desert grasses… A beetle scurrying in the undergrowth… A family of ostriches negotiating the scorching heat of day in search of shade… Jagged rocky peaks towering over the desert… Namibia is a land of contrasts and an absolute winner when it comes to a safari itinerary.
Where rivers empty into the desert…
From Sossusvlei, Matt accompanied our guests on the next leg of their epic journey, to Botswana and the legendary Okavango Delta and Vumbura Plains.
Located in the private Kwedi Concession – a vast 90,000ha of pristine wilderness in the north of the delta – Vumbura Plains has become synonymous with outstanding game viewing and the unique spirit of the Okavango, with its lush lagoons and winding channels providing a haven for wildlife.
Matt has managed to encapsulate everything that makes this part of the Okavango so special, from the beautiful soft light of late afternoon dancing on the surface of the water to the slow movement of an elephant through the shallows, the sunlight turning its tusks to pale golden shafts. A mokoro ride through tall reeds… A painted tree frog‘s vibrant coloring… A pack of painted wolves (African wild dogs) resting in the long grass… The stunning, amber eyes of a lion…
This is the incredible wildlife that inhabits the place where an African river empties its waters into the sands of the Kalahari, hundreds of kilometers from the sea… This is the Okavango.
The jewel of the Greater Kruger…
From the magic of the delta to the safari capital of South Africa – the magnificent Greater Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand private game reserve…
Matt’s camera worked overtime at Tengile River Lodge in the heart of this world-renowned safari destination, revered for the vast wilderness and iconic species under its protection. Our guests quickly topped their tick lists up with sighting after sighting, showing why this is one of the best game viewing destinations in Southern Africa.
Lion, painted wolves, leopards aplenty and even an elusive pangolin! What an absolute privilege for our guests and Matt! Like Sossusvlei and the Okavango, the Sabi Sand never fails to deliver, and these phenomenal sightings, along with the raw beauty of the Namib and the cornucopia of abundance found in the Delta, and the unbridled passion of one of Southern Africa’s leading safari guides, all added up to exactly what our guests wanted – the safari of a lifetime…
Doesn’t this photo essay make you want to start planning your own Africa trip?
Here’s the full detailed itinerary. Get in touch and we’ll tailor make a similar trip for you.
info@southerndestinations.com
