Looking to experience the real Africa, then Zambia maybe the country for you. It is undeniably one of Africa’s best safari destinations, full of incredible wildlife and amazing vistas.

You’re invited to join Simon Lacey on an exploration of Namibia over a series of three articles, follow him on a road trip around this astounding country.

Read Part 2 of Simon Lacey’s adventures through Namibia, from Swakopmund to Damaraland.

Read part 3, the final part of Simon’s adventures through Namibia, from Serra Cafema Camp in the Hartmann Valley, opposite the Angolan board, to meeting the Himba people, then onto Okonjima, home of the Africat Foundation and then back to Windhoek.

I first visited South Africa some twenty five years ago and instantly fell in love with the country and its people, and knew I had to go back. And have done so – many times, exploring more widely every time.

The Cape Provinces of South Africa afford the opportunity to have a multi-centre, multi-experience itinerary without it feeling like it’s a ‘where are we tonight’ road trip. This can be done and the region lends itself to this – it’s just not for everybody. So here we’ve slowed the pace down.

KwaZulu Natal has to be one of, if not the most beautiful provinces in South Africa with so, so much to offer its visitors, it’s ideal for a genteel road trip. In fact it has so much to offer that rather than giving a ‘set menu’ of superb locations for an itinerary, this will be an ‘a la carte’ selection of places you could visit.

Whilst ‘safari’ is synonymous with the continent of Africa – it is after all derived from the Swahili word for ‘journey’ – with East African countries of Kenya and Tanzania being at the forefront. But now there are many other African countries that offer visitors the chance to go on safari, each with their unique twist.

Is South Africa on your ‘bucket list’ for next year? Why not do something completely different, and experience a luxury rail tour?