To help you appreciate the special merits of our safaris and itineraries,
and to acquaint you with our safari philosophy, we encourage you
to consider the following features of our itineraries.
1. Custom Itineraries - We customize, arrange and conduct our own safaris.
Each safari is led and hosted by one of our naturalist-photographer
guides, typically assisted by a second guide, and a team of select
driver-guides.
2. Small Group
Size - Each group is purposely
limited to a maximum of eight or twelve guests per safari. We
specialize in guiding and indulging a select few rather than servicing
a large crowd. A small group environment greatly enhances everyone's
enjoyment of their safari experience and nurtures camaraderie
and the spirit of discovery. Photography is also significantly
enhanced when traveling with a small congenial group. In game
viewing vehicles, each person is guaranteed a window seat and
open aisle (many providers who promise "window seats"
still have as many as nine people in the vehicle with people seated
in the center of the vehicle [presumably who have not been promised
a window seat]. This severely compromises passenger comfort and
photography options as people must jostle for the best position
in the roof opening). Each vehicle also has an English-speaking
driver, and an open roof top enabling everyone to take photographs
from a standing position.
3. Wing Safaris - All of our itineraries include the extremely
important time-saving convenience of flying from place to place,
thus expediting passage over vast distances. We drive the scenic
and interesting segments of each itinerary, but fly the routes
that are long, bumpy and/or tedious - thus saving our precious
time for game viewing and photography.
4. Quality Time
in Quality Places - We dislike
rushed itineraries characterized by frequent packing and unpacking,
and we avoid crowded, overtly commercial parks and lodges. By
refusing to employ the foolish but common tour company practice
of spending an average of only two nights at each place visited,
we avoid fatigue as well as the frustration and disappointments
that characterize most safaris. In marked contrast to the standard
approach, we allocate 4 to 7 nights at each of our favorite tented
camps, private ranch houses, and "bush homes". Each
is a small, charming, exclusive safari hideaway situated in a
tranquil, idyllic setting, and endowed with an extraordinary ambiance,
fine cuisine and splendid hospitality. Equally important, each
is centrally located in the very heart of an outstanding wildlife
reserve or private conservancy!
The essence of a well-planned safari is that it maximizes opportunities
to observe and photograph wildlife behavior and discover fascinating
cultures, while also providing time to savor the exhilaration
and pleasure of being "on safari". The experience cannot
be rushed without significantly compromising the quality of game
viewing and cultural encounters. Whether a set-departure itinerary
or a private-group safari, all of our itineraries are designed
to maximize the true safari experience and minimize wasted down
time, and all are crafted to include at least 30 high-quality
game drives or cultural experiences during a two week safari -
twice the average of most other safaris of comparable length!
5. The Right Places
at the Right Times - Our itineraries
visit only the finest wildlife parks and reserves in Africa, and
only at the time of year when the quality of game viewing
is at its predictable best. In Kenya, for instance, July
to early November is unquestionably the best time for game viewing.
The Great Migration herds are typically in residence en masse
in the Maasai Mara National Reserve at this time! We avoid the
rainy seasons as well as the first month thereafter when dispersed
watering holes, tall grass and dense foliage tend to make game
viewing and photography difficult and frustrating.
Conversely, during the East-African summer
months of December through March, we opt for the great plains
of the vast Serengeti in Tanzania and utilize our high level of
mobile camping to ensure that we are situated for optimal tracking
of the Great Migration and their attendant predators. Further,
during this time, there is the possibility of seeing the wildebeest
synchronized birthing--a wildlife spectacle without equal. To
complete our Tanzanian itineraries, we generally include stays
at the Ngorongoro Crater, visits to Olduvai (Oldupai) Gorge, where
the Leakeys did their digs for early hominids, as well as other
off-the-beaten-path parks and reserves including Mahale Mountains
(chimpanzee trekking), Ruaha, Katavi, Gombe Stream and the Selous
to name only a few.
6. Sensitive &
Ecological Travel - We believe
it is a moral imperative that we all practice an environmentally
prudent and culturally sensitive approach to travel. The timeless
Africa we experience while on safari is a very special but small
remnant of the primordial world that scarcely exists elsewhere.
It is our responsibility to ensure this precious legacy remains
wild and pristine for future generations.
7. All Inclusive
Pricing - We include in the
price of our safaris virtually every service and expense you can
realistically expect to have to pay for during your safari. We
feel a safari should be a special experience free of distraction
and annoyance. As such, we prefer that you not be bothered with
paying frequent charges, gratuities, fees, taxes, etc.
Included Items:
* All in-country/intra-East-Africa charter flights as per itinerary including departure taxes ^
* All gratuities (lodge and camp staff, drivers, guides etc.)
* All meals as per itinerary
* All beverages and cocktails, including house wine (specialty wines excluded), soft drinks and drinking water (bottled, spring or purified).
* All sightseeing/game drives/cultural visits as per itinerary
* All baggage handling
* All transfers
* All visa fees including our obtaining the visas for you
* All National Park and Conservancy Fees ^
* Prudent and valuable temporary membership in The Flying Doctors' Society of Africa.^ Please note that many safari companies have taken to the practice of separately stating or not including internal airfare and park fees. This is so that they can pass along any increases that may occur in these costly trip components as well as being able to advertise a less costly trip as an enticement. In contrast, when we price our safaris, we guarantee the price including internal air and park fees. If there were an increase in these or other "included" costs, we absorb the increase. The importance of this point cannot be stressed strongly enough. Be sure to ask many questions when comparing safari companies and itineraries to avoid the possibility of a most unwelcomed surprise.
We believe that you'll agree it is far preferable to know and budget for the real cost of your safari in advance and leave the day-to-day payment of these myriad and significant costs to us.
One note of caution: After you have savored a safari with us, you may not want to travel with anyone else ever again!