DURATION: FREE TO GO ON YOUR OWN

Botswana: Meet the King of the Desert (Kalahari)

More of a wilderness area than a game park, the huge Central Kalahari Game Reserve protects sparse populations of red hartebeest, wildebeest, oryx, ostrich, springbok, eland, hyena and even wild dog. But the real star of the show is the Kalahari lion.

Chances are, you’ll hear a Kalahari lion before you see one. Their roars are the soundtrack to every desert evening, whether you’re sleeping under canvas or in a luxury lodge.

Finding the elusive lions is half the adventure. You can choose to take a four-wheel-drive safari or hire a private guide and a tracker. For a real adventure, you could try looking for lions from the back of a horse, led by Bushmen guides. One thing for certain, you won’t forget your first encounter with these magnificent beasts.