Southern Destinations

11/09/2026

Back in the 1800s, millions of springbok migrated across the Karoo, their hooves kicking up dust that could hang in the air for days. This vast semi-arid landscape was also home to lion, cheetah, black rhino, elephant, wild dog, and an extraordinary diversity of plants, birds and other life. Today, even though much has changed, this pristine ancient landscape remains the same.

Which is what makes Samara Karoo Reserve so special. Their vision is to ‘Dare to Rewild,’ restoring the Greater Karoo to something closer to its former wild state. A stay here makes you part of that story. Exploring on foot, incredible guiding, wildlife tracking, and night drives under those endless Karoo skies. And after all that, Karoo Lodge is a beautifully classic farmstead to come home to. A truly special place to experience the Karoo, and to see what happens when a landscape is given the chance to become wild again.

Highlight experiences: seeing cheetah on foot, a mountain top picnic with 360’ views, an aardvark on a night drive, not encountering any other vehicles, identifiyng lion tracks and leopard scratching post trees, birdwatching from our deck and incredible dark sky stargazing.

Thank you for hosting us Samara Karoo Reserve family. We’ll closely follow your conservation story.

SouthAfricanSafari SafariSouthAfrica KarooSafari Safari Wildlife Conservation Rewilding SustainableTravel LuxurySafari AfricanSafari SouthernAfrica

25/08/2026

A family’s first trip to Africa — done right.

« We had an outstanding experience... it was a trip of a lifetime and we credit the planning and process to Lise. »

Five stars, first-time travellers, zero stress. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read the full review on Trustpilot :

“We had an outstanding experience working with our travel agent Lise from Southern Destinations. Lise guided us and created a wonderful family vacation carefully crafting an itinerary that balanced incredible wildlife experiences, beautiful accommodations and seamless travel from place to place. Never having traveled to Africa, she was very responsive to our questions and guided us as we were getting ready for the trip. She provided valuable information to address any pre-travel concerns. We had contact information available during our trip, but everything went so well, we never needed to reach out. It was a trip of a lifetime and we credit the planning and process to Lise!”

Ask us to connect you.

SafariPlanning FirstTimeToAfrica

12/08/2026

The queen bee of our team, Liesl Matthews has spent years crafting African journeys for our clients — but ask her the right questions and you get the good stuff: the meals that surprised her most, the “secret weapon” clients never ask for but always thank her for, and the one place she’d go back to in a heartbeat.

From helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta to remote Wild Coast beaches, to what a digital detox in Tanzania really feels like by day 7 — Liesl’s Insider’s Africa Q&A is packed with the kind of insight only years as an Africa travel consultant can teach you.

Want some insight into our lovely Liesl?
Read her Insider Africa Q&A

https://www.southerndestinations.com/insiders-africa-with-african-safari-expert-liesl-matthews/

From gorilla trekking in Rwanda and helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta to unforgettable family safaris and inspiring conservation projects, Liesl shares the African experiences she recommends time and again.

24/07/2026

andBeyond Nxabega Under Canvas - safari, unfiltered in the Okavango Delta

A private concession where the Okavango floods in on cue every year, turning grassland into a maze of channels and islands overnight.

Wake to lechwe splashing past camp. Fall asleep to hippo grunts carried across still water. Between game drives and mokoro glides through papyrus-lined channels, there's little to do but watch the light change.

This is safari stripped back to its essence — canvas, water, wilderness.

With only six guests per camp, every experience feels intimate and entirely your own.

If you love this, DM us or send an email to [email protected] or visit www.southerndestinations.com

10/07/2026

Camille was invited on an 11 day exploratory FAM trip to Namibia. She came back more convinced than ever that Namibia belongs on the shortlist of anyone who thinks they’ve already seen the best of Africa.

Read her trip feedback - link in bio 👆

Where to go, where to stay, how to pace it, and why Namibia rewards those who give it the time and have the right team planning it for them.

Thank you to our partners at Namibia Tours and Safaris for hosting Camille.

Namibia Tours & Safaris

03/06/2026

Safari & Beach - it’s a combination that’s hard to beat 🐘🦒🐠🌴

Camille was invited to experience a ‘Bush & Beach Safari. She stayed at Serondella in Thornybush Game Reserve followed by a beach escape at Santorini Mozambique.

From elephants coming down to drink at the waterhole outside her suite, to a private picnic lunch on an untouched island beach with not another person in sight — two destinations, two completely different rhythms, one unforgettable trip.

Serondella, Thornybush — a boutique safari lodge where extraordinary guiding, exceptional food, and a very active waterhole make it near impossible to leave.

Santorini, Mozambique — farm-to-table cuisine, warm Indian Ocean waters, and the kind of hospitality that guests are still talking about at the airport on the way home.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a family safari, or simply your next great adventure — a Beach & Bush combination might just be the best thing you do.
Read Camille’s full review via the link in bio. 🔗

25/05/2026

For the most unique safari in Africa, there is nowhere quite like Jack’s Camp.

Old-world 1940s safari style on the edge of the world’s biggest salt pan — where surreal ancient landscapes stretch endlessly to the horizon.

Flocks of flamingos. Meerkats. Herds of migrating zebra trailed by big cat predators.

Dramatic desert setting. Unique activities. Flawless hospitality.

Jack’s Camp isn’t just a destination — it’s an experience unlike anywhere else on the planet.

journeyswithimagination SouthernDestinations

11/05/2026

At We Are Africa this year we were WILD WITH PURPOSE!

And Cape Town and put on incredible show!

Liesl was nominated for the Champion Africa award!

It was a brilliant high-energy week of appointments, sunrise adventures, networking lunches, sundowner entertainment, cocktail events and of course the Wild With Purpose Party!

We love being part of the We Are Africa tribe where we get to meet with quality agents who can’t wait to sell more Africa and re-connect with our amazing local industry partners and friends!

Thank you and Tribe!

29/04/2026

We’ve been crisscrossing the US!

Hosting brunches, lunches and happy hour events.

Re-connecting with our valued VIP travel partners as well as making new contacts. Seeing old friends and having inspired Q&A sessions about travel to Africa.

From New York to Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin with little add-ons to Sarasota and Orange County. It’s been a wonderful whirlwind roadshow!

Thank you to everyone who made it seamless and special! Where to next year?