Southern Africa.

The peak dry season is May–October — cooler, drier and ideal for safari, as thinning vegetation and shrinking water sources concentrate wildlife. This covers South Africa's Kruger, Botswana's Okavango and Chobe, and Namibia's Etosha. Cape Town is loveliest in the summer (November–March). Victoria Falls is at peak flow February–May; Devil's Pool swimming is September–December.

Good news for Australian passport holders: South Africa, Namibia and Botswana are visa-free for stays up to 90 days. For Victoria Falls, the KAZA UniVisa (USD $50) lets you cross freely between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Cooee confirms current requirements and handles the paperwork for every booking.

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the world's great wildernesses — a vast inland delta where the Okavango River fans out into the Kalahari, creating a maze of channels and islands teeming with wildlife. It's explored by mokoro (dugout canoe) and on game drives from exclusive fly-in camps. Botswana's low-volume, high-value model keeps it pristine.

Absolutely — the classic Southern Africa trip pairs Cape Town and the Garden Route with a Big Five safari in Kruger or a private reserve, often adding Victoria Falls. Malaria-free private reserves such as Madikwe and Shamwari make excellent family safari options. See our South Africa travel guide.

Very — malaria-free private reserves (Madikwe, Shamwari, the Eastern Cape) allow younger children on safari, Cape Town is easy and varied, and the Garden Route suits road trips. Many camps have minimum ages, so we tailor family itineraries around ages and interests. See our lodges & camps guide.