African Safari | Luxury Africa Wildlife Safaris, Tours & Packages

An African safari is an adventure quite unlike any other - and each safari holiday is different. Awe-inspiring African wilderness, spectacular landscapes, magnificent wildlife (both big and small), sundowners in the bush, evenings by the campfire, nights under canvas listening to the roar of lions and the cackling of hyenas... Africa is a world apart; it envelops visitors with its magic and touches their souls.

Scroll down for everything you need to know about African Safaris including the best safaris, where to stay, when to go, safari costs, accommodation options and how to begin planning your safari with the Africa specialists.

the best safaris in africa

Zambia Safaris

Tanzania Safari

Zimbabwe Safaris

Botswana Safari

Kenya Safari

South Africa Safari

A GUIDE TO THE BEST SAFARIS IN AFRICA

Botswana: The beautiful and watery Okavango Delta, the big 5 in private reserves and an uber-luxury African safari holiday experience

Tanzania: The famous Serengeti and the Great Wildebeest Migration, The Ngorongoro Crater, the wild southern parks of Ruaha & the Selous, chimp trekking in the Mahale Mountains & excellent Indian Ocean beach options

Zambia: Walking safaris in the South Luangwa Valley & boating on the mighty Zambezi as well as the famous Victoria Falls

Kenya: Activities galore in Laikipia, the famous Masai Mara all in the original safari destination

Zimbabwe: Hwange National Park – world-class wildlife in quiet areas at unbelievable value & the best guides on the continent

South Africa: Phinda Reserve offers exclusivity with the bonus of the fabulous Cape Town nearby

By far the best thing to do is to 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.

How to plan an African Safari?

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 each client's 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 both. 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.

What to know before going on an African Safari

Go just off peak season to reduce costs without sacrificing amazing wildlife sightings! Ask us about the best deals around to cut the cost of your safari – it is no lie that they are an expensive hobby, so we are here to make it a bit more doable.

Choose smaller, more authentic camps as opposed to great big soulless hotels. We only really recommend this more intimate safari experience, as you lose all sense of being in the wilderness when surrounded by artificial and commercialised uninspiring big builds. Moreover, these familiar, cosy and personalised lodges are Africa’s speciality!

Don’t try to go to too many countries! Safaris are tiring there is no doubt, as you arise early to catch the night's action before it disappears forever. If you indebt yourself with many long flights, you will not only waste a lot of money, but precious safari time. It is better to immerse yourself fully in one country than to half-heartedly visit lots of different places.

Saying this though, it is a very good idea to mix up the parks you visit in your particular chosen country. It would be a shame to go all the way to Africa and only see one tiny bit of it… Mixing parks can offer welcome variety in landscapes, wildlife and activities to keep each day fresh and exciting.

Bookend your safari with beach time! So many people think they do not want to visit the beach, but actually, after a long and exciting safari you will not want to get straight on a tiring long-haul flight. Even if it’s just a few days, take the time to relax and recuperate in the sunshine before flying back home. Africa is surrounded by the Indian Ocean – make the most of this!

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 an East Africa safari experience will be an exceptional one. Your decision between one or the other is wholly dependent on your preferences and expectations of your safari. Both have amazing wildlife sighting opportunities, spoiling accommodation and spectacular scenery.

From an East Africa safari we think guests get that quintessential safari experience; the dramatic sweeping open plains and the huge annual Wildebeest Migration, which are some of the sites people think of when someone utters Africa. East Africa was where it all began, so really knows its stuff. Also, an East Africa safari is easier and more cost effective to combine with the beach with its huge Indian Ocean coastline and surrounding islands.

However, some may opt for a Southern Africa itinerary; a more intense and concentrated safari experience, where you mostly fly into private concession areas. Some may love this, and some may not. This means that to get around it can get quite a bit more costly, but then again, the private concessions also mean you have much fewer tourists to distract you from your sense of wilderness. Southern Africa is also further away from good beaches, which can cost you more flight money and precious safari time.

That being said, every single country and park in Africa is completely unique in its own right. It would not be fair to fully categorise the East as this and the South as that, as much of what was just said can vary from country to country! For example, although not private concession, Ruaha in Tanzania is one of the quietest parks in terms of visitors, much like what you see in the private concessions of Botswana… Similarly, Namibia is not as animal concentrated as say Zambia, but offers some utterly mesmerising scenery and a completely unique, indescribable atmosphere.

So each country has their individual pros and cons, and it really just depends what you want to see, what kind of safari experience you are after, the time of year you are going and what your style is. Again, to chat through the different options, please give us a ring and let us help clarify Africa safaris a bit more for you!

How to combine an Africa Safari Holiday with the beach?

On an East Africa safari, beach extensions couldn’t be easier! You have the expansive Indian Ocean Mainland with some fantastic lodges, and of course, our favourite the colourful and vibrant Zanzibar Island with all its charisma bundles 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 safaris can be nicely wrapped up with a bit of downtime in the wondrous Cape Town, or the Victoria Falls – completely unique spots to Southern Africa. The coast of Mozambique offers some really beautiful idyllic beach spots, and further afield as does the Seychelles though both are a bit of a trek to get to! You can also consider Lake Malawi which gives you a really beachy experience, but one that, depending on where you are, could only be a short hop away from your safari.

best african safari lodges

Chada Camp

Little Kwara

Little Mombo

Mwagusi

Serian Camp

Kichaka

Nomad Kuro

Nomad Lamai Serengeti

Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp

Faru Faru

Governors Camp

Nsolo Camp

Tafika Camp

Amanzi Camp

Mwaleshi Camp

best african Safari Parks

Okavango Delta

Masai Mara

Etosha

Phinda

The Serengeti Migration

Mahale Mountains National Park

Ngorongoro Crater

Ruaha

Selous

Serengeti National Park

The Lower Zambezi

South Luangwa

Hwange

AFRICAN SAFARI HOLIDAYS 2018 - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does an Africa Safari cost?

The minimum cost of an African safari really 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 $4000 per person excluding international flights in order to have a worthwhile safari experience. When safari is concerned… there really is no maximum! The best thing to do if you are not sure is probably 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, meaning we can offer some really great deals to keep the cost of your trip down. For more information, please see our itineraries page for some tasters of what you can get for your money on an Africa Safari.

When is the best of year to go on an African Safari?

As with most African holidays, the best time to go on an Africa 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 coming to drink at the waterholes. Other times are really 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 and just outside the dry season is the best time to go to Botswana, as low season prices make the whole trip hugely less expensive… As you can see, there are pros and cons with every season in Africa! 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 kind of safaris can I do 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 Other Interests 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 safari expedition 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 of Tanzania, 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 more real. You are on a par with your other four-legged friends, which give 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 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!

African Safari Prices - Safari Accommodation

The essence of the safari experience is obviously 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 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 $900 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:

Mobile Fly Camp:

A private, mobile fly camp is packed up and pitched on a fresh patch of wild park each day. This can be as elaborate or simple as you are prepared to pay for; but carrying cooks and supplies, mess tents and showers is always going to be an expensive, if wonderfully personal and exciting, business. Tents are usually small and fairly basic. Some safari lodges offer single nights fly-camping in the bush. This is definitely one of the best safari holiday experiences we recommend.
Example – Nsolo

Semi-permanent tented lodge:

An alternative form of mobile camping is becoming increasingly popular, as operators (such as Nomads and &Beyond) recognise the value of setting up a camp close to the migrating herds. These camps are really semi-permanent tents, very big and luxurious, and you will not notice their ‘mobility’! Your camp will be prepared before your arrival, and remain in place for the duration of your stay. This is really the only way to guarantee peak migration game viewing.
Example – Serengeti Under Canvas

Tented Lodge / Camp:

A tented lodge or camp is a permanent structure, which never moves, in which accommodation is under canvas. Most have solid, wooden floors, proper bathrooms, running water and will include a fully solid structure bar and restaurant area. Experience the sensation of a night under canvas, with tent flaps pegged open to the stars, the sound of the African bush all around you, but the comfort of real porcelain and heavy, wooden beds... Tented Camps are just as well appointed as a lodge (see below), in terms of comforts such as swimming pools etc.
Example – Pelo Camp

Safari Lodges:

The definition of a lodge is less clear. This is a term used for a smaller, often owner-run accommodation, as distinct from a large hotel. They are usually truly luxurious and beautifully appointed; usually have swimming pools and almost all have their own resident vehicles, trackers and guides. A lodge is a typical place to stay on safari.
Example – Londolozi

Safari Hotels:

Safari hotels tend to be much larger, less personal and less intimate than lodges. As a matter of course they tend not to have their own safari vehicles, or guides, and so we would arrange a private safari for guests and use the hotel simply for board and lodging.
Example – Four Seasons Serengeti

Safari House:

There are a few private houses available for rental in Africa, either on safari or at the beach. This is a great way for a group of friends or a family to enjoy a private, self-contained holiday
Example – Chongwe River House

Villa:

Villas are a concept for the beach only, not safari. Many of the larger beach resorts, in an effort to attract a higher spending client, have built a number of stand-alone villas hidden away from the rest of the hotel. These offer more space and privacy than a conventional hotel room or suite, and tend to be ultra luxurious, often with private plunge pools and butlers.
Example – The Ocean Suite

In summary there is a wide range of choice for your African Safari - different countries, different activities, different types of accommodation, and definitely different prices. We strongly suggest that you call us to discuss further as we can give you an impartial opinion as to what would best suit your requirements.

Planning your holiday with the African Safari Specialists

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!

Africa Safari further details:

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.

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Africa Safari Holidays and Packages