I think the most important to know, is that - and this is meant for folk who have never been here before - Southern Africa is BIG and consists of 8 countries! Those are: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

I will focus on the larger countries - and exclude Lesotho and Swaziland. What I am trying to stress is that sometimes would be visitors set their sights too high in terms of how much "ground" they want to cover, and if they are not assisted with their planning by people who know the region they end up spending most of their holiday looking out of an aircraft window!.

Some routes favoured by first time visitors to Southern Africa (and the time we recommend you spend on them) are:

• The Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town - 2-3 nights Knysna, 1 night Oudtshoorn, 2 - 3 nights Hermanus (whales and shark cage diving). Total distance 800 km (480 miles) plus. If you want to enjoy a great safari experience in the Eastern Cape then add another 3 - 4 nights.

• Cape Town is a treasure chest of things to do and see, so allow at least 4 - 5 nights there.

• If you would like to visit the famous wine lands then plan to spend at least 2 nights in the area

• Allow 3 - 5 nights at possibly two lodges in the famous Kruger Park surrounds, including the famous Sabi Sand and other private reserves and concessions if you want to spend time on safari.

• Its possible to add Victoria Falls on to either or both of the above areas (2-3 nights).

• Botswana and Vic Falls is really a single destination in itself. Allow 2-3 nights in Moremi, 2-3 nights in the Okavango Delta proper, 3 nights in the Linyanti/Selinda/north-western Chobe National Park and 2 nights at Victoria Falls on the Zambian or Zimbabwean side (depending on the water levels)

• Namibia is ideally a single destination and you would ideally need to set aside 14 - 18 nights for this beautiful and varied country. If you have the time then you could pair this with Cape Town.

• Zambia should also ideally be considered a single destination due to its situation. Some really great wildlife experiences here! Plan on about 12 nights.

• The famous battlefields in KwaZulu Natal need 3 - 4 nights. Allow another 3 nights if you would like to include the Drakensberg mountains. This combines well with a safari option in the Kruger,the Eastern Cape or KwaZulu Natal.

I am trying to give you some some assistance in narrowing down rough ideas on what is feasible, and what is not. We would rather lose your business than have you going back home more tired than before you left! I guess it all boils down to how much time you have available here.