There’s no bad time of year to go on safari if you’re open to traveling to either Southern or East Africa. The dry season in each region is traditionally the best time to visit, as visibility is better, and less water means wildlife is more concentrated around permanent water sources like waterholes, rivers, or dams. However, the “green” or rainy season brings baby booms, incredible birdlife, healthier animals, and often lower prices

Ideally you want to book your safari a year in advance, to get the best camps that match your preferences and budget.  If you are travelling as a family with younger children or in a small group, we strongly recommend booking at least a year in advance.  If you plan to travel over the festive season in December, it’s best to book 18 months ahead.

South Africa, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania are all ideal for first time safari travelers. They offer a wide range of lodges, camps, and ecosystems, and wildlife sightings are abundant. These destinations also allow you to experience local cultures and offer add-ons like the beach, Victoria Falls, and Cape Town.

A private safari lets you customize where you go, how long you stay at each lodge or camp, and the pace of your itinerary. It’s best arranged by a specialist tour operator. Note that “private” may not always mean private safari activities unless specified. A small group safari is a great choice for solo travelers or those looking to save money while still experiencing excellent wildlife viewing.

We recommend at least 4 to 6 nights on safari. Many travelers extend their trip with visits to the beach, Victoria Falls, Cape Town, or other unique experiences. For those traveling from the U.S., a 10–12 day trip allows for a well-paced safari.

Expect to spend $1,000–$2,000 per person per night for a luxury safari (often more in Botswana or at high-end properties). A luxury safari isn’t just about comfort—your guides and trackers are top-tier, staff are well-compensated, and the lodges prioritize conservation and responsible tourism practices.

Our safaris are tailor-made and generally include internal (domestic and regional) flights, touring and activities as detailed on the itinerary, park and conservation fees, meals and drinks as specified. Safari activities are usually shared with up to 6 people at most camps or lodges we book, unless specified as private.

All our safari itineraries are fully customized to suit your budget, your interests and lodges we know offer the best all around safari experience. With over 30 years of expertise, we craft trips that are truly tailored to you.

Yes. We require all clients to purchase travel insurance that covers medical emergencies up to $500,000. Safaris take place in remote areas— even a minor injury could require a medical evacuation flight to the nearest facility.

All internal and regional flights within your safari itinerary are included. While we don’t book international flights, we assist with recommendations and coordinate with a trusted flight specialist to ensure smooth connections.

We provide a detailed packing list based on your travel season and region. Note that smaller charter planes and helicopters have strict luggage limits, usually requiring soft-sided bags. During the dry season, mornings and evenings can be chilly. Many camps provide blankets, hot-water bottles, and warm drinks in the colder temperatures.

Wear comfortable, neutral-colored layers. Avoid white (too bright and gets dirty easily) and black (absorbs heat). Long sleeves, long pants, and a sun hat are ideal. Camouflage clothing is prohibited in some countries, so best to leave it at home.

Yes. Luggage limits vary depending on aircraft type. Smaller planes often allow only 15kg (33lbs) in soft-sided bags with specific dimensions. We provide exact requirements well in advance of your departure.

Some countries require vaccinations like Yellow Fever in order to enter. Most safari regions also recommend malaria prophylaxis. Always consult your travel clinic for the most up-to-date advice based on your health and travel plans.

Yes, safaris are safe if you follow your guide’s instructions and the camp’s safety rules. Most incidents occur when guests ignore these guidelines. Your safety is a top priority at all the camps we work with.

Visit a travel clinic or your local doctor before your trip. Most safari regions require anti-malaria medication, and it’s wise to be up to date on Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Check entry requirements for Yellow Fever and bring an EpiPen if you have allergies and ask about access to fridges if you’re bringing medication along that needs to be kept cool. We recommend travel insurance covering emergency evacuation up to $500,000.

Yes. We’ve all taken our own children on safari and planned many safaris for families with kids of all ages. For the best experience, we recommend children be 10–12 years old, so they can fully appreciate and remember the trip. Some activities, like gorilla trekking or walking safaris, have age restrictions.

Most safari destinations are in malaria-prone areas, though some are malaria-free (particularly in South Africa). The risk is generally low, especially at luxury camps. Always consult your doctor and take recommended precautions.

The Big Five are: Rhino, Leopard, Elephant, Cape Buffalo and Lion. Originally a hunting term, it’s now widely used in tourism, which is why you might wonder why Giraffe, Hippo, Cheetah and other animals are not on the list. You can see all these animals in various reserves in southern and East Africa – ask a specialist where to go and at what time of year to go!

Botswana safaris often feature the Okavango Delta, where annual flooding creates lush islands teeming with wildlife. Game viewing can include boats, traditional canoes (mokoros), and vehicles. Access is typically by small plane, keeping guest numbers low and experiences exclusive.

Yes! There are direct flights to Victoria Falls from Nairobi, Cape Town, Kruger, and Maun, making it easy to combine with safari itineraries. It’s typically more seamless when combined with Southern African safaris.

We book gorilla safaris in both Uganda and Rwanda and highly recommend them. All our consultants have been gorilla trekking and we can explain the difference between the experiences in each country and also suggest what safaris to combine with trekking.

Both can range from basic to ultra-luxury. Generally, tented camps are more intimate and may be mobile or seasonal, while lodges are usually permanent structures. Many luxury tented camps can offer high-end amenities like plunge pools, air conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms, so tented does not have to mean basic! The lodges we prefer to book are smaller, independently owned and managed.

Most luxury safari camps and lodges use solar power if they’re off-grid. Wi-Fi is usually available in the main areas, or in your room/tent. Many camps and lodges are starting to offer wifi in rooms/tents only, in order to have the communal areas be where guests can mingle with one another, free of devices.

You eat very well on safari and generally all meals are included as well as local brand drinks. A large breakfast will usually be served after the early morning game drive with both hot and cold options, followed by lunch, tea and then a large dinner. On game drives your guide will often have snacks, tea and coffee in the morning, and then drinks and nibbles for the afternoon drive. The higher end luxury camps will have menus for each meal, the mid-range and lower end luxury camps will usually offer buffet style meals. Dietary restrictions (except for strict halal and kosher) can be very well accommodated by most safari camps.

Yes, if you are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or have strict food allergies, a safari (especially a luxury safari) can accommodate your dietary restrictions very well as the kitchens are small, food is nearly always made from scratch and it is easy to chat directly to the chef and kitchen staff. If you are strict Halal or Kosher let us know, as some camps and lodges are able to accommodate those dietary needs.

We have VIP meet and greets (where available) and you will be taken care of from the minute you arrive, to when you depart. We offer 24-hour emergency support through our trusted local partners in each country.

Visas are required for some safari destination countries, but it also depends on what passport you hold. For US passport holders most safari destinations that require a tourist visa ,have an e-visa option. Some countries offer visas on arrival and some countries (like South Africa, Botswana and Zambia) do not require US passport holders to get a visa. We’ll provide clear guidance tailored to your itinerary.

Yes! A few days on the beach is a great way to unwind after your safari. For southern Africa, consider Mozambique or Mauritius. For East Africa, think Zanzibar, Seychelles, or the Kenyan Coast. We recommend 3–4 nights minimum

We book and manage all internal and regional flights as part of your itinerary, even across multiple countries, ensuring your safari runs smoothly from start to finish

With over 30 years of experience, we have deep relationships with a wide variety of camps, lodges, and guides. We are independent—not affiliated with any specific properties—so we craft tailor-made safaris based solely on your preferences and budget. All our consultants are African-born or have dedicated their travel careers to Africa.

We’ve been in business for over 30 years, and were among the first U.S.-based operators to offer custom, luxury safaris. Many of our team members hail from Africa and have made African travel their lifelong specialty.

All our consultants are highly experienced and have been selling African safaris exclusively for at least 5 years or more. The person you consult with, will help you from your first call to when you return home. We do not pass you on to a junior administrative person once you’ve booked your trip.

Yes we have many loyal and happy customers who have been on multiple trips with us, and would be happy to chat to you. We also have reviews on our web site for you to look at.