A common question guests ask is “What is the best safari in Africa?”

It is a great question, but there is no single answer.

After more than 30 years helping New Zealanders plan African safaris, I have learnt that the best safari is not necessarily the most expensive one, the one with the most famous national parks or even the one with the highest number of wildlife sightings.

No two travellers are the same. Some dream of watching the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. Others have always wanted to glide quietly through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro. Some are passionate photographers, while others simply want to relax, disconnect from the world and enjoy being surrounded by nature.

That is why one of the first things we do is spend time getting to know you before making any recommendations.

What Do You Want to Remember?

One of my favourite questions to ask is:

“When you arrive home, what do you hope you will still be talking about?”

There is no right or wrong answer.

For some people, it is seeing lions, leopards and elephants in the wild.

For others, it is sitting around a campfire under a sky full of stars, listening to lions calling in the distance.

Sometimes it is spending time with local communities, learning about different cultures or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the African bush.

Knowing what matters most helps shape every other decision.

Wildlife or Variety?

Some travellers want to spend every day looking for wildlife.

Others would like to combine a safari with Cape Town, the Winelands, Victoria Falls or a relaxing beach stay in Zanzibar or the Kenyan coast.

Neither approach is better.

The important thing is choosing an itinerary that matches your interests rather than trying to fit everything into one holiday.

Comfort Means Different Things to Different People

Safari accommodation comes in many forms, from comfortable mobile camps to beautiful tented lodges and luxury safari camps.

What surprises many people is that even the most authentic tented camps often provide excellent beds, delicious meals and warm hospitality.

For some guests, waking up to the sounds of the bush in a tent is the highlight of their trip.

Others prefer a lodge with a swimming pool and a few extra comforts after each game drive.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Sometimes first time travellers make the mistake of trying to see too much.

Africa is a vast continent, and distances between destinations are often much greater than people expect.

In our experience, spending three nights in four places is usually far more enjoyable than spending one night in twelve.

Slowing the pace allows you to settle into each destination and appreciate the experience rather than constantly packing and unpacking.

There Is No Such Thing as the Perfect Safari

Every safari involves choices.

Would you rather enjoy exceptional leopard sightings or witness the Great Migration?

Would you prefer walking through the bush with an experienced guide or exploring waterways by boat?

Would you like a small intimate camp or a lodge with more facilities?

These are not compromises. They are simply different ways to experience Africa.

The best safari is not necessarily the most expensive one or the itinerary that visits the greatest number of destinations. It is the one that reflects your interests, travel style, budget and the experience you hope to have.

That is why we always encourage guests to seek advice before making decisions based solely on maps, online reviews or social media. A short conversation can often uncover options they had never even considered.

Why We Always Recommend a Conversation First

One thing we have learnt over the years is that the best itineraries almost always begin with a conversation.

Often guests contact us with one destination in mind, yet after talking through what they enjoy and learning what type of traveller they are, their final itinerary looks quite different.

Not because the original idea was wrong, but because there was an even better fit. We showcase a handpicked selection of safaris on our website. Our safari specialists can unlock so much more, from private, tailor-made safaris to small group tours.

That is one of the real advantages of working with someone who knows Africa well.

Final Thoughts

Africa offers an incredible variety of safari experiences, and there is no single itinerary that suits everyone.

That is exactly what makes planning a safari so exciting.

Our role is not to tell you where to go. It is to listen, understand what matters most to you and then recommend the destinations, accommodation and experiences that will give you the safari you have been dreaming about.

After all, the best safari is not the one that someone else recommends.

It is the one that feels as though it was designed especially for you.

If you are ready to start your safari plans, feel free to book a time to catch up with us by phone or zoom.