African Safari Travel Advice My wife and I travel the world extensively. We like to go to places that are off the beaten path but known for specific experiences - South East Sulawesi for diving as an example. We recently went to Zimbabwe and Botswana. Here is our secret for ensuring the best experience possible: Before you go find someone who is intimately familiar with the area. Even though we lived in Europe for 3 years we always find a local expert to help us understand the current conditions. Before we plan our trip. Unfortunately, this is a difficult thing to do. Almost all travel agents do not travel extensively to the places they book. This is the issue. They really don’t know these places well. So even if you find an agency that has high marks from travelers they tend to book to many locations and really have no idea what is happening on the ground. The most important thing you can do before you go to Africa is find someone who has been to the area where the camps are recently, been to most of the camps, knows the organizations running them. Why? Conditions change in these camps during the seasons, the animals that were there in the past may not be there anymore, the camps age quickly, the managers change. It is all very fluid. You want an expert who has traveled these areas extensively for decades, is known by most of the important camps managements, understands the animals, guides, and the changing dynamics of the weather and what it means for the camps. That is the best advice I can give. My wife and I use Ian Proctor at Ultimate African Safaris. An amazing expert and our go to for South African trips.
This is our second time using Ultimate Africa Safaris 2018 and 2023 based on a recommendation of a friend and we truly got lucky with them! Ian and Lorna are extremely responsive and their attention to detail is admirable. In 2018, we went on our first safari in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. Safety was always our number one concern and having wonderful guides really made the travel so much better. Five years later, there was no question that we were going to use Ultimate Africa again and this trip was probably a the trip of a lifetime! We went to Cape Town, Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp, and Rwanda gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking. Talk about 3 different experiences.....Accommodations were beautiful and unique, the guides were exceptional, we felt safe and we are in our 60's, and most importantly, we got to spend time with the Susa Gorilla family and all the beautiful animal families! Every time we had questions, they were answered quickly and provided excellent advice, especially with travel arrangements. Highly recommend!!!!!
Twelve years ago we decided to go on a once in a lifetime family safari to Africa. I was in charge of planning it. The only thing I knew was that we had a lot of questions. Some were big: What were the best countries for safaris? What were the differences between the safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa? What were the accommodations like in each place? Which game parks were better than others? Other questions were small: What kind of clothing should we bring? Would we have access to wifi? What kind of shoes should we wear? What would the food be like? I needed help. I started by Googling "Africa Travel Agent". I wanted to find an expert. Someone who had been to Africa many times and had first hand experience. Someone who specialized in planning trips like this. Someone who had all the answers to our many questions. I spoke to several different travel agents, looking for that expert. When I spoke to Ian and Lorna at Ultimate Africa, I knew my search was over. They knew everything about everything. I felt confident they would plan a great trip for us. And they certainly did! We spent a few days in Cape Town before heading off on a nine day safari to three different game parks in Botswana. We finished with a few days at Victoria Falls in Zambia. It was an unbelievable trip. A trip we’ll all remember for the rest of our lives. It was so good I had no hesitation recommending them to several friends and relatives who went on safari after us. They were thrilled, too. And that’s why when we decided to go on a second once in a lifetime family safari to Africa this year there was no doubt in my mind who was going to plan it for us - Ian and Lorna again. And again, they planned an amazing trip for us, this time to three different game parks in Zimbabwe. They are truly experts in their field and are a real pleasure to deal with. Would I recommend Ultimate Africa? Absolutely. Without any hesitation at all. In fact, I can’t wait for our third once in a lifetime safari because I know who to call and I know it’s going to be fantastic.
In October of 2019, my wife and I did a two week trip in Tanzania, entirely organized by Ultimate Africa Safaris. In my review of that trip, I said I can't wait to go again. And so we went in September 2021, again on a trip entirely organized by Ultimate Africa. This time it was primarily to Botswana, with 9 days in three camps, with extensions to Victoria Falls and Lusaka. Again, Ultimate Africa did a great job. Once we jumped the COVID testing hurdle and were in Botswana life was simple and fun. Great game guides great day and night game drives, great food, great nature, great camp atmospheres, and my personal favorite - great outdoor showers. If you can do a safari planned by Ultimate Africa, do it. You will have a great time that you remember forever. We will soon follow that advice and plan another trip.
I really can't say enough good things about Ultimate Africa Safaris. We made a two week trip to South Africa & Zimbabwe in Sept.19. I did a lot of research before I went and they beat everyone's price, which can leave you some doubt about the quality of the trip you are going to get. This trip was first class , well organized and went without a glitch. The staff at all the camps and Hotels was first class all the way. Ultimate Africa Safaris were always super fast responding to all emails to answer all questions and concerns. If you are looking to go to Africa, don't wastes tons of time, check out Ultimate Africa Safaris.
Went on Ultimate Africa's Bucket List Cape Town, African Safaris and Victoria Falls trip in April 2023: literally everything went smoothly. Absolutely loved 12 Apostles Hotel in Cape Town and touring all over the peninsula; then safaris in Botswana and staying at Machaba Camps; and ending in Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls Hotel. Saw amazing coasts, hiked Table Mtn, ate delicious foods, were blown away with the variety and numbers of animals on approx. 10 game drives, learned a lot everywhere we went, and treasured our relaxed and professional guides! Cannot thank Ultimate Africa Adventures enough for a trip of a lifetime!!!
You definitely get what you pay for. If you're looking for a cheap trip to Africa with a bunch of strangers in a crowed bus going to mediocre safari camps, then this is not who you want to talk to. If you're looking for white glove service for an individual trip of a lifetime, than Ian and Lorna will hook you up. We just came back from Kenya and Tanzania. We did not stay in 5++ star camps but we were pretty close! This is the BEST time to travel to Africa because there are no crowds thanks to COVID. We were met from the moment we landed and guided to every airport and transfer we had to make. Our safari experience was second to none. Ian and Lorna answered EVERY question personally. We had zero issues as it pertains to getting COVID testing throughout our trip so border crossings and return flight home was a breeze. I can't say enough about this company and we can't wait to book our next trip with them. They may cost a little more but I promise you - it is worth every penny.
Our March/April 2023 Ultimate Africa Safari adventure in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe was by far the very best of all the safaris we've enjoyed. Ultimate provided unparalleled expertise, advice and planning as well as superb field expediters, camp hosts and guides.
Just returned from two weeks in southern Africa on a great photo trip put together by ultimate Africa safaris. Ian knows how to plan a great trip, everything went with a well oiled machine.. everything was first Class. Food and lodges were great, guides knew their animals and how to find them. saw 30 lions and 6 lepards,with cubs. Pictures were beyond what I could only hope for. Trip of a life time for sure.
Lorna and Ian put together an 8 day safari for us, our first one!! It was truly amazing and magical. Every detail was flawlessly executed by their folks in Tanzania! We thank you for sharing your passion and love of Tanzania with us.... we are in love too!!
