DESTINATIONS
Explore Our Destinations.
Ten handpicked journeys across Africa and the Indian Ocean, each one planned and coordinated by Vivari Travel & Tours.
Every destination below can stand alone or form part of a wider, bespoke itinerary. Select a destination to read more, or speak to a consultant about combining several into one journey.
Cradle of Humankind — Where Humanity Began
The Cradle of Humankind is one of the world’s most significant palaeontological sites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just 50 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg. This expansive landscape of rolling grassland, rocky outcrops and subterranean limestone caves has yielded some of the oldest and most important hominid fossils ever discovered, fundamentally shaping our understanding of human evolution.
Inscribed by UNESCO in 1999 and contains more than a dozen major fossil sites and cave systems, including the renowned Sterkfontein Caves, Swartkrans and Kromdraai. It is here that over a third of the world’s early hominid fossils have been uncovered, making it the richest concentration of human ancestor remains anywhere on Earth.
A visit to the Cradle of Humankind centres on two primary experiences: the Maropeng Visitor Centre and the Sterkfontein Caves. At Maropeng, the official visitor centre for the World Heritage Site, travellers begin with an underground boat ride that simulates the formation of the earth, the emergence of life and the rise of early humans. The main exhibition, housed within the distinctive Tumulus building, features interactive displays, fossil casts and clear explanatory panels that walk visitors through the evolutionary timeline from early primates to modern humans. The experience is designed to be engaging and accessible, requiring no prior scientific knowledge.
The Sterkfontein Caves, a short drive away, are considered the richest hominid fossil site in the world. Guided tours take visitors through 2.5 kilometres of the underground limestone cave system, where fossils such as “Mrs Ples” (a 2-million-year-old Australopithecus africanus skull) and “Little Foot” (a nearly complete 3.6-million-year-old skeleton) were discovered. The caves are also the location of the longest-running continuous palaeoanthropological dig in the world.
The broader Cradle region offers additional experiences, including the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, the Bothongo WonderCave, and scenic drives through the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve, which encompasses the Cradle of Humankind and is itself a UNESCO-designated site.
The Cradle of Humankind offers a travel experience unlike any other in Africa. It is not a traditional safari or beach destination, but a place of profound scientific and cultural significance. A visit here answers a question most people have at some point: where did we actually come from?
The site is particularly compelling because it combines world-class science with accessible, engaging storytelling. The Maropeng exhibition brings the story of human evolution to life for visitors of all ages, while the Sterkfontein Caves offer a tangible connection to the fossils that have reshaped our understanding of human origins. The discovery of “Mrs Ples” at Sterkfontein in 1947 remains one of the defining moments in the history of palaeoanthropology, and the site continues to yield significant finds to this day.
The Cradle is also highly accessible, located just 50 kilometres from Johannesburg and within easy reach of Pretoria and Lanseria International Airport. It works exceptionally well as a half-day or full-day excursion from Johannesburg, or as a meaningful addition to a broader South African itinerary.
Whether you are a first-time visitor to South Africa or a returning traveller seeking a deeper understanding of the human story, the Cradle of Humankind offers an extraordinary journey into our shared origins. Vivari Travel & Tours can arrange guided excursions, private tours and seamless integration of the Cradle into wider South African itineraries.
Best for: Cultural and heritage travellers · Families with children · Educational travel · Science and history enthusiasts · Day trips from Johannesburg · Corporate and incentive groups · Private guided tours · International visitors
Kruger National Park — Africa in Its Wildest Form
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most renowned safari destinations, offering an extraordinary opportunity to experience wildlife in its natural environment across an expansive conservation landscape. Located in northeastern South Africa, Kruger can form the centrepiece of a dedicated safari journey or be incorporated into a broader South African itinerary.
Experience Kruger
Safari experiences can include guided game drives, wildlife viewing, photography, private safari experiences and stays at lodges located within or around the greater Kruger region. The destination is particularly known for opportunities to encounter the Big Five, while also offering an extraordinary variety of landscapes, birdlife and other wildlife.
Why Kruger?
Kruger offers a classic African safari experience while being highly accessible from South Africa’s major travel gateways. It can be combined with destinations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Victoria Falls or other Southern African safari regions.
Best for: Luxury safari · Wildlife enthusiasts · Photographic travel · Families · Couples and honeymooners · International visitors · Private and bespoke journeys · Incentive programmes
Victoria Falls — Where Nature Makes an Entrance
Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s most spectacular natural destinations, where the Zambezi River plunges into a dramatic gorge to create one of the world’s most iconic waterfalls. Straddling Zimbabwe and Zambia, the destination combines extraordinary scenery with adventure, wildlife, luxury accommodation and memorable experiences.
Experience Victoria Falls
Visitors can experience the Falls from different viewpoints on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides, depending on the season and itinerary. Beyond the waterfall itself, the destination offers river cruises, guided walks, wildlife experiences, scenic flights, adventure activities and opportunities to explore the surrounding Zambezi region.
Why Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls is ideal for travellers looking to combine nature, adventure, luxury and wildlife in one destination. It also works exceptionally well as part of a broader Southern African itinerary, including safari destinations in Zimbabwe, Botswana or South Africa.
Best for: Luxury leisure travel · Couples and honeymooners · Adventure travellers · Families · Incentive groups · International visitors · Multi-destination African itineraries
Cape Town — Where City, Coast and Culture Meet
Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most distinctive destinations, combining dramatic natural landscapes, sophisticated city experiences, beaches, wine regions, cultural attractions and world-class hospitality. Set between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town provides an exceptional base from which to experience both the energy of the city and the diversity of the Western Cape.
Experience Cape Town
Explore Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, discover the city’s historic and cultural attractions, visit the Cape Winelands, enjoy coastal experiences or combine the city with luxury accommodation, culinary experiences and private touring. Cape Town also provides an excellent setting for meetings, incentives, conferences and corporate programmes, with a strong combination of accommodation, venues, experiences and destination infrastructure.
Why Cape Town?
Cape Town offers an unusually broad destination experience within a relatively compact region. Travellers can combine city, nature, wine, cuisine, culture and coastline within a single itinerary.
Best for: Luxury leisure · Corporate travel · MICE and incentive groups · Families · Couples and honeymooners · International visitors · Wine and culinary experiences · Extended South African itineraries
Maasai Mara — The Great African Safari
Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s most spectacular natural destinations, where the Zambezi River plunges into a dramatic gorge to create oneThe Maasai Mara is one of East Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, renowned for its expansive grasslands, extraordinary wildlife and iconic safari experiences. The reserve and surrounding conservancies provide travellers with an opportunity to experience the African wilderness through carefully planned safari journeys and immersive encounters with nature.
Experience the Maasai Mara
Game drives provide opportunities to observe lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, buffalo and other wildlife in their natural environment. Depending on the season and itinerary, travellers can also experience the spectacular Great Migration, along with cultural experiences, scenic landscapes and carefully selected safari lodges and camps.
Why Maasai Mara?
The Maasai Mara is particularly compelling for travellers seeking an authentic East African safari experience, and can be combined with other Kenyan destinations or extended to Tanzania and the Indian Ocean.
Best for: Luxury safari · Wildlife enthusiasts · Couples and honeymooners · Photographic travel · Families · Private travel · Incentive groups · Multi-country East African journeys
Mauritius — Island Luxury, Naturally
Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most distinctive destinations, combining dramatic natural landscapes, sophisticated city experiences, beaches, wine regions, cultural attractions and world-class Mauritius offers a distinctive combination of turquoise waters, beaches, luxury resorts, cultural diversity, cuisine and island experiences. Located in the Indian Ocean, the destination provides an easy transition from relaxation to exploration, with opportunities to experience the island’s coastline, landscapes, culture and hospitality.
Experience Mauritius
Travellers can enjoy beach and resort experiences, private excursions, water-based activities, island touring, culinary experiences and opportunities to explore the island beyond the resort. Mauritius can also be incorporated into honeymoon, family, incentive and multi-destination journeys.
Why Mauritius?
Mauritius combines the convenience of a well-developed island destination with a strong luxury proposition, making it suitable for travellers seeking both relaxation and meaningful experiences.
Best for: Luxury leisure · Honeymoons · Couples · Families · Incentive travel · Beach holidays · Wellness escapes · Multi-destination journeys
Seychelles — A World Apart
The Seychelles is an Indian Ocean destination defined by pristine beaches, clear waters, tropical landscapes and secluded island experiences. Its combination of natural beauty, privacy and luxury makes it particularly attractive to travellers looking for an exclusive island escape.
Experience Seychelles
Explore the islands by boat, discover secluded beaches and marine environments, enjoy private island experiences or simply experience the slower pace of an Indian Ocean retreat. Accommodation and experiences can be selected around the traveller’s preferred level of privacy, activity and relaxation.
Why Seychelles?
Seychelles is particularly suited to travellers who value privacy, exclusivity and natural beauty, making it a strong destination for luxury and bespoke travel.
Best for: Luxury travel · Honeymoons · Couples · Private escapes · Wellness and relaxation · Special occasions · High-end leisure
Serengeti & Zanzibar — Safari Meets the Indian Ocean
Few African journeys offer the contrast of combining the vast wilderness of the Serengeti with the tropical coastline of Zanzibar. This combination allows travellers to experience Tanzania through two very different environments — an iconic safari landscape followed by an Indian Ocean escape.
Experience Tanzania
The Serengeti offers exceptional wildlife experiences, guided game drives and opportunities to witness the rhythms of the African wilderness. Zanzibar provides a completely different experience, with beaches, island excursions, cultural heritage, marine experiences and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Why Serengeti & Zanzibar?
The combination creates a natural safari-and-beach itinerary, making it particularly attractive for travellers who want wildlife and relaxation within one journey.
Best for: Luxury safari · Honeymoons · Couples · Wildlife enthusiasts · Beach escapes · Families · Private travel · Multi-destination journeys
Okavango Delta & Chobe — Untamed. Exclusive. Extraordinary.
Botswana offers some of Southern Africa’s most remarkable wilderness experiences, with the Okavango Delta and Chobe region providing two distinctive environments for experiencing wildlife and nature. The Okavango Delta is renowned for its waterways, seasonal landscapes and exceptional wildlife, while Chobe is particularly known for its large elephant populations and diverse wildlife.
Experience Botswana
Depending on the itinerary, travellers can experience game drives, water-based safari activities, guided nature experiences, wildlife photography and stays at carefully selected safari lodges and camps.
Why Botswana?
Botswana is particularly suited to travellers seeking immersive, exclusive and nature-focused safari experiences. It also combines naturally with Victoria Falls and other Southern African destinations.
Best for: Luxury safari · Private travel · Wildlife photography · Couples · Honeymoons · High-end leisure · Incentive travel · Multi-destination Southern African journeys
Sossusvlei & Etosha — A Different Side of Africa
Namibia offers a dramatically different African travel experience, defined by vast desert landscapes, extraordinary geological formations, open skies and exceptional wildlife. From the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei to the wildlife-rich landscapes of Etosha National Park, Namibia offers an itinerary built around space, nature and exploration.
Experience Namibia
Sossusvlei provides an opportunity to experience some of Namibia’s most recognisable desert landscapes, while Etosha offers game viewing around its expansive salt pan and surrounding wildlife areas. The journey can be enhanced with scenic drives, photographic experiences, luxury lodges and carefully selected wilderness stays.
Why Namibia?
Namibia is ideal for travellers looking beyond the traditional safari experience and wanting to combine dramatic landscapes, wildlife, adventure and luxury.
Best for: Luxury adventure · Safari · Photography · Couples · Private travel · Scenic journeys · Nature enthusiasts · Multi-destination Southern African travel
Not sure which destination is right for you?