This 4-country Safari Is the ‘Greatest on Earth,’ According to a Top Travel Advisor

I grew up in Zimbabwe and have dedicated my life to sharing my homeland with travelers, while urgently protecting the continent’s wildlife and last remaining wild spaces. Not all trips to Africa are created equal, though. The very best have an experienced hand behind their design — a high level of expertise, sensitivity, and priceless intuition that only comes from sharing one’s homeland, rather than simply selling another destination. 

Crafting moments that nourish and connect guests to faraway places is an art and The Greatest Safari on Earth experience is the culmination of a lifetime of experiences. Here’s why I, a specialist in life-changing African experiences, think you should book this trip now. 

What is the ‘Greatest Safari on Earth'?

This 12-day journey takes place in August and September and is limited to 10 guests. The destinations are four of Africa’s most iconic wildlife areas, and to get there, guests travel aboard an Emirates executive private jet. Along the way, they’ll stay at luxurious safari camps and be led by the best guides.

Start in Zimbabwe

The Greatest Safari on Earth begins in my home country of Zimbabwe. Standing before Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is transcendent. The beauty, the light, and the power are mind-blowing, and as that mighty wall of water cascades from a height of 354 feet, thundering into a chasm of gorges, rapids, and rock pools below, you’ll feel your own heart release waves of awe and wonder.

From Victoria Falls, you’ll fly up the Zambezi river by helicopter, watching the wildlife below — hippos splashing, elephants sauntering across the water, and crocodiles floating — before swooping down to land at Matetsi River Lodge. While there are many hotels in this area, this one is located on the banks of the Zambezi river, allowing guests to feel totally immersed in nature. Elephants walk by for a drink, while bushbuck and warthogs linger around casually as part of the family. Game drives and cocktail cruises are followed by evenings spent drenched in orange, red, and pink hues as the sun sinks into the inky river and the cry of the fish eagles pierces the air.  

Next Stop: Botswana

The next destination is Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta, comprising 10,563 miles of lush floodplains and immense wilderness where the water never reaches the sea. The area is home to a plethora of wildlife, and guests will explore this awe-inspiring landscape by vehicle, on foot, by mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe), and from the air in a doors-off helicopter.

A Stop in Kenya

From Botswana, we head to the Maasai Mara in Kenya to witness the Great Migration, one of the world’s most incredible natural phenomena. Suspended above the action in a hot-air balloon, watching the herds of wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, and more thundering across the land, is an immense privilege.

Final Stop: Rwanda

This epic journey ends in Rwanda, a country of hope, reconciliation, and restoration — and home to just one of just three places on the planet to trek with critically endangered mountain gorillas. With a guide, guests will be able to witness these animals in their natural habitat, with an ancient rainforest around them. You’ll return to a more connected human state — one you didn’t know you were missing  — and therein lies the beauty of The Greatest Safari on Earth.

You can leave Africa, but it will never leave you. This place and these people settle into your bones and take up permanent residence in your soul. The goal of the Greatest Safari on Earth is to leave you a slice kinder, gentler, and more aware of our world and the beauty it holds. 

Deborah Calmeyer is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in life-changing journeys to Africa. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Calmeyer by contacting her at welcome@roarafrica.com.