It has been a lifelong dream to do a Safari and for my 50th I will be planning and doing it. Naturally, there are a seemingly million ways to do it, and researching is getting overwhelming, so I'd love even minor (or major) support in narrowing and focusing my search. Some of my criteria:

• I do conservation for work, so I'd love more nature-based, and less crowded, if possible;
• We're looking a week to 10 days
• Cost isn't a consideration at the moment, just getting ideas to narrow;
• I realize driving will be required, but I would hate to be sitting in the car for seemingly days on end (I'm also relatively tall so I'm sensitive to being cramped). if there's horse, walking, canoeing, etc. or flying to remote cabins or hotels that would be great;
• Really indifferent about the country;
• Seeing the big 5 is ideal, but not mandatory as any wildlife will be amazing.

Thoughts? Even sites to look to narrow or companies to focus on?

Thank you in advance, really appreciate it.

We have done a few safaris, South Africa, Kenya but the most memorable was in Tanzania. We spent a week at Selous Safari Camp which I believe is now named the Labu Labu Siwanda. It was a few years ago but was simply amazing.

It would seem to meet most of your criteria. Apart from the usual game drives, we went out by canoe along the river passing crocs and hippos. Elephant were everywhere as were lions and one or two leopards. A highlight was a walking safari ending in a night fly camping right out in the bush. Getting there was an adventure instils as we flew in by light plane to a grass airstrip next to the camp. Accommodation was in luxury tents and the food was incredible.

At the other end of the scale were the self drive safaris in South Africa in various San Parks throughout the country. Not luxurious but the game viewing was excellent and the thrill of seeking out game was something else

I think knowing a couple of things about you would help...

1. When would this happen (month and year)? The season can make a major difference in terms of your experience.

2. Would "a week to ten days" include travel time to/from Africa or would it be a week to ten days "net?" And would you be willing to mention where home is?

3. How many travelers? You use "we," so I assume that means more than one, but maybe more? Kids?

Great lead, thank you!

1. We can make any time of year depending on when makes sense.
2. Week to 10 on site, not including travel time.
3. Just two of us (wife). Both of us are fit and have lived in less than ideal locations so hiking, a little ruggedness, etc. isn't an issue. That said, she also loves nice things so she'd appreciate a little luxe.

Doug: I've taken about 6 safari trips; all but one of them to Southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa).

I cannot recommend more highly the travel planner that I've used on all of these trips, save the one to Kenya many years ago.

Her name is Liesl Matthews and her agency is SOUTHERNDESTINATIONS.COM.

The more people you speak with, the more you will learn. You can call this agency on an 800 number and I can say only that every trip we have taken with her guidance has been spectacular......she can guide you on the various camps, countries, etc etc.......


https://www.southerndestinations.com

One of the reports I wrote on this forum:

Glorious Return to South Africa--Two Weeks in October

I can only tell you what worked for us and why; there are so many variables that, short of being a grad student at Hogwarts, it's difficult to read minds as to what constitutes a "best" of anything. Even in the most impressive settings, you can have "bad" days in terms of game viewing, or weather, whatever. That's stating the obvious, of course, but it's worth mentioning if one is trying for a "rifle shot" in terms of finding the "best" safari destination or experience. What I WOULD say is that most people find Africa and safaris seriously addictive, so be prepared to discover that your "lifelong dream" has morphed into something you plan on doing as often as possible.

Except for a short stay at Chobe National Park in Botswana, all of our safaris have taken place in South Africa, in several different parts of the country. We did this mainly because we so loved the country that we could balance safari experiences with other things - different regions, coast and mountains, different local cultures, different foods, all that. Now maybe that might be of interest to you, or maybe it's less important, but it can make a big difference in terms of detailed planning.

For example, we tended to prefer safari experiences in the late winter or early spring (remember the seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere.) In South Africa, the winter is the dry season, and the lack of foliage on the trees improves line-of-sight opportunities when looking for wildlife. It's also relatively free of mosquitoes, plus humidity is low while temperatures in most safari areas are comfortable.

Others like the "green season," with lush vegetation and the presence of a lot of newborn animals. Fine, go for it.

Safaris at private lodges or concessions within parklands can be quite expensive, and for many people, after two or three days doing game drives or walks, it's not uncommon to feel like "that's enough for now," sometimes reflecting simple sensory overload. What we liked about SA was that you could easily include some relatively high-end safari days with more affordable non-safari ones, but still delivering some superb experiences. One of our most memorable "excursions" was three or four days spent on the Atlantic coast around 1-2 hours north of Cape Town. This isn't "big five" safari country at all, but what it IS, is a region of amazing wildflower displays, including on the grounds of West Coast National Park, which is famous for bird life and a relatively low count of mammals, but some interesting ones like Mountain Zebras.

Or, not far from the amazing Sabi Sand reserve (part of the huge Kruger National Park complex) is the Panorama Route, which will take you to some of the most stunning mountain-and-canyon scenery in the world, just a couple of hours' drive from the lions and leopards and cheetahs oh my in the reserve.

Or we spent a couple of stays in the Buffalo Ridge lodge in the Madikwe reserve, a few miles from the Botswana border. Madikwe is a reserve that was reclaimed from farmlands some decades ago, located on land that's somewhat transitional from desert to savannah, but with a lot of game, including the big five, and a large collection of wild dogs, a relatively scarce population. We chose Buffalo Ridge because it's owned and operated by the local community and can give you a shot at "paying it forward" if you so choose.

So I'll stop there. There's no substitute for research on your part, and rest assured, it will pay off. And be prepared for the addiction to come, it's probably inevitable.

I've been to Kenya 8 times now, and also Rwanda and Tanzania. If you're looking for something a bit beyond the standard game drive safari, I would look to three places in Kenya:

1) Laikipia Wilderness Camp - they do excellent game drives and have reliable leopard and wild dog sightings as well as some of the "Northern 5" but they also really excel at river activities, walks, etc. I think they were disappointed that I "only" wanted to game drive here!
2) Sarara Camp - if budget is truly not an issue, this is an amazing place. Yes there is game driving, but the focus here is more on cultural activities. If I'd known how strong they are in all the activities, I'd have planned another day or two (I stayed 3 nights). You can visit local schools, medical clinics, nomadic villages, the Singing Wells (I cannot explain this, even if I could you just have to see it to believe it) and then participate in beading, metal crafting and any other number of onsite activities with Samburu who come to the lodge, and then there are the walks which are pretty special. The lodge itself is gorgeous and the food is excellent.
3) Lewa Wilderness Camp - outstanding safari location, absolutely gorgeous and varied landscape, breathtaking rhino sightings. But the camp also has camel and horseback riding, hikes and walks and a lovely veggie garden and outdoor kitchen to visit (they grow almost everything themselves and even have a tilapia pool, as their goal is to be entirely self-sustainable). The camp and most of the furniture was built by locals and there is an onsite workshop that is still active making wonderful wood pieces. It's stunning.

2&3 would be on my "if you could go back today and budget was no limit" list. They are both gorgeous, a really nice dose of luxury without being grotesque, and the feeling of being very well taken care of. They are the stuff of my daydreams now...

I have worked with The Wild Source out of Colorado twice and Expert Africa in the UK twice. Both would be up to the challenge of helping you decide and booking you anywhere.