Your choice of safari operators largely determines the success or failure of your safari trip.
Safari companies are unfortunately not all created equal. Choosing the wrong one for your once-in-a-lifetime safari trip can have disastrous consequences.
So what can you do to avoid the bad companies and still get value for your safari money?
Get advice and recommendations from someone who has been on safari with the company that interests you in the form of reviews.
Find the companies that have the best field guides. The safari guide is a critical consideration for your trip because they can make or break the experience. If they aren't up to the job your safari will suffer no matter how good the company is that employs them.
Book with reputable safari operators to avoid the "fly-by-nighters", so reputation and years in the industry are important.
Don't skimp on price. Generally, most of the risky safari companies are to be found in the lower rates category because they need to cut corners to maintain the extremely low prices.
A List To Sort The Wheat From The Chaff
I've set up a list of the Top Six Safari Operators and Top Two Travel Agents in several African countries that conform closely to all the criteria listed above.
I have an advantage being the founder of African Safari Journals as I get to read all the safari trip reports that Africa travellers send through when they get back home from their journey.
I also own Top Safari Guides, a website that lists some of the best field guides in Africa according to their qualifications and experience.
From the operator reviews and their employed guide's skills, it quickly becomes clear who the good safari operators are and who the ones are that you should rather avoid.
Take Corinne Love as an example. She booked a trip with what was one of the better-known safari operators in Kenya and sent me a travel report of what happened. The result was a lesson in caution...
Don't Let This Happen To You On Your Safari
"Once in Africa, I found out that the African Safari Club employees had not been paid for between 5 months and 7 months. Had I known this, I certainly would not have booked with the company.
The safari vehicles were inferior to everyone else's, tyres being threadbare and seats all ripped and torn.
With the tyres in such a bad state and difficult terrain, it's not surprising that we had three punctures so we were left stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Once back at my hotel I personally witnessed a peaceful demonstration by 48 ASC workers asking for the right to be paid. And the outcome - they were all promptly sacked."
BEWARE - Although this particular safari company has fortunately since closed down, there are still others like this out there.
What Does the Top Six Safari Operators List Contain?
The list ranks the Top Six Safari Companies in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It includes a link to each top six operator's website so that you can learn more about them.
It's based on:
- The recommendations and experiences of former safari travellers on this website and other leading review websites and forums.
- Reputations built up in the travel industry.
- Official safari associations affiliations and accreditations.
- Qualifications and experience of field guides.
...and compiled by yours truly, Bruce Whittaker (more about me), the founder of African Safari Journals and Top Safari Guides.
You can use the list to very effectively and quickly sift through the large number of safari operators that exist in each African country to find the cream of the crop.
The safari companies are grouped into three rate categories on the list:
Ultra-Luxury & Palatial: Prices range from $650 upwards per person per night spent on safari.
Luxury: Between $450+ and $650 per person per night spent on safari.
Budget & Mid-Range: Up To $450 per person per night spent on safari.
The Advantages Of Using This List
Saves You Time
I do all the legwork to determine the finest safari operators so you don't have to. Cuts down on your safari planning time considerably.
Make The Right Choice
This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip so you need to make sure to get your company decision spot on. This list very effectively pinpoints the best safari operators for you.
Peace Of Mind
Sleep soundly knowing that these are the best safari companies you can get for your unique situation, and they won't let you down.
Field Guides Are Taken Into Consideration
The best companies are the ones where the field guide and the logistics and support backing him/her up work effectively in tandem.
How To Get The List
I make the list available in my 'Top Safari Guide' eBook app which contains many other useful sections for any safari traveller...
- The 3-step planning process refined over many years to make sure you find the best safari destination, accommodation and company you possibly can.
- Better safari photography tips, techniques and advice to help you improve your photographs in the short time available on a safari trip.
- A comprehensive tickeable packing list to make sure you leave nothing important behind.
- A tick list of all the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that can be found in each of the top seven game reserves/national parks.
- There's also a 'Chance To See' scale and description beneath each mammal, reptile and amphibian name, which gives you an idea of the sightings you can expect on your safari.
- The app covers everything you need to know and do before and during your safari to make it a resounding success.
Find out more about the Top Safari Guide app and the top six safari operators list here...