safari – thompsonsafricadbn

Fresh Look, More Luxury – Chobe Safari Lodge

August 13, 2025September 16, 2025Posted in fine-dining, Safari Stays, Sustainable Travel, Travel with PurposeTagged adventure, africa, safari, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

Evening view of Chobe Safari Lodge from across the Chobe River, with warm lights reflecting on the water and a moored river safari boat to the right.

From September 2025, the ‘new’ Chobe Safari Lodge will reveal a full upgrade:

Explorer River Suites – Two gorgeous, two-bedroom duplex suites with spacious lounges and river-facing balconies, perfect for honeymooners or couples who want more space and privacy.
Luxury River Rooms – Fully refurbished and ready by late 2025.
Packages from 2 – 6 nights – With discounts for longer stays (The 2 and 3 night packages work out better than nightly rates).

Activities That Sell Themselves

Every stay includes a choice of incredible activities:

Boat Safari
Game Drive (morning or afternoon)
Fishing
Quadripoint Bridge Tour
Spa Treatment
Sundowner at Treetops

Guests can also upgrade to Enhanced Activities like photographic boat safaris, scenic flights, or even swap two included activities for a Victoria Falls excursion at no extra cost in some cases!

Dining Experiences Worth the Trip Alone

Riverside Restaurant – Live cooking stations, themed evenings, and Botswana’s first climate-controlled salad and dessert bars with Chobe River views.
Sedudu Outdoor Dining – Dinner under the stars, showcasing local flavours and traditions – a truly Botswana experience.
Cattle Post Steak House – Premium Botswana beef paired with a fantastic wine list.
High Tea at the Pavilion – Complimentary daily from 1hh30pm to 17h30pm.

More Than Just a Place to Sleep

Explorers Lounge – A treasure trove of Botswana history and travel stories.
Elephant Centre – Interactive displays celebrating Africa’s giants.
Bush Walk & Treetops Lookout – A guided nature trail ending in panoramic floodplain views.

Sustainability in Action

From freshly baked bread and pastries to pure, filtered water from their own bottling plant, Chobe Safari Lodge is reducing food miles and waste without compromising on quality.

Read more about how Chobe Safari Lodge is making a difference HERE.

Reasons to Book

All rates now include park fees and bed levy.
Multi-night packages offer better value than nightly rates – perfect for 2+ nights.
Secret Season ‘Pay 3, Stay 4’ special from Dec to Mar (excl. holiday season).

Chobe Safari Lodge has transformed into a true destination, not just a gateway to Chobe National Park. With upgraded rooms, more dining and activity choices, and an effortless booking process, it’s set to become one of Botswana’s must-stay properties.

Ready to experience the new Chobe Safari Lodge for yourself?
Secure your stay now and be among the first to enjoy the upgraded suites, expanded dining options, and unforgettable activities along the Chobe River. Whether it’s a romantic escape, a family adventure, or a luxury safari stopover, Chobe Safari Lodge is ready to welcome your guests with style.

Contact our team today to check availability and book your ideal package.
Email: info@thompsonsafrica.com
Tel: +27 31 275 3500

Why Now Is the Best Time to Visit South Africa

June 6, 2025September 16, 2025Posted in UncategorizedTagged africa, cape-town, safari, south africa, south-africa, travelLeave a comment

Rich experiences. Fewer crowds. More value. Unforgettable memories.

From the iconic silhouette of Table Mountain to the echo of lions at dusk in Kruger National Park, South Africa remains one of the most breathtaking and diverse travel destinations on Earth. But beyond its beauty and bucket-list appeal, there’s something unique about visiting right now — and smart travellers are taking notice. Here’s why 2025 is the perfect time to go:

South Africa Is Open, Safe, and Ready to Welcome You

South Africa’s top travel regions — from Cape Town to Kruger — feature international-grade infrastructure and dedicated tourism safety protocols that rival top destinations globally.

Award-winning airports like OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International are consistently ranked among the best in Africa by Skytrax World Airport Awards.

Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) ensures that accommodations meet star-rating standards aligned with global hospitality norms.

Tourism-policing units in high-traffic areas (e.g. Table Mountain, Kruger) work alongside private operators to support visitor safety.

Private transfers, hosted safaris, and 24/7 guest support are standard for mid to high-end itineraries, ensuring a smooth and secure experience.

At Thompsons Africa, our guides are vetted guides, we offer secure transfers, and a 24/7 customer support line — standard across mid- and luxury packages.

This strong foundation allows travellers to explore South Africa with confidence, comfort, and care.

More Space, More Intimacy

South Africa’s lodges and boutique properties are offering extraordinary value and exclusivity in 2025. With fewer crowds than pre-pandemic highs, travellers benefit from:

More time with private guides
Better availability at top-tier properties
A quieter, more personal safari experience

It’s like having Africa’s wild places all to yourself.

Culinary and Wine Travel Are Thriving

Cape Town has cemented itself as a global foodie capital, with Michelin-recognized chefs, dynamic markets, and open-air dining that rivals Europe — at a fraction of the price.

Combine this with award-winning wineries in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, and South Africa becomes a dream for wine and food lovers.

Diverse Experiences, One Destination

South Africa delivers a continent’s worth of experiences in a single trip:

World-class safaris in Kruger and Madikwe
Chic city culture in Cape Town and Johannesburg
Whale watching in Hermanus
Zulu heritage and Drakensberg mountains
Idyllic beaches along the Garden Route or KwaZulu-Natal

Where else can you go from Big Five sightings to sipping bubbly by the sea — all in one week?

The South African Rand = Outstanding Value

For North American and British travellers, the current exchange rate offers exceptional value. Luxury in South Africa often costs half of what it would in Europe or North America — without compromising on quality.

Think: 5-star dining, stylish villas, exclusive game drives — all at a price point that stretches your travel budget further.

Travel with Meaning

South Africa’s tourism sector is deeply rooted in community upliftment and conservation. By visiting now, you’re helping local guides, rangers, artists, and small businesses rebuild and thrive.

You’re not just taking a trip — you’re making a difference.

Don’t Wait for ‘Someday’

The beauty of South Africa isn’t going anywhere. But the chance to experience it like this — spacious, intimate, and exceptionally rewarding — is rare.

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, South Africa in 2025 and beyond, offers the kind of travel experience we all need right now: meaningful, restorative, unforgettable.

Source Summary

Airports & Infrastructure:

Cape Town International and OR Tambo ranked among top airports in Africa – Skytrax 2024 World Airport Awards

South Africa’s national roads and self-drive circuits (e.g. Garden Route) praised in Lonely Planet and Condé Nast travel guides.

Tourism Grading Standards:

Accommodations assessed by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) using internationally benchmarked criteria.

Tourist Safety Measures:

Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) outlines tourism safety collaborations with SAPS and private security.

City-specific safety units (e.g. Cape Town Tourism Safety Ambassadors, Kruger Gate patrols) offer tourist-focused protection.

Helpful Documents for Download

Want help planning a seamless, hosted journey through South Africa? Get in touch — we’ll take care of everything.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.com

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

The ‘Secret Season’ with African Bush Camps

September 20, 2018November 16, 2018Posted in UncategorizedTagged africa, birding, botswana, green season, lake kariba, linyanti, mana pools, nature, photography, safari, secret season, wildlife, zimbabweLeave a comment

No two safari experiences are ever the same. And why would you want them to be? There is a thrill in the unexpected, the wild, raw nature of it all. So too is there no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ time to indulge in a safari.

Traditionally, the green season (between the months of December and March), or the rainy season, is considered to be a quieter time in the safari industry. The perception is that there are less wildlife sightings due to animals being more dispersed rather than concentrated around scarce water sources. At African Bush Camps, they are acutely aware that it does not mean the animals are not there! Hence their ‘rebranding’ of the ‘Green Season’ to the ‘Secret Season’.

Imagine lush, green bush contrasted against a bright blue sky? Yes, rain can be expected but its generally in the form of afternoon thunderstorms which clear to blue skies! The thunderstorms are an attraction in themselves as they move over dramatic landscapes.

And then there’s the colours…. an abundance of bird species are in their very best breeding plumage, putting on an incredible display of colour.

Photographers? Rains bring vegetation alive with vivid colours and settles the dust and clears the air which is great for photography.

Brochure featured African Bush Camp properties are:

Linyanti Bush Camp and Ebony http://console.virtualpaper.com/thompsons-africa/southern-africa-2019/#38/

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge & Spa http://console.virtualpaper.com/thompsons-africa/southern-africa-2019/#64/

Kanga Camp & Zambezi Expeditions http://console.virtualpaper.com/thompsons-africa/southern-africa-2019/#68/.

A safari experience for absolutely everyone!

To learn more or to make a booking, contact a Thompsons Africa consultant @ info@thompsonsafrica.co.za

In the Spotlight… Nogatsaa Pans Lodge

August 13, 2018Posted in UncategorizedTagged africa, african bush, botswana, carbon footprint, dining, nogatsaa, safari, stargazing, wildlifeLeave a comment

There is nothing quite like sitting quietly watching as the animals of Africa come down to a waterhole to drink. So what better position for a safari lodge than to overlook an active waterhole? There is always something to look at, from the resident hippo’s to the elephants and if you’re really lucky, the predators will put on a show for you.

The nights at Nogatsaa are not to be outdone by the spectacular game activities of the day, boasting the ‘chills down the spine’ night sounds of the African Bush and unforgettable stargazing with the Botswana night sky becoming a cosmic show.

Nogatsaa Pans Lodge has it all to ensure you leave Botswana with a true ‘in-the-bush’ African experience. Designed with minimal impact on the environment and great care taken to leave a small carbon footprint, Nogatsaa Pans’ service excellence, synonymous with Ghoha Hills Lodge, is extended in the hospitality offered at Nogatsaa Pans Lodge – with total commitment to comfort and wellbeing.

The fascinating safaris and experiences of Ghoha Hills and Nogatsaa Pans awakens all your senses and is irresistible to those who appreciate excellent service, great hosting, fine fare, romance and adventure.

Nogatsaa Pans staff recently underwent leadership and teamwork training, ensuring guests will experience the highest quality service excellence at every touch point.

View this first time feature in the Thompsons Africa brochure http://console.virtualpaper.com/thompsons-africa/southern-africa-2019/#40/

Contact a Thompsons Africa consultant on info@thompsonsafrica.co.za for more information and to make a booking.

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve

August 19, 2015August 19, 2015Posted in UncategorizedTagged big five, kingfisher, leopard, lion sands private game reserve, rhino, sabi sand, safari, ulusaba private game reserve, wildlifeLeave a comment

The renowned Sabi Sand is one of the oldest and largest proclaimed private reserves in South Africa. It is well known for exciting leopard sightings – this fact alone being testimony to the incredible wildlife experience that this healthy, game-rich area has to offer.

Lion Sands River Lodge - Leopard — Lion Sands River Lodge – Leopard

History of the Sabi Sand Reserve

Already proclaimed in 1898, the original Sabie Reserve was a forerunner to the massive Kruger National Park. Former land owners, excised from the area when the 1926 National Parks Act was passed, created the Sabi Private Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park in 1934. Six families who formed part of these pioneering land owners still own land in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve which was formally established as an association in 1948.

Location of the Game Reserve

Located in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve takes its name from the Sabi River and the Sand River which flow through the wilderness area. The Reserve spans across 65 000 hectares (650 square kilometers) of land.

Wildlife in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

In addition to the Big Five, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is home to 145+ mammal species, 500+ bird species, 30+ amphibian species, 110+ reptile species and 45+ fish species.

Fences

Due to the threat of foot and mouth disease and the ever present threat of hunting, fences were erected between the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve in 1961. The eastern border fence was removed after negotiations in 1993 allowing wildlife to roam freely between the two parks.

The Big Five ‘Born’

The name ‘Big Five’ was originally a name given by hunters to the five largest and most dangerous African mammals: rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard. In the 1970’s, when the birth of the luxury safari was gaining momentum, marketers ‘rebranded’ the concept of the Big Five and today, the Big Five are the most sought after wildlife to see while on a safari…., the ULTIMATE goal of any safari experience.

On Safari in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Accommodation varies from the absolute thrill of a luxury tented camp to the graciousness of award-winning deluxe lodges with the most sensational décor, health spas and gourmet cuisine.