“Safari” traditionally means “journey” in Swahili

but today the word evokes something rather different… Traditional African safaris are more likely to conjure up ‘Out of Africa’- style images of sweeping plains and savannah teeming with wildlife: stampeding wildebeest, elusive leopards, majestic elephants and, king of them all, the lion.

Africa’s landscapes, flora and fauna are as diverse as the continent is vast. Tanzania’s classic and very popular Northern Circuit, for example, takes in the iconic wildebeest migration across the Serengeti plains and the ubiquitous wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater. Traditional African safaris elsewhere vary from a tour of Zimbabwe’s National Parks. Choose Matusadona for rhino tracking or Hwange with its massive elephant population for a lesser-visited wilderness.

The best time to see wildlife in any country is in the dry season. The animals converge at waterholes and rivers when grasses are low and sustenance is in short supply. Animals slumber in the shade to tame the mid-day heat so activities usually involve early morning and late afternoon game drives. We always use custom-built 4×4 safari vehicles, complete with morning coffee and sundowners. Guides will then impart their excellent knowledge of the bush and its fascinating residents.

Accommodation options range from comfortable mobile camps to exclusive, chic eco-lodges. Perfect for relaxing after a long day, dine under the stars and swap safari stories with your fellow guests.