Luxury Safari Tours

Tips For Booking Luxury African Safari Holidays

1. Luxury Safaris To Africa: Classic vs Modern

While there is an undeniable five star quality to the word ‘luxury', what that means from one guest to another can vary. Your planning phase should take into consideration what kind of luxury you want to experience – is it an ultra-modern, opulent retreat or does a finessed colonial-style camp come closer to the mark? The best luxury African safari tours are the ones that fit your style and expectations so be clear one what those are when assessing various options.

2. Choosing a luxury safari destination

Selecting the right destination is about matching the landscape and wildlife to your personal “must-sees.” If you want to see the Big 5 in a malaria-free environment with top-tier infrastructure, South Africa is an excellent choice for families. For those who crave raw, untouched wilderness and walking safaris, Zambia or Zimbabwe offer a more rugged brand of luxury. If your dream involves iconic African vistas and massive herds, the classic plains of East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) are your best bet. We help you navigate these choices by looking at the time of year you wish to travel and the specific seasonal movements of the animals.

3. Adding Unforgettable Experiences

When considering destinations and accommodations, it's also worth taking into account the unique experiences available to you. Would a sunrise hot air balloon trip with a champagne breakfast make your trip? Or perhaps a chance to partake in once-in-a-lifetime conservation activities? Whether you choose to book a tour that incorporates some aspect of this or curate your own itinerary, research a few ideas or speak to one of our experts.

4. Luxury African Safari Tours: Public vs Private

Luxury safari accommodations exist in both public and private reserves, but the experiences are unlikely to be the same. Private reserves typically have fewer properties and guests meaning less competition for sightings as well as additional game viewing perks, such as night drives. Typically, private reserves offer more walking safaris, though this is not to say they are unattainable in public reserves. All in all, private parks offer a more exclusive experience.

5. Consider Availability

With superlative service comes high demand, particularly in peak season. Many of the places you will consider when looking to plan your luxury safari have gained a reputation for excellence and may have less availability at short notice. Plan as far in advance as possible to ensure access to the properties and experiences you are looking for – especially if you're considering a trip with multiple luxury African safari destinations.

6. What to wear/pack on a luxury safari

The secret to safari in style is “practical elegance” through layering. Stick to a palette of neutral, earthy tones like khaki, olive, and beige; these colors help you blend into the environment and don’t attract insects like dark blues or blacks do. While days are warm, early morning and evening game drives can be surprisingly chilly, so a high-quality fleece or lightweight puffer jacket is recommended. Many luxury lodges offer a complimentary laundry service, so there is no need to overpack. For footwear, comfortable trainers are usually sufficient unless you are planning a specialized walking safari/gorilla trek, in which case sturdy hiking boots are recommended.

Ready To Plan Your Ideal Luxury African Safari Tour?

Often the best way to ensure your trip exceeds expectations is through a custom itinerary. While there are ample available luxury tours, the ultimate trip is one that combines every aspect you desire into one perfectly planned and executed itinerary. Chat to one of our Africa Safari Experts and start the planning process: