Wilderness Safaris and White Desert have come together once again, to design two adventure-packed joint itineraries featuring the best of Africa and Antarctica. Through this partnership, the companies’ shared guests will enjoy the most awe-inspiring experiences, hand crafted to highlight the best of Wilderness and White Desert’s offering. The journeys are set to take place in January 2023.   “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with White Desert and celebrate the launch of its brand-new camp, Echo. Wilderness Safaris is the first luxury safari outfitter to design these unique continent-to-continent itineraries to include Echo, and we will be extending our collaboration with White Desert to further engage adventure-seeking guests with dynamic combination conservation experiences”, said Amanda Wilson, Wilderness Safaris Vice President of Partnerships.   Wilderness is a pioneer in conservation tourism, and has built a collective of remote destinations in Africa, each unique and untamed, affording a truly immersive and exclusive adventure for those seeking to discover the wilderness. And in a corner of the world that is characterised by pristine vistas, dramatic mountain ranges and exceptional wildlife encounters, White Desert has taken the hardship out of exploration and transformed the isolated beauty of Antarctica into an exclusive backdrop for adventure, offering luxury accommodation and a host of experiences, including ice climbing, abseiling, rock climbing, and rope walking, as well as the rare highlight of visiting the South Pole. Protecting Antarctica’s future is fundamental to White Desert’s mission; in addition to supporting scientists performing ground-breaking research on the Antarctic ice shelf, White Desert’s operations leave no waste on the continent, and their camps are built with the lightest environmental footprint, similar to those of Wilderness Safaris, where all elements of their camps can be disassembled, leaving no trace.   The first itinerary, Ice & Fire: Antarctica and Rwanda is a 20-day journey that will take place from 8 January to 28 January 2023, discovering the highlights of Cape Town, Antarctica and Rwanda. After two nights at the exclusive One&Only Cape Town, a maximum of 12 guests will depart on a private jet to White Desert’s brand-new camp, Echo, boasting luxurious Sky Pods with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and dramatic views over the vast Antarctic playground guests will get to explore. During their eight-night stay, travellers will take a 2.5-hour flight to Atka Bay, where they will experience one of nature’s marvels – exclusive access to observe over 14 000 breeding pairs of penguins and their weeks-old chicks. Additionally, guests will embark on an overnight excursion by plane to the South Pole, which is visited by fewer than 800 people each year. Other activities include trekking through ice waves, exploring crystal caves, fat biking and cross country skiing, accompanied by highly qualified and knowledgeable White Desert guides.   Guests will then return to Cape Town for three nights to regroup and relax while being looked after by a Wilderness Private Journeys guide. The Rwanda leg of their journey will kick off in Kigali where they will experience the bustling cultural and culinary scene of this vibrant city, before taking a short flight to Wilderness Magashi Camp for a classic East African safari. Located in Akagera National Park, Magashi boasts prolific wildlife including elephant, lion, leopard, and black rhino and more. Next, guests will take a scenic helicopter flip to the award-winning Bisate Lodge. Nestled on the slopes of an eroded crater, each of Bisate’s six suites overlooks two enormous extinct volcanoes, Bisoke and Karisimbi. During their stay, guests will trek through the rainforests of Volcanoes National Park, for an hour-long encounter with a family of awe-inspiring and endangered mountain gorillas. Other activities include trekking to observe the highly entertaining golden monkey population in the park, planting trees for reforestation and connecting with the local community. Guests will be guided through Rwanda by a private Wilderness specialist photographic guide.   The 18-day second journey, Wild Desert Adventure: Antarctica and Namibia offers two of the most remarkably remote luxury travel experiences in the world, taking guests from the ancient and remote Namib Desert to the southernmost point on Earth. Set to take place from 7-24 January, travellers begin with an overnight stay at Johannesburg’s iconic Saxon Hotel before flying to Namibia to experience the highlights of the Namib Desert. Here they explore the dramatic landscapes of the world-renowned Sossusvlei dune field, with a stay at Wilderness’s lovely desert retreat, Little Kulala. Guests then fly to Namibia’s remote north-west to experience a transformative stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp to photograph the unique desert-adapted wildlife of the Hoanib Valley, ending at the surreally beautiful Serra Cafema to visit the unique and culturally rich Himba people. Guests will be guided through Namibia by a private Wilderness specialist photographic guide. After a flight to Cape Town to spend two nights at the One&Only Hotel, guests can rest before departing on a private jet flight for the South Pole to experience a six-night stay at White Desert’s Echo camp. In addition to standing on the bottom of the world, guests will enjoy the same penguin experience and activities as per the above itinerary.   “Like Africa, Antarctica has a profound effect on those who visit; we can’t help but leave deeply changed. It’s fabulous to be partnering again with Wilderness Safaris to show off our diverse landscapes and bring back the joy of mindful travel to our guests”, said Mindy Roberts, White Desert Chief Marketing Officer.   “We are thrilled to be partnering again with White Desert, affording global travellers the unique opportunity to explore some of the Earth’s most breath-taking and remote destinations; to offer them arguably the most unique and intimate nature and wildlife experiences luxury tourism has to offer. In turn, we hope our guests become stewards of conservation tourism in Africa and Antarctica”, Amanda concluded.   To book, please contact [email protected] or for more information visit www.wilderness-safaris.com/white-desert.   Full itinerary: Ice & Fire, click here.   Full itinerary: Wild Desert Adventure, click here.

  t’s much easier to fall in love than to stay in love…   Whether you’re hoping to fall in love or stay in love, we’ve dreamed up the Ultimate Romantic Safari for you and your beloved – a 12-night intimate journey taking you to four of our most spectacular camps, three in Botswana and one in Namibia: DumaTau in Botswana’s Linyanti; Vumbura Plains and Mombo in the Okavango Delta; and Little Kulala near the Sossusvlei dunes in Namibia.   Here’s your itinerary, your chance to make indelible memories together in some of the most beautiful, pristine wildernesses on Earth. If you choose, in your own private game vehicle – just you, your loved one, an expert guide and the wonders of the wild. You may be writing your own proverbs by journey’s end.  

DumaTau, Linyanti, Botswana (3 nights)

  Deep within the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, on Botswana’s northernmost fringe, lies DumaTau. With unique access to both the Linyanti River and Savuti Channel, the camp boasts an almost constant stream of ellies and other creatures passing by. The reserve’s diverse, stunning 95 000 acres offer truly exclusive excursions and close-up wildlife encounters – both intimacy and adventure, unforgettable.     Inspiration is everywhere. On the breakfast barge glide past sleeping hippos, or crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the lagoon. Surround yourself with elephants, one of the world’s largest herds, traversing two ancient wildlife corridors at the foot of the Rift Valley. Watch a matriarch and her family splash across the Linyanti River. Across the varied habitats – grasslands, floodplains, riverine forests, and uncountable waterways – spot an abundance of wildlife, lions, leopards and wild dogs to name a few, meaning exceptional land- and water-based game viewing. Take to the skies by helicopter to be collectively awed by the Linyanti’s beauty from above. Celebrate your day with sundowners on the floating fire pit, as a burnt-orange sun slips below the horizon and a wildlife chorus performs.     Or retreat to your elegant tented suite, perhaps lingering in your private plunge pool toasting life with a bottle of chilled bubbly, as animals wander peacefully through camp. DumaTau’s new spa, the Osprey Retreat, will soothe your soul. As will all the elephants, whose moving herds compose one of Africa’s most elemental rhythms.  

Vumbura Plains, Okavango Delta, Botswana (3 nights)

  Captivating Vumbura Plains lies in the far north of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, perched on raised decks amid annually inundated grasslands, appearing to float on water, radiant blue and pure enough to drink. Nestled under tree canopies and airily open to nature, Vumbura Plains serves up intimate wildlife encounters on the spectacular floodplains, studded with ilala palms and small islands. Soon to be refurbished, it will no doubt seduce you.     Together, marvel at the wealth of wildlife there, possibly the ‘leaping lions’ jumping channels in pursuit of prey. Watch elephant herds grazing peacefully in the distance. Scan the floodplains for the vast array of predators: lion prides; African wild dogs; numerous leopards; occasional cheetahs. Spy a rare sable or sitatunga antelope, often in flight. Or search for some of the 600 bird species – lilac-breasted rollers, carmine bee-eaters, secretary birds, and Pel’s fishing-owls among them... Move seamlessly between land and water, between different terrains. Drift quietly through the channels in a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, or buzz a bit faster by boat. You may also want to adventure into the skies, soaring in a hot-air balloon or by helicopter.     Your spacious suite, like the rest of camp, is an artful, contemporary composition of wood, glass, and canvas, reflecting the colours of the Delta and letting the outside in. Spend some precious private time together at your own outdoor sala, viewing the never-ending wildlife parade. Share a truly Okavango experience – even just watching the sunrise, where sun, Earth, and water meet, with the promise of new adventure.  

Mombo, Okavango Delta, Botswana (3 nights)

  Revel in sustainable elegance and some of the best game viewing on the planet at our flagship camp – the ‘Place of Plenty’. Tucked into a thicket of giant trees on Chief’s Island, once a tribal leader’s hunting ground, Mombo overlooks the vast floodplains of the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, teeming with wildlife. A beacon of conservation tourism, it leaves a light footprint – but will forever imprint upon you and your time together there, in paradise.     Watch the plains burnish greenish-gold as you set out on a morning game drive. Meet herds of elephant and buffalo, giraffe and zebra; packs of wild dog; bobbing hippo; an impressive range of birds. Thrill to plentiful predator-prey interaction, dominated by the big cats. With luck, glimpse one of Africa’s rarer species, perhaps a pangolin or honey badger. To amp up the adventure, helicopter over the floodplains as wildlife stitch their way across the landscape beneath. Wind down with an in-room massage, swim in the pool, or low-key gym workout. Feel Africa’s heartbeat in a fireside ‘boma evening’, when Mombo’s warm, welcoming staff treat you to traditional song and dance.     Enjoy everything your spacious suite has to offer: sweeping views over the plains; earthy tones that comfort and calm; a sitting room; separate bedroom and bathroom; indoor and outdoor showers; elegant copper bathtub; and outdoor private sala with a double day bed, sunken couch, plunge pool, and wrap-around veranda. All immersing you deeper into the bush and Mombo’s magic.  

Little Kulala, Sossusvlei, Namibia (3 nights)

  Namibia is otherworldly, and Little Kulala – located in the 27 000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve in the heart of the ancient Namib Desert – is unimaginably divine. A welcome oasis, the camp lies along the dry Auab riverbed, about as close as you can get to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei and the haunting panoramas of Dead Vlei, accessible through an exclusive-use gate.     Explore to your heart’s content. Climb the 300-metre red dunes at Sossusvlei and gaze upon oceans of sand. Hike through a canyon carved by water over the millennia. Float above the world’s oldest desert in a hot-air balloon, and see it come alive on nature walks, drives, e-bikes, or low-impact quad bikes. Spot desert-adapted wildlife such as ostriches, springbok, gemsbok, brown hyaenas, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, perhaps even an aardwolf, or the endemic dune lark. At dusk hear the call of barking geckos; at night go with a guide on a scorpion safari. Stargaze in one of the darkest places on Earth, and sleep out under the stars, contemplating space.     Recently refurbished, Little Kulala entices with its adventures, its landscapes, its peace. Totally solar-powered, the new camp has cleaner, more modern lines than its predecessor, opening out more to the desert. Its 11 climate-controlled suites – each with its own plunge pool – honour the local geology, reflecting the surrounding grey and pink limestone. Blend in. Absorb the desert’s primordial beauty as you share private sundowners, supper and stargazing on your suite’s rooftop, then spend the night in a deeply comfortable bed out on your lower deck , blanketed by the heavens.     So fall in love. Stay in love. Fall in love with Africa, or if you’re returning, remind yourself why you fell in love with her in the first place.