Brian Jackman listed his take on the 50 best safari holidays in the UK’s Telegraph in February 2017. They include trips for first-timers in Kenya, Tanzania and “malaria-free” South Africa. Plus a selection of safaris ideally suited to family groups, budget travellers and luxury seekers. Then more for active adventurers, photographers, “happy campers” and those looking for the remotest of options in Africa.

The best of the best safari holidays

• So here’s our take on the best of the best safaris from “the Tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope”.
• Some mainstream destinations for first timers and remote routes for seasoned travellers.
• In the company of selected Professional Guides.

Easy mainstream safari suggestions

The simplest week long family-friendly safari from the Victoria Falls safari hub.

A 7 day family safari which showcases the delights of Kruger National Park and vibrant Cape Town.

10 days of luxury in Tanzania’s traditional northern circuit including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and and Serengeti National Park.

Namibia from the air in a week. The dunes of Sossusvlei, rugged Damaraland and the wildlife in Etosha.

10 days following Adamson’s footsteps in Kenya’s Amboseli, Lewa and Mara North Conservancies.

Roam Kenya’s Northern Frontier District like a nomad from the Francombe family’s private ranch.

Become a beach bum for a week - island hopping on a dhow off Mozambique with 3 nights on Ibo Island.

Active explorations and adventures

Zambezi canoes safaris from Kariba, past Mana Pools, Sapi, Chewore and Mupata Gorge to Kanyemba.

Walk with camels over 4 days in the the remote valleys, hills and plains of northern central Kenya.

Trek up Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route - it’s less crowded and there’s a high summit success rate.

A 9 day Serengeti migration safari from Arusha into Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Northern Serengeti.

The Botswana horseback safari. 3 nights at David Foot’s base camp and 2 nights at a mobile fly camp.

A walking safari with John Coppinger’s Tafika guides in the Luangwa’s Chikoko area

Best wildlife safaris

Canoeing and walking with top guides in Mana Pools, Matusadona, Vic Falls and Zambezi National Park.

The best Luangwa safari - 9 days in bushcamps with excellent cuisine and top notch Professional Guides.

The ultimate mountain gorilla trek in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Botswana’s Classic Okavango safari over 8 days with first class accommodation in the Linyanti.

Madagascar’s lemurs and an array of endemic species in Masoala and Andasibe National Parks.

Go mobile to capture the best of “big screen Africa”

Okavango mobile camping with Grant and Brent Reed of Letaka Safaris.

Escape to the Namib Desert for red desert dunes, rare species and extreme contrasts in Namibia.

Take the Omo Valley safari to visit the tribes and explore cultures of Southern Ethiopia.

Explore some of the remotest corners of the safari world

Explore Dzanga Ndoki in the south-western part of the CAR near the borders of Cameroon and Congo.

An 8 day Odzala Kokoua safari deep in the rainforest of Republic of Congo.

The Katavi Mahale safari offers outstanding resident game in the wild Katavi plus chimpanzees in the remote forests of Mahale.

Getting remote from Mwaleshi in the North Luangwa - suitable for families and small groups.

People make the difference on safari

Brian Jackman got it completely right in his Telegraph article about the 50 best safari holidays. “Seeing Africa through the eyes of a top-dollar guide costs more than your average package safari, but the rewards are invaluable.” We believe that it’s the vital difference!

So here’re some of Africa’s top Professional guides who’re actively involved with our selection of the “best of the best safari holidays”.

• Meet Grant and Brent Reed of Letaka Safaris. The “Safari Brothers” of NatGeo fame. So whilst Botswana has become the haunt of celebrity-types who only see luxury on safari these boys and their top team of guides will give you a real experience!
• Steve Edwards of Musango was named one of Africa’s 10 best safari guides by the UK Telegraph’s Ultravel Magazine some years back. This old friend might get you to track rhino on foot if you’re lucky. He’s guaranteed to share some stories that will have you chuckling for years to come.
• Ham “The Man” Juuko is safari guide extraordinaire. Ham leads most of our safaris in Uganda. He’ll expose all the highlights on a Uganda safari. From the depths of Kampala to Murchison, the chimp haven of Kibale, the big game and birding in Queen Elizabeth National Park and on to the gorillas in Bwindi. More importantly he’ll connect you with some of Uganda’s best local guides.
• Jeremia Mwapopi is regarded as one of the best “explorations guides” in the Wilderness Safaris, Namibia fold. Jeremia is regularly called on by professional photographers to lead their groups and is used by the Zambezi team for our specialist safaris in Namibia.
• David and Robyn Foot specialise in horseback and riding safaris in Botswana. “David Foot Safaris”, offers horse trails and private safaris from the Okavango Delta to the Makgadikgadi salt pans in the Kalahari.

Essential reading on how to find Africa’s best safari holidays

• An article on “going beyond the obvious” - a primer or refresher for first-timers and seasoned travellers alike. Geography, seasons, people and some top tips.
• Our “secret seasons” - when to find best game conditions, few tourists and best rates.
• An article on “honest African dirt” - or why we shouldn’t let luxury get in the way of some top experiences.
• More “people making the difference” on safari - Professional guides, conservationists, artists, photographers…and friends.