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

Sossusvlei, Namibia

Located deep in a private nature reserve, Desert Homestead Outpost adjoins the Unesco world heritage site Namib Sand Sea. It offers relaxed and natural atmosphere and boasts a perfect backdrop of panoramic views of the wide open plains.

Desert Homestead Outpost

Twyfelfontein, Damaraland, Namibia

Camp Kipwe is situated in the heart of Damaraland in the Twyfelfontein Conservancy. The views are spectacular and you are perfectly placed for exploring the gems of the region - desert-adapted elephants, geological rarities and rock engravings

Camp Kipwe

Damaraland, Namibia

Desert Rhino Camp is an extremely remote tented wilderness camp in Damaraland, Namibia. Part funded by the Save the Rhino Trust, Desert Rhino Camp is a great place to track the elusive black rhino and absorb the otherworldly desert landscapes.

Desert Rhino Camp

Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Simien Lodge, perched over 10,000 feet up in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains is Africa’s highest hotel. Its remote location and dramatic, rugged scenery make Simien Lodge a great choice for hikers and wildlife lovers after gelada baboon and Ethiopian wolf.

Simien Mountain Lodge

South Luangwa, Zambia

Kafunta River Lodge is perfectly located overlooking a permanent lagoon bordering the South Luangwa National Park. A relaxed camp with wonderful game viewing and excellent guiding, it's one of our top picks for an affordable safari in the South Luangwa.

Kafunta River Lodge

South Luangwa, Zambia

Chamilandu Bush Camp is one of the South Luangwa's most luxurious walking safari camps in a remote area of the park. An authentic experience awaits with expert walking guides and a fabulous setting on a prime stretch of the Luangwa River

Chamilandu Bush Camp

South Luangwa, Zambia

Chindeni Bush Camp is a stylish and luxurious bush camp in a fabulous position overlooking a permanent lagoon and is the perfect base for a walking safari exploring a remote area of the South Luangwa National Park - this is the ultimate in bush luxury.

Chindeni Bush Camp

South Luangwa, Zambia

Flatdogs Camp is a wonderful safari camp in the Mfuwe area of Zambia’s South Luangwa. Flatdogs is very family-friendly and even has a treehouse for sleeping in, while the combination of exceptional guiding and value for money makes Flatdogs a steal.

Flatdogs Camp