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Barefoot is the new luxury

Heading out on gamedrive to find adventure around every corner. Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa.

"True luxury on safari isn’t found in fancy finishes, golden platters, or rose petals and towel swans on the goose-dawn-filled duvet covering the emperor-size, four-poster bed. "

There, we said it.  

True safari luxury is found in experiencing your destination to the absolute fullest:

Waking up at 4am to the sun tickling your eyelids as it rises across nothing but the vast wilderness surrounding you.

Opening your mind to the possibility that you may bump into an elephant on your way to breakfast.

Setting off into the bush unknowing what you may find around the next corner in the dirt road or bend in the river.    

It is found in the warming comfort of a hot chocolate prepared at your morning drink stop, and the refreshing drink at sundowners overlooking the river.  

In the thrill of seeing your first lion in the wild.  

The amazement of being surrounded by a herd of elephant, grazing peacefully as if you were never there.  

The pure joy of watching baby baboons causing mischief amongst the troop.  

Experiencing an authentic, immersive cultural interaction with ancient African tribes.

The freedom of walking barefoot through the soft, sandy riverbed as the first rainwater of the season slowly starts trickling down.

The ultimate euphoria that follows when you finally lay eyes on that leopard mom & cub after hours of tracking in the blistering sun.  

The true sense of space you get when floating across the Serengeti Plains in a hot air balloon, with nothing but silent wonder enveloping you.

It is coming back from gamedrive, to a place and people that feel like home,  

showering outdoors accompanied by endless views of nature and birdsong,  

and afterwards gathering around the dinner table, sitting down to a scrumptious meal and recounting the day’s discoveries.  

The belly-laughing around the campfire as you listen to your safari guides spill the beans on their most hilarious adventures.  

Falling asleep to lions roaring, with a heart full of new experiences and friendships, an indelible smile on your face in anticipation of the next day’s safari adventures.  

"True luxury cannot be photographed, staged, curated or crafted. It has to be felt."

When you’re ready to feel, let’s go!

Waking up in Africa has never felt better. Somalisa Acacia, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Elephants on foot at Little Chem Chem, Tarangire, Tanzania
Sundowners in the river at Dulini Lodge, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
No one forgets a wild lion sighting. Singita Serengeti House, Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania.
Observing elephants at Little Chem Chem, Tarangire, Tanzania
Space to breathe at Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
Life with the San Bushmen, Jack's Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana.
Time to just be... Singita Kwitonda, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
A drinkstop on safari. Photo Singita.
In a built-up world, expansive views are a luxury. andBeyond Phinda, Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
Walking barefoot down the riverbed as the first rains arrive.
There is nothing quite like capturing your first leopard sighting. Photo Matthew Poole.
Moments to reconnect with your loved ones at Wilderness Mokete, Mababe Depression, Botswana.
A true sense of space in Southern Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater. Photo by Phil West
Sundowners at andBeyond Sandibe, Okvango Delta, Botswana.
Storytelling around the camp fire at Jack's Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana.

Written by Evelyn Poole

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safari Inspiration

Experience the magic of Africa in world-class safari lodges, in search of the Big Five, the Great Migration, or elusive Gorillas in top safari destinations in Africa. The below safaris are examples of past safari holidays we have designed for our travellers. We custom design all our luxury safari tours, based on our expert knowledge of Africa's wilderness and tailor-made to your wildest dreams (pun intended). When you're ready start your journey, let's go!
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Classic South Africa

South Africa
Experience incredible wildlife diversity from the Eastern Cape, to the lowveld of Kruger Park, combined with Cape Town's fine wining & dining.
13 days from $17,140

Wetlands and Waterfalls

Botswana and Zimbabwe
Journey to the heart of the Okavango Delta, a remote paradise where the wildlife is plenty and sunsets glisten.
8 nights from $34,380

Wilds of Zambia

Zambia
Zambia, one of Africa's last untouched gems. A tuly magical place of mighty rivers, winter thorn forests and wild experiences.
12 nights from $10,950

Bucket List East Africa

Tanzania and Rwanda
The ultimate East Africa safari, combing the Great Migration, Gorillas and The Big Five, all experienced in the lap of luxury.
12 nights from $37,460

Spectacular Kenya

Kenya
Big skies, grasslands to the horizon, one million wildebeest. A classic tented safari experience, timeless and magical.
10 days from $22,040

The Red Dunes of Namibia

Namibia
Ancient desert dunes and endless horizons, travel to the remote reaches of Namibia in search of desert adapted wildlife, vast landscapes and rich culture of the Himba people.
9 nights from $16,050

Primate Paradise in Uganda

Uganda
Travel to the pearl of Africa and set your eyes on mans closest living relatives, the Great Apes as well as pre-historic looking Shoebill Storks.
10 nights from $11,760

Touch of Congo magic

Republic of Congo
Lay your eyes on the last few magnificent western lowland Gorillas left in the wild and go in search of forest elephants and tree pangolins. A seriously adventurous safari off the beaten track.
Price on request

Black Leopard Safari

Kenya
A privately guided, group journey into the heart of "Black Leopard Country", a true safari adventure to one of Africa's last remaining authentic wild spaces.
10 nights from $13,085

Pumas of Patagonia

17-25 Oct 2025 | Chile
A small group journey taking you through the breathtaking surroundings and endless landscapes of Patagonia, watching and photographing pumas.
8 nights from $10,990

Jaguars in the Pantanal

6-16 Oct 2025 | Brazil
Explore the jungle waterways of the Pantanal, in search of the weird and wonderful creatures living in the Amazonian rainforest... a photographic spectacle!
9 nights from $10,495

Design your own safari

Custom safari itinerary
We custom design all our safaris to match our travellers needs & wants. Contact us to explore your options today!
From $1500 per person, per night