Asante Travel designs tailor-made experiences that submerge you in the beauty, magnificence and happiness of Africa and offer authentic, luxurious and unique travel experiences. Founder, Zephné Weston, has chosen her top 5 luxury retirement holiday destinations in Africa for your bucket list and suggests amazing itineraries exclusively for our Ripple readers.
There is nothing in the world that can replace the making of memories. You will always have that beautiful sunset you shared, the time you got lost in the tiny avenues of a foreign city or the quiet reverence inside a gilded medieval church. Your bucket list of luxury retirement holiday destinations should include these incredible places:
Bush & Beach | Kruger to Mozambique
Imagine setting off on safari to a famous private game reserve, then jetting off to a tropical island resort, all on one vacation? Make your fantasy a reality with a Bush & Beach combo safari. Feast your eyes on Africa’s exotic wildlife in incredible locations. Watch the sun rise daily as you seek animals on dawn game drives then enjoy a scenic helicopter transfer to an island where you can indulge your taste buds with succulent seafood dishes.
Enjoy best of both worlds by embarking on a luxury safari in the Kruger National Park for four days and then travelling to the Benguerra Island in Mozambique for seven days to relax and unwind in ultimate barefoot luxury.
The Kruger National Park has a select range of luxury safari where all your needs are attended to on a personal level. From Nelspruit, there is a direct flight to Vilanculos in Mozambique and a quick 10-minute helicopter transfer will get you to the beautiful Benguerra Island.
Island Getaway | Seychelles
Shaking off the daily grind and cityscapes has never been easier than escaping to the simplicity and breathtaking beauty of an island. From sparkling white sand to crystal clear water, it’s the dream variety of doing absolutely nothing. The suggested stay is at least seven to ten days.
With daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg, the Seychelles is easy to reach.
Delicious food and unique island culture meet luxury accommodation where you can choose to remain active or allow yourself ample time around the pool. In several locations, inclusive options are available where all expenses are paid upfront.
If lazing around is unappealing, Seychelles also have golf courses and private yachts can be chartered to cruise around the islands and enjoy a hop-on hop-off experience that’s on another level!
Beautiful Botswana Safari
One of the best luxury retirement holiday destinations is undoubtedly Botswana with its friendly people, breathtaking natural beauty and an astounding array of wildlife.
Zephné suggests a 14-day fly-in safari – one of the most unique wildlife experiences you can dream of.
Your Botswana adventure should be divided into four different areas in Botswana to ensure that you enjoy the ultimate holiday:
Three nights on Zambezi Queen, which is located on the Chobe River in the Chobe National Park. The Zambezi Queen is made up of four houseboats and this boutique floating hotel departs three days a week and travels 25km up the Chobe River. It consists of 14 luxury suites, all with balconies that offer uninterrupted views of the plains. Some of the activities include game drives, fishing, birding, photo safaris and cultural tours.
Three nights discovering the large elephant population in the Linyanti Reserve.
Three nights in the Okavango Delta where you can wander through flourishing greenery and witness incredible wildlife
Three nights in Makgadikgadi Game Reserve, a salt pan with an area of 3 900 square kilometres situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world and rich with beautiful wildlife.
Ultimate Wildlife | Kenya & Tanzania
A Kenya and Tanzania combination is the absolute bucket list destination for wildlife lovers and is the best choice for the extended family.
Even though Kenya and Tanzania are all-year destinations, Zephné recommends the famous Great Migration, which takes place between July and September, but be sure to book well in advance.
Spend 16 nights in this glorious part of the world, traveling from Arush, across the Serengeti to the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania and magnificent places like Sirai House in Borana Conservancy in Kenya.
For the ultimate breathtaking ride, take hot air balloons over Serengeti or Masai Mara and become one with this beautiful continent.
Gorillas & Rainforests | Rwanda
Zephné recommends that the best time to visit Rwanda is during the short and longer dry seasons, from December to early February or June to September.
Spend 9 nights in Rwanda by starting off in the buzz of the capital, Kigali. Follow this with two nights at Akagera National Park with private helicopter transfer, which is highly recommended for a fabulous big 5 safari experience
Spend three nights in Nyungwe National Park where you will get the opportunity to see primates such as the Angolan Colobus, L’Hoest monkey, Owl faced monkey, blue monkey, Dent’s Mona Monkey, Vervet monkeys and the more adventurous can take part in chimpanzee trekking.
Your last three nights will be at Volcanoes National Park where you can partake in the exhilarating experience of gorilla trekking and witnessing these huge herbivores in their natural habitat.
This trip is recommended for couples or friends traveling together and families with children 16 and older.
For more information, to view other spectacular countries or to connect with Zephné to make your bucket list a reality, visit www.asante-travel.com
