The Big Five

Fabled for being the five most dangerous and difficult animals to hunt, the Big Five are now the most sought-after animals to capture on a point-and-shoot. Whilst sitting firmly at the top of every safari checklist, nature’s most magnificent animals are as elusive as ever before, making tracking them an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure. Home to all five showstoppers, the national parks of South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and Botswana, are excellent destinations for a chance to see them all. On foot, by horseback or in the comfort of a 4x4, traversing the plains of sub Saharan Africa in search of these celebrated animals is the undisputed original safari experience.

Wildlife & safari

The wonders of the African wilderness are world-renowned with an enormous variety of wild life set to a breath-taking backdrop. Encountering the ‘Big Five’ up close is mesmerising but this really is just the beginning.

Perfectly schedule your trip to coincide with the spectacle of the great migration of wildebeest and zebra, pay a visit to the endangered mountain gorilla in the forests of Uganda, or view elephant and buffalo on the tribal lands of the Samburu people of Kenya.

Get close to the action and take a walking tour. This allows you time to explore tracks and shrubs you might otherwise have missed. Nothing is as exhilarating as an exchange of glances with a lion, with nothing between you but thin air.

You could even ride a hot air balloon over the Serengeti of Tanzania followed by a champagne breakfast. Challenge an Africa specialist to design a bespoke safari holiday with you in mind.

Masai Mara, Kenya

Offbeat Mara Camp is an authentic comfortable tented safari camp near the Olare Orok River in Kenya’s magnificent Masai Mara. Offbeat Mara Camp’s locally-recruited staff offer superb service, and the guiding really is first-rate.

Offbeat Mara Camp

Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Limalimo Lodge is a remote mountain lodge in the spectacular landscape of Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains. Limalimo Lodge is ideal for hiking or riding through the breathtaking scenery, with opportunities to spot rare wildlife including Ethiopian wolves.

Limalimo Lodge

Katavi, Tanzania

Mbali Mbali Katavi is a comfortable and stylish tented safari camp in Tanzania’s remote and wild Katavi National Park. Mbali Mbali Katavi is Katavi's only lodge with a swimming pool, ideal in the dry season, and also offers a Night Game Drive option.

Mbali Mbali Katavi

Selous and Mikumi, Tanzania

Sand Rivers is a stylish safari lodge on the Rufiji River in Tanzania’s famous Selous Game Reserve. Sand Rivers' prime location and amazing guides mean you can enjoy bush walks, game drives, river safaris and wilderness fly-camping adventures.

Sand Rivers Selous

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

&Beyond’s Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp is a top-quality tented safari camp in Tanzania’s western Serengeti. Stylish and polished, Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp is a fantastic spot for the May/June migration, although book well ahead.

&Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp

Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Located in a magnificent beach and mountain setting on Lake Tanganyika, Mbali Mbali Mahale lodge is the perfect blend of comfort and simple luxury and a great option for trekking chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park.

Mbali Mbali Mahale

Katavi, Tanzania

Chada Katavi is a simple, authentic tented wilderness safari camp located in mythical Katavi National Park in western Tanzania. Chada Katavi is particularly good for walking safaris, and quite possibly has the highest density of game of any African park.

Chada Katavi

Lake Manyara, Tanzania

&Beyond's Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is tree house luxury in the heart of Lake Manyara and the only lodge in this small yet diverse national park. The ten tree houses are crafted from local materials and set in the boughs of ancient mahogany trees.

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti Safari Camp is a traditional mobile tented camp that roams around Tanzania’s Serengeti in semi-nomadic fashion. A safari with Serengeti Safari Camp means that you can shadow the Great Migration, and not miss a second of the action.

Serengeti Safari Camp

Zanzibar Beaches, Tanzania

The Residence, located in peaceful southwest Zanzibar, is a superbly stylish luxury beach resort set on pure white sand, and a member of Leading Hotels of the World. The Residence is ideal for a relaxing and romantic beach holiday or honeymoon.

The Residence Zanzibar