Sandbanks glow turquoise against white dunes. Dhows glide between islands where dugongs, dolphins and coral reefs flourish.

A park reborn from the ashes of civil war, now one of Africa's great wildlife recoveries. Lions, elephants and hippos reclaim the floodplain.

Ancient bushveld stretches to the horizon in a park the size of a small country. Sunrise drives and sundowners are punctuated by lions, leopards and elephants.

Unfenced private reserves famed for the finest leopard viewing in Africa. Open vehicles, close sightings and a guide who knows each cat by name.

A city at the edge of a continent, beneath a flat-topped mountain. Two oceans, wine valleys and penguin beaches sit within an hour of each other.

The island gateway, with mountains rising from the sea and beaches tucked into granite coves. Creole food, markets and a laid-back welcome.

No cars here: only bicycles, ox-carts and boulders sculpted by the sea. La Digue is the Seychelles at its most dreamlike.

Dhow sandbank picnic

Sail a traditional dhow to a sandbank for seafood and snorkelling.

Dune sandboarding

Slide down the island's towering dunes into the sea.

Reef dive

Swim among coral gardens bright with tropical fish.