Botswana is the undisputed king of safaris, and whether it’s a luxury honeymoon or a once in a lifetime safari holiday, it promises a privileged wilderness adventure. In Botswana’s heavily protected reserves, you’ll never pass more than one other vehicle, which means un-interrupted encounters with spectacular game. Botswana is also known for its stunningly diverse landscapes, so having awoken to bellowing hippo in the Okavango Delta, you can take a canoe safari along the Selinda spillway; visit predator-central Chobe, and then head to the arid Makgadikgadi Pans for a safari holiday rich in contrast.

Think Kenya. Think safari. The open plains of the Masai Mara dotted with single acacia trees and huge herds of animals offer the quintessential luxury safari holiday experience and, with its many excellent lodges, Kenya is a great choice for a luxury family safari adventure. The annual wildebeest migration during August, September and October will dazzle, delight and exhilarate while Kenya's Indian Ocean coastline has some simply stunning beaches.

Little-visited Malawi is a real treat of a choice for a luxury safari holiday or honeymoon with arguably the most friendly people on the continent and a beguiling low-key charm. Lake Malawi gets all the attention and rightly so; but Exsus recommends you combine your lake adventure with a journey to the tea plantations, or south to Malawi's beautiful Liwonde National Park.

Mozambique: Africa's hot tip for a luxury beach holiday. Its pristine, tropical beaches span over 2000km of coastline, lapped by warm turquoise Indian Ocean waters. The snorkelling and diving here are some of the best in the world and as a luxury holiday destination relatively new to the scene, its fabulous lodges take a progressive approach to sustainable tourism. Maldives beware, Mozambique has arrived.

Eerie, vast, unforgiving, Namibia's deserts and rugged plains are mind-blowingly beautiful. Days see the desert glow orange while night is silent and silver. Desert elephant and black rhino are some of the creatures to survive in this inhospitable wilderness, while shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast tell tales of swirling mists and shifting sands. Thought you'd done luxury holidays in Africa? Think again: Namibia offers a whole new dimension.

The tiny East African country of Rwanda, offers one of the most extraordinarily moving wildlife experiences on earth: the chance to track Mountain Gorillas. The misty mountains of Volcanoes National Park are home to these incredibly rare creatures, and no one who sees them in the wild will be disappointed. A Gorilla Trekking Holiday in Rwanda combines well with spotting chimpanzees in Rwanda's beautiful Nyungwe Forest and some R&R on the shores of Lake Kivu.

For a luxury holiday, exhilarating family safari or a truly incredible honeymoon, South Africa's got the lot: captivating cities, inspiring landscapes, stunning wildlife and a decent glass of wine or two, so we're told. Take your time and saunter along South Africa's Garden Route, visit the Winelands, don't leave the Kruger until you've ticked off The Big Five and allowed Cape Town to work its magic – you won't be disappointed. South Africa is also THE place for a fantastic non-malarial safari, a real consideration for families with younger children.

With its extinct volcanic crater packed with wildlife, Africa's highest peak, tree-climbing lions, chimpanzees and beautiful Indian Ocean beaches, Tanzania is one of our favourite African countries for a luxury safari and beach holiday. Nowhere quite matches Tanzania for open savannah and if you're lucky enough to see the migration as it roams across the legendary Serengeti National Park, you will have witnessed one of the most incredible wildlife experiences on the planet.

Lush, green and stunningly beautiful, little-visited Uganda is a gem of a country rich in both culture and wildlife. With 10 national parks, the source of the Nile, Lake Victoria and the famous Mountains of the Moon, Uganda has plenty to shout about, but is best known for its mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the most magical wildlife experiences on earth - choose a gorilla trekking safari and we promise you'll have a safari adventure you'll remember forever.

Untouched by mass tourism, land-locked Zambia is dominated by its namesake, the Zambezi, seen at its most spectacular as it plunges over Victoria Falls, the widest falls in the world. For a real adventure, try one of the first-rate walking safaris here, for a heart-thumping wildlife experience. Meanwhile, you can take things slowly on the Lower Zambezi as you safari by canoe, fish and relax in sublime luxury lodges. With many private safari houses, Zambia is an excellent pick for a luxury family safari holiday, suiting all ages, young and old.