African Safari | Holiday Packages, Vacations and Tours

A GUIDE TO THE BEST SAFARIS IN AFRICA

• Botswana: The beautiful and watery Okavango Delta, the big five in private game reserves and uber-luxury accommodation. The creme de la creme of luxury African holidays. 
• Tanzania: The "roof of Africa" Kilimanjaro, the famous Serengeti (also jam packed with big 5) and the Great Wildebeest Migration, The Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, as well as the wild southern parks of Ruaha and the Selous, chimp trekking in the Mahale Mountains and excellent Indian Ocean beach options. A Tanzania safari has so much to offer for a variety of tastes and budgets. 
• Zambia: Get up close to nature on walking safaris in the South Luangwa Valley and dodging hippos on the mighty Zambezi as well as the famous Victoria Falls. Zambia is rustic, wild and full of surprises for those who are after something a little different. 
• Kenya: From Nairobi and the historic nostalgia of Giraffe Manor, head to activities galore in Laikipia, before your world-class game drives in the famous Masai Mara - all in the country where safari began. For a timeless experience, a Kenya safari is unbeatable across the continent. 
• Zimbabwe: Hwange National Park is an exceptional hidden gem. With world-class wildlife in quiet areas at unbelievable value and with the best guides on the continent, Zimbabwe is Africa's best kept safari secret. 
• South Africa: Phinda Reserve offers exclusivity (contrary to the day safari goers in the busier Kruger National Park) with the bonus of the fabulous Cape Town nearby. If you are looking for a more cosmopolitan experience with a vast array of activities, then South Africa should be on your hit-list. 
   

Simply give us a ring for a chat if you’re unsure which country is for you – this is by far the best way to narrow down your options.

African Safari Tours & Packages 

The range of possibilities for your safari is immense, depending on various factors including your required activities, preferred accommodation style, travel dates and budget. Each itinerary is very carefully tailor-made to your specific requirements. As a result, our itineraries vary enormously. Whether your budget is $4,000 or $30,000... We have a range of appropriate options for all. 

We strongly recommend you pick up the phone to discuss your safari plans with us; it is worth mentioning any artistic, sporting or cultural special interests early in planning process! For more information on possible itineraries, please see our itineraries page. 

For further guidance on how to best plan your Africa safari, please see our blog with Africa Odyssey’s useful tips of things to consider when planning your dream safari.

East Africa Safari Vs. Southern Africa Safari 

• East Africa includes Uganda, Rwanda (both offering amazing gorilla trekking safaris), Tanzania and Kenya.
• Southern Africa is composed of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.

Both a Southern Africa and East Africa luxury safari experience will be an exceptional one. Your decision is wholly dependent on your preferences and expectations of your safari. Both have amazing wildlife sighting opportunities, spoiling accommodation and spectacular scenery. For an in depth guide to deciding between the two, please see our blog post. 

East Africa Highlights:

• Gorilla Trekking – This unforgettable and singular wildlife experience is only available in Uganda and Rwanda
• Easily combined with the beach – The tropical Zanzibar and beautiful Kenyan Coastline offers an exceptional safari and beach combination. 
• The Great Wildebeest Migration – In Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, this natural spectacle can be seen nowhere else in Africa. 

Southern Africa Highlights:

• Private reserves and concessions – As opposed to national parks, there is the option of a more private safari experience, specifically the Okavango Delta; the most exclusive wildlife viewing area in Africa (there are some private concessions in East Africa but in Botswana exclusivity is the norm)
• Diverse attractions - With exceptional walking safaris in Zambia, boating safaris on the Zambezi, star-gazing in Namibia, as well as bungee jumping at Victoria Falls and the cosmopolitan Cape Town; a Southern Africa trip can be very diverse and caters for a huge range of special interests. 

How to combine a safari with the beach in Africa?

When in East Africa, beach extensions couldn’t be easier! You have the expansive Indian Ocean Mainland with some fantastic lodges, and of course, the colourful and vibrant Zanzibar Island with all its charisma bundled into some charming boutique hotels. Zanzibar is our pick for variety in accommodation, beautiful beaches, pristine waters and of course, the collection of fantastic under water safaris and over water activities to be enjoyed! There is also Pemba and Mafia islands, for the real diving enthusiasts out there. 

Southern Africa wildlife viewing can be nicely wrapped up with a bit of downtime in the wondrous Cape Town, or Victoria Falls – completely unique and an excellent contrast to a safari. The coast of Mozambique offers some really beautiful and luxurious beach spots, and further afield as does the Seychelles... Though both are a bit of a trek to get to! You could also consider Lake Malawi which gives you a unique beach experience, but one that depending on where you are, could only be a short hop away from your safari. 

Which is the best safari destination in Africa? 

We all have our favourites, however the best safaris to go on are all dependent on your individual needs. Everyone will have different priorities when going on safari, whether it is how luxurious the accommodation is, or whether it is searching for a particular animal; we are able to create itineraries to suit everybody's needs. To find out more and get planning for your best safari, please do not hesitate to contact us!

AFRICA SAFARI HOLIDAYS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does a luxury African Safari cost?

The minimum cost of a safari depends on your time frame, where you choose to go and the style of accommodation you are after. Probably the minimum cost we quote is around $4,000 per person excluding international flights in order to have a worthwhile safari experience. The best thing to do is to ring us, and we can advise you on which country suits your budget and interests the most. We have been working with lodges and camps in Africa for around 20 years now, so have formed extremely good relationships with the companies there, meaning we can offer some really great deals to keep the cost of your trip down. 

When is the best time for an Africa Safari? 

As with most African holidays, the best time to go on safari is usually during the winter months between June and October. This is the dry season when the weather is great, and as the bush becomes less dense and water scarce, it is easier to spot the wildlife as they gravitate towards the water. Other times are dependent on the country, as Africa is a huge continent! For example, February is a fantastic time to go and see the Great Migration in Tanzania as it is calving season. Just outside the dry season is the best time to go to Botswana, as low season prices make the whole trip a lot less expensive… As you can see, there are pros and cons with every season. Please see our when to go page for more information, or better still, give us a ring and have a chat through your different options. 
 

What activities can I do on safaris in Africa?

Depending on the country and area you are visiting, and your own preferences, your safari might include 4x4 driving expeditions, walking, boating in motor boats or man-powered mokoros, or watching wildlife from horseback or a hot air balloon! We have highlighted many of the individual options on our activities page, but do let us know your interests and preferences at the outset. 

Driving Safaris:

We specialise in private safaris, either with your own driver-guide or as a morning or afternoon game drive from your lodge or camp. Some camps encourage very early morning starts, with a drive lasting a few hours, returning to the lodge for lunch or staying out with a picnic. Invariably the wildlife action and interest of the landscape is such that the time flies. Different parks and reserves have their own rules and regulations; in Tanzania for example, there are predominantly closed-sided vehicles in the north, and open-sided vehicles in the south. In the South Luangwa in Zambia they have open-sided vehicles and the option of night drives. 
 

Walking Safaris:

In our opinion, walking safaris offer a really exciting and different way to experience the African bush and wildlife from. On foot, not in the cosy confides of a vehicle, suddenly everything feels wilder. You are on the same level as your other four-legged friends, which gives a particularly raw safari experience. It is also a fantastic way to explore the things you don’t see as much of from the vehicle, such as botany and various animal tracks.  
 
Please see our activities page for more details about enjoying the best of the African wilderness on foot. It is a joy to walk in such glorious natural landscapes, but obviously great care must be taken depending on just how much wildlife you may encounter on the way! 
 

Luxury safari accommodation 

The essence of the safari experience is of course the spectacular African wilderness and wildlife - but your accommodation is a big part of the experience too. Your safari can be simple and rustic (bucket showers, no electricity), or fantastically luxurious, chic and stylish (with fine wines and dining, spa treatments and every creature comfort), with lots of options in between...

Our general go-to distinctions between our preferred lodge styles are uber-luxury costing up to $3,000 pppn, luxury costing around $1,300 pppn, barefoot luxury costing around $1,000 pppn, authentic with a splash of luxury costing upwards from $600 pppn and rustic, bona fide safari camps which cost up from around $400 pppn.

Please note this is such a rough guide! Depending where you are in Africa, what time of year and special offers available these prices can fluctuate so much – so don’t take this too literally!

The terminology for all the accommodation options on safari can be confusing! Here is our quick rundown on our safari accommodation guide blog post.

Luxury Africa safari packages with Africa Odyssey

Unlike other types of holiday, safaris in Africa are completely taken care of throughout the planning (if you are with us!), and from the moment the aeroplane hits the ground and you inhale that first dose of African air, you know you do not have to worry about logistics one bit. Everything is prearranged by us, the lodges and the airlines. Essentially, everyone has organised the boring stuff for you. All you really have to think about is catching your outbound international flight and having the holiday of a lifetime!

South America Safaris

Of course Africa is the first continent that springs to mind when thinking of a safari but there are a number of  South America Safari options especially in Brazil and Peru. We highly rate the Pantanal which as well amazing bird life offers very good chances to see Jaguars, Ocelots, and  Giant Anteaters amongst many others

Africa Safari further details:

If you are looking for further reading check out our blog - here are some useful hints and tips on planning your dream African safari and also the best safari camps on the continent in our blog. For a little insight into some of our recent experiences, see the footage of African Wild Dogs hunting a Red Lechwe filmed by Kitty in The Okavango Delta.. Not for the faint hearted! 

Between us here in our office we have visited almost every safari lodge or camp in Africa that is worth talking about so the best way to book an Africa Safari is to get in touch and have a chat with us.