African safari- luxury

[Anonymous]

We are using Timbuktu this summer but it’s not a super luxe trip (taking kids). We are staying at Walkers Plain Camp for the safari portion. They’ve been excellent with all of the pre planning.
I’ve also heard amazing things about & Three Collective for very bespoke trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you truly want luxury, you can’t beat Robin Hurt Safaris.

OP didn’t say they wanted to kill beautiful endangered animals for fun from a safe distance with high powered weapons to assert their ever weakening manhood.

+1000

Do NOT use Robin Hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are we talking per person for these types of experiences?

PP at 21:35. We paid about 15k for two of us, not including flights to and from the Africa (but did include bush flights) for 10days in 2021, including one night at Arusha Coffee Lodge, 3 nights at Sayari Camp in the Serengeti, 2 nights at The Highlands at Ngorongoro, and the rest at a villa in a resort in Zanzibar. This included pretty much everything but tips. This was in November, which is shoulder season so a bit cheaper (but I highly recommend it -- we had a guide and vehicle to ourselves at both resorts because the camps were not full and we saw every animal, including the big five). We wanted for nothing, and the hospitality was incredible (it was an anniversary trip and at every place they had incredible celebrations for us).

I was provided several options by the travel agent, and we did go with the most expensive options. But this was four years ago and I imagine things cost more now.

For luxury Africa, that actually is very cheap.

It was 2021 (we'd been scheduled for 2020 and the pandemic hit and so we put it off for a year thinking "Surely this will all be over by then"), and it was shoulder season. I am sure it would be much more now. But Asilia is definitely FAT.

[Anonymous]

Which part of Africa? It is quite a sizeable country. We stayed at Little Governor's camp in Kenya in the Mara: https://governorscamp.com
Governors is a bigger camp where you share safari vehicles with other people so there are timed excursions. Little Governor's is very small, private and you have a dedicated driver. You must fly in a small plane to Little Governors, then you cross a small river (with guards keeping the hippos away) and then you get there ... it is truly magnificent.

I also love Virunga, in the DRC, for gorilla trekking. The Virunga hotel is very high end - although not sure what the status is after the Rwanda incursion into Goma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which part of Africa? It is quite a sizeable country. We stayed at Little Governor's camp in Kenya in the Mara: https://governorscamp.com
Governors is a bigger camp where you share safari vehicles with other people so there are timed excursions. Little Governor's is very small, private and you have a dedicated driver. You must fly in a small plane to Little Governors, then you cross a small river (with guards keeping the hippos away) and then you get there ... it is truly magnificent.

I also love Virunga, in the DRC, for gorilla trekking. The Virunga hotel is very high end - although not sure what the status is after the Rwanda incursion into Goma.

Country? Try continent!

[Anonymous]

You should also mention when you want to travel - we went to the Mara in July and it was teeming with animals. But then we went to Tsavo in December and you could hardly see anything because of all the greenery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which part of Africa? It is quite a sizeable country. We stayed at Little Governor's camp in Kenya in the Mara: https://governorscamp.com
Governors is a bigger camp where you share safari vehicles with other people so there are timed excursions. Little Governor's is very small, private and you have a dedicated driver. You must fly in a small plane to Little Governors, then you cross a small river (with guards keeping the hippos away) and then you get there ... it is truly magnificent.

I also love Virunga, in the DRC, for gorilla trekking. The Virunga hotel is very high end - although not sure what the status is after the Rwanda incursion into Goma.

Country? Try continent!

Coffee hasn't kicked in yet. Yes, continent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you truly want luxury, you can’t beat Robin Hurt Safaris.

OP didn’t say they wanted to kill beautiful endangered animals for fun from a safe distance with high powered weapons to assert their ever weakening manhood.

LOL

Ugh I hated running into those types when I was living in east Africa. Could spot them immediately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are we talking per person for these types of experiences?

PP at 21:35. We paid about 15k for two of us, not including flights to and from the Africa (but did include bush flights) for 10days in 2021, including one night at Arusha Coffee Lodge, 3 nights at Sayari Camp in the Serengeti, 2 nights at The Highlands at Ngorongoro, and the rest at a villa in a resort in Zanzibar. This included pretty much everything but tips. This was in November, which is shoulder season so a bit cheaper (but I highly recommend it -- we had a guide and vehicle to ourselves at both resorts because the camps were not full and we saw every animal, including the big five). We wanted for nothing, and the hospitality was incredible (it was an anniversary trip and at every place they had incredible celebrations for us).

I was provided several options by the travel agent, and we did go with the most expensive options. But this was four years ago and I imagine things cost more now.

For luxury Africa, that actually is very cheap.

+1. I want to know what OP means by “luxury.” I have been to some of those places mentioned and they are very nice, you want for nothing, you have your own guide/car, etc— but I wouldn’t call them luxury. I’ve done several safari trips and it is typically in the $15k-$20k range for a great trip.

I also know people who have spent $50k-$100k. That’s what I expected by “luxury.” We’re talking private planes, several weeks with a chef in the bush, and so on.

[Anonymous]

Not to hijack, but we are thinking about going in December 2026. Was thinking South Africa - is that a good time to go there if we want to see animals? Also looking for high end so appreciate the recommendations here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to hijack, but we are thinking about going in December 2026. Was thinking South Africa - is that a good time to go there if we want to see animals? Also looking for high end so appreciate the recommendations here!

That will be a nice time.

What do you mean by high end? What exactly are you looking for?

[Anonymous]

Went to Lukimbi Lodge in RSA a few years back and thought it was great. Saw all the big 5 and the accommodations were very nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are we talking per person for these types of experiences?

PP at 21:35. We paid about 15k for two of us, not including flights to and from the Africa (but did include bush flights) for 10days in 2021, including one night at Arusha Coffee Lodge, 3 nights at Sayari Camp in the Serengeti, 2 nights at The Highlands at Ngorongoro, and the rest at a villa in a resort in Zanzibar. This included pretty much everything but tips. This was in November, which is shoulder season so a bit cheaper (but I highly recommend it -- we had a guide and vehicle to ourselves at both resorts because the camps were not full and we saw every animal, including the big five). We wanted for nothing, and the hospitality was incredible (it was an anniversary trip and at every place they had incredible celebrations for us).

I was provided several options by the travel agent, and we did go with the most expensive options. But this was four years ago and I imagine things cost more now.

For luxury Africa, that actually is very cheap.

+1. I want to know what OP means by “luxury.” I have been to some of those places mentioned and they are very nice, you want for nothing, you have your own guide/car, etc— but I wouldn’t call them luxury. I’ve done several safari trips and it is typically in the $15k-$20k range for a great trip.

I also know people who have spent $50k-$100k. That’s what I expected by “luxury.” We’re talking private planes, several weeks with a chef in the bush, and so on.

Exactly. I wouldn't call any of the safari trips I've done 'luxury'. If you go in thinking you're going to get this luxe experience, you will be sorely disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are we talking per person for these types of experiences?

PP at 21:35. We paid about 15k for two of us, not including flights to and from the Africa (but did include bush flights) for 10days in 2021, including one night at Arusha Coffee Lodge, 3 nights at Sayari Camp in the Serengeti, 2 nights at The Highlands at Ngorongoro, and the rest at a villa in a resort in Zanzibar. This included pretty much everything but tips. This was in November, which is shoulder season so a bit cheaper (but I highly recommend it -- we had a guide and vehicle to ourselves at both resorts because the camps were not full and we saw every animal, including the big five). We wanted for nothing, and the hospitality was incredible (it was an anniversary trip and at every place they had incredible celebrations for us).

I was provided several options by the travel agent, and we did go with the most expensive options. But this was four years ago and I imagine things cost more now.

For luxury Africa, that actually is very cheap.

+1. I want to know what OP means by “luxury.” I have been to some of those places mentioned and they are very nice, you want for nothing, you have your own guide/car, etc— but I wouldn’t call them luxury. I’ve done several safari trips and it is typically in the $15k-$20k range for a great trip.

I also know people who have spent $50k-$100k. That’s what I expected by “luxury.” We’re talking private planes, several weeks with a chef in the bush, and so on.

I'm the PP who stayed at Asilia properties. I only have experience with Tanzania. It was luxury for the bush. If you look up the properties you will see that Sayari has beautiful private tents and The Highlands is the nicest camp near Ngorongoro and it is perched on the edge of the crater and you stay in glass igloo structures where you can look up at the stars. Neither has a private chef. But at the villa we stayed at in Zanzibar we did have a chef. But you aren't going to get "several weeks with a chef in the bush" on a $50k trip. Not to Tanzania anyway. Private planes are a bit easier to come by -- there are a lot of bush pilots. But what is most important is that our guides were incredible; if you go on Safari, that is what matters, and the better properties have the better guides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Abercrombie and Kent. But be prepared to pay.

Agree. I have gone on a safari with them 5 times, and every trip they’ve arranged has been incredible.