Africa Awaits: The power of booking ahead

posted 30th March 2025 by Danica Wilson in Travel Advice

Unlock the extraordinary

Before it’s gone

Unlock the extraordinary

Before it’s gone

Unlock the extraordinary

Before it’s gone

Unlock the extraordinary

Before it’s gone

Unlock the extraordinary

Before it’s gone

Africa is not just a destination – it’s an experience of a lifetime.

It’s a sum of so many amazing moments – when a lioness locks eyes with you in the golden dawn, the thunder of hooves as thousands of wildebeest brave the croc-infested Mara River. It’s sipping steaming hot coffee on a chilly winter’s morning on your private deck as elephants graze in front of you.

These moments aren’t left to chance. They’re secured by those who plan ahead.

A safari holiday is unlike any other. It’s exclusive, intimate, and often limited to just a handful of guests at a time – well at the places we work with!. The world’s most sought-after lodges, private reserves, and top guides are in high demand – and for good reason. Africa’s finest experiences are booked one to two years in advance.

If you want the best, you need to plan for it. Here’s why booking ahead is the key to your ultimate safari:

The world’s most exclusive
experiences sell out first

The most legendary safari stays are not massive resorts – they are intimate lodges and camps with only a few suites, hidden deep in the wilderness, designed for those who seek privacy and exclusivity.

Giraffe Manor – Wake up and enjoy breakfast as giraffes poke their heads through the windows, a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a world-famous boutique hotel that books out 1-2 years in advance.

Great Migration front-row seat – Watch nature’s greatest spectacle from a private, strategically positioned camp –before the prime spots are gone.

Ultra-luxury safari lodges – The likes of Singita and Mombo Camp, where just a handful of guests enjoy world-class service in the heart of the wild.

Exclusive use safari camps and lodges – there’s a handful of spectacular exclusive use properties ideal for families or groups of friends wanting total immersion and personal service with the very best hospitality teams and guides.

Last-minute doesn’t necessarily work in Africa’s most iconic locations.

Book early, and these rare experiences become yours!

The best locations
and best value go first

In Africa, location is everything. The difference between a good safari and a life-changing one? Being in the right place at the right time.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda & Uganda – Only a limited number of permits are issued each day. Miss out, and you miss the chance to sit just metres away from a silverback in the misty mountains.

Private Reserves vs. Crowded National Parks – Early bookings secure stays in exclusive reserves, where off-road game drives and private sightings make all the difference.

Lock in 2025 & 2026 Rates – Safari lodges increase rates every year, but when you book early, we can sometimes lock in the best pricing before it goes up!

Safari is all about prime positioning – whether it’s your lodge, your game drive route, or the moment you capture on camera.

A great guide transforms
your safari experience

A world-class guide doesn’t just show you animals – they bring Africa to life, interpreting the wild through stories, insights, and expertise.

There are what we call “legendary guides”. They’re the best guides, trackers, and conservationists who are booked months (even years) in advance, and their knowledge can change the way you see the world.

Then there’s the specialist-led safaris – Whether you’re a photographer, a conservation enthusiast, or a family with young explorers, private guiding elevates every moment.

Walking safaris guides – Track lions on foot with the best walking guides in the business.  The most immersive experiences are exclusive and require planning ahead.

Conservation safari experiences – Join expert conservationists in hands-on initiatives, like tracking rhino and collecting DNA samples at Kwandwe, participating in elephant herd counts in Zimbabwe, or assisting with predator research in Botswana. These rare, limited-participant programs allow you to play an active role in Africa’s wildlife protection efforts.

Your safari is only as good as your guide. Don’t leave it to chance.

Small-group luxury journeys
are exceptionally limited

For those who crave an effortless, immersive experience with like-minded travellers, small-group luxury safaris are the answer. But with just a handful of departures each year, they fill fast. Some of our favourites are :

Wings over Africa – Where our guests travel by private aircraft (Pilatus PC12 or Grand Caravan) skipping long transfers to maximise time in the wild.
Exclusive mobile camps – Here, you sleep under canvas in the path of the migration or amidst the waterways of the Okavango Delta, in a camp set up just for you.

Photographic Safaris – Join leading wildlife photographers from Africa and Australia and head into the wilds of Africa where you then photograph the wilderness, wildlife and people.

Special access expeditions – From exploring Namibia’s Skeleton Coast to tracking wild dogs in Botswana, some adventures are invitation-only.

With limited seats and departures, these journeys are spoken for long before the year even begins.

Africa’s greatest experiences await but only if you plan for them

 

The world’s most unforgettable safaris aren’t left to luck. They are carefully crafted, secured well in advance, and tailored just for you.

2026 safaris are already booking fast. To secure your preferred dates, the finest lodges, and the most extraordinary experiences, now is the time to start planning.

Your Africa adventure begins now.

Let’s make it happen—before someone else does.

Enquire now and let’s secure your front-row seat to the wild.

 

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