Safaris · BIG FIVE & WILDLIFE SAFARIS
Lion and buffalo turn up. Leopard and rhino take patience and a driver who will sit still. These 15 game drives are compared on park, vehicle, hours in the reserve and whether entry fees are in the price.
Leave Cape Town by air-conditioned minibus for Aquila Private Nature Reserve, crossing the Hex River Valley. After a buffet lunch, join an English-speaking ranger for a two-hour open-vehicle safari. You may see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and up to 172 bird species.
“It was great! Our guide Kayim was fantastic, great ride”
Leave your Dubai hotel around 4 to 4:30 AM for a 4WD sunrise safari with an English-speaking guide. Expect dune driving, sandboarding, Arabian coffee and dates, a picnic breakfast, Al Qudra Lakes, and possible sightings of oryx, gazelles, camels, and flamingos.
“Great communication from Mustapha arranging pick up and a great car to transfer us from our hotel in luxury. Mustapha is very knowledgable and informative. He has given us a brilliant insight to Old Dubai and was able to answer all our questions. This is a really worth while trip and should definitely be on your list.”
Set out from Jackson Hole with a naturalist guide such as Kyle, Kelsey, or Anthony for a four-hour Grand Teton wildlife search. Ride open-air in warm months or in a heated vehicle during colder seasons. Binoculars, snacks, drinks, and frequent photo stops are included, with sightings never guaranteed.
“This was an incredible day that we thoroughly enjoyed! We were so fortunate see all kinds of wildlife on our tour that was just breathtaking.”
Join Catamaran Charters at Walvis Bay Waterfront for a 210-minute morning cruise toward Pelican Point. Guides such as Bertie, Steven and Tu-Tu explain the marine life while you look for dolphins, whales, seals, mola mola and leatherback turtles. Expect pelicans, oysters, sparkling wine, snacks and a light lunch.
“Enjoyed the delicious lunch and the Pelican visit! Very knowledgeable well spoken guide.”
Ride from Port Elizabeth, Bluewater Bay, Colchester, or Addo in an air-conditioned 4x4 with a guaranteed window seat. Your English-speaking guide, often Freddy, John, Sidwell, or King Elvis, leads two game drives, lunch, and wildlife watching in Addo.
“Wow, this day was just incredible! It’s worth every penny. My guide John/Kagisho was very kind and I wouldn’t have seen half the animals, if i wouldn’t have had his spotting skills and knowledge about the park. The Picknick was nice too. We even got so lucky to see two lioness up close.”
Join Gimhana, Udith, Gayan, Jayashan, or another experienced local guide for a 4 to 10-hour private 4x4 safari in Udawalawe. Expect open grasslands, wetlands, elephants, crocodiles, birds, and careful driving that gives animals space. Hotel pickup is included in the Udawalawe area.
“Gimhana was a great guide - we loved the private tour and would really recommend it!”
Head from Gansbaai’s Great White House to the Dyer Island ecosystem for a two-hour marine safari. A marine biologist explains the wildlife, while the crew searches for whales, sharks, seals, dolphins, and penguins. Cape Town transfers and a penguin sanctuary visit are optional.
“Their focus in conservation and education is very obvious. Everyone from reception, to check in and briefing, to the crew afterwards was amazing. They truly went out of their way to ensure everyone’s experience was pleasurable.”
Spend about nine hours traveling from Cape Town to malaria-free Aquila Game Reserve, where an English-speaking ranger leads a three-hour open-vehicle drive. Expect lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, birds, a buffet lunch, and scenic Karoo views. Guides such as Denver, Max, Josh, and Abriel have earned particular praise.
“We are not really animal friendly but the whole experience of this safari was amazing, from the friendly and helpful driver/tour guide to the guide on the safari bus. Had an amazing day”
Travel from Cape Town through Du Toitskloof and the Breede River Valley to Aquila Private Game Reserve. Your guide, often Mike, Werner, Jamie, or another Born in Africa professional, handles the drive while a reserve ranger leads the safari. Lunch and champagne are included in the reserve fee.
“Werner my tour guide and driver was super! Fun, courteous, knowledgeable about the area and country. The winery was lovely and a good tasting. Aquila was great. I lucked out and had Jana as my guide. She is the conservationist for the reseRead more”
Join a small-group evening drive through Banff National Park with an English-speaking guide such as Lucy, Jake, or Evie. Look for elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and possibly bears while learning about wildlife protection and enjoying sunset views near Mount Norquay and Lake Minnewanka.
“The evening drive was great. We saw only elk on the golf course and in town of Banff and one coyote but can’t predict where animals will be . The guide was very good and informative . I have forgotten his name though . I recommend this tour”
Join an English-speaking guide and up to seven other people for a five-hour wildlife safari from central Stockholm. Hike through the forest, learn animal tracks, cook a campfire meal, and ride between wildlife hotspots. Summer may bring sunset moose sightings; winter includes a longer hike and dinner in a tipi.
“Easily the best tour I have ever done! From the moment I walked in the tour place to dropping me off at Central Station (the guide was so kind to do that for me), I felt comfortable, being listened to, welcomed and appreciated in the group! Our guide was so informative, kind, had lots of stories to tell, went ALL OUT for us!!! We had selfmade dinner in the loveliest place on top of a hill, made the fire ourself, enjoyed the sunset! Then we went into the forest and tasted indigenous plants, accompanied by lots of info about the animals, the forest, the people of Sweden. Our last thing…”
Travel from Cape Town or Stellenbosch to Oudtshoorn for two shared 4x4 safaris at Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift. Expect long scenic drives, a night in accommodation ranging from backpacker to luxury, and an optional elephant observation. Guides such as Nev, Denver, Ulrich, and Dylan are known for keeping the journey informative and friendly.
“I have no words to describe what this experience meant to me. I only encountered amazing people who made me feel safe and loved! I could see all the animals I admire from up close, I had the time of my life. Thank you everybody for everything!”
You’ll leave Johannesburg or Pretoria in a clean, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, then join a one-hour open-vehicle drive at Lion and Safari Park. Expect close views of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, giraffes, and other animals, with a possible white lion sighting.
“Due to COVID we could not pet the lion cubs, we did however enjoy the park. Our 4 year old and 1 year old were very interested and enjoyed riding in the safari bus. Our driver Nick was very helpful and an excellent navigator. We would recommend this tour if you want to get up close and personal with some of the animals at the park. The Lions came right up to the bus!”
Leave Sigiriya, Habarana, or Dambulla in a safari jeep with Shan Jeep Safari & Tour. Guides such as Janith, Prasad, Thilina, and Shan track elephant herds and may suggest Hurulu or Kaudulla when conditions change. Expect four hours of wildlife viewing, photography stops, and hotel transport.
“The safari was indescribable; we had a wonderful and unforgettable day. Above all, our guide provided us with all the information in perfect English and catered to our individual wishes. You run a fantastic little family business. I wish you continued success and hope you keep doing exactly what you’re doing.”
Spend seven hours exploring Koh Samui by 4x4, with rooftop mountain views, Wat Teepangkorn, Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks, a mummified monk, Namuang Waterfall, lunch, and an elephant sanctuary. Guides such as Luna, Nancy, Jackie, and Palmy lead the day in English.
“Amazing trip, well organised with English speaking guide who was knowledgeable and funny. The highlight was certainly feeding the elephants, but the kids loved the rooftop journey up the mountain and the.views from the top were amazing. Good decent food for lunch and I.wpuld certainly recommend”
Dunes, game drives, camps or snow.
