After the long flight from the U.S. to Johannesburg, South Africa, I knew my ambition would far exceed my energy. Rather than powering straight into the bush, I made the very wise decision to spend two nights at The Saxon Hotel—the perfect transition for both mind and body.

Tucked within manicured gardens in a quiet suburb, The Saxon is a true oasis. You feel its deep history (Nelson Mandela once resided here), yet a recent renovation has given the hotel a fresh, modern, and quietly glamorous feel. I arrived just before 7 p.m., more than a bit foggy, but the genuine warmth of the staff, my beautifully designed suite, and a perfectly executed four-course dinner with South African wine pairings and live music immediately brought me back to life.

The next day was all about recharging. Champagne and oysters for breakfast in the Piano Bar (a worthwhile indulgence), a short city highlights tour arranged by the concierge, and then a quick dip in the pool before a few hours at the award-winning spa. By the next morning, I was rested and ready to take on the dust, heat, and early wake-up calls of safari life.

Flying into the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana felt like landing on another planet. When Jack’s Camp, one of just three camps in a one-million-acre private reserve, suddenly appeared within a lush grove of palm trees, it seemed like a mirage.

Jack’s Camp is the stuff of legend. Think 1940s safari glamour: billowing canvas tents, Persian rugs, and velvet lamps. My oversized tent was ornately furnished with a hand-carved bed, a copper tub, and an enormous deck with a plunge pool and panoramic views of the salt pans. The main tent houses a Natural History Museum, library, antique pool table, and a vintage 36-seat dining table for communal meals and storytelling. The staff were exceptional across the board—knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly proud to be the hosts of this truly special desert home.

Wildlife included huge herds of zebra and active lion prides. But activities here go far beyond traditional game drives. One morning brought pure adrenaline with quad-biking across the salt flats at full throttle, while the afternoon was spent walking with San Bushmen, the original inhabitants of the Kalahari Desert, learning how they read the land and survive in what looks, at first glance, like an unforgiving environment.

From the Kalahari, I traveled by helicopter into the Okavango Delta. In a dramatic contrast, dust turned to water, white turned to green, and stillness became movement.

There are plenty of excellent camps in the Delta, but Wilderness Mombo has earned its reputation as one of Africa’s greats. Located in the Moremi Game Reserve on Chief’s Island, it’s famous for an extraordinary wildlife density, particularly predators. My guide, Lazi, explained that Mombo translates to “Place of Plenty.” It took about five minutes to understand why.

With just eight guests, Little Mombo offers all the magic of Mombo with the added luxury of intimacy and exclusivity. After a relaxed orientation in the impeccably stocked bar, I was shown to my suite—complete with a plush living room, indoor and outdoor showers, and a large deck with plunge pool overlooking a floodplain teeming with buffalo, wildebeest, warthog, baboon, and springbok. At night, lions could be heard in the distance.

The service was warm, polished, and bordered on mind-reading. Pre-morning game drive? The chef was already grilling cheese sandwiches over the firepit.

The final leg of the journey took me into northwestern Namibia, one of the most remote and stunning regions in Africa. Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp truly felt like the edge of the earth—until the incredible staff welcomed me to camp with song.

Perched above a dry riverbed in the Kaokoveld, the camp is intentionally low-impact with solar-powered canvas-and-wood suites designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. My suite was chic and understated with a deck offering 360-degree views and constant breezes.

Wildlife here is not abundant, but it is extraordinary. I was hypnotized watching desert-adapted elephants slide down sandy riverbeds, and impressed myself each time I spotted a giraffe camouflaged against the rock formations. Drives were equal parts safari, geology lesson, and conservation masterclass, with guides explaining how every species survives in one of the harshest environments on earth. After the long drive, we hiked up a nearby peak to enjoy wraparound views and a sundowner above the dunes.

Seeing the famed Skeleton Coast had long been a dream, and a three-night stay at