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Destinations
Africa
The earth's last great wilderness, awaiting your arrival.
Introduction
Where the pulse of the wild still beats
Africa is the continent that bestows the most primordial sense of wonder upon the traveller. Vast herds of wildebeest cross the endless plains of the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit glows in the first light of dawn, and a mokoro glides silently through the waterways of the Okavango Delta. The encounters with the wild found here reawaken an elemental vitality that urban life tends to obscure.
An African journey with NEWT Bespoke fuses luxury and wilderness at the highest level. At the continent's finest safari lodges, a dedicated tracker guides you to encounters with the Big Five, whilst bush dinners beneath the stars and wildlife observation from a private plunge pool deliver experiences obtainable nowhere else.
Africa extends well beyond the safari. In Marrakech, navigate the labyrinthine medina with a private guide; in Cape Town, survey the majesty of Table Mountain and tour the wineries of Stellenbosch; in the highlands of Rwanda, an extraordinary encounter with mountain gorillas awaits.
Why journey through Africa with Bespoke
Incomparable safari experiences
Encounters with the Big Five. The raw, untamed emotion of the wild, found nowhere else on earth. Seasoned trackers and rangers accompany you exclusively, reading animal behaviour to position you at the finest observation points. Dawn game drives, sundowners at dusk, and night bush walks create a continuous dialogue with the wild throughout the day.
Journeys through protected reserves
At the forefront of sustainable tourism. Luxury lodges that exist in harmony with nature. Africa's premier safari lodges are founded upon principles of environmental conservation and community benefit. Solar-powered eco-lodges and conservation projects in partnership with local communities ensure that your journey contributes directly to the protection of Africa's wildlife and ecosystems.
A singular form of luxury
Tented suites beneath the stars, bush dinners at dusk. An expression of luxury found nowhere else. Africa's luxury is unlike that of any resort in the world. A king-size bed and freestanding bathtub within a canvas tent, an infinity pool overlooking the savannah, a dinner beneath the stars around a crackling fire. Cradled by nature, this is luxury in its most authentic form.
Countries
Destinations in this region
Egypt
The commanding presence of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, a Nile cruise calling at the Valley of the Kings and the grand temples of Luxor, and diving amongst the coral reefs of the Red Sea. Egypt is a treasury of human heritage where five thousand years of civilisation endure. A private tour of the pyramid interiors with an Egyptologist, an elegant cruise aboard a premium dahabiya on the Nile, and a walk through the Islamic architecture of old Cairo: a journey where antiquity and modernity intersect on the grandest stage.
Recommended stay: 7-10 nights
Best season: October to April
Kenya
The Masai Mara National Reserve is revered as the holy land of safari, where encounters with all of the Big Five may be anticipated. The Great Migration (July to October), the largest movement of wildlife on earth, culminates in the breathtaking spectacle of wildebeest crossing the Mara River. Nairobi's sophisticated restaurant scene and the views of Kilimanjaro from Amboseli are also compelling.
Recommended stay: 5-8 nights
Best season: July to October (Great Migration)
Tanzania
With the boundless plains of the Serengeti and the commanding presence of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, Tanzania represents the summit of the safari experience. The Ngorongoro Crater harbours an extraordinary density of wildlife within its caldera, whilst the spice island of Zanzibar offers white-sand beaches and an atmospheric Arab old town.
Recommended stay: 7-10 nights
Best season: June to October (dry season)
South Africa
The breathtaking vistas from Cape Town's Table Mountain, the winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and Big Five safaris in the Greater Kruger. South Africa delivers an astonishing variety of experiences within a single country. A drive along the Garden Route coast, the penguin colony at Simon's Town, and a visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg for historical reflection are each unforgettable in their own way.
Recommended stay: 8-12 nights
Best season: May to September (winter dry season)
Morocco
The labyrinthine medina of Marrakech, the world's oldest university in Fez, and luxury camps beneath the stars of the Sahara. Morocco is a singular nation where African, Arab, and European cultures converge. A stay at a riad, a spice tour through the souks, trekking in the Atlas Mountains, and a seafood luncheon at the port of Essaouira: a journey that stimulates every sense.
Recommended stay: 5-8 nights
Best season: March to May / September to November
Namibia
The towering dunes of Sossusvlei blazing red in the first light of dawn, elephants and giraffes gathering at the waterholes of Etosha National Park, and the desolate Skeleton Coast strewn with the ruins of shipwrecks. Namibia is Africa's most photogenic nation, where primordial wilderness remains undisturbed. Cultural encounters with the Himba people, stargazing from a luxury lodge in the Namib Desert, and the surreal tableau of Deadvlei, with its white clay pan and skeletal trees set against towering red dunes, create memories that endure a lifetime.
Recommended stay: 7-10 nights
Best season: May to October (dry season)
Botswana
The Okavango Delta, an inland delta spread across the Kalahari Desert, is one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on earth. Glide through papyrus-lined waterways by mokoro, observing elephants and hippos bathing at close range. Chobe National Park is home to Africa's largest elephant herds. Botswana is celebrated as the sanctuary of exclusive, small-group, high-quality safari.
Recommended stay: 5-8 nights
Best season: May to October (dry season)
Mauritius
Set in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is cherished by discerning travellers worldwide as the pinnacle of luxury beach resort destinations. The dramatic rock of Le Morne Brabant rising behind pristine sands, the optical illusion of the 'underwater waterfall' where currents draw sand into the deep, and tastings at artisan rum distilleries. Reside at world-class resorts such as One&Only and Shangri-La, savouring Creole cuisine and turquoise seas: the ultimate paradise sojourn.
Recommended stay: 5-8 nights
Best season: May to November (winter dry season)
Rwanda
The Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is the world's pre-eminent destination for mountain gorilla trekking. In the mist-shrouded bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, a close encounter with a silverback family group ranks among the most profoundly moving moments one can experience. The Kigali Genocide Memorial and the nation's remarkable story of renewal leave an equally deep impression.
Recommended stay: 4-6 nights
Best season: June to September / December to February
Madagascar
Forests inhabited by lemurs found nowhere else on earth, the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs reaching skyward, and an ecosystem so unique that five per cent of the world's flora and fauna are concentrated on this single island. Having separated from the African mainland approximately eighty-eight million years ago, Madagascar is often called the 'eighth continent' for its singular evolutionary path. Relaxation at a private beach resort on Nosy Be, an encounter with indri in Andasibe National Park, and a trek through the needle-like rock formations of Tsingy de Bemaraha: an adventurous journey for the devoted naturalist.
Recommended stay: 8-12 nights
Best season: April to October (dry season)
Itineraries
Sample itineraries
East Africa: The Great Migration
Traverse the Serengeti of Tanzania and the Masai Mara of Kenya to witness the greatest wildlife migration on earth. Stay at the continent's finest lodges, track the Big Five on dawn game drives, and survey the savannah from a hot air balloon. Following the safari, restore body and spirit at a private beach on Zanzibar.
Southern Africa: Cape Town and Safari
Savour the gastronomy of Cape Town's Table Mountain and winelands before transferring by private aircraft to a premier lodge near the Greater Kruger. Enjoy Big Five safaris and bush dinners, then drive the coastal Garden Route. A journey distilling the multifaceted allure of South Africa into a single, luxurious itinerary.
Gorillas and Okavango Delta Safari
A profoundly moving encounter with mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, followed by a transfer to Botswana's Okavango Delta. Water safari by mokoro, game drives, and bush walks together represent the finest expression of African safari. The most distinguished tented suite lodges host your stay throughout.
Experiences
Experiences unique to Africa
Private safari
Track the Big Five with a dedicated vehicle and expert guide. Stay at the continent's finest lodges. Experienced rangers and trackers accompany you exclusively, reading animal behaviour to guide you to the most rewarding observation points. Pre-dawn game drives and post-sunset night safaris create an immersive day spent entirely within the world of the wild.
Hot air balloon over the savannah
Survey the Serengeti at dawn from above. Toast the morning with champagne. As the balloon rises with the sun, a panorama of wildebeest and zebra herds spread across the savannah unfolds below. Upon landing, a champagne breakfast is served on white linen amidst the bush. An experience that becomes a treasured memory for life.
Gorilla trekking
Track mountain gorillas through Rwanda's highland forests. Limited to small, intimate groups. Walk through mist-cloaked bamboo forest with a dedicated guide in search of a mountain gorilla family. The dignity of a silverback, the playfulness of infant gorillas. The hour spent in their company at close quarters is wrapped in an emotion beyond words.
Riad stay in Marrakech
Immerse yourself in Moroccan culture and cuisine at a traditional riad of distinction. Within the courtyard of an orange-tree-adorned riad, savour traditional Moroccan tagine and couscous. Shopping in the souks, a spa treatment at a hammam, and a glass of mint tea on a terrace overlooking the animated spectacle of Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
Travel Tips
Practical travel information
Getting there
From Tokyo, Nairobi (Kenya) is reached via Dubai in approximately eighteen hours, and Johannesburg (South Africa) via Hong Kong or Dubai in approximately nineteen hours. Casablanca (Morocco) is approximately twenty hours via Doha or Dubai. Inter-city transfers within Africa utilise regional airlines or private charter aircraft. We propose the most efficient routing for every itinerary.
Visa requirements
Japanese passport holders require an e-Visa for Kenya, a visa on arrival or e-Visa for Tanzania, no visa for South Africa (up to 90 days), no visa for Morocco (up to 90 days), no visa for Botswana (up to 90 days), and an e-Visa for Rwanda. We handle all visa application procedures on your behalf.
Currency and payment
Currencies differ by country (Kenyan shilling, Tanzanian shilling, South African rand, Moroccan dirham, among others). Safari lodges and resort hotels accept US dollars and credit cards. Cash in local currency is required at markets and for gratuities. We advise on all currency preparation in advance of your journey.
Climate overview
East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) lies on the equator but is relatively cool due to its elevation, with the June to October dry season ideal for safari. South Africa's seasons are reversed, with the May to September dry season being optimal. Morocco enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with spring and autumn the most pleasant. The Sahara Desert is best visited in winter.
Health and safety
Yellow fever vaccination certificates (Yellow Card) are required for certain countries. Antimalarial prophylaxis is also recommended. We arrange pre-departure health consultations at a partnered travel clinic. During safari, adherence to your guide's instructions is the single most important safety measure. A twenty-four-hour emergency contact service is in place throughout.
Best Season
Best Time to Visit
Dec — Mar
Southern Summer — Cape Town and Wine Country
Southern Africa radiates at its brightest. In Cape Town, the summit of Table Mountain reveals a panorama where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge, and the winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek enter the February-to-April harvest with an energy that delights every oenophile. South African wines have surged in international esteem, and a private tasting of world-class Pinotage and Chenin Blanc in a storied cellar is a singular pleasure. In Madagascar, the Avenue of the Baobabs is at its most lush, its ancient trees cloaked in green, and lemur activity reaches its peak. Mauritius, with its white-sand beaches and turquoise lagoons, is beautiful year-round, yet the resort experience during these sun-drenched months is truly superlative. In Namibia, Etosha National Park's green season offers the tender sight of newborn wildlife amid the rejuvenated landscape.
- •Cape Town's Stellenbosch wine harvest and private cellar tastings
- •Madagascar's lush Baobab Avenue and peak lemur activity
- •Mauritius luxury beach resort at its sun-drenched finest
Apr — Jun
Autumn to Early Winter — Safari Conditions Emerge
East Africa's dry season begins to take hold, and safari conditions improve markedly. Around South Africa's Greater Kruger, the winter safari period (May to September) commences — the grass recedes, visibility improves dramatically, and the probability of Big Five encounters rises sharply as animals congregate at diminishing water sources. Morocco is at its most agreeable in spring (March to May), with Marrakech enjoying mild temperatures ideal for medina exploration, Saharan luxury camp stays, and unhurried wandering through the ancient alleys of Fez. Rwanda's gorilla trekking enters its first dry season (June to September), and the forest trails are at their most navigable. In Botswana, the annual flood begins to fill the channels of the Okavango Delta, and the mokoro canoe journeys through its waterways — one of Africa's most iconic experiences — commence in earnest.
- •Greater Kruger winter safari with heightened Big Five encounters
- •Morocco's Marrakech in spring — ideal medina exploration
- •Botswana's Okavango Delta mokoro waterway journeys begin
Jul — Sep
Peak Dry Season — The Great Migration Spectacle
The pinnacle of the African safari calendar. In Kenya's Masai Mara, the Great Migration arrives between July and October as millions of wildebeest surge northward from the Serengeti, and the river crossings of the Mara — where vast herds ford treacherous, crocodile-patrolled waters — rank among the most dramatic natural events on earth. Lodges in the Mara during this period may be fully reserved a year in advance; early planning is essential. Tanzania's Serengeti offers its own vantage on the migration, and a hot-air balloon safari at dawn delivers a panorama of staggering scale. In Rwanda's highland forests, mountain gorilla trekking conditions are at their finest. Namibia's Etosha is at peak animal density, and the rust-red dunes of Sossusvlei, illuminated by the first rays of dawn, compose landscapes of almost otherworldly beauty.
- •Masai Mara's wildebeest Great Migration and Mara River crossings
- •Rwanda's highland mountain gorilla trekking at its finest
- •Namibia's Sossusvlei red dunes at sunrise
Oct — Nov
Short Rains — Emerald Renewal and New Life
The short rains bring a verdant rebirth to the African landscape and the promise of new life. In Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater, safari conditions remain excellent despite the brief showers, and vast flocks of flamingos turn the crater lake into a shimmering expanse of pink — a sight of extraordinary natural theatre. In the Serengeti, the wildebeest herds begin their southward return, and the calving season draws near. Kenya's Amboseli National Park offers one of Africa's most iconic images: herds of elephants silhouetted against the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro. Egypt enters its most comfortable season, and the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and the temples of Luxor may be explored without the burden of oppressive heat. A Nile cruise in the temperate autumn air is a journey of timeless elegance, drawing the traveller deep into the world of ancient pharaohs.
- •Ngorongoro Crater's flamingo-filled lake in pink splendour
- •Amboseli's elephants against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro
- •Egypt's Nile cruise and Valley of the Kings in comfortable autumn
Testimonial
Client testimonial
“
The hot air balloon experience over the Serengeti left me speechless. The summit of Kilimanjaro was visible in the distance as the first light illuminated the savannah, with herds of zebra and giraffe moving below. I wept during the champagne breakfast that followed. The cultural exchange arranged at a Maasai village was equally memorable. Africa is a place that possesses the power to change one's life.
M.N. (Lady in her 40s, Osaka)
Kenya and Tanzania, 10 days
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