A safari is a personal experience. And when a safari is tailored to keep the requirements of every guest from time-frame to budget, it makes the difference between providing a great holiday and one that is totally out of the ordinary.
For safari-goers Africa is a bucket list destination. With a range of itineraries and options, a tailor-made safari to this vast continent can find the perfect blend of animal encounters and outdoor activities that can suit all types of interests and budgets.
What exactly is a tailor-made safari?
A customized safari is essentially a guided tour where you have to do nothing but pack for your safari, then lean back and enjoy the trip. Simply put, a tailor-made safari provides a unique itinerary where every section of the trip is designed to suit the taste and style of the customer.
This means everything from flights, transfers, stopovers, meals, accommodation, guides, park fees and vehicle hire is prearranged to match your own requirements.
Best places for a tailor-made safari to Africa
Africa is a vast and varied continent. You could be walking in a game reserve with tribal warriors one day and snorkeling in the tropical waters of the east the next afternoon in search of exotic marine life.
For many, a trip to Africa is the adventure of a lifetime. To make the most of a likely once-in-a-lifetime trip, these are the top destinations that are ideal for tailor-made safaris.
Namibia
Namibia itinerary: Windhoek – Okonjima – Etosha – Damaraland – Swakopmund – Sossusvlei
This amazing 14-day self-drive itinerary provides the perfect introduction to Namibia from its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and an array of other exciting activities.
This iconic road trip which commences from Windhoek can be tailored to suit all individual requirements. A self-drive holiday gives you the freedom to travel as you please, stop wherever you want and explore the sights on the way at your leisure.
After spending a night at the colonial capital of Windhoek, you head north to the famous Okonjima Nature Reserve, then on to the Etosha National Park with its salt pans rich in game. A highlight of a Namibia roadtrip is Damaraland, which is regarded as the most beautiful part of the country.
Your next stop is the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where you can enjoy some great activities. And no trip to Namibia is complete without heading south to see the towering Sossusvlei sand dunes.
Tanzania
Tanzania itinerary: Arusha – Serengeti – Lake Victoria
Your 6-night tailored journey will traverse the entire length of the legendary Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, which will include a hot air balloon ride to discover the hidden corners of the famous park which cannot be accessed by land.
The safari begins at Arusha in northern Tanzania, continues on to eastern Serengeti and ends at the shores of Lake Victoria. While you soar in the hot air balloon, your exclusive tented safari camp team will travel ahead and prepare to welcome you at a new location each day.
This ultimate safari experience by air, foot and 4×4 is the best way to detox and enjoy the safari at your own pace while reconnecting with wildlife in the lap of nature. This unique safari gives you an opportunity to be a part of the first ever balloon safari in the world.
Kenya
Kenya itinerary: Laikipia – Maasai Mara – Diana Beach
This is a classic safari itinerary tailored especially for families which covers three different ecosystems with some excellent wildlife viewing. Throughout the trip the kids will get an opportunity to educate themselves with various safari activities like wildlife tracking, painting, hand line fishing and more at the Laikipia Bush School.
You will spend two full days in a Mara Conservancy enjoying both day and night game drives, as well as guided bush walks. You can opt to spend the day to gain insight on the rich Masai culture on a local cultural community visit.
Your final leg of the trip will be spent unwinding at the famous Diani Beach on the Kenyan coast. Stay in a luxury villa with 24×7 exclusive butler service while you relish the cuisine with a Kenyan twist.
While the kids can kite surf, adults can snorkel in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean to explore the rich marine life of the area.
Exclusive Kenyan snake safari
Kenya itinerary: Nairobi – Lake Bagoria – Kakamega – Nairobi
For reptile lovers, a customized snake safari in company of a skilled snake handler provides the most exhilarating experience. Seeing a venomous snake in the wild will allow you to appreciate these splendid reptiles rather than fear them.
The trip further educates how to improve livelihoods of the locals and help prevent the impact of snake bites by teaching adults and children. On this 6-day trip the key snake species you may hope to find are red spitting cobra, gaboon viper, green bush viper, gold’s tree cobra and flowered racer, among other poisonous varieties.
You will stay at the luxe Lake Bogoria Spa Resort for two nights before heading to Kakamega forest where you will stay in the Rondo Retreat for three nights.
After a final adventure on the tea fields of Kakamega on the morning of day six followed by breakfast, you hit the road for your seven hour drive back to Nairobi.
Zambia
Zambia itinerary: Lusaka – South Luangwa – Lake Malawi
This tailor made 11-day adventure trip covers the stunning South Luangwa National Park and ends on the famous beaches of Lake Malawi to provide a unique twist to a traditional big game safari with a beach combination. This trip is perfect for both families and honeymooners who wish to have an iconic African safari experience.
Lusaka is the gateway to all the famous national parks of the country and is a perfect base to prepare for your long trip. The next morning you fly into the edge of the South Luangwa National Park near Mfuwe where you will enjoy the ultimate safari experience viewing plenty of big game.
You will spend three nights in South Luangwa spotting the key animal species of lion, hippo, wild dog, puku, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and crocodile. Guests have a choice of game drives and guided walks to enhance the overall safari experience.
Head next morning to Lilongwe in Malawi where you will spend five nights in utmost bliss in the Blue Zebra Island Lodge, a beautiful resort on western bank of Lake Malawi.
Your days in Lake Malawi will mostly be taken up by kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, boat trips on the lake, nature walks and bird-watching trips.
The genial staff at the lodge will make sure that you are well looked after during the entire duration of your stay as you enjoy your time in the wonderful environments of the lodge.
