Off Beat Explorations
Our expeditions take huge organisation and are planned well ahead. They are led by our own very experienced professional specialist guides and are fully backed-up by locally based experts and trackers. The expeditions set off on a certain date (although we will arrange a private departure if requested).
We issue the dates up to 18 months in advance and start to take down names for each trip. We match similar participants when possible e.g. photographers with photographers, birders with birders unless the trip is specifically for a particular subject or hobby. Once we have the minimum confirmed numbers for each trip, we confirm the bookings and take deposits.
The group size is to a maximum of 8 and is usually a mixture of couples and singles. Some of the areas we travel to include parts of Africa where the locals have seen very few tourists.
We arrange several expeditions each year but will put on extra trips when there is sufficient demand and if we have time to arrange everything well in advance.
Typically these trips will travel to the Congo Tri-Basin National Park or Lalibela, Simien Mountains and the Rift Valley lakes. In Southern Africa a really worthwhile expedition goes to Liuwa Plains in Zambia.
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Our Recommended Off Beat Explorations
Off the beaten track in Mozambique
$ 1200
Niassa Reserve, Mozambique - 4 days/3 nights
These canoe expeditions are available on set departure dates only and for a minimum of four guests per trip.
A short canoe/walk/drive safari along the magical Lugenda River exploring the little known Niassa Reserve, a massive wilderness in northern Mozambique. This area has particularly good wild dog populations, a highly endangered African mammal. Even the flight into the reserve is exciting with magnificent giant inselbergs, large granite outcrops which are a feature of the region. This is Africa in her raw, beautiful and inspired state where you can walk, paddle and explore the wilderness with complete abandon. Combining this trip with a week on the beach afterwards makes for an ideal bush and beach safari with a difference!
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Classic Namibia North-east camping experience
$ 2074
Windhoek, Grootfontein, Kaudom NP, Caprivi Strip - 11 days/10 nights
Prices depend on the amount of guests on each trip. We also offer private departures at 20% extra cost per person.
Set departures from Windhoek via Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Otavi to Grootfontein. Travelling further north east to the Kaudom National Park through the heart of Bushmanland. On day 4 head for the Popa Falls and camping on the Okavango River thence into the Mahango National Park. Finally into the Bwabwata National Park and Mudumo National Park and then south back to Windhoek via the Waterberg Plateau.
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Spirit of Ethiopia
$ 2164
Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, Axum - 7 nights/8 days
All of these tours are custom-made, prices are subject to change.
This encompasses four major historic sites: Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, and Bahir Dar. Axum was the seat of an empire which extended across the Red Sea to Arabia, traded with India and China, had its own alphabet and notational system, constructed great engineering works and dams.
Much of the fascination of Ethiopia lies in its myriad historical sites, the obelisks and stele of Axum, churches and Coptic monasteries in the Tigre, in the Lake Tana isles and in the Lalibela: the African Jerusalem with its monolithic churches.
Liuwa Plains Exploration
$ 2400
Liuwa Plains - 4 night/5 day or 5 night/6 day
Seasoned Africa travelers have heard of these vast open grasslands in the far west of Zambia but very few have been there. In fact in 2000 only 50 visitors were registered entering the park.
Why go? The Liuwa Plains is an immense wilderness area, brimming with birds and home to huge numbers of animals. The landscape is completely flat and the skies vast - here you really are in the middle of wild, remote and isolated lands.
Uganda gorillas, chimpanzees and game
$ 2936
Ngamba Island, Lake Mburo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
An eight day safari including the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, game viewing, optional chimp tracking in Chamburu (Kyamburu Gorge) and game/bird watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Includes a boat cruise, and a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Two gorilla tracking opportunities are available but must be requested on booking and subject to availability.
This trip may run in reverse, please check when booking. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of two guests.
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Discover Kaokoland
$ 3000
Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Kaokoland - 12 days/11 nights
The price differs according to the number of guests booked on each trip. We will do private departures at 20% extra cost per person. The price given here is for 7 to 10 guests per group per person.
This excellent mobile safari starts and finishes in Swakopmund (an easy connection from Walvis Bay or Windhoek) and concentrates on the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Kaokoland. Main points of interest are seeing the desert elephant and meeting the Ovahimba while exploring the Kunene River and Epupa Falls.
Southern Malawi Classic Safari
$ 3078
Lake Malawi and Liwonde National Park - 7 days/6 nights
A superb safari covering two of the main highlights in Southern Malawi. With big game viewing in Liwonde National Park and a relaxing stay on a pretty island in the south of the lovely lake of stars, Lake Malawi. This safari is suitable for a honeymoon, a family trip or just a wonderful holiday set in this most hospitable of countries.
Livingstone Birding Trail
$ 3285
Botswana, Namibia and Zambia - 16 days/15 nights
Set departure dates during rainy season - November to April
Highlights of this safari include visitng Lake Ngami birding wonderland, panhandle of the Okavango Delta, Caprivi Strip specials, Zambia and the Victoria Falls, the dramatic Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Moremi Game Reserve wildlife and birding on the fringes of the Okavango Delta, scenic flight over the Okavango and boat cruises on the Okavango and Chobe Rivers.
East and South Madagascar
$ 3768
East and Southern Madagascar - 14 day/13 night
This is a guideline itinerary, price depends on time of the year and availability
Known as the "Red Island" the local Madagascans are an exceptionally welcoming nation and have much to offer the visitor to their large island. The sun shines year round and beautiful white beaches are complimented by the amazing fauna and flora. This 14 day/13 night itinerary covers the highlights through the east and southern parts of Madagascar by road and is packed with activities.
São Tomé and Príncipe Islands
$ 3940
São Tomé and Príncipe Islands - 8 days/7 nights
This itinerary is priced for a set departure date (ask us for the dates) from Douala, Cameroon to São Tomé on a private charter return flights to keep the cost of getting to and from the islands down. Exclusive or independent trips are definitely available however the cost is higher due to the connecting flights to São Tomé and the return flight from Príncipé. For a week, you'll discover the secrets of these two little known islands or simply just relax on the pristine beaches.
Western Kenya privately guided safari
$ 4000
Laikipia Plateau, Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Mt Elgon National Park and Kakamega Forest Reserve - 11 days/10 nights
The cost is per person plus US$1200.00 conservation fees and transfer costs. The trip will depart with a minimum of 2 guests. The special price is for the same itinerary with more light weight camping nights.
Start with a relaxing big game ranch stay before hitting the trail visiting millions of greater and lesser flamingoes on Lake Bogoria. Black-necked Grebe, Steppe Eagles, fish eagles and other raptors are commonly seen. 470 species of birds are found in the Lake Baringo area, many specific to the Rift Valley and northern Kenya. Mt Elgon offers volcanic lava tube caves and is home to cave dwelling elephants, forest birds and unusual mammals such as the bongo, giant forest hog and African golden cat.
The little known Kakamega Forest Reserve is the only remmant piece of the Congo forest in Kenya and here are found 350 species of forest tree and 300 species of birds. Flying squirrels, forest duikers, potto and many types of monkey are also found in Kakamega.
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Skeleton Coast Safari
$ 4335
Skeleton Coast, Namibia - 5 days/4 nights
This safari has to be one of the most privileged on earth simply because its so unique and takes place is such a special setting. Just one camp lies in this spectacular, uninhabited (by humans) private concession stretching along the Skeleton Coast. Full days out in the vehicle with a highly professional guide and picnic lunches, are the only way to explore this fascinating area with its roaring dunes, shipwrecks, quick sand and colonies of seals.
Purely Primates
$ 4926
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga Volcanoes NP - 8 days/7 nights
SPECIAL OFFER - free second gorilla permit (worth US$500.00) when booking a tailor-made holiday of 6 days or more. Also on offer are two free nights worth (US$1000.00 per person) at the fabulous Mount Gahinga Lodge in Uganda when booking a tailor-made safari in Uganda or Rwanda.
An eight day safari from Entebbe or Kigali visiting the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda. This safari optimises time for gorilla trekking and the option to add on a chimpanzee sanctuary at the end.
Price quoted is for 4 guests in one vehicle on a private trip per person.
Discover Rwanda
$ 5688
Akagera National Park, Parc National des Volcans and Nungwe Forest
Starting and finishing in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, this safari starts with a visit to Akagera National Park to view the beautiful wetland savannah and Rwanda's fabulous birds and animals. The highlight of the trip is gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcans of course and if time allows a visit to the golden monkeys. After gorilla trekking the safari continues to Nyungwe rainforest. There are 13 primate species, 300 bird species and a variety of orchids and butterflies.
Price quoted is for a set departure group safari staying in high quality lodges and camps and is per person.
Katavi Mahale Safari
$ 6920
Katavi Mahale Safari - 9 days / 8 nights
The special price shown applies to bookings prior to 31st March 2010. The normal price applies to bookings after this date.
This 9 day trip offers outstanding resident game in the remote and fascinating Katavi National Park and its wide open plains with massive herds of buffalo and elephant. Combine this with the special forests and wild chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the biggest body of fresh water in the world.
Lake Turkana Flying Safari
$ 8195
Wild Northern Frontier Safari - 11 days / 10 nights
The price is per person including all arrangements starting and ending in Nairobi. The rate in peak season is US$ 8,379 per person.
An expeditionary safari focussing on Kenya's Northern Frontier District. This tailor madel 10 day safari combines the Mathew's Range with the Chalbi Desert and Laikipia. The itinerary includes fly camping and optional access to Lake Turkana by private air charter. Reserved for intrepid souls!
Highlights include dedicated time to explore Kenya’s remote Northern Frontier District and a visit to Kalacha community lodge in the Chalbi Desert. A flight over Lake Turkana with the option to upgrade to a private helicopter safari including a night fly camping is available on request. Round off your safari with a few days relaxing on an old style northern Kenya homestead, Ol Malo, with a host of activities to choose from
Expedition to Central Africa
$ 9132
Central African Republic, Cameroon and Republic of Congo - 11 days/10 nights
A privately guided safari with our own professional guides to Central African Republic, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. The trip includes tracking with the Ba-Aka pygmies, forest elephant, western lowland gorilla and an astonishing number of birds and other species.
Other Options
Looking for a private departure just for you? Look at our privately guided safaris which we can arrange in any of the countries listed on our website
