TRAVEL IDEAS: MAY

For African beaches and azure waters, Mozambique is a good choice in May, offering clear, sunny days and light winds. The water is clear and calm during these months, creating superb conditions for diving and getting close to the fascinating marine life. In Western Australia it's the middle of whale shark season (which runs from March to September) so it’s a great time to visit Ningaloo Reef and explore Australia’s most remote city, with the direct Qantas flight linking London to Perth in just (!) 17 hours. Temperatures in Morocco in early May will still be comfortable before the searing heat of the summer months set in, especially on the coast and in the Atlas Mountains, and Namibia will be dry, not too hot and ideal for a self-drive, flying safari or walking safari. It's also the start of the walking season in Ladakh, India. 

An impressive 42% of Namibia has protected wilderness and the country boasts some vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes of which Kaokoland may be the most incredible of them all. It’s a land characterised by rolling dunes, rocky mountains and desert plains all crisscrossed by ancient, dry riverbeds - the roads of the area and temporary Himba settlements dot the landscape. In a joint venture between Natural Selection, the local communities and Dr Julian Fennessy, Africa's foremost giraffe expert, Hoanib Valley Camp opened in May 2018. Located in the Sesfontein Community Conservancy, the camp sits on the banks of the Obias River, just outside the private 500 square kilometres Palmwag Concession and overlooks the ephemeral Hoanib River that teems with resident elephant. From camp, guests can track elusive desert-adapted lion, elephant and black rhino, enjoy cultural experiences and discover more about Fennessy‘s work at the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Hoanib Valley’s six guest tents are all raised on large decks, all with views out to the Hoanib River valley beyond. Natural Selection have sourced locally wherever possible, working with local craftsmen from the Rundu carpenters, Himba carvers and basket weavers via the Omba project in Windhoek. Down south, Ultimate Safaris newest venture, Camp Sossus, is an 6 tent camp set in the Greater Sossusvlei-Namib Landscape. Located on the private 24,000 hectare Neuhof Nature Reserve, only 30 minutes’ drive from Sossusvlei, it is home to some of largest concentrations of wildlife in the area, including Oryx, Springbok, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Burchell’s Zebra, Kudu, Hartebeest, Giraffe, Steenbok, Klipspringer, Bat-eared Fox, and Aardwolf, as well as predators such as Leopard, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena. Activities include visits to Sossusvlei and general exploration of the private Neuhof Nature Reserve on walks and nature drives, magic moments in desert pools, star gazing, the stellar escape sleep out, as well as a trails camp offering a multi-day walking safari. 

Zimbabwe has finally wrest back the spotlight for its more positive attributes, such as the incredible game-rich Hwange National Park, where Verney's Camp is the latest offering from Machaba Safaris. Verney's Camp acts as a sister property to Machaba Camp, Little Machaba and Gomoti Plains Camp in Botswana, which we have always been impressed by (Verney's Camp is constructed in a matching style to these camps, with 10 large tents elevated on wooden decks). The camp is located in the central eastern end of the park, based on a private concession within the boundaries of the national park. The activities on offer include game drives and walking safaris with armed guides, and the 10,000 hectare private concession that surrounds the camp will also allow for night drives and stargazing in the evenings. Great Plains Conservation have also introduced Tembo Plains Camp in the private 128,000-hectare Sapi Private Reserve, East of Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park. This can be combined with a stay at Mpala Jena, an intimate safari camp positioned along the beautiful tree-laded banks of the Zambezi River. The future is bright in Zimbabwe!

Ladakh is often referred to as ‘Little Tibet’ nestled in the far north of India scaling over 3,500 meters with picture perfect snow capped mountains and deep turquoise lakes. Come May, the cold winter draws to an end, bringing in clear skies and bright sunshine. A village walk with Shakti Ladakh takes you on a journey into the heart of rural life in remote mountain regions, along with local porters and your guide, staying in traditional (yet comfortable and stylish) village houses along the way.  Itineraries start from Leh (a short flight from Delhi) and once acclimatised it’s off into village life taking in mesmerising mountain scenery, charming monasteries and winding rivers leading into glacial streams.