One holiday, many activities – Kayaking, Quad Biking, Cycling, Fishing, snorkelling and more
 

Some families spend their holidays beside a swimming pool. The Radcliffe family prefers a slightly different approach: long road trips, wilderness camps, bicycles, kayaks, wildlife encounters and a healthy dose of adventure.

Their 2015 family expedition would take them thousands of kilometres across South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

The adventure began unexpectedly when Johan announced that the family should leave a day earlier than planned. After a frantic rush of packing, they hit the road from Kommetjie and headed north. Along the way they stayed with friends in Paarl before settling into the rhythm of a classic South African road trip – endless highways, packets of biltong, games of eye-spy and spectacular scenery.

The Karoo delivered wide-open spaces, windpumps and beautiful winter landscapes, while family and friends along the route provided warm hospitality. Stops in the Northern Cape, Johannesburg and Hoedspruit allowed them to reconnect with loved ones before heading into the wilderness.

Their first major destination was the Limpopo Transfrontier Park, where the adventure truly began. Entering through the Kruger National Park, the family enjoyed wildlife sightings before crossing into Mozambique and arriving at Machampane Wilderness Camp. Luxury safari tents overlooked the river, elephants visited during the night and bushbabies provided endless fascination.

The following morning they embarked on a three-night canoe expedition along the Rio dos Elefantes. Travelling with experienced guides, the family paddled through remote riverine forests beneath towering sycamore figs. The river meandered through pristine wilderness, offering encounters with crocodiles, hippos, fish eagles and countless other species.

For eight-year-old Emma-Joy, the highlight was paddling past a large crocodile that seemed far too interested in their kayak. Five-year-old Ashley proudly helped his father navigate the shallows and celebrated his first tiger fish strike, even though the fish escaped before reaching shore.

Evenings were spent around campfires beneath the African sky, sharing stories and enjoying meals beside the river. The slow pace of river travel allowed the family to fully appreciate the beauty of the landscape and the privilege of exploring such a remote area together.

After returning from the canoe trail, the family headed east to the Mozambique coastline. Their destination was Zavora Lodge, perched above the Indian Ocean. The journey wasn't without drama, including getting their Land Cruiser stuck in deep sand shortly after arrival.

Once settled, life quickly adopted a slower rhythm. Days revolved around sunrise walks, beach runs, snorkelling and exploring the reef directly in front of the lodge. The children spent hours swimming, building sandcastles and making friends with local Mozambican youngsters.

The family snorkelled among colourful reef fish, moray eels and sea urchins, while evenings were accompanied by the sound of waves crashing onto the shore. A visit to the historic Zavora Lighthouse added another memorable experience to an already special stay.

After a week of beach life, it was time for another change of scenery. Returning through the Kruger region, they joined family members at nDzuti Safari Camp in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve to celebrate Johan's father's 70th birthday.

Game drives produced encounters with buffalo, elephants, white rhino and countless bird species. One night, as everyone settled into bed after a day in the bush, the deep roar of a territorial lion echoed through the darkness – a quintessential African moment that none of them would forget.

The next chapter took them into Botswana, where yet another adventure awaited.

Their first stop was Planet Baobab near Nata, famous for its ancient trees and unique atmosphere. Here the family joined a guided quad-bike expedition across the vast Makgadikgadi Pans.

They visited a habituated meerkat colony, where the curious animals wandered among the group completely unafraid. As the sun set over the endless salt pans, the family enjoyed a traditional Botswana meal before sleeping under a sky filled with countless stars. With no walls and no roof, just canvas swags and the African night, it became one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.

From Nata they travelled to Maun to begin what many would consider the most ambitious part of the journey – cycling approximately 350 kilometres through rural Botswana.

Loaded with camping gear, food and water, the family set off along quiet roads leading towards the Okavango region. Emma-Joy rode her own bicycle carrying supplies, while Ashley travelled on a tandem attachment behind his mother's bike.

For seven days they cycled through villages, woodlands and open countryside. They battled punctures, headwinds and sore muscles while camping in the bush each night. Along the way they encountered friendly locals, curious children, elephant tracks, bushbabies and an incredible variety of birdlife.

The distances were demanding, especially with young children, but the family embraced the challenge. Days were measured in kilometres rather than hours, and simple pleasures like cold drinks at roadside shops became major highlights.

When they finally arrived at Sepopa after seven days and roughly 350 kilometres of cycling, the sense of achievement was immense.

Yet the adventure wasn't over.

The family's reward was a four-day boat journey through the Okavango Delta. Travelling downstream from Sepopa towards Maun, they explored one of Africa's greatest wilderness areas.

Their guide, Elco, navigated channels lined with papyrus reeds and winding waterways filled with birdlife. Fish eagles seemed to accompany them at every turn, while crocodiles, hippos and elephants reminded them that this was truly wild country.

They camped on remote islands beneath towering trees, fished for tiger fish and watched spectacular sunsets over the delta. One evening lions roared across the floodplains while elephants fed near camp.

The Xo Flats proved especially unforgettable. The vast wetland ecosystem teemed with birds, fish and game, showcasing the incredible biodiversity for which the Okavango is known.

Perhaps most remarkable was the sense of isolation. For days they encountered virtually nobody else, giving them the feeling that they had the delta entirely to themselves.

Eventually the journey came to an end. The family drove back through the Kalahari, spending a final few days in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park before returning home to Cape Town.

Looking back, it is difficult to choose a single highlight. Was it paddling past crocodiles in Mozambique, cycling across Botswana with young children, sleeping under the stars on the Makgadikgadi Pans, or drifting through the Okavango Delta surrounded by wildlife?

Perhaps the true highlight was sharing these experiences as a family.

The Radcliffe adventure was not about luxury or ticking destinations off a list. It was about slowing down, embracing the unexpected and discovering Africa together. Through long roads, wild rivers, sandy beaches and endless horizons, they created the kind of memories that stay with you long after the journey ends.