African Safari Co. - The Experts

Why Choose an African Safari Co. Adventure

Journey to the incredibly diverse, wildlife and culture rich continent of Africa! Our close relationships with our Africa partners and multiple yearly trips to our safari destinations, allow the African Safari Company travel experts to create the perfect safari itinerary for all travelers. Adventure through the Okavango Delta, iSimangoliso Wetlands, Victoria Falls or many of the other 135 UNESCO World Heritage sites that are found in Africa. From grassy savannas to lush rainforests, bustling trendy cities like Cape Town to isolated villages deep in the Kalahari, Africa has a heartbeat that beckons and a soul that stays with you long after you’ve parted ways.

Africa is well known for being the birthplace of the safari, which means “journey” in KiSwahili, and has the most wildlife in the world. Classic game drives scour landscapes from the vast plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara to the towering glowing dunes of Namibia’s Sossuvlei for the incredible and diverse wildlife that have adapted to their ever-changing environment. Gigantic baobabs and massive elephant herds in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park remind one of just how small we can be and soaring hot air balloon safaris over South Africa’s Greater Kruger Park make us thankful for that very same fact.

Our love for Africa begin with our founder, Mike Nesbitt, who grew up in Johannesburg and has passed his passion for wildlife and safaris on to his daughter. African Safari Company is dedicated to safaris that not only advance our travelers knowledge of Africa’s amazing countries and leave memories to last a lifetime, but that also aid in conservation and give back to the communities who share their land with us. Each year we spend weeks scouting camps, lodges and reserves with special attention to the wealth of game in each area and quality of the activities, guides and staff to ensure that our custom safaris offer not just the best of the best in African safaris, but also an experience that truly immerses you in the rich history, incredible people and up-close wildlife encounters that shows Africa at her finest.

One of Africa’s biggest boasting points is the varying landscapes, not only from one country to another, but often from one camp to the next. On a Botswana safari one can begin the day on the dry, cracked pans of the Makgadikgadi and, after a scenic light aircraft flight, be boarding a mokoro to float through the rich waterways of the Okavango Delta by lunchtime, watching elephants at the reeds edge having a drink, and grumpy hippos popping their heads up to make sure you haven’t forgotten that they’re there. In South Africa’s bustling and vibrant city of Cape Town you can explore the with the newly christened World Wonder Table Mountain, endless night life, a rising food scene and artisan shopping. The lights of the city then give way to the beautiful Cape Peninsula, rolling Winelands and the epic coastline of the Garden Route, where a safari goer can spend days shark diving, wine tasting, whale watching and so much more. South Africa also lays claim to the famous Kruger National Park and the amazing private reserves and concessions in and around it. Abundant game, including the Big Five, reside in spectacular numbers throughout safari destinations such as the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, best known for the dense leopard population, and Phinda Private Game Reserve, which features not only amazing wildlife experiences like tracking rhinos on foot, but is also just a few hours away from white sand beaches and a relaxing day spent by the Indian Ocean. For the true girth of this magnificent country, just catch a hopper flight to the sprawling Kalahari Desert to visit a completely different eco-system and the incredible desert-adapted wildlife that travels its arid ground.

Tanzania is home to the well known Ngorongoro Crater, where a concentration of wildlife meander happily ensconced within the soaring walls of the massive caldera. The grasses of the Serengeti provide the ever so important role as the vast stage for the Great Migration. Throughout the year, millions of wildebeest and zebra continue along their never-ending circular path in search of new grazing grounds; peak seasons offer those on an epic African migration safari adventure the opportunity of front row seats to the drama of river crossings, the calving season and the constant battle with the predators that stalk these rich hunting grounds. The less-visited Selous Game Reserve has a wealth of landscapes, from swamps to riverine forest, rocky acacia-clad hills to open grasslands, and harbors some of the most significant concentrations of elephant and wild dog, amongst many other species. Isolated in the thick forests of the Mahale Mountains, accessible only after a few small flights and hour-long dhow ride down the shores of Lake Tanganyika, passing fishing villages along the way, Greystoke Mahale and the scientists that call the area home are the caretakers of the chimpanzee families that reside on the mountain. Guest are afforded the once in a lifetime safari opportunity to trek these amazing primates and spend time with them as the babes bumble and the teens look for mischief, while the adults look on and often join in on the fun.

The neighboring country of Kenya shares spectacular views of Tanzania’s snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro is also home to the Great Migration as the herds travels through the equally famous Maasai Mara. Rich with wildlife, including the Big Five, the lush grasses of this renowned national reserve are the beating heart of Kenya safari. Authentic cultural experiences abound with the Samburu and Maasai during off-the-beaten path village and school visits, as well as participation in community projects. At almost any lodge you will find yourself side by side with a local guide in search of the day’s wildlife sightings and toasting at the dinner table at night, captivated by stories of this great country and time spent in it. Needless to say, in terms of a luxury African safari, Kenya is at the top of it’s game.

While most safari goers hold their breath in anticipation of that first lion sighting, the first trumpet of a stroppy elephant teenager or close encounter with the sleek beauty of a leopard, Africa also offers, without fail, fantastic destinations for the second, third and tenth time safari travelers. Countries like Namibia, where the wildlife can be more elusive, boast a scenery that is unparalleled and a photographer’s dream. Namibia is still home to an impressive number of animals who thrive in these remote desert regions.

Zambia is perhaps most often visited while on safari to Victoria Falls as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, but this vast country is also home to amazing parks and reserves, many of whose unexplored areas still outweigh those housing safari camps and lodges. North and South Luangwa tell a story of what a walking safari once was so many years ago, while Kasanka is home to a fruit bat migration, one of the largest mammal migrations on earth. Lower Zambezi is small and still relatively undeveloped yet affords the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels while Kafue is one of the world’s largest parks with a permanent river ensuring its wealth of game.

Uganda and Rwanda are perhaps the least visited of popular African safari destinations but also offer perhaps the most rewarding experience when sitting side by side with endangered mountain gorillas! Treks are often long and not for the faint of heart, but once you’ve found the gorillas and are nestled into the spot from which you will spend your time with them, the heart will know nothing else. Safaris to both Rwanda and Uganda also offer plenty of other wildlife and primates as well. Uganda’s Bwindi Forest is one of the richest eco-systems in Africa and, along with being a haven for the mountain gorilla, is also habitat for 120 species of mammals including elephants and antelopes, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs, chameleons and geckos and Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts tree climbing lions and hippo lined banks along the Kazinga Channel. Akagera National Park in Rwanda is home to many large plains wildlife including elephant, Cape buffalo, topi, zebra, waterbuck, roan antelope and eland. Other antelope that may be found in this region are duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck and impala as well as larger predators like leopard, hyaena and side-striped jackal.

Out of the bush and onto the beach! Africa’s coasts are home to an incredible array of marine wildlife including seals, sea lions, sea turtles, an enormous array of birds, whales, dolphins, sharks and even penguins! An African safari, while unforgettable and soul-lifting, is also essentially a wildlife excursion with busy days searching for that next exceptional wildlife moment and long nights spent by the fire staring up at the giant African sky blanketed with stars. That said, once again, Africa does not disappoint in it’s diversity of adventures. From Mozambique to Zanzibar, South Africa to the Seychelles, the continent’s East coast is lined with white sand beaches and crystal blue waters to bring the perfect end to a perfect expedition.

Our safari travel experts team are truly in love with Africa, it’s parks and reserves, camps and people. At the heart of our operation, and every safari that we build, is the wildlife. From rhino beetles to the big horned giants themselves, we strive to, and thrive from, being able to share our passion with others. Family safaris, vacation adventure, luxury honeymoon, seeking out the Great Migration…whatever the motivation behind your next big journey, we are honored to be a part of what we know will live on in your stories for a lifetime to come.