Going private takes a safari to the next level, giving you a luxury that's hard to come by in the frenetic, fervour-filled thing we call life... Time. You sit back while we create the perfect itinerary, with your private guide at the helm, finding the best accommodation options for you and yours in the best destinations with the best experiences Africa has to offer. A front-row seat to The Great Wildebeest Migration? No problemo. Up close and personal with mountain gorillas? Done. An exclusive expedition in the far reaches of the Okavango Delta? Certainly. 

The role of a private guide goes beyond logistics, offering knowledgeable, hands-on support that adds depth to every safari we create. With their insight into African wildlife and ecosystems, these guides can interpret the landscape, share in-depth knowledge about animal behaviour, and navigate safely through diverse terrains. 

With the freedom to explore without fixed schedules or crowded spaces, you get to immerse yourself in Africa’s vibrant landscapes and encounter wildlife in a way that is entirely personal. Whether tracking a pride of lions, observing elephants at a waterhole, or listening to the distant call of a hyena as the sun sets, a private safari makes each moment memorable and each experience deeply rewarding. From start to finish, every detail is crafted to ensure the trip is as seamless as it is extraordinary.

For families, we work hard to curate exceptional experiences for younger travellers at destinations we know have exceptional kids' programmes. And when it comes to your offspring, a private guide gives you the chance to relax, knowing your children are in good hands at all times, learning in a fun and informative way while having an absolute ball! Extended, multi-generational families also benefit from have a privately guided experience, as can groups of friends celebrating a landmark birthday. The permutations are literally endless, and all add up to seamless travel with a focus on personalised experiences. 

Putting together an exclusive safari led by a private guide gives us the chance to add an unparalleled level of personalisation and flexibility in another way - private charter flights. Forget airport queues and endless check-in lines. Having access to private charter flights is transformational, giving you the chance to make the most of every hour on safari while enabling us to create itineraries that cover the continent's hotspots with no worry about connecting often challenging scheduled flights. 

Charter flights allow us to combine destinations such as the Kruger National Park and Cape Town in South Africa, Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley, or Namibia’s ethereal desert landscapes, all in a single, fluid itinerary. With private access and knowledgeable guidance, each journey becomes a curated experience, linking the most captivating parts of the continent in a way that truly maximises time spent on the ground.

It's time efficient, comfortable, and offers a seamless flow from one unforgettable destination to another. What more do you need?

There's yet another layer to this superlative safari gateau - opting for exclusive-use accommodation in safari lodges and camps, allowing you complete flexibility each and every day. Whether it's a private safari house, luxury villa or a small, intimate and completely private tented camp that suits a larger group of friends or extended families, you get to decide what to do each day, with your private guide acting as liaison with the staff to ensure you do what you want to do when you want to do it. 

Privately guided safaris also enjoy exclusivity out in the wilderness, with their own open game drive vehicles at their disposal. This means that if you want to do a late game drive after breakfast or head out after dinner for a late-night encounter with nocturnal predators or to do some stargazing, you can. Walking safaris also lend themselves to privately guided experiences, often giving you access to remote areas beyond the scope of a standard, shared itinerary.

Of course, dining experiences also get better on a privately guided safari, with exceptional, personalised menus and flexible mealtimes. Exclusive-use safari houses, villas and camps come with private chefs who are able to prepare menus in advance with us, allowing you to completely customise what and where you eat. All dietary requirements are catered for, and you get to decide when you want to eat and when you don't, escaping the "got to be back in camp for dinner by 8" scenario and mixing up the traditional safari schedules to suit you. That's right - you CAN sleep late and still have an amazing safari!

So, how do you go about arranging a private guide and all that goes into a privately guided safari? It's easy. You leave it to us. We work with a selection of highly regarded private guides, ensuring each trip is led by an expert who brings deep knowledge and a commitment to exceptional service. So, let's chat about you going private on your next Zafaris adventure!

Text: Sharon Gilbert-Rivett