Right then, pack your finest pith helmet (or, more likely, your most fabulous sun hat) because we’re talking about the kind of safari that makes even the most jaded traveller’s jaw drop. Forget roughing it; this is about *glorious* roughing it. We’re embarking on an 8 day ultra lux fly in safari, a whirlwind tour of Madikwe to Chobe, where every moment is designed to spoil you rotten. Let’s start with Madikwe. This is not your average national park. It’s a private game reserve, which means you’re not battling bus loads of tourists to catch a glimpse of a lion. It’s just you, your ridiculously comfortable lodge, and the African bush. Think private plunge pools overlooking waterholes, staff who know your name (and your preferred gin and tonic ratio) before you even unpack, and meals prepared by chefs who clearly moonlight in Michelin star restaurants. During the day, you’ll be whisked away in open top 4x4s, driven by guides who seem to have a sixth sense for wildlife. They’ll point out everything from the majestic elephants to the impossibly tiny dung beetle rolling its precious cargo. Honestly, I spent a solid ten minutes watching that beetle once. It was surprisingly gripping. And then there are the lions. Seeing them up close, not through a cage, but in their natural habitat, is something else entirely. It’s humbling, thrilling, and makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a David Attenborough documentary, only with better champagne. Afternoons are for indulging. Perhaps a leisurely spa treatment, a nap on your four poster bed with a view that could grace a postcard, or simply lounging with a good book and a sundowner as the sun paints the sky in hues of orange and purple. It’s a pace of life that’s utterly addictive. Then, it’s time to fly. Yep, fly. We’re not talking bumpy bush planes here, but sleek, comfortable aircraft that whisk you away to our next destination: Chobe. Now, if Madikwe was about exclusivity, Chobe is about sheer, unadulterated abundance. This place is teeming with life, especially elephants. You’ll see herds so big they look like moving mountains. Our base here is another exquisite lodge, this time with views over the mighty Chobe River. Imagine enjoying your breakfast while watching a parade of elephants come down for a drink. It’s nature’s greatest show, and you have front row seats. The highlight here is undoubtedly the river safaris. Picture yourself gliding along the Chobe in a private boat, cocktail in hand, as hippos grunt and crocodiles bask lazily on the banks. You might even spot a leopard lounging in a tree. It’s all very glamorous, of course, but also profoundly real. This safari isn’t just about ticking off sightings from a checklist. It’s about immersion. It’s about reconnecting with something primal, something grand, while being utterly pampered. It’s the kind of trip that makes you question why you ever endured a budget airline or a self catering holiday. And yes, I’m already planning my return. Just need to figure out how to smuggle some of that lodge’s linen home. Don't tell anyone.