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What to do? The Safari Styles that best suits you
We offer a varied collection of safaris which differ in style and budget. The list below will provide you with a summary of what one can do in Africa & India.
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Permanent Tented Camps &/or Lodges
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A camp &/or lodge safari is one where clients stay in permanent camps or lodges and travel from point to point by private road transfer or air charter. The lodge is the base for the day's activities, which may include game drives, walking safaris, boating, fishing, swimming, or canoeing. Clients are normally hosted during meals, service is personal, and professional guides and knowledgeable staff are on hand to supervise activities and answer questions. Tented camps tend to be small, luxurious and offer a more personal level of service. All bathrooms are ensuite. We prefer to use properties which have a max of 12 - 18 beds.
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A 'mobile camping safari' involves the entire camp - tents, cooks, showers etc - move either with clients or go ahead in separate vehicles. These safaris usually take 7-15 days with the camps being set up in 4 or 5 different locations. Usually the group travels by 4x4, although some safaris combine this with charter flights.
Mobile safaris fall into three broad categories - non-participation Classic Camping (5-6 Paw) and Authentic Camping (4 Paw) Safaris, and limited-participation Adventure (3 Paw) Safaris.
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Classic Camping Safaris ( ) are "top of the range" and the level of service, bedding, cuisine and guiding is superb. These safaris are well suited to clients who want to experience a traditional safari without sacrificing any creature comforts. 'Classic Camping' safaris tend to follow the theme of the old Hemingway-style camping safaris, accommodation is based on the walk-in 'Meru' style with ensuite bathrooms with short-drop loos. The camp staff move ahead of the clients and set up the camp and dining area. Cooks and room staff are on hand to ensure that clients are extremely well cared for. Travel is usually in Land Rovers or Land Cruisers and group sizes are limited to 10 guests. Private safaris can be arranged for family groups or for travel with friends.
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Authentic Camping Safaris ( ) allow you maximum time to enjoy the bush with all the tedious daily chores taken care of. Quality equipment is used and a support vehicle travels ahead of you to set up camp. Wherever possible, private campsites with a shared bush-shower and toilet, are used. Comfortable dome tents and stretcher beds with linen are supplied.
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Expeditionary Camping Safaris ( ) are designed for those who really enjoy camping. The safaris are run with a crew of cook/assistant plus guide. Clients may be required to assist in setting up and dismantling camp, and often public campsites are used. All equipment is carried either in the safari vehicle or in a trailer. This is a viable option for those keen to camp, venture into remote locations or on a slightly tighter budget. Comfortable dome tents with mattress are supplied.
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Fly Camping Usually combined with a walking safari, fly-camping is essential a mozzie net erected above a comfortable mattress so the stars are clearly visible from your bed at night. It's a fantastic option for a night or two and possibly the best way to experience the bush literally at a grass roots level.
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Mobile Camping safaris involve travelling between the destinations by road in a 4 x 4. The camping safaris section below covers the different styles within this category. All bush camps use 4 x 4s for their daily activities, so the bulk of the safaris on offer are 4 x 4 safaris.
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Flying Safaris are conducted when distances are great and the easiest way to get between camps is by charter plane. Many safaris use a combination of 4x4s and charter planes.
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Africa & India offer a number of train journeys which are quite unique and worth consideration.
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Canoe Safaris are either participatory (clients assist with camp chores) or non-participatory (clients don't have to do a thing, other than paddle down the river!). Generally Canadian style fibreglass or plastic canoes are used - these are large and very stable. Canoe safaris vary from 3-6 days and provide a wonderful opportunity to get close to nature. Big game, a myriad of bird species, crocodiles and hippos are all commonly seen. Zimbabwe & Zambia offer the best canoeing opportunities - with the pick of the bunch being the lower Zambezi River.
An alternative to a full canoe safari is a stay at one of the small private camps offering canoeing as a daily activity. There is an excellent choice of such camps along the Zambezi river.
Botswana offers 'Mokoro-ing' in the Okavango Delta, a variation on a canoe safari. Clients are 'poled' by a poler/guide in low, wooden, dug-out canoes - the gondoliers of Africa. Morning, evening or overnight trips can be made by mokoro - depending on the base camp.
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Clients walk on foot in a wilderness area. The emphasis is on an educational experience - immersing oneself in the eco-system - as opposed to getting from point to point as quickly as possible. Game is not seen as close up as when travelling in vehicles but the rewards are often greater. Distances travelled in a day are not excessive, and depending on the operator used, overnight camps may be fully set up in advance of your arrival. All walking safaris are accompanied by armed game rangers.
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Horse riding safaris involve riding between the campsites and tend to fall into the Classic Camping Safari
() range and style of operation.
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Self Drive (Car.... in South Africa or Namibia)
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These destinations offer the best self-drive holiday options - because of road and infrastructure considerations, as well as cost. Vehicle options include a wide range of cars and campervans.
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This is a self drive option for the intrepid and experienced safari goers only.
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Africa and India offer some stunning altitude trekking options such as Kilimanjaro, Atlas Mountains and the Himalaya.
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Heritage Hotels & Palaces (India & Morocco)
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In order to experience the authenticity and character of India and Morocco, we endeavour to use Heritage Hotels &/or Palaces, often managed by the original families or owners.
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These are smaller more intimate contemporary hotels usually with a strong focus on the interiors and cuisine.
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Africa is the world's best classroom. Once your children have experienced the African bush - they'll talk about the adventure all their lives. Many safari lodges now specialise in catering for families, with child friendly guides employed and activities designed to educate and excite your children. We can recommend properties that are Malaria Free. Child minders are also available in many of the lodges.
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Areas of Interest
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Countries such as Kenya, Tanzania & Morocco have a strong emphasis on the culture of the people as opposed to just the wildlife which is more the case in Southern Africa. If you are keen on this aspect it is important to advise us.
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Africa is home to over 1481 bird species and 932 in Southern Africa alone. Considering there are roughly 9000 world-wide it is no wonder it is a birders paradise. There are safaris specifically catering for 'twitchers' but any safari encounters the magnificent collection seen on the continent.
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Most travellers want to experience the wildlife first and foremost. Certain areas are home to different types of species and we can recommend where to go if you are particularly keen on seeing more of one species such as Painted Hunting Dog, Grevy's Zebra and so forth.
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The prolific amount of bird and wildlife in Africa lives amongst pristine floral kingdoms. Throughout the continent which spans two hemispheres, the plant life is unique and well worth enjoying for its variety and beauty.
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Fishing is a way of life for many Africans and if you can get a spot of fishing, it is often the most enjoyable part of a safari. The Lower Zambezi River offers some of the best Tiger fishing opportunities complete with onlookers!
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Whilst the food is plentiful throughout a safari, the area which offer the best food delights are Morocco, India and South Africa.
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Music is a part of life and some countries provide opportunities to experience it in its most authentic state. Specialist music journeys could be arranged but more often than not, these experiences are part of exposing oneself to the different cultures around.
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Africa is all about the stunning landscapes and the purity of the destinations visited. From deserts to deltas, rivers and oceans to mountains, the whole spectrum is possible.
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Art, like music forms part of the fabric of any society. Each country has art which is unique with the broadest choice coming out of Southern Africa, Morocco and India.
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