your african safari

Deals of the Week Green Hikes & Treks Up to 50% OFF

Your African Safari

Places you’ll see.

Introduction
Day 1 Nairobi Airport Pick Up
Day 2 Nairobi - Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 3 Lake Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 4 Masai Mara Game Drives
Day 5 Masai Mara National Reserve - Serengeti National Park
Day 6 Serengeti National Park Game Drives
Day 7 Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 8 Ngorongoro Crater Tour
Day 9 Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Tarangire NP - Arusha
Day 10 Arusha - Amboseli National Park
Day 11 Amboseli National Park Game Drives
Day 12 Amboseli National Park - Nairobi Airport

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

Accommodation
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Reviews about this operator.

Tour Operator Holiday Destination Safaris 4.9
Anonymous · 9th April 2023 We have done a few safaris in Africa (in South Africa and Botswana), but this safari tour was by far the best.... Show more
Karen · 23rd September 2022 What a once in a lifetime experience. Never to be forgotten. Emmanuel, Francis and Adam were truly amazing and looked... Show more
MosesCowan · 13th June 2022 It's amazing and worth experiencing in a life time

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

Upcoming departures
August 2024
September 2024
October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
January 2025
February 2025
Friday 12 Apr, 2024 Tuesday 23 Apr, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,254 Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 10 May, 2024 Tuesday 21 May, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,254 Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 14 Jun, 2024 Tuesday 25 Jun, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,425 Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 12 Jul, 2024 Tuesday 23 Jul, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,997 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 9 Aug, 2024 Tuesday 20 Aug, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,997 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 13 Sep, 2024 Tuesday 24 Sep, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,997 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 4 Oct, 2024 Tuesday 15 Oct, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,997 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 8 Nov, 2024 Tuesday 19 Nov, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,434 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 6 Dec, 2024 Tuesday 17 Dec, 2024 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,434 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
Get Instant Confirmation Friday 3 Jan, 2025 Tuesday 14 Jan, 2025 English , French, Spanish +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €4,571 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

Currencies Sh Kenyan Shilling Kenya Sh Tanzanian Shilling Tanzania

As a traveller from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types G, D, M. As a traveller from England you will need an adaptor for types D, M. As a traveller from South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.

These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
Typhoid - Recommended for Kenya and Tanzania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
Hepatitis A - Recommended for Kenya and Tanzania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
Cholera - Recommended for Kenya and Tanzania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
Tuberculosis - Recommended for Kenya and Tanzania. Ideally 3 months before travel.
Hepatitis B - Recommended for Kenya and Tanzania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
Rabies - Recommended for Kenya and Tanzania. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Meningococcal meningitis - Recommended for Kenya and Tanzania. Ideally 3 weeks before travel.
Yellow fever - Recommended for Kenya. Ideally 10 days before travel.
Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
For any tour departing before 5th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 5th June 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Holiday Destination Safaris. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
Some departure dates and prices may vary and Holiday Destination Safaris will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
The following cards are accepted for "Holiday Destination Safaris" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
Greece and Italy Fall-Autumn tours
Southern Thailand tours
Spain, Portugal and Morocco Sightseeing tours
Gokyo Valley Trek Summer tours
Kashmir & Ladakh Exploration
Highlights of Croatia
Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia | 6 Days with …

Similar Tours

Keep Exploring Africa

Complete Safari Packing List: Clothes, Medicines, Gear & Essentials
Wildebeest Migration in Africa 2022 (incl. Migration Map)
10 Best Safaris in December 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in August 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in January 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in November 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in October 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in September 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in July 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in June 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in May 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in April 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in March 2024/2025
10 Best Safaris in February 2024/2025
10 Best Luxury African Safari Tours 2024/2025
10 Best African Camping Safari Vacations 2022
10 Best Walking Safaris 2024/2025
10 Best Beach Safaris: Places & Packages 2022
Compare Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Africa 2022
Horseback Safari: Must Read For First Time Riders
Africa from Nairobi
Africa Safari
12 days Africa
Operators in Africa
Your African Safari Tours in East Africa
Safari Tours
Kenya and Tanzania Tours
East Africa Tours
Africa Tours
Family Tours
Kenya tours
Tanzania tours

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

Safari experience in a lodge, tented camp

Everything you need to know before booking your first African safari

For many, a safari represents the optimal escape and lifelong travel dream. If you’re going to invest in turning this dream into reality, there are some things worth considering. Plus, we recommend five incredible wildlife itineraries for 2023.

From the first waft of dewy morning air to the gentle owl hoots that drift into camp after dark, there’s a satisfying natural rhythm to a day on safari in Africa. Even if you’re not normally an early riser, you’ll quickly fall into the routine of pre-dawn starts, lazy lunchtimes, active afternoons and mellow evenings, making the most of the best hours both for wildlife-watching and for chilling out. Deep at night, if you’re lucky, you may hear the distant whoop of a hyena, the rasping call of a leopard or the bassy roar of a lion.

But more often than not, you’ll sleep soundly, drunk on fresh air. Soon after you wake, you’ll head out into the wild, eager to discover what the day will deliver. Perhaps you’ll find yourself inching up on some rhinos, watching boisterous elephants bathe in a waterhole or spotting the youngest, cutest members of a mighty big cat dynasty.

If this sounds like the kind of escape you’ve been craving, but you’re puzzling over possible itineraries, what’s the best way to choose?

Green means go

While every luxury safari offers unforgettable wildlife encounters, there are plenty of options to consider. High-end African trips and settings vary hugely in their atmosphere and style.

Some itineraries, for example, are much greener than others. If you’re passionate about nature, you’ll want to make ethical choices, mindful of climate change and biodiversity, perhaps by minimising your time in the air. While every long-haul trip has a high carbon footprint, you can limit your safari’s impact by choosing a destination near an international airport and sharing a vehicle rather than continuing by taking domestic flights.

With superb wildlife-watching opportunities within driving distance, Nairobi makes an excellent starting point for a low-airmiles luxury safari. “You could head for the stunning mountains and waterfalls of the Aberdare range, where lions hunt giant forest hogs”, says Kenya specialist Richard Trillo of Expert Africa. “The tree-dotted plains of the Maasai Mara, which host East Africa’s annual Great Migration, are also within reach,” Richard adds.

There are other ways to dial down the net impact of your trip without compromising on quality, however. While carbon offset schemes can help compensate for your emissions, for a more targeted approach, you could book your trip through a specialist safari operator that has established working partnerships with African conservation charities.

“We’re proud to support South Africa’s all-female Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, and Greenpop, a non-profit Sub-Saharan forest restoration and urban greening organisation,” says Marcelo Novais of luxury operator Ker and Downey Africa.

“We give all our clients the opportunity to donate to these worthy causes, since leaving a positive legacy is one of our core values,” he adds. Other deserving organisations include African Parks, the African Wildlife Foundation, Tusk and the World Land Trust.

Another effective way of maximising the benefits of your trip is to choose lodges that go the extra mile in their vicinity, doing more for environmental protection, community partnerships and rural development than merely covering park fees and basic wages. In Tanzania, the Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge invites guests to visit the craft project they support, Shanga, where locals with disabilities upcycle glass, textiles and fishing wire into cute elephant cushions, jewellery and clothing.

When it comes to shortlisting properties, membership of Ecotourism Kenya, Responsible Tourism Tanzania, Fair Trade Tourism and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council are generally useful indicators.

Settling in

Once you’ve arrived in the bush, what will your surroundings feel like? Anyone who’s cautious about camping in the wilderness will be relieved to discover that most top-end operators put their guests at ease by focusing on creature comforts: cool drinks, gourmet dining, indulgently appointed private bathrooms and sumptuous beds, for example. As a rule, their staff — from the head guide to the housekeepers — are superb at their jobs.

That said, there are significant differences between, on the one hand, intimate, minimalist camps with just a handful of canvas tents and, at the other extreme, sizeable lodges featuring swimming pools, gyms and perhaps even a spa, photography hide, editing suite, research centre, library and observatory. It’s a matter of weighing up how close to nature you’d like to feel — hearing all those thrilling sounds in the night, for example — against the range of facilities and creature comforts you’d like to enjoy.

When deciding, honest opinions from people who know the properties well can be invaluable. “Our safari specialists always have detailed conversations with our clients to understand their preferences and offer advice”, says Liberty Gilmour of Audley Travel. “Conventional aircon, for example, is rarely essential: Zambia in May and high-altitude destinations such as Ngorongoro can be quite cool, particularly at night. If it’s hot, natural ventilation may be sufficient, but many camps also have solar-powered cooling systems.”

Whether opulent, nostalgic or quirky, surroundings that suit your aesthetic aspirations can elevate your experience. The family heirlooms that decorate Camp Jabulani in South Africa’s Kapama Reserve, for example, create a uniquely cosy atmosphere, while Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is so proud of its collection of original pieces by contemporary African artists and artisans that staff offer art and design tours of the premises. To strike a contemporary note, Loisaba Lodo Springs in Kenya’s Loisaba Conservancy has rooms dotted with hand-stitched West African textiles and elegant upcycled Edwardian furniture.

Expedition Camp for exploring the local wildlife

Peaceful days

Almost every safari programme revolves around guided excursions called game drives, a name dating back to the days of Big Five hunting trips, but the style of the vehicles you ride in isn’t discussed as much as perhaps it should be. While some outfits settle for basic open-sided 4x4s, others invest in supremely comfortable, easy-access vehicles with charging points, dustproof storage space and a fridge. If you’re a keen photographer, top quality private vehicles are a must. Electric safari vehicles offer a particularly smooth ride; while still rare, they’re the future, and are starting to catch on.

Ila Safari Lodge in Zambia’s Kafue National Park offers the rare luxury of total peace and quiet. Founder Vincent Kouwenhoven, who has pioneered electric transport at Ila and its sister lodges in Zambia and Malawi, explains: “Our love for Africa led us to develop technologies that enable guests to experience the bush in near-silent, pollution-free vehicles, charged by our own solar panels. It’s an ecologically conscious way to watch wildlife and very calming, too. Instead of the engine, you hear birdsong.”

Some safaris also promise near-solitude in a vast natural landscape — an intoxicating feeling. One way to dodge the crowds is to travel during low season, the dates of which vary from location to location; alternatively, you could choose private reserves where the only vehicles you’ll see will be those of your fellow guests. As well as providing daytime activities, guides may offer night drives, using spotlights to search for nocturnal activity, such as birds roosting or lions stalking their prey.

For the ultimate in exclusivity, it’s possible to book an entire camp or lodge, with the staff handcrafting everything to your precise specifications, from wake-up times to the cocktails and canapes. According to Ash Jarvis of Best of South Africa Travel, exclusive-use properties work particularly well for mixed-generation families: “With their private game drives, multiple living areas, private pool and the undivided attention of the whole staff, including the chefs (fussy eaters welcome), they eliminate stress and ensure that nobody has to compromise. That’s what good family holidays are all about.”

The ultimate adventure

If serenity is your scene, you may be dreaming of floating over herds of zebras and wildebeest in a hot-air balloon, or wandering across the savannah on a bushwalk or cycle ride. The most interesting safaris offer a mixed programme of imaginative guided activities such as these, enlivening the days with little surprises: picnics in beauty spots, perhaps, or lantern-lit barbecues.

The possibilities depend, to a large extent, on your choice of location. In Kenya’s northern conservancies, for example, you could explore the semi-desert by camel, while in Rwanda or Uganda, the activity you probably won’t want to miss is venturing into the depths of the rainforest on foot for a precious one-hour audience with mountain gorillas.

On a gorilla trek, you’ll be guided by rangers at the top of their game — a hallmark of an excellent safari. A knowledgeable, communicative guide can transform any trip, keeping you safe, entertained and intrigued.

“The inside track is what you really want, whether that’s in guiding, photography or conservation”, says Will Bolsover of Natural World Safaris. “In-depth knowledge leads you beneath the surface, for true insights into how conservation works, how wildlife benefits and how you can contribute.”

Since quality time with experts is one of the ultimate luxuries you can enjoy on safari, some top-end safaris, particularly in Kenya and South Africa, include a philanthropic element, whereby in exchange for a substantial donation to a conservation fund, you gain access to specialists in the field, perhaps even helping collar predators or collecting DNA samples from juvenile rhinos. Conservation safari companies such as Great Plains and AWF Safaris can assist with this. There’s no better way to start unlocking the mysteries of the African wilderness.

A lioness is observed by a group on a game drive

Five luxury safari trips in Africa to try in 2023 and beyond

1. low-carbon luxury in kenya.

After a night at Nairobi’s fabled Giraffe Manor, travel overland to Solio Lodge in the Central Highlands to explore Kenya’s oldest rhino conservation sanctuary, then continue to Sala’s Camp, in one of the least-visited corners of the Maasai Mara. Eight days from £8,400 with Expert Africa. expertafrica.com

2. Take to the skies in Tanzania

Flip from park to park in style on a SkySafari, travelling by private plane and touching down at luxurious Elewana Collection properties. This classic circuit takes in Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, for blockbuster wildlife-watching. Ten days from £8,300 with Sky Safari. skysafari.com

3. Family adventures in South Africa

South Africa has a host of prospects to suit muti-generational families. Delightful safari properties such as Morukuru River House team well with Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route. Fourteen days from £4,500 with Best of South Africa Travel. bestofsouthafricatravel.com

4. Clock the Big Five in the safari heartlands

To experience some of southern Africa’s most exclusive wilderness retreats, string together Bushmans Kloof in South Africa’s Cederberg region, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia, DumaTau in Linyanti and Xigera in the Okavango Delta. Twelve days from £24,797 with Beyond Green. staybeyondgreen.com

5. Meet mountain gorillas in Rwanda

Nothing can prepare you for the surge of emotions you’ll feel when, after an exhilarating trek, you first encounter a family of gorillas in the rainforest. Combine your hike with game drives in Rwanda’s Big Five national park, Akagera. Eight days from £7,493 with Jacada Travel. jacadatravel.com

Published in the 2022 edition of National Geographic Traveller (UK) The Luxury Collection

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram