Safaris · GUIDED
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 guided safaris worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Head from Dubai to Lahbab’s Red Dunes for a guided 1-hour quad or Polaris RZR ride, 45 minutes of dune bashing, sandboarding, and a short camel ride. Guides such as Awais, Shari, Muhram Ali, and Najeeb are known for careful driving, photos, and friendly help.
“Really good organised transport to and from was very good aswell”
You’ll ride a two-seat automatic quad from Salou into the countryside with a professional guide. Choose a one-hour route or a two-hour trip to the red mountain near Mont-Roig del Camp. Hotel pickup, practice laps, safety briefing, and a photo stop are included.
“It’s was very well explained and it was lovely having a test run. The instructors were very clear and patient. The ride journey was really beautiful, there were some very easy parts and some a little bit more difficult. Staying together was very easy and the lead guide, always made sure we were all following along. Stopping halfway to take pictures was great. It was perfect duration. Great value for money.”
Spend 210 minutes touring the Camargue in an open-roof 4x4 with a French- or English-speaking guide. Visit a breeding ranch, rice fields, marsh ponds, Aigues-Mortes, and Mas du Notaire for five wines and local snacks. Guides such as Alex, Johan, Romane, and Tristan bring the region to life.
“We enjoyed the activity. Romane was a great guide and we learned a lot about Camargue. Thank you!”
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!”
Join an English-speaking guide for a 3-hour open-vehicle safari at Botlierskop near Little Brak River. Search for 26 wildlife species and more than 200 bird species, then use the reserve’s restaurant, pool, and scenic grounds. Guides such as Chris, Neil, and Mandela are praised for sharp eyes and lively commentary.
“Although we were a bit unlucky with the weather (rain + fog) we were offered to be booked for a later tour - which we declined - we still got to see a lot. Our guide shared lots of information and answered all our questions with us. In general all the staff is very friendly and the entire reserve and estate is great. Highly recommend ! We had a great time :)”
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”
Meet guides such as Daniel, Linus, Willy, or Francis for a five-hour Nairobi National Park game drive. Hotel pickup, bottled water, Wi-Fi, and drop-off are included. Expect striking city views, frequent animal sightings, and an optional arts and crafts stop, but budget separately for the park entry fee.
“Absolutely loveddd it! The guide was amazing too! 100% recommend!”
Share a powerful jet ski for two on a guided, license-free safari from Morro Jable. Your guide, such as Alejandro, starts with clear instruction, then leads you past coves and Punta Jandía, with a short swim and snorkeling stop near the lighthouse. Hotel pickup may be available.
“Amazing experience! Guides were amazing for us inexperienced people and we quickly learnt the ropes and got going!”
From your Yogyakarta hotel, ride to Mount Merapi in a small group of up to four. A local Jeep guide takes you over rough volcanic roads, past the Bunker and eruption damage, and into the Mini Museum. Guides such as Fajar, Iwan, and Aulian add local stories and help with photos.
“It was so much fun! The driver for both transport and the jeep were very nice, informative, and friendly. Had the best experience.”
You’ll leave Dubai around 3:00pm for Lahbab’s red dunes, ride a double-seated quad bike for 30 guided minutes, try camel riding and sandboarding, then eat at an Al Awir Bedouin-style camp with coffee, dates, barbecue, and live shows. Guide Ahmad may lead your outing.
“Our tour guide was Ahmad. Ahmad is a great driver with an adventurous spirit. He made sure we all had an amazing time on the ATV, sand boarding, sand duning, and throughout dinner. Will highly recommend.”
Ride through Lion & Safari Park in an open safari truck with an English-speaking guide. You may see lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and antelope. Weekend and public-holiday visits can include lion-feeding, while guides such as Noluthando, Princess, and Thoko add plenty of animal facts.
“My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed the predator safari. Princess was our guide, she was AMAZING, super friendly, knowledgeable, and just downright hilarious... We could not have asked for more. Will definitely recommend to friends and family!”
Spend 10 to 12 hours traveling from Jackson through Grand Teton and Yellowstone with a naturalist guide. Look for bison, elk, moose, bears, and more using UHD binoculars and spotting scopes, then visit Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon, and thermal areas. Guides such as Brolin, Kristina, Dave, and Ash have led this route.
“Greg was very accommodating and we had a wonderful day. He went out of his way to find as much wildlife as possible, and be sure we saw everything we wanted to see.”
Join a live English, French, or German-speaking guide for a 520cc ATV ride from Malia into the Cretan hills. You’ll follow village roads, gravel tracks, and forest routes to around 450 meters, stop for views and water, then return toward the coast for sunset. A driver’s license is required.
“Super prestation, randonnée, magnifique petit clin d’œil à Christina un vrai Safari 🤩🤩 la Grèce, un super beau pays, je recommande à 100 %”
Raj Camel Safari takes you from Jaisalmer into a quieter part of the Thar Desert for a private camel ride. Choose a half-day trip or an overnight safari with sunset tea, dinner, breakfast, open-sky sleeping, luggage storage, and return transport.
“Good trip. This tour takes you to a different more isolated part of the desert and not Sam, which has gotten really crowded. Raj checked in to ask what sort of food we would like and prepped that. Also as a bonus, he took us to Kuldehra village and a small oasis on the way to the desert (even though it's not mentioned in the trip plan).”
Dunes, game drives, camps or snow.
