Africa's Safari Destinations

Safari Primer Menu

Introduction
Destinations
Seasons
Types of safaris
Safari costs
Special interest
Safari planning
...modules...

Africa's main safari regions are located in East and Southern Africa....

Safaris in Southern Africa

Southern Africa is home to most of us in the company - the part of Africa that we know intimately...

Safaris in Zambia Unquestionably Africa's best walking safari destination, remoter areas only accessible in the dry season May to October - nocturnal species are a very special attraction South Luangwa: home of the modern-day walking safari, one of the best places to see leopard, has some of the finest bushcamps and lodges in Africa North Luangwa: remote walking safari wilderness, practically off-limits for four decades, restricted access, "serious safari turf" Kafue: best reserve in Africa for antelope, ideal for old hands and "birding" enthusiasts Lower Zambezi: a relatively unexplored wilderness, Africa's real canoe safari spot with true wilderness lodges (canoeing tackled equally well from the Zimbabwean bank) Victoria Falls: from Livingstone - World Heritage Site, largest curtain of falling water on earth, Africa's "adrenaline capital" - one of the seven Natural Wonders - offers better "adventure" and "cultural" options than the Zimbabwean shoreline

Safaris in Botswana Best tackled on a fly-in or mobile basis - best from May to October Chobe: renowned for its elephant population, popular river front game viewing, zebra migrations in the Savuti and outstanding camps in the Selinda Reserve on the western front Okavango Delta: Africa's finest wetland - an oasis in the Kalahari, best accessed by light aircraft, usually explored from Moremi Moremi Game Reserve: focal point for Delta safaris, makes up nearly 70% of the Okavango Delta, includes some of Botswana's best camps - best on fly in safaris The Kalahari: home of the bushmen, one of the world's largest sand mantles, best tackled on a mobile safari, broadly encompasses the Makgadikgadi Pans

Safaris in Namibia Best tackled on a fly-in or mobile basis - best from May to October but fully accessible year round - allow lots of time if you can spare it Etosha: Namibia's premier wildlife spot, accessible only on the southern rim, has some particularly well known game viewing spots Central Namib: includes Namib-Naukluft, Sandwich Harbour and the famous sand dunes of Sossusvlei - a scenic photographers ideal Skeleton Coast: most of the area has limited access, best tackled on a fly-in safari in the north - very rugged, extraordinary wildlife Kaokoveld: Africa's last great wilderness, fascinating geology and ancient rock art - best tackled on a packaged safari

Safaris in Zimbabwe Victoria Falls: World Heritage Site, largest curtain of falling water on earth, Africa's "adrenaline capital" - one of the seven Natural Wonders - offers a wider range and selection of accommodation options than the Zambian shoreline Matusadona: on the shores of Lake Kariba, holds the highest concentration of wild lions, one of the last sanctuaries of the Black Rhino Mana Pools: World Heritage Site on the banks of the lower Zambezi River, best canoe safaris in Africa, ideal for walking Hwange: one of Africa's finest reserves, home to the Presidential herd of elephants Best tackled with a walking and canoeing safari - safaris year round but best May to October

Safaris in East Africa, Central and West Africa

• East Africa represents the archetypal safari to most - Tanzania and Kenya in particular.

• Tanzania and Kenya are definitely Africa's most popular wildlife destinations and you'll find a host of expensive to cheap "safari packages" and "safari-beach combinations".  (see our notes on safari costs)

• The largest single attraction in the region is the wildebeest migration on the Serengeti and Masai Mara - an annual cycle ideally viewed between mid-December and the end of May in Tanzania and then usually best in Kenya's Mara in August and September.

• Tanzania's prime spots are the Ruaha and Selous in the south, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire in the north plus Zanzibar off the coast.

• Kenya's main attractions including the Mara, Amboseli, the Aberdares, Tsavo, the Rift Valley lakes, Mt. Kenya and the coast.

• The trick to a planning a successful safari in East Africa invariably comes down to guiding standards and achieving a balance between affordability and "crowd avoidance".

• In Tanzania - this crowd avoidance formula works easily in southern Tanzania (particularly in Ruaha and Selous between May and late October) during which time we also have some great beach combinations.

• In Kenya - there's a huge amount of diversity in terms of wildlife, cultural options and beach breaks especially when combining the Mara with Laikipia, Amboseli and the north coast.  Unless considering one or two very specific spots avoid Kenya in April, May and November.

• If the migration is your main interest then we have very specific suggestions that apply to either the Serengeti or the Mara depending on your budget and travel season (speak to Sam, Jackie, Trish or John)

• Primates in East Africa are an important part of our business - Uganda, Rwanda, western Tanzania and Gabon (plus Madagascar off the East Coast) are prime spots (speak to John, Trish or Chris)

• South Africa is an ideal destination for extensions particularly from Cape Town, something that we do regularly.  We don't regard the Kruger National Park as a particularly good safari spot though - access is simple, it has a very well developed infrastructure and tends to attract big crowds....it's like a big safari park.  The only real alternative are some of the smaller and more exclusive private concessions.......$  The big drawback to operating in South Africa is its crime rate.

• Kilimanjaro is an area that we regularly combine with our Serengeti trips.  We've partnered with specialists and offer both private and set date trips - 7500 climbs since 1993 with a 95% success rate....(speak to John or Jackie)  

• Our "emerging destinations" include Ethiopia and Gabon.  In the latter we've done expeditionary trips since 2005 - better suited to seasoned travellers and available as guided set-date trips next season (speak to John, Trish and Chris)