Private safaris

Private safaris

A private safari means you will be traveling with your own private group (family/friends/partner) in one safari vehicle with your own private driver guide.

Depending on the selected itinerary, a private safari usually takes between three and ten days. Based on the available time, the composition of the tour group, and the available budget, an itinerary will be prepared, tailored to your requirements. 

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The safari guides

Your safari guides will make sure that your trip will be an unforgettable experience. Without exception, they are experienced, safe drivers who have the skills necessary to conquer the sometimes bumpy roads of your destination. Once you hit the road, you will be amazed at their powers of perception. At times, they seem to have 360-degree vision, and at a distance where ordinary people can make out nothing but a dot, they can identify an animal. We choose partners who invest a lot of time and energy in their annual training and refresher courses. They can tell you myriads of fun and interesting facts about the flora and fauna as well as about the local culture, customs, and traditions. Even though most of the guides will be natives, they are proficient in English and have excellent social skills. They will enrich your safari with their in-depth expertise, their jokes, and their good cheer whenever that is called for, and respect your privacy where appropriate.

Safari jeeps

Rugged four-wheel drive safari jeeps are almost invariably Toyota Land Cruisers, converted into safari vehicles by a specialized coachworks company. In East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) this means that some of them are stretched to seat 9 instead of 5, the top of the windows is raised for a better panoramic view, and the roof is replaced by a large pop-up roof to allow you to stand up straight to film or take pictures.

In Southern Africa the open 4×4 safari vehicles are most common:  South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi. The safari vehicles are most often Toyota Land Cruisers and carry 6 to 8 guests. They have open side and offer face to face encounters with nature. In rainy seasons or winter, the guide might decide to put on a canvas roof with side windows. Very often there is space for a tracker who sits on the bonnet reading animal tracks whist the guide drives and ensure your safety.  These are the common vehicle type an private lodges and camps throughout Southern Africa. Safari Njema! (Have a pleasant journey!)

Accommodation on your safari

In our view, the accommodations on safari should be at least as enjoyable as the safari itself. Where overnight accommodations are concerned, you can choose from several options. The so-called tented camps consist of luxurious and elegantly decorated lodges. Other than the heavy-duty canvas canopy, these stylish glamping cabins have very little in common with an ordinary tent. They offer the luxury and all the amenities you need, including excellent private bathroom facilities. The biggest attraction, though, is the incomparable, traditional safari atmosphere. And those of you who want to take comfort to the extreme can decide to stay in a luxury hotel.

A typical day on safari

  • 05h30 Wakeup call at the room
  • 06h00 Light breakfast in the main area
  • 06h30 Depart for your morning activity: game drive, nature walk, mokoro
  • 10h30 Return from morning activity
  • 11h00 Brunch Afternoon at leisure – possible activities: Swimming pool, curio shop, spa
  • 15h30 Afternoon Tea
  • 16h00 Depart on afternoon game drive
  • 19h30 Return from game drive
  • 20h00 Dinner under the stars (weather permitting)
  • After dinner: optional night drive at certain destinations.

Tailor made

A private safari will be tailor made to your liking. We will sit down to get to know you a little bit better and discuss the type of accommodation you like, best travel time, destinations, length and budget.

In East Africa a private safari with your own driver guide is the most popular way of traveling. However, in Southern Africa, a Locally Hosted Safari will be a tailor made itinerary but with shared charter flights and shared safaris, organized by the lodge. On request you can upgrade to your own safari vehicle. 

Locally Hosted Safaris

Travelers on safari without a Private Guide will have the benefit of being hosted in the camps by the staff of the camps. That means the managers and local camp guides will liaise with you and be your hosts at each different camp. Therefore travelers will meet different staff at each camp, and although this does incur an element of repetition on drives and in the evenings at dinner, it is a perfectly satisfactory way of having a safari. Travelers will need to inform the local guide at each camp of their previous experiences and sightings. Many travelers do this and have good experiences.

POPULAR PRIVATE SAFARIS

  • 11 days – Fully guided Namibia – mid-range

    From$5,751.02
    11 days
    Guided Tour
    Windhoek - Windhoek
    Namibia
    Min Age : NA
    This short guided tour allows you to experience some of the most beautiful highlights in Namibia in a relaxing way!
    0
  • 11 days – Southern Tanzania Private Safari

    From$2,505.60
    11 days
    Private Safari
    Dar es Salaam - Dar es Salaam
    Tanzania
    Min Age : N/A
    Highlights include Selous Game Reserve, Dar es Salaam, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park and Mikumi National Park. With your private Tanzania guide and […]
    (1 Review)
  • 12 days – Across Kenya Private Guided Safari

    From$2,082.28
    12 days
    Private Safari
    Nairobi - Nairobi
    Kenya
    Min Age : N/A
    A classic safari with endless game drives to Kenya. This is a great safari for first time introduction to Africa. Visit Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru, […]
    0
  • Romantic

    12 days – Bush & Beach Tanzania

    From$3,607.00
    12 days
    Private Safari
    Arusha - Zanzibar
    Tanzania
    Min Age : N/A
    This is a classic short private safari to the world famous wildparks of Tanzania including the Serengeti National Park and Zanzibar!
    (1 Review)
  • 12 days – Uganda Pearl of Africa Private Safari Budget

    From$3,063.16
    12 days
    Private Safari
    Entebbe - Entebbe
    Uganda
    Min Age : 15
    This private safari is a great value for money to experience the highlights of Uganda. The tour includes a Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, Jinja, Kampala, […]
    0
  • 12 days – Uganda Pearl of Africa Private Safari Mid Range

    From$3,080.80
    12 days
    Private Safari
    Entebbe - Entebbe
    Uganda
    Min Age : 15
    This private safari is a great value for money to experience the highlights of Uganda. The tour includes a Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, Jinja, Kampala, […]
    0
  • 13 days – Kenya and Uganda Safari: Lake Victoria, Queen Elizabeth

    From$3,365.95
    13 days
    Private Safari
    Nairobi - Entebbe
    Kenya, Uganda
    Min Age : 6
    Enjoy a 13-day safari with loads of variety from a nature and animal point of view, an unforgettable experience that you will certainly remember for […]
    0
  • Best seller

    15 days – Bush & Zanzibar Beach Tanzania with private driver guide

    From$3,211.12
    15 days
    Private Safari
    Arusha - Zanzibar
    Tanzania
    Min Age : N/A
    This is a classic private safari to the world famous wildparks of Tanzania including the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Manyara and Zanzibar!
    0
  • 16 days – Active family safari in Kenya – Safari & Beach

    From$3,204.26
    16 days
    Private Safari
    Nairobi - Mombassa
    Kenia
    Min Age : 4
    An active family holiday. Combine bush and beach and enjoy plenty of variety in Kenya's amazing wildlife reserves and on stunning beaches!
    0
  • 16 days – Honeymoon Kenya & Zanzibar

    From$2,573.21
    16 days
    Honeymoon
    Nairobi - Zanzibar
    Kenya, Zanzibar
    Min Age : 12
    Beach & Bush, the best of both worlds. This is a great honeymoon with all ingredients needed for the ultimate Africa experience!
    0
  • Honeymoon

    19 days Private Safari Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar

    From$6,367.37
    19 days
    Private Safari
    Nairobi - Zanzibar
    Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar
    Min Age : 8
    Enjoy a varying safari to Kenya, Tanzania, ending on the beach of tropical Zanzibar!
    0
  • 21 days – Ultimate Uganda Pearl of Africa Circuit (MID RANGE)

    From$5,021.97
    21 days
    Private Safari
    Entebbe - Entebbe
    Uganda
    Min Age : 15
    Uganda is known as “THE PEARL OF AFRICA”. It is the gem at its heart and no other country in Africa has the breadth of […]
    (1 Review)
  • 3 days – Gorillas in the mist Rwanda

    From$2,611.43
    3 days
    Private Safaris
    Kigali - Kigali
    Rwanda
    Min Age : 15
    0
  • 30 days – Tanzania Complete

    From$7,231.64
    30 days
    Private Safari
    Dar Es Salaam - Dar Es Salaam
    Tanzania
    Min Age : 12
    A complete tour through Tanzania including visits to most wildlife parks in Tanzania. Accompanied by a local Tanzanian guide offers you the opportunity to enjoy […]
    0
  • 4 days – Kenya by Train to Tsavo West

    From$808.42
    4 days
    Tailor Made
    Nairobi - Nairobi
    Kenya
    Min Age : 8
    Following the footprints of Dennis Finch Hatton you can experience an unforgettable train trip to Tsavo West, where the game is plentiful and nature amazing!
    0
  • 4 days – Masai Mara and Masaai Culture Kenya

    From$682.01
    4 days
    Private Safari
    Nairobi - Nairobi
    Kenya
    Min Age : N/A
    This short trip is perfect for those wanting a deeper understanding of the Masaai tribe followed by a safari to the Masai Mara. It can […]
    0
  • 5 days – Enchanting Private Safari Northern Parks of Tanzania BUDGET

    From$1,758.92
    5 days
    Private Safari
    Arusha - Arusha
    Tanzania
    Min Age : N/A
    This is a classic short budget private safari to the world famous wildparks of Tanzania including the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro crater. On […]
    0
  • 6 days – Mana Pools Canoeing Safari

    From$2,101.88
    6 days
    Private Safari
    Harare- Harare
    Zimbabwe
    Min Age : 18
    This is a wonderful short canoe safari in Zimbabwe. You will canoe see Lake Kariba, Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools National Park
    0
  • 7 days – A week in Kenya Private Safari Budget

    From$1,006.35
    7 days
    Private Safari
    Narobi - Nairobi
    Kenya
    Min Age : 6
    Enjoy Kenya during a 7-day Private safari, which will show you Ambolesi National Park, the Masai Mara and more! This private safari has endless game drives […]
    0
  • 7 days – Best of Birding Safari Kenya

    From$1,268.97
    7 days
    Private Safari
    Nairobi - Nairobi
    Kenya
    Min Age : N/A
    This short trip is perfect for those loving to spot birds. You will visit different Kenyan lakes with hundreds of bird species.
    0

WHERE TO STAY?

African Travels will send you to the most beautiful and unique accommodations in Africa. They are not only runned by excellent staff, they also give back to the local community and operate as eco friendly as possible. Located in the most beautiful locations, they will contribute to the your ultimate safari experience. From tented safari camps to luxury boutique hotels. We will make sure they tick all the boxes!

  • All accommodations are carefully selected by us
  • Value for money
  • Local community support
  • The location compliments the African experience

OUR CLIENTS FEEDBACK

  • This trip went far beyond our expectations leaving us with indelible memories of people, places and experiences!

    Susan G.
    Private safari
  • This was a great trip and what perfectly arranged! From Johannesburg to the Kruger Park and back again. Everything but everything arranged down to the last detail with freedom of choice. An unforgettable experience!

    Maarten V.
    Small Group Safari
  • We have never had such a great and personal travel agent! African Travels is an excellent organization that arranges everything the way you want.

    Annemieke van E.
    Self drive
  • Our experiences with African Travels are 100% positive. Everything was arranged perfectly. If we will make such a trip again, then it will be with African Travels! Thanks Will and Marijnke.

    Julia W.
    Self drive Botswana
  • African Travels arranged our trip to South-Africa in a really personal way. They booked a wonderfull guesthouse in Cape Town and we had a perfect tour (Wine tour and Garden Route)! If you ever need a agency helping you out by booking your trip to SA, contact them!

    Heleen
    Tailor made South Africa
  • Excellent Service, Great Tour and always available! I strongly recommend this agency for your SA trip!

    Michael
    South Africa

Private safari Kenya Tanzania & Zanzibar

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