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May 2026 brought with it a special convergence: Sir David Attenborough turns 100, as does South Africa’s Kruger National Park. It’s a shared centenary that invites reflection on the people and places that have shaped our understanding of the natural world.
“Attenborough’s career needs little introduction,” says Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa. “Driven by tenacious curiosity and deep reverence for nature, he brought the wild into our homes through generations of documentaries – and places like the Kruger let us experience it for ourselves.”
As the calendar nears June, the Kruger enters what many seasoned safari operators consider the finest wildlife viewing period of the year. Dry winter conditions thin the bush and draw animals to waterholes, making game far easier to spot. Turner sees the timing as something worth acting on: “Two icons of the natural world reaching 100 in the same year is a remarkable thing. There’s no better invitation for South Africans to get out into the bush.”
Attenborough himself said it best: “No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” And with that, here are Flight Centre’s top safari destinations to tempt you with in the coming months.
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Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Kruger tops every safari bucket list for very good reason. It boasts nearly two million hectares of bushveld spanning two provinces, is home to all of the Big Five and more than 500 bird species, and its conservation story has influenced wildlife management across the continent.
Winter is when the Kruger earns its reputation most completely, promising effortless wildlife viewing alongside cosy nights keeping warm by the fire with those you love most. Plus, the light in June and July has a particular quality that makes every game drive feel cinematic.
Check in with Flight Centre’s Travel Experts for current Kruger deals and packages.
Qwabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa
The Kruger tops the list, naturally, but if you want comfort without the long haul, Letamo at Qwabi Private Game Reserve is worth serious consideration.
“Qwabi sits approximately two and a half hours from OR Tambo. It’s malaria-free and it delivers a genuine Big 5 experience without the logistics that can make safari planning feel like a second job,” says Turner. “It lies within one of only two UNESCO-proclaimed biosphere reserves in Africa, the ecological diversity there supporting an extraordinary range of wildlife, including endangered Southern Ground Hornbills and rare red warthogs.”
Ready to go? Flight Centre's all-inclusive package includes all meals and daily guided game drives.
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Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park, a highlight in David Attenborough’s African explorations, is celebrated for its unique ‘white’ elephants, coloured by the lime-rich mud from the Kalk waterholes that they use as sun protection.
According to Turner:
“Known as the gateway to the north and Ovamboland, Etosha National Park is a prime spot for wildlife viewing. The Etosha Pan is a noticeable hotspot for activity, particularly in the dry season when predators head out on the prowl. It’s also a major breeding ground for flamingos – one of only two in Southern Africa”
She highlights how Namibia is an ‘easy’ and welcoming African destination to visit, in the sense that there’s no malaria or hordes of tourists to compete with.
Flight Centre’s current travel deal is packed with value: three nights at Etosha Mountain Lodge, with all meals, flights, and a rental car included.
Zambezi National Park (Victoria Falls), Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is often overlooked on the safari circuit, but there’s plenty here to whet your travel appetite. Victoria Falls alone is worth the trip, but there’s far more to this destination than that, including significant concentrations of rock art and the medieval stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe.
For a first-time or return visit to the Falls, Turner recommends A’Zambezi River Lodge. “It’s one of a handful of lodges in the Victoria Falls region that lies on the banks of the Zambezi River. It’s far enough away to offer that quintessential wilderness experience, but still close enough to the Falls to understand why the locals call it ‘the smoke that thunders’.”
Flight Centre's current deal includes daily breakfast and a shuttle service to the town centre, markets, and the Victoria Falls Rainforest.
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Khwai Private Reserve (Okavango Delta), Botswana
The Okavango is unlike any other delta on earth: its waters fan out across land rather than emptying into the sea, creating a vast, shifting floodplain that sustains elephant, giraffe, rare sitatunga, and red lechwe, as well as an impressive range of waterbirds.
“The Delta is a seasonal destination that offers the best of both land and water activities,” comments Turner. “Mokoro trips, motorised boat excursions, bush walks, game drives. Your experience really depends on where you stay and when you go.”
Positioned between Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve, the game-rich Khwai Private Reserve is a destination that delivers the best of everything, according to Turner. Flight Centre’s current winter deal covers three nights at Little Sable at Khwai, including all meals, activities, and return flights from Johannesburg to Maun.
Sir David Attenborough has spent a century making the case that the natural world is worth knowing, and that knowing it is the only reliable path to caring about it. The Kruger has spent the same century proving that care, sustained over time, produces results. One hundred years of protection, and it’s still delivering on its promise.
“Two icons turning 100 in the same year won’t happen again in our lifetimes. “If that’s not reason enough to finally book the safari you’ve been putting off, I’m not sure what is,” Turner concludes.
Speak to a Flight Centre Travel Expert about current safari packages and availability. Call 0877 40 50 00 or visit flightcentre.co.za.