Immersive Experiences

Immersive Experiences

We specialise in showing our travellers how to discover unique, locally-infused experiences.
Exceptional Locations

Exceptional Locations

Our bespoke journeys feature stylish, owner-run properties in exceptional locations.
Bespoke Trips

Bespoke Trips

Our consultants are widely travelled and vastly experienced, with expert knowledge of Southern Africa.

We are Scintilla

We are a boutique, full-service tour operator that specialises in immersive and unique experiences for our discerning travellers. These are curated by our travel experts and in-house touring company, who are vastly experienced with extensive product knowledge of Southern Africa. The bespoke itineraries we create feature stylish properties in exceptional locations and are elevated by the transformative experiences that await our travellers around every corner.

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Our favourite destinations

We’ll help you discover another side of Southern Africa, from the secret corners of Cape Town to the skin-tingling roar of Victoria Falls.

South Africa
South Africa
Botswana
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Zambia
Mozambique
Mozambique
Namibia
Namibia
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Scintilla’s ultimate experiences

From once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, to life-changing cultural experiences, to exploring the world’s natural wonders.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan Sleepout
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan Sleepout
Botswana for Young Explorers
Botswana for Young Explorers
Great Plains Expeditions
Great Plains Expeditions
Skybeds in Khwai
Skybeds in Khwai
Guided Scintilla City Table Mountain Explore
Guided Scintilla City Table Mountain Explore

Discover bespoke trips

There are thousands of ways our travellers can experience Africa. Our bespoke itineraries are created to ensure your trip is just right for you.

10 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Namibia Self-Drive and Private Guided Safari

11 days from $5,885 per person

11 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Exquisite Namibia Fly-in Safari

12 days from $11,019 per person

10 nights featuring the best of Southern Africa

Cape Town, Vic Falls & Botswana

11 days from $6,254 per person

8 nights featuring the best of South Africa

Family Cape Town, Winelands & Safari

9 days from $6,985 per person

11 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Battlefield Bush and Beach

10 days from $3,149 per person

9 nights featuring the best of Botswana

Duba, Zarafa and Jacks

10 days from $18,965 per person

12 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Cape Town, Kruger and Mozambique

12 days from $9,035 per person

13 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Namibian Guided Safari for Families

14 days from $9,235 per person

11 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Cape Town, Overberg, Kruger and Mozambique

14 days from $10,305 per person (based on 8 people sharing)

15 nights featuring the best of Botswana

Cape Town, Mana Pools, Kariba and Vic Falls

16 days from $16,345 per person

15 nights featuring the best of Botswana

Cape Town, Karoo & Eastern Cape Safari

10 days from $5,269 per person

11 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Luxury Namibia Fly-in and Private Guided Safari

7 days from $8,125 per person

12 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Ultimate South Africa

13 days from $13,405 per person

8 nights featuring the best of Namibia

Namibia’s Desert Wanderers of the North-West

9 days from $9,535 per person

12 nights featuring the best of Botswana

Enchanting Botswana

13 days from $9,195 per person

7 nights featuring the best of

Livingstone and Lower Zambezi

8 days from $6,299 per person

8 nights featuring the best of South Africa

Cape Town, Winelands & Safari

9 days from $8,869 per person

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Guest Testimonials

Discover why our guests select Scintilla for their travel to Southern Africa.

Cuan, everything going to plan so far with stunning weather and excellent service and amazing wildlife in Etosha!! Thanks again for your professionalism. Everything has been magical, and we have definitely brought some luck with us being the first group to find the elephants only after 10 minutes of looking !! Really appreciate your help, and I will be recommending you to our friends back home.

Tom Last, AU

My week in Namibia was sensational and went seamlessly. From the welcoming pickup from the airport to the beautiful accommodations and fascinating road-trip across much of the country, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Of particular note, the food at Hoodia Desert Lodge was impeccable and the al fresco lunch prepared by the guide after the visit to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei was simply magical. The sundowners at both Hoodia and Onduli Ridge were top-notch, each offering breathtaking views and fabulous Namibian gin cocktails and bites. What made the entire journey so easily enjoyable was the daily itineraries and maps presented to me upon arrival and the overall organization and attention to detail. My solo sojourn was truly flawless, and I will recommend it widely!

Sarah Scott, ZA

Hi Cuan.  Just wanted you to know we have had an amazing time in Namibia!  What an experience!  Yesterday we stopped off at a bar in a very remote village after tracking elephants and had beers and danced with the locals which was fantastic.  Between the orphanage, stops in many villages, the kids we’ve gotten to meet, the Himba village and of course all the animals it has just been incredible.  You organized quite a trip for us!  And now, Botswana!!!

The Soloman Family, USA

Well, we finished up Cape Town this evening, heading to safari tomorrow. We loved the country tour and winery tour, absolutely amazing. Also, our guide for both days, was one of the best we have ever had. We couldn’t imagine a better time and she couldn’t be more flexible. Thank you for setting up this first part of the vacation and setting us up with the tours.

Cory & Heather, USA

The most important thing for me to tell you is that we had a fabulous time with James exploring the Peninsula of Cape Town! Along with our visit to the Zeitz Museum, our day with James was a highlight of the time we spent in South Africa. He was friendly and open about discussing his experiences growing up with apartheid which I really appreciated. I enjoyed the towns we visited, the restaurant where we had lunch, our visit with the penguins, and our hike out to the shipwreck. Thank you!!

Emma & Lori, USA

Please convey my thanks to the Cape Town guiding teams! Without a doubt our most memorable moment of the trip was our visit to the Cape Peninsula with our guide, Chizzy. A major positive, thrilling time. The penguins, picnic and swim at the reservoir, continual birthday celebrations for Jack’s 18th Birthday were all home runs.

Suzanne, Jack & Family, USA

The trip was FANTASTIC, and our guide Marcus was absolutely superb! We took all of his recommendations for our last free day in the city and can’t thank him enough for the stellar suggestions.

Thomas & Mary Louise, Canada

Our guide Charlene was out of this world. She was charming, intelligent, and fun and she showed us the best of Cape Town while also educating us on the journey Cape Town has taken from Apartheid through today. We were fascinated, engaged, and overjoyed to spend our final days in Africa with her. She is truly outstanding.

Paul & Wendy, UK

It was great! Everything worked out perfectly! We absolutely loved the Sidecar experience – wow, was that fun! We loved our guide in Cape Town, Josh, he was the BEST! He was so fun. We took him for dinners and played golf with him! We just thought Cape Town was fantastic. Wine Country was great. Fantastic.

Joseph, Marsha & Family, USA

On Saturday, we met our guide, Charlene, who was OUTSTANDING. We had missed the Zeitz Museum, and she was happy to let us rearrange our schedule so that we could tour it as well as taking me to a beautiful craft market to buy gifts.  On arriving in the wine country, we enjoyed an amazing lunch at La Motte.  With Charlene's background in wines, she was able to recommend the best wineries to visit on the winetram, as well as several good restaurants in the area.

William & Constance, USA

Cape Town was so scenic and beautiful.  Had an interesting visit around town and to the houses of parliament with a very accommodating guide James.  James made that whole experience everything it was and deserves a lot of credit. What a great place to visit!  What phenomenal food!  What masters of hospitality they all are in Africa!

Jeffery & Barbara, Canada

Read our stories

We tap into local knowledge to bring you the best guides and tales from the African continent, helping you travel to our shores with confidence and ease.

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All You Need to Know About the Ancient Makgadikgadi Pans

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Southern African Travel Expert

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Discover the Cities of Southern Africa with Our Urban Escapes

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The 10 Best Adventure Travel Experiences in Southern Africa

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7 Ways We’re Able to Select the Best Boutique Accommodation in Africa

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The 10 Best Ways to Experience
the Wilderness of Southern Africa

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How We Curate Our Luxury Southern African Trips

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Q&A With Cuan Rush, Southern African Travel Expert

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Safari Season in Southern Africa

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Romantic Getaways in Southern Africa

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Best African Safari Tours For Families

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Our Southern African Destinations

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Our Selection of Boutique South African Trips

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Meet Scintilla: Experts on Luxury Travel to Southern Africa

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So, What Makes a Luxury Safari in South Africa So Extraordinary?

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12 of Southern Africa’s Most Exclusive Luxury Safari Lodges

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Hidden Gems of Zambia

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Why book with us?

Best prices

Best prices

We specialise in showing our travellers how to discover unique, locally infused experiences.
Local Knowledge

Local Knowledge

We’re based in Southern Africa and have first-hand knowledge of the experiences that await our travellers.
Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel

All the experiences and destinations we recommend support their communities and environment.
Boutique Focus

Boutique Focus

Our goal is to connect curious-minded travellers to the essence of the place they’re visiting.
Immersive Experiences

Immersive Experiences

We specialise in showing our travellers how to discover unique, locally-infused experiences.
Exceptional Locations

Exceptional Locations

Our bespoke journeys feature stylish, owner-run properties in exceptional locations.