WHAT TO ANTICIPATE WHEN BOOKING A LUXURY SAFARI
Key elements that distinguish a luxury safari include:
Prime Wildlife Areas and Private Concessions
Luxury lodges are situated in the top wildlife areas but away from mainstream travelers. In exclusive conservancies, guests are limited. Which means low-density tourism, with limited other vehicles.
High-End Accommodations and Amenities
Special ambience, unique surroundings. Lodges designed to blend with the environment while providing 5-star comfort.
Lavish Lodges and Tented Camps: Accommodations often feature, private plunge pools, expansive decks, and panoramic views.
Ultra-Luxury Amenities: These include spa treatments, high-quality linen, private butler service, and sometimes even private villas with chefs.
Personalized Service and Private Guiding
Private Vehicles and Guides: A dedicated, expert guide and private 4x4 vehicle allow the day to be tailored strictly to your interests and pace.
Attentive Service: A high staff-to-guest ratio ensures seamless, intuitive service throughout the stay.
Curated and Exclusive Experiences
Bespoke Activities: Beyond traditional game drives, options include guided walking safaris, night game drives, helicopter flightseeing and hot air balloon rides.
Unique Dining: Gourmet dining experiences, such as dinners under the stars or champagne bush breakfasts, are common.
Seamless Logistics
Private Charters and Flights: Travel between camps is usually managed by private charters to skip long, strenuous road transfers.
All-Inclusive Ease: Luxury safaris are usually fully inclusive, covering gourmet meals, beverages, and daily activities, allowing guests to relax.
Top Luxury Destinations & Lodges
Botswana
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is renowned as one of the top safari destinations in Africa. All of the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, African buffalo, and elephant) can be seen. It is remote Africa, with safaris away from the crowds. Its crystal channels and striking landscape offer a unique experience for luxury safaris.
Glide along tranquil waterways in a private dugout canoe and then retire to a tented suite perched along the lush water's edge, sleep out under the stars in treetop lofts and stay in luxury lodges. Rated highly for its beauty, wildlife richness along with open safari vehicles, boating safaris and safari nature walks. Each year, the waters from the Okavango River flood the lowlands to create an intricate ecosystem of lagoons, island and grasslands. Neighboring the Okavango itself are private concessions as well as national reserves. Each area has its special features and a safari should be carefully planned to give you a cross-section of experiences. From Luxury Lodge to Mobile Camps, Botswana has a wide appeal for those who want to get away from the more crowded vehicle safaris.
Best time for safari in Botswana: Mid-May to early October
Our Favorite Luxury Properties: Atzaro (Okavango) Zarafa (Selinda) Linyanti Legodimo, Mombo, Duba Plains (Okavango)
Kenya
Kenya is a premier travel destination for safaris including the seasonal Great Migration in the Maasai Mara. The Mara is the northern extension of the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania. There are no fences between the countries and the wildlife travels freely between the two on its yearly search for water and grasses. To the north of the Mara is the Laikipia Plains, known for its exclusive, private conservations areas with high quality game viewing without the crowds. In the northern game areas on Kenya (Laikipia, Samburu and Meru) you can see species of giraffe and zebra that are not found elsewhere. Lewa Conservancy is also known for its population of rhino. Kenya has a wide selection of luxury accommodations including Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.
Best time for game viewing in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve: July to September
Our Favorite Luxury Lodges: Cottars Camp, Mara Plains - Mara Toto, Sand River, Lewa Wilderness Cottages
Tanzania
The Serengeti is said to mean "endless plains" in Maasai, and spans over 11,583 square miles of diverse ecosystems including grasslands, woodlands, and riverine forests. This iconic park is crucial to the Great Migration and home to the Big Five, in addition to cheetahs, and numerous other species.
Luxury safaris in the Serengeti offer high-end lodges and exclusive tented camps, often situated in prime wildlife-viewing locations. You can experience hot air balloon safaris for a unique perspective of the landscape and wildlife. The nearby Olduvai Gorge is a significant paleoanthropological site, adding historical intrigue to your safari experience. The Serengeti's vast, open landscapes, combined with its extraordinary biodiversity and luxury accommodations, provide an unmatched setting if you are seeking a premium African safari adventure.
Best time for game viewing in the Serengeti National Park: October-March to June-mid July
Our Favorite Luxury Lodges: Singita Lodges, Laba Laba, Grumeti River Camp (pictured), Lemala Osonjoi
South Africa
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa is extremely popular due to its easy access from Cape Town, high comfort, and almost guaranteed Big Five sightings. Sabi Sands borders world-famous Kruger National Park. No fences allows high concentrations of wildlife, including the Big Five.
You can indulge in 5-star stays at lavish bush lodges, experience sublime spa treatments, and partake in exclusive game drives led by an Africa safari expert and skilled rangers. Sabi Sands Game Reserve is a top choice for travelers seeking a shorter experience but in the most-deluxe safari style possible.
Best time for a safari in the Sabi Sands and Greater Kruger area: April to September
Our Favorite Luxury Camps: Dulini River Lodge, Londolozi, Sabi Sabi Earth, Royal Malewane
Zambia
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is truly the Africa of yesteryear-remote and uncrowded. It is all about experiencing Africa and not just seeing the wildlife. For active travelers, South Luangwa offers unique safari opportunities that are not found elsewhere in Africa.
More active participation features walking safaris from one to multiple days, open vehicle game drives, sleep outs under the stars, as well as high comfort lodges. The 5,623-square-mile sanctuary along the Luangwa River encompasses Africa's most intact major river system. There are huge herds of elephants, giraffe, leopard, lions and species that are hard to find in other areas of Africa such as wild dog.
Best time to visit South Luangwa Park: June to late September
Our Favorite Luxury Camps: Lion Camp, Puku Ridge, Chinzombo, Chindeni
Zambia
Lower Zambezi
This area is magical Africa with a feel like no other area on the African continents. Set on the beautiful Zambezi River, the scenery is breath-taking and the wildlife magnificent. As the Serengeti and Mara, these areas share the same ecosystem. Wildlife that can be found include, crocodiles, hippos, leopard, lion, elephant. They travel freely traverses between the two countries. Both parks are far from any human settlement, offering you a sense of extreme wilderness and is great if you are seeking an immersive African safari experience. Safaris are in open vehicles, walks and canoeing along the Zambezi River. Exploring the Lower Zambezi works well in conjunction with a visit to Victoria Falls, South Luangwa Park or Hwange National Park.
Best time to visit Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools: May to late-September
Our Favorite Luxury Camps: Chiawa, Lolebezi, Sausage Tree, Royal Zambezi
CHOOSE THE BEST AFRICAN SAFARI VACATION FOR YOU
Planning a Luxury African Safari can feel overwhelming, but the experience can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With so many details to arrange, proper planning ensures your luxury African safari goes off without a hitch. We walk you through important logistics from choosing a safari company to visa requirements. Don't be the person left behind while your friends share magical photos from their adventures in the bush.
Contact Born Free Safaris to start planning your adventure. Our safari experts have decades of experience crafting personalized itineraries to maximize your wildlife sightings during an unparalleled wilderness safari. Space is limited for the best time of year to visit, but you can start planning your safari wishlist or learn more about what you can expect on safari.
