My recent trip to southern Africa felt particularly satisfying because of its stark contrasts. After spending time in one of the driest, oldest deserts on earth, we moved on to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most massive cascades. Going from one extreme to the other made for an unforgettable itinerary.

Note that on this trip to Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, we didn’t visit Namibia’s Etosha National Park, because no luxury hideaways have opened there in the recent past. But if seeing big cats is a goal, Etosha is the best place in Namibia to do so, and Ongava Lodge (or Little Ongava) remains the best property at which to stay. In spite of not seeing lions, we certainly felt content observing magnificent desert-adapted elephant, towering giraffe, imposing oryx and quirky ostrich, among other animals.

It’s possible to reverse this itinerary, starting at Victoria Falls and finishing in Namibia, but the relaxed pace of the schedule at the falls and the sense of refreshment provided by the water makes it advisable to start in the desert.