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African Safari

Packages by Country

We focus on safari adventures to the national parks and private reserves in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. Highlights in other Southern African countries are often included, most notably Victoria Falls.

South Africa

You have abundant choices for exceptional Big Five viewing in pristine areas.

Namibia

Experience vast landscapes under star-studded skies and photograph desert-adapted animals.

Botswana

Enjoy authentic safaris in untouched wilderness where migration occurs.

Memorable Safari Experiences

The many conservation areas on the subcontinent cater to diverse safari requirements and offer various experiences.

Luxury Safaris

Big 5 Safaris

Malaria-Free Safaris

Family Safaris

Golf Safaris

Walking Safaris

Top Safari Destinations in Southern Africa

These safari areas are unmatched in terms of the variety of wildlife, extraordinary landscapes, and a primordial sense of man's dependence on nature.

Kruger National Park

Kruger offers a greater diversity of animal species than any of Africa's other national parks. The available safaris range from basic but comfortable to ultra-luxurious.

Okavango Delta

The Okavango is an oasis in the vast expanse of the Kalahari that attracts seasonal migration of large herds to its crystal clear waters—unique, beautiful, and awe-inspiring.

Sabi Sand Private Reserve

South Africa's oldest and most revered private game reserve is home to some of the most luxurious lodges in Africa. It forms part of Greater Kruger and is the best place to view leopards in the wild.

Etosha National Park

Etosha features in our private overland tour and luxury fly-in safari packages to Namibia. This arid wilderness area is truly unique and flush with wildlife.

More Destinations

Wildlife

Viewing Africa's wildlife in its natural habitat is the primary focus of any safari. The Big 5 arguably inspire the most awe, but there is much more to encounter.

Cheetah

Blue Wildebeest

Wild Dog

Impala

Spotted Hyena

Kudu

More Animals

Inspirational Packages

These safaris offer a fine combination of remote wilderness areas, fantastic lodgings, expert guides, and rewarding game viewing.

A mokoro adventure in the Okavango Delta.

Three Countries & Cape Town

18 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Top-End Luxury Code: S01

This ultra-luxurious safari and tour combination explores the finest wilderness areas in South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia before ending in South Africa's beautiful Mother City of Cape Town.

Best of Southern Africa

15 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Top-End Luxury Code: S02

Explore South Africa's top Big 5-hosting national parks with a private African Sky guide. This safari includes Kruger National Park, uMkuze, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, and Pilanesberg.

Enchanting scenery in a South African national park.

National Park Private Safari

15 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Personal and Comfortable Code: S29

Explore South Africa's top Big 5-hosting national parks with an African Sky guide. This safari includes Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Addo, and Pilanesberg.

Guests on a bush walk approach a baobab tree.

Three Country Safari

12 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Luxury Code: S10

Visit three unique Southern African countries and four awe-inspiring safari areas - the Greater Kruger's Sabi Sand, Matetsi in Zimbabwe and Chobe, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

The sun sets over the Table Mountain cableway.

Cape Town to Victoria Falls

12 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Personal and Comfortable Code: T15

An affordable personal safari and tour combination that ticks off three fabulous destinations - Cape Town, the Kruger National Park, and the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

Highlights of Namibia

9 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Luxury Code: S12

Make your way across the vast Namib Desert on a nine-day adventure that visits Windhoek, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, and Etosha - all of Namibia's most sought-after destinations.

View All Safari Packages

Popular Activities

Activities commonly enjoyed on safari in the national parks and private reserves of Southern Africa.

Open 4X4 Game Drives

Game drives are the predominant safari activity in the private game reserves and national parks of Southern Africa. Two of these drives (typically two and a half to three hours) are customarily conducted daily: early morning, shortly after sunrise, and late afternoon. In some areas, the later afternoon drive extends into the early evening.

Bush Walks

Bush Walks allow you to get up close to the wildlife in Africa accompanied by an armed ranger. After returning from the morning game drive and enjoying breakfast, most lodges and camps offer the opportunity to explore the wilderness on foot accompanied by an armed ranger. It provides a more intimate interaction with nature.

Water-Based Game Viewing

It is one of the most popular safari activities in Botswana. You can also enjoy this type of wildlife interaction in Zambia. It typically involves game viewing from waterways, rivers, and lagoons on a traditional dugout canoe propelled by a ranger or a motorized boat excursion. Sunset cruises on the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers are an exceptional way to enjoy game viewing and savoring an African sunset.

Birding

In Southern Africa, avid birders will find abundant migrant and endemic bird species in grand natural settings. This activity can be enjoyed on all daily safari activities, as rangers will point out rare and more common bird species. If you intend to tick off a rare species like shoebill stork or Pel's fishing owl, your package should be planned to a destination where they will likely be spotted.

Stargazing

Clear skies and low to no light pollution make the wilderness areas of Africa incredible stargazing locations. Casual stargazing can be enjoyed from all national parks and private reserves. If you want a more in-depth stargazing experience, mention this to your consultant. They will include camps and lodges in the itinerary that offer specialized equipment and employ knowledgeable astronomers.

Bush Picnics

Bush picnics are a delightful way of savoring immersion in nature while enjoying a meal in a pristine setting. Some lodges offer the opportunity to book picnics as a specific activity if you wish to enjoy a private picnic. Almost all lodges and camps will stop in a beautiful spot for coffee and rusks on the morning game drive and drinks and snacks just before sunset, during the afternoon game drive.

FAQ

Which country is best for a safari?

It will largely depend on your interests and budget. South Africa is best for viewing a vast diversity of mammal species, while in Botswana, you will see much larger numbers of certain species. Etosha in northern Namibia is an excellent destination for viewing various species assembled around the same waterhole and for taking great photos, mainly due to the absence of dense vegetation.

Where can I see all the Big 5?

The Kruger National Park and the private reserves that border it are the best wilderness areas for viewing the Big Five. The only place in Botswana where these magnificent animals can be seen is Chiefs Island in the Okavango Delta.

Private overland or fly-in-package?

The primary considerations when choosing between a private overland safari and a fly-in safari are your available budget, time, and the level of comfort/luxury you wish to enjoy on your safari.

What is the ideal duration for an African safari?

Most international visitors require long flights to reach Southern Africa, making a short trip undesirable. We recommend spending ten to fourteen nights in Africa and at least three to four nights at each safari destination to fully appreciate the area's natural grandeur and the rich tapestry of wildlife.

How long in advance should I book?

A general rule of thumb would be at least a year in advance to ensure availability. The camps and lodges in the south of Africa have a limited number of rooms, with the smallest only able to accommodate eight guests in four double rooms, and the average camp ten to twelve rooms able to provide lodging for twenty to twenty-four people.

Is it safe?

Of course, nothing in life is safe, but safaris are not hazardous. The author has been intimately involved in the African safari industry for over twenty-five years and is aware of only a handful of incidents where a person was harmed while on safari. No client of African Sky has been injured since 1998.

Can children be accommodated?

Yes, there are many safari lodges and camps where children are welcome. Some offer specific programs and activities that cater to youngsters. African Sky recommends choosing a malaria-free safari area when traveling with young children.

Which months are best for a safari in Southern Africa?

The winter and spring months generally offer the finest game viewing in most of the safari areas of Southern Africa. May to September would be ideal, with June, July, and August generally the finest months. However, most areas can be visited year-round, and each season has unique highlights in places where natural cycles roam supreme.

Should I visit national parks or private game reserves?

With a seemingly inexhaustible number of choices, we recommend you speak to an experienced professional who can offer advice and recommendations based on your expectations.

Safari Logistics

South Africa

The country has a well-developed infrastructure, and most of the country's safari areas can be accessed easily with a commercial flight and an overland trip of half an hour to three hours. Charter flights to an airstrip near the lodge or camp are generally available.

Namibia

Safaris to Namibia invariably start with a flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Windhoek or Walvisbay. From here, travel between various safari destinations can be overland or via light charter aircraft. The most sought-after safari areas are Etosha and the private reserves surrounding it and Sossusvlei, with most visitors also opting to spend a few nights in Swakopmund from where the Skeleton Coast and Namib Desert can be explored. Namibia is a vast country, and if you opt for overland travel between areas, you must be comfortable with long drives (Typically around five to seven hours) when traveling between areas.

Botswana

Botswana's prime safari destinations are in the country's north-eastern part. Access to these areas is via the airports in Maun and Kasane. Daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa are available to these towns. Kasane can also be reached by transferring just over an hour from Livingstone (Zambia) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

Once in Botswana, light charter flights are required to reach the camps in the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari, and the central and southern parts of the Chobe National Park. The northern reaches of Chobe are accessible from the commercial airport in Kasane.

Africa's Best Safari Adventures

Packages by Country

Memorable Safari Experiences

Top Safari Destinations in Southern Africa

Wildlife

Inspirational Packages

Popular Activities

FAQ

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