Our most important job will be to figure out the answer to that very question! And we will get to the bottom of this question together as we learn more about what you hope to see and do on your African safari.
For many people, Africa is high on their bucket list but they have only a vague idea of what it entails. We have already segmented our safari offerings into some broad categories, and depending on the aspect of the safari that you wish to emphasize, we can plan an itinerary for you. You can, of course, do a bit of this and a bit of that and come up with any combination that works for you. As we customize your trip, we will offer suggestions and options and fine tune your safari because it represents a significant outlay of finances and should be done right the first time and every time.
Our broad segments are:
Pure Wildlife Safari
For those of you whose idea of an African safari is to say: “I could spend an hour watching an impala tangle horns with a male intruder from the nearby bachelor herd. And another hour watching elephants eating water hyacinths from a green, green pond. And then countless more hours gazing upon millions of wildebeest, rivers of hippos, buffalo, and so on, not to mention civets, warthogs, elands, fish eagles and thousands more species of bird and beast… what am I to do?!” Take a deep breath, relax, and understand that above all else, you are a wildlife enthusiast and for you, the call of Africa is best represented by trumpeting elephants, roaring lions and barking zebras.
Wildlife sightings, sometimes special excursions like gorilla tracking etc., are the most important safari components for this safarista and will dictate other factors such as the timing of the safari and type of safari accommodation selected.
Luxury & Romance Safari
For those of you whose idea of an African safari is to roam the African bush in quiet and exclusive splendour, visit lands where you are often the sole set of humans as far as the eyes can see, and where the fauna is variegated and sometimes rare, from lions to hissing ants, from wild dogs to servals. For those of you who like to start your day inhaling the scent of rooibos tea from fine china cups and then drive out to gaze at storybook herds, returning in the afternoon for a cool siesta and a dip in your private plunge pool. For those of you whose idea of romance is lie back on a ‘starbed’ with your partner and spend the evening marvelling at the sparkle and glitter of the crystal clear night skies… this category is for you.
Exclusivity, style and ambience are the most important safari components for this safarista and will dictate other factors such as the timing of the safari and type of wildlife sightings to be expected.
Safari with Family and Friends
For those of you whose idea of an African safari is to share the marvels of Africa with those who are closest to your heart. Why wait to tell tell them about how it feels to see a herd of curious but wary Cape Buffalo peering out from behind mopane trees, ready to snort & stampede at the slightest move? Just take everyone along for the ride. Share exclamations, gasps and safari picnic lunches during the day. Tell tall stories around roaring campfires every evening. “Ah but did you see the second leopard on the tree?! Here, look at my picture…” See Africa with merriment and good cheer. And leave your children and friends with the most abiding of holiday memories.
Timing (school holidays etc) & type of activities on offer are the most important safari components for this safarista and will dictate other factors such as safari accommodation and wildlife sightings to be expected.
The Master Guides Collection
For those of you who realize that the guide is the SINGLE most important component of the safari experience. A good guide can make a fantastic sighting a lot of fun for you. A GREAT guide can even make the most mundane behaviors come alive before your very eyes. Great guides are about deep and extensive knowledge & experience; they are about understanding, anticipating and explaining animal behavior and showing you the secret life of animals and the rhythms of the bush. The best of them do this with unfailing humor, warm hospitality, patience and wit – not to mention, quite an uncanny ability to adapt to your special safari needs and requirements. They obviously love what they do. Quite a combination of skills, eh?
The overall wildlife ‘experience’ is the most important safari component for this safarista and will dictate other factors such as type of safari accommodation selected, trip timing etc.
Adventure Holidays
For some, Africa is embodied in a single mystic whisper: Kili. Mt. Kilimanjaro is not just the highest free-standing mountain in the world, it’s also the highest mountain non-mountaineers can climb. And arguably one of the most beautiful, with its foreground a yellow, giraffe-covered savannah. But pack extra adrenalin because it’s 5,895 m./19,341 ft. high, and hurry because the legendary snow-cap is reducing. If clouds are not for you, consider slicing through the Zambezi river in a canoe. Or white-water rafting through Batoka Gorge. Or bungee jumping at Vic Falls, or swimming with manta rays…
Adventure, endurance or budget are the most important safari components for this safarista and will dictate other factors such as the type of safari accommodation selected and wildlife sightings to be expected.
Budget Safaris
For those of you for whom the allure of an African safari is so strong that you refuse to be limited by age or finances! Who don’t just want to visit Africa, but to engage with her on all fronts. Who don’t mind bedding down on a bedroll, helping pitch up a tent or heading out way before dawn to breakfast with pools of hippos and catch that cheetah on her termite mound. For those who are quite happy to ditch the car and hoof it on foot among giraffes and elephants that are suddenly appear quite a lot bigger. For those who want to learn Swahili or Shona, talk deep and long with Maasai warriors and help little kids with their schoolwork and experience the wisdom of Africa from her wisest. This one is for you.
The overall experience and budget are the most important safari components for this safarista and will dictate other factors such as the timing of the safari, type of safari accommodation selected and type of wildlife sightings to be expected.
If you can see yourself falling into one of the above categories, or a combination of these categories, then browse through our sample itins to get a feel of the different safari possibilities out there and get in touch with us for more specifics on your personal interests and how you envision your African safari.
Leave a Reply