A Guide to Zambia Safaris: South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls

Zambia, you blew me away.

When I visited Zambia for the first time, it surprised me in the best possible way. From the moment I landed in Lusaka and was met with warm smiles and genuine hospitality, I knew this trip was going to be something different.

Zambia doesn't shout. It doesn't need to. It just quietly delivers some of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters, most authentic Safari experiences, and most underrated landscapes on the entire continent. If you've been on Safari before and you're wondering where next — or if you're planning your first and want somewhere that feels genuinely wild — Zambia should be at the top of your list.

Here is everything you need to know when considering Zambia for your Safari and some reasons it should be top of your Safari list!

The wildlife is next level

Let me tell you about some of the moments that stopped me in my tracks.

• In South Luangwa, I watched a pack of wild dogs cooling off after a hunt — utterly unbothered, completely relaxed, just living their lives. Later, in the Lower Zambezi, the same pack gave chase to an impala across open ground. The speed, the coordination, the sheer wildness of it.

• A leopard sighting one morning had me abandoning my planned walking Safari without hesitation. My guide Sandy from Sungani Lodge spotted her in the golden morning light, draped across a branch with that perfect, liquid leopard indifference. I don't regret the decision for a second.

• The elephants were everywhere — and not just in numbers. I got to watch them properly. Mothers with tiny calves navigating riverbanks. Teenagers jostling and testing each other. An old bull moving alone through the mopane. When you spend time quietly with elephants, you see things you'd miss on a rushed game drive. Elephants, all day, any day.

• Lions were a constant. A sibling pair playing with sticks — one enthusiastic, the other emphatically not interested. A cheeky lion cub attempting to steal from his father's kill, trying with extraordinary patience while Dad refused to budge, and Mum eventually running over to sort out the family drama. Wildlife doesn't get more entertaining than that.

• And then there were the white rhinos. My guide and I were transferring through Mosi-O-Tunya when something large caught my eye at a distance. I called hippo. He called elephant. We were both wrong — and both got goosebumps when we realized we were looking at two white rhinos. Neither of us could stop talking about it for the rest of the journey.

• The carmine bee-eaters were an unexpected highlight too — arriving at the riverbanks to nest, a flash of colour and movement that birders travel specifically to see. They are utterly beautiful and if you think you aren’t into birds, you might just find yourself enchanted by the birdlife and leaving Zambia a step closer to being a true birder!

South Luangwa National Park — the home of the walking Safari

South Luangwa is where the walking Safari was born, and it remains one of the best places in Africa to experience it. There's something fundamentally different about being on foot in the bush — the sounds sharpen, the smells intensify, and the relationship between you and the landscape changes entirely. You notice things from a vehicle that you'd never see on foot, and vice versa.

The park itself is extraordinary: dense mopane woodland giving way to open floodplains along the Luangwa River, oxbow lagoons teeming with hippos and crocodiles, and a concentration of leopard that is among the highest in Africa. It's a place where every game drive feels different from the last.

Puku Ridge Camp was one of our favourites on the South Luangwa circuit — beautifully positioned, exceptional guiding, and the kind of intimate camp experience that makes a Zambia Safari feel genuinely personal.

Sungani Lodge delivered some of the best guiding of the entire trip. Sandy, our guide there, had the kind of knowledge and instinct that you only develop from years in the bush — and that leopard moment was his doing entirely.

Best time for South Luangwa: The dry season (May to October) is peak season — the bush thins out, wildlife concentrates around the river, and game viewing is exceptional. The green season (November to April) brings lush landscapes, baby animals, and the carmine bee-eaters — and rates are lower.

Lower Zambezi National Park — river Safaris and extraordinary game

Where South Luangwa feels intimate and wooded, the Lower Zambezi opens up. The Zambezi River forms a natural boundary with Zimbabwe, and the combination of land game drives and river-based activities — boat Safaris, canoe trips, fishing — makes for one of the most varied Safari experiences anywhere in Africa.

Canoe Safaris on the Zambezi are something special. Drifting past elephants drinking on the bank, hippos submerged to their eyes, fish eagles overhead — the river gives you a completely different perspective on the wildlife, and there's a quiet thrill to being that close to the water and everything in it.

The wild dog sighting I mentioned — the impala chase — happened here. The Lower Zambezi delivers.

Best time for Lower Zambezi: May to October. The camp access roads can be impassable in the wet season, and the river experience is best when water levels are lower (August to October for canoe Safaris).

Victoria Falls or Mosi-O-Tunya‘The Smoke that Thunders’

No Zambia Safari feels complete without Victoria Falls. The Zambians call it Mosi-O-Tunya — the smoke that thunders — and the moment you hear it before you see it, you understand why.

The falls are extraordinary from every angle: from the walking paths through the rainforest, from a helicopter, from the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe. But the most unforgettable way to experience them — if you have the nerve — is from Livingstone Island and the Devil's Pool.

I am afraid of heights. My intention, genuinely, was to watch and observe for the benefit of everyone reading this. The guides had other plans!

Livingstone Island sits right at the edge of the falls, and the Devil's Pool is a natural rock pool that forms in the dry season (roughly August to January) where you can swim to the very lip of the falls and peer over the edge. Nothing but a slippery rock between you and one of the most dramatic drops on earth. The guide's encouragement was, I have to say, extremely persuasive. I took the plunge — literally, into cold water — and it was one of the most exhilarating, terrifying, laugh-or-cry moments of my life.

The breakfast served on Livingstone Island afterwards, looking out over the falls, was one of the best meals I've had anywhere.

Important: Devil's Pool is only accessible during low water season (roughly August to January). During high water (February to July), the island itself and the pool are inaccessible. If this is on your list, time your trip accordingly.

Latitude 15 in Lusaka is a fantastic first night — a beautifully decorated boutique hotel that lets you decompress after the long journey before heading into the bush. It sets exactly the right tone for what's to come.

How to combine Zambia with neighbouring countries

Zambia sits in a wonderfully central position for combining countries. Victoria Falls connects naturally to Zimbabwe (Matetsi River Lodge is exceptional on the Zimbabwe side) and Botswana's Chobe National Park is just a short transfer away and possible for a day trip. Many guests combine Zambia with Botswana for a Southern Africa Safari that covers extraordinary variety without too much travel.

For guests coming from East Africa, Zambia pairs well with Tanzania — a Southern Africa extension after a Serengeti and Ngorongoro itinerary is something we're increasingly putting together.

Practical notes for planning

Getting there: Most international guests fly into Lusaka or Livingstone via Johannesburg. Internal flights connect to both South Luangwa (Mfuwe Airport) and Lower Zambezi.

How long to go for: We recommend a minimum of seven nights to cover South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi properly, with a night or two at Victoria Falls. Ten nights gives you room to breathe.

Walking Safaris: If you want to include walking Safaris — and we strongly recommend you do — let us know upfront so we can book the right camps and guides. Not all camps offer walks, and the best walking guides need to be requested specifically.

What to expect from Zambian hospitality: The warmth of the people in Zambia blew me away. From the team at Latitude 15 to Sandy at Sungani and the guides throughout, Zambia has a quality of hospitality that is hard to define but impossible to miss. Beyond the wildlife and stunning lodges, it made the trip. The lodge teams, guides, rangers, and everyone in between are the heart beat of the Safari world and we hope you leave Zambia feeling connected to the people who call it home.

Ready to start planning your Zambia Safari?

Zambia surprised me. I suspect it will surprise you too. If you're ready to start thinking about it — or even just curious — get in touch. We'd love to help you put something together.

Start planning your Zambia Safari

Mefi

Wild Encounters: Unforgettable Safari Moments from Our Guests

One of the great privileges of this work — twenty-five years and counting of designing Safaris — is that we get to witness the moment Africa gets under someone's skin. It happens differently for everyone. For some, it's the scale of the Serengeti at dawn. For others, it's a single, fleeting wildlife encounter that they'll spend the rest of their life trying to describe at dinner with friends. For children, it can be a pride of lions or a Samburu warrior in full ceremonial dress and suddenly the world is bigger than it was the morning before.

We've been collecting these moments for years. Some arrived as long, glorious emails. Some came as voice notes, late at night, still buzzing from the day. One arrived as a series of text messages sent in real time from the back of a Land Cruiser. All of them made us deeply proud of what we do.

Here are some of our favorites — stories from guests who went to Africa and came back changed. We keep adding to this, as a bit of a “Guestbook” or Safari Journal of what our guests are feeling, seeing and saying about their Journey to Africa Safari.

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Zambia & Tanzania and a Safari that was so good it didn’t feel real.

John & Gayle Mead - Victoria Falls, Serengeti, Nyerere, and Tanzania Safari

““I had to keep saying: this is real”
John and Gayle Mead — Victoria Falls, Serengeti, and Selous, Zambia and Tanzania
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— John and Gayle Mead — Victoria Falls, Serengeti, and Selous, Zambia and Tanzania

John reached out wanting something epic. We went back and forth over emails and calls until we landed on a journey that took them from the thundering spray of Victoria Falls in Zambia all the way through Tanzania's Serengeti and the wild, boat-accessed wilderness of Nyerere (Selous) Game Reserve in Southern Tanzania.

When Gayle wrote back, she opened with exactly the feeling we'd hoped for:

"I had no idea what I would really feel once I saw the animals in the wild. I had to keep saying 'this is real.'" Gayle Mead

That's it. That's the whole thing, really. No photograph prepares you for the moment you realize there is nothing between you and the animal except open air and the hum of the bush. Gayle put it perfectly — and we've never forgotten it.

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Three photographers, one Tanzanian Safari, and 800 kilometers of pure magic

George, Joey, and Henry — Northern Tanzania

When George first got in touch, he mentioned he'd be bringing a Phase One camera. I knew immediately: this Safari needed to be entirely private. One guide, one vehicle, total flexibility to chase the light wherever it went.

We sent them deep into Northern Tanzania — Serengeti, Ngorongoro, the works — for nine days with guide Nathan, who logged over 800 kilometers with them across Tanzania's most iconic landscapes.

““Nathan was not only a wonderfully knowledgeable guide but an excellent and patient travel companion. Life in the Land Cruiser was great — even with the free African Massage, as Nathan described traveling down some of the roads.””

— George, Northern Tanzania Safari

If you've ever been on a Tanzanian bush track in the back of a Land Cruiser, you'll know exactly what Nathan meant!

When we were in the crater, we watched this big old bull elephant saunter across the crater floor towards the marsh where Nathan had us positioned. The old boy stopped maybe 12 ft away and just stood there, dust bathing and looking at us for about 15 minutes and then just continued on his way.

Stary nights on Safari

“Being a city boy, I don't see the Milky Way very often due to light pollution so I hoped to get a night sky shot at some point on the trip. At Kichuguu, what was just as memorable was the honor guard of camp staff we had around us, simultaneously ensuring we didn't get eaten and just as keen to look at the results.”

George Hart, Northern Tanzania Safari

Makes us so happy when our Safari goers get to fulfill their Tanzanian Safari dream.

What is your Safari dream? We can help make it a reality.

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The family Safari where nature provided the birds-and-bees talk!

Angela and the Hall family — Lake Eyasi and Northern Tanzania

When Angela wrote to say she wanted her children — twins aged 12, a 15-year-old, and a 17-year-old — to experience more than just wildlife on their family Safari, I knew exactly where to take them. We added a visit to the Hadzabe tribe at remote Lake Eyasi, one of the last hunter-gatherer communities in East Africa, alongside the classic Northern Circuit.

Sunset over Lake Eysasi - the ancestral home of the Hadzabe people.

The feedback came in three distinct voices. Sydney, the eldest at 17, was so moved by the visit to the Rift Valley Children's Village that she started talking about going back. The twins were wide-eyed and honest about the sounds the bush makes at night (a white noise machine may have been helpful — lesson learned for our packing guide!).

And Angela had this to say about one particular morning game drive: the wildlife had, unprompted and with perfect comic timing, delivered the birds-and-bees conversation she'd been meaning to have with her boys. Nature, as always, does things in its own way and on its own terms. Their reactions, she said, were priceless!

The family enjoyed the Night Safari & Walking Safaris on every the single evening/morning at Oliver’s Camp, Tarangire - this is why we love Tarangire - aside from the huge

Family Safari stories and memories that will shape lives and be shared around the dinner table for generations to come - this is why we do what we do. What will your Family Safari stories be?

Team photo before a morning bush walk

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A private journey built entirely around photography - and where the wildebeeste didn’t disappoint!

Ravi — Serengeti, Tanzania

Ravi came to us with a very specific Safari in mind: a private journey built entirely around photography, with the wildebeest migration as the centerpiece. We routed him through Central Serengeti before positioning him in the north — exactly where the migration crosses the Mara River in August — staying at Kiota Camp and then Serengeti Safari Camp.

After the Safari, he wrote back with one short and sweet line that said everything:

““Can’t thank you enough.””

— Ravi, Serengeti Safari

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Texts from the bush: "Next level, Mefi!!!!"

Soraiya's multi-generational family & a life changing Safari for the books — Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Pemba Island, Tanzania

Soraiya wanted a family Safari that worked for everyone — from the youngest to the grandparents. Her asks: wildlife, the wildebeest migration, and scuba diving. Not a small order. We positioned them in Central Serengeti at Lahia House and then north to Mkombe's House — a private home where the kids could roam freely — before finishing on Pemba Island at Fundu Lagoon for some of the best diving in the Indian Ocean.

Thanks to Soriaya for these behind-the-scenes, blow-by-blow short and sweet texts of her multi-generational family Safari unfolding in Tanzania. Texts like these are gold and what keeps us going. Let’s start at the beginning:

“Arrived in Kilimanjaro, with Sia in the car, super smoooth!”

“Ali and Gabu are phenomenal!” [About the guides]

”Hey hey! Excellent day in Serengeti! We have seen SO many animals and an amazing migration already!!!”

“”Rooms are amazing [at Lahia] and the place is a small slice of heaven on Earth!!””

— Soraiya's Texts

A Family Affair - all the family with the Mkombe House Team. Memories that will last a lifetime.

““Mkombe House in PHENOMENAL!!! Wowowow!””

— Soraiya's Safari Texts

After their Safari, we called Soriaya and heard in more detail how amazing this family Safari really was. A comment Soraiya made after their Safari was confirmed was, “That was easy!”.
That is our goal! To make your Safari planning as easy for you as possible. We know the right places to take you, for the right times. We can’t wait to show you our Tanzania.

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An East African Adventure: Kenya & Tanzania from Serengeti plains to Mahale Mountain Chimps

Ken, Nan, Julie, and Clyde — Kenya and Tanzania

This was the Safari that had everything. Ken and Nan joined forces with friends Julie and Clyde and wildlife photographer Randy Hanna — Kenya is Randy's second home — and together they explored elephant-rich Amboseli National Park and the Mara North Conservancy. After Kenya, they continued into Tanzania: the World Heritage Site of Ngorongoro Crater, the remote chimp-filled wilderness of Mahale Mountains in Western Tanzania, and the beaches of Zanzibar.

Ken wrote to us about the elephants at Amboseli — a memory that will clearly stay with him for a very long time:

Elephants in dusty Amboseli - a magical experience.

““We woke to an elephant eating leaves just five feet from our heads — felt his movement through the canvas. Another day we watched a line of elephants marching across the Amboseli flats towards water, so close you could hear their feet crunch on the dust.””

— Ken on Amboseli

Hearing feet crunch on the dust. That detail. That's what Safari does. It makes you notice things you didn't know you could notice. Next they headed to the remote and utterly beautiful Mahale Mountains National Park in Western Tanzania. Here’s what Julie said about their time at Greystoke Mahale:

“Two hours of close interaction with chimps as they wandered thru our Mahale camp (a magical experience).

Mahale was our favorite lodge by far. It was the boat ride , the lake shore location, the smaller size, the rustic remoteness, and Butati that elevated Mahale above the others. We felt more immersed in nature, with very little separating us from jungle life.”

— Julie on Greystoke Mahale, Western Tanzania

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Your Safari story is next.

Every single Safari we design is different — because every guest we work with is different. Different dreams, different travel styles, different moments that end up mattering most. But the through-line is always the same: Africa gets in. And it doesn't leave.

If you've been on a Journey to Africa Safari, we'd love to hear your wild encounter. The moment that made you catch your breath. The morning that changed something. The thing you keep telling people about.

And if you haven't been yet — let's change that.

Botswana: Delta Dreams and Desert Delights

Dumela!

There's something about Botswana that takes hold of your soul and doesn't let go. Maybe it's the quiet glide of a mokoro through golden reeds. Maybe it's the sudden stillness before lions emerge from the brush. Or maybe it's that feeling — coffee in hand at sunrise, nothing in sight but floodplains bathed in morning light — where you realize the world is bigger and wilder and more extraordinary than you ever gave it credit for.

Botswana started as a daunting destination for me. Early in my career as a Safari designer, I didn't know it as well as my home of East Africa, and it felt complex. But over the years I've visited, tried and tested many of the top camps and lodges, found our favorites, and it has slowly become one of the most rewarding Safaris to put together. Now so many of our guests are choosing it — and I couldn't be more thrilled.

If Botswana isn't on your Safari list yet, let me change that.

Mefi

On the Okavango Delta

Why Botswana is unlike anywhere else in Africa

Botswana is one of the most wildlife-rich countries on the continent, and it does things differently. Low-volume, high-quality tourism means fewer vehicles, more space, and a feeling of genuine wilderness that is increasingly rare. The government has committed to conservation over mass tourism for decades — and it shows in everything from the density of wildlife to the quality of the guiding.

What makes it feel truly singular is the sheer variety of landscapes in one country: the water-laced channels of the Okavango Delta, the vast elephant highways of Chobe, the salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, and the red dunes of the Kalahari. No two days look the same.

My trip to Botswana in February

The Okavango Delta — a non-negotiable

The Delta is a must. Full stop.

Every year, rains from the Angolan highlands fill this inland delta — the only one of its kind in the world — transforming dry plains into shimmering lagoons, swelling channels, and breathing life into one of Africa's most extraordinary ecosystems. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango is home to lions that have adapted to the wetlands and grown larger and more powerful for it, termite islands built over hundreds of years, enormous elephant herds moving through floodplains, and bird species you simply won't see anywhere else.

I've been on Safari across this continent for over twenty years. The Okavango Delta is still unlike anything else I've seen.

Wet camps vs dry camps — and why the difference matters

Something I always explain to guests before we start planning the places-you-will stay in the Okavango Delta: your experience in the Delta shifts dramatically depending on whether you're staying at a wet camp or a dry camp, and understanding the difference helps you plan the right trip.

Wet camps are surrounded by permanent water. Activities here are water-based — and the star of the show is the mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe poled silently through narrow channels. You won't hear an engine. Just birdsong, the gentle swish of reeds, and the occasional splash as red lechwe leap across the shallows. It's peaceful, intimate, and wildly beautiful. Coming from the East African Safari world and used to bumpy game drives, this was totally enchanting - a truly immersive way to experience your surroundings.

Dry camps sit on islands within the Delta and deliver classic game drives across open savannah — elegant giraffes, stealthy leopards in leadwood trees, and if you're lucky, African wild dogs. The wildlife here is exceptional and the pace of a traditional game drive feels very different from the stillness of a mokoro.

The best part? Many of our favourite camps offer both experiences, so you don't have to choose.

Mokoro Rides through the Delta - gliding through the peaceful channels, loving life!

Our lovely guests Dr Hendricks & Vicki enjoyed a Heli ride over the Delta whilst staying at Kiri Camp in Khwai Concession.

When to visit the Delta

May to September is the golden window. This is when the floodwaters are at their peak — channels are high, mokoro rides are at their best, and the concentration of wildlife around the water is extraordinary. Hippos peek from the shallows. Elephants gather at newly-filled pools. Over 400 bird species fill the air.

Can't travel between May and September? Don't wait. I was in the Delta in February — channels lower, yes, but the wildlife is still there. That's me in the photo above, on a mokoro in February, having just seen leopard, lion, wild dogs, and a sitatunga in one day. The animals don't take the dry season off, and neither should you.

One thing worth noting: October and November can be extremely hot in Botswana before the rains arrive. Not impossible, but something to factor in.

The cherry on top: A helicopter flight over the Delta is something our guests consistently say is one of the most breathtaking things they've ever done. Seeing the scale of the channels, islands and floodplains from above - with wildlife moving through it all below you - completely changes how you understand this landscape.

“It produced a wonderful overview of the Okavango Delta and an understanding of how abundant the wildlife is there. We must have flown over literally 400 elephants during the flight.” Our JTA Guests on their Helicopter Ride over the Delta.

Chobe National Park — where the elephants rule

If the Delta is about intimacy and water, Chobe is about scale and abundance. Home to the largest elephant population on earth — over 130,000 elephants — Chobe delivers game viewing that is genuinely hard to believe until you're in it. Herds of hundreds moving through the floodplains. Lions on the bank. Buffalo, sable, roan antelope. And boat Safaris on the Chobe River that put you right at eye level with it all.

Chobe is a great place to combine a river Safari with a land Safari — the two activities complement each other beautifully and give you completely different perspectives on the same landscape.

Best time: Year-round, but the dry season (May to October) brings the most dramatic game viewing as wildlife concentrates along the river.

Safari Tip: Chobe National Park can also be visited on a day trip from Livingstone if you are visiting Victoria Falls in Zambia.

The Kalahari — Botswana's best-kept secret

Most guests come to Botswana for the Delta and leave without experiencing the Kalahari. The semi-arid desert of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in the world, and it offers a completely different Safari experience: open, ancient, and hauntingly beautiful.

The black-maned Kalahari lion is the star here, along with massive gemsbok, springbok, cheetah, and brown hyena. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans — white, utterly vast — sit on the Kalahari's edge and offer one of the most otherworldly landscapes in Africa. In the summer months (November to April), the pans fill with water and attract huge flocks of flamingos.

For guests looking to add something genuinely unexpected to their Okavango Delta Safari, the Kalahari is an incredible way to experience Botswana’s two extremes.

Practical notes for planning

Getting there: Most international guests fly into Maun (for the Delta) or Kasane (for Chobe) via Johannesburg. Internal bush flights between camps are a standard part of any multi-camp itinerary and add to the adventure. 

How long to go for: We recommend a minimum of seven nights in Botswana to do it justice. Ten to twelve nights allows you to move properly between areas without rushing.

Budget: Botswana sits at the premium end of the Safari market — the low-volumm  tourism model means camps are intentionally small and exclusive, and that comes at a price. We're always transparent with our guests about budget from the first conversation. The quality of what you get in return is genuinely exceptional. Botswana Safaris typically start at approximately $1,200 per person, per night.

Best overall season: May to October for peak game viewing and the best Delta water levels. November to April for lower rates, fewer guests, lush green landscapes, and the flamingos on the pans.

Wild dog pup in the Savute Region of Chobe, photo from our partners at Desert & Delta

Our favourite camps and areas

We're very deliberate about the camps we recommend. Over the years we've tried and tested across all the key areas, and these are the places we come back to again and again. Our list of favorite places is always evolving and growing.

In the Okavango Delta: We love the Kwando circuit of camps for their exceptional guiding and beautiful positions, and the Natural Selection camps for guests looking for something more intimate and design-led. Khwai Private Reserve — on the eastern edge of the Delta — is fantastic for dry land game viewing combined with the atmosphere of the Delta, and consistently delivers wild dog and leopard sightings.

In Chobe: Chobe-area camps that combine river Safaris with land game drives are our go-to. The quality of the boat Safari experience here is something we always highlight to guests.

In the Kalahari: Kalahari Plains Camp by Natural Selection is one of our favourites — remote, beautifully designed, and the gateway to some of the most extraordinary desert wildlife encounters we've seen.

Some of the wonderful team at Kiri Camp from our Journey to Africa guests Botswana Safari. They loved Kiri Camp - the people, place and little touches!

Ready to start planning?

Botswana has a way of getting under your skin. Guests who go once almost always come back — often bringing friends or family the second time, wanting to share something they can't quite put into words.

If you're ready to start thinking about your Botswana Safari, we'd love to hear from you. Tell us when you're thinking of going, who you're travelling with, and what kind of experience you're after — and we'll start building something extraordinary for you.

Start planning your Botswana Safari

Mefi & Georgie

India Through Safari Eyes!

Mefi here.

I just got back from India. My first time.

I know what you're thinking - Mefi, aren't you Indian? Yes. But Fifth-generation Tanzanian-Indian. I grew up watching Indian movies, speaking Hindi at home, eating the food, living the culture. I felt like I'd already been there. That strange familiarity you get from a place you've never actually set foot in but it somehow felt nostalgic. 

A beautiful clear day for our visit to the Taj Mahal. This was a highlight for sure.

Why Am I Telling You This?

Over the years, a few of you have asked me: "Mefi, can you plan our trip to India the way you plan our Safaris?” I'd always hesitated as I didn't know India firsthand. I know Africa. I know the lodges, the guides, the rhythm of Safari so well. I know what exceptional hospitality looks like because I've lived it, tested it, sent hundreds of guests into it. But India? I needed to see it for myself.

So, this December, my family and I went. Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai. We stayed in everything from intimate homestays to the gorgeous Taj Lake Palace in Udaipar. I worked with a great ground operator to book this trip, and I was watching everything with my Safari Specialist eagle eyes… The logistics, the guides, the hospitality, the details.

The Safari Parallels:

Everyone I talked to before going said the same thing: The hospitality in India is exceptional. A level above. They weren’t wrong! But what struck me was that this is what we already do on Safari. As someone who plans Safaris for a living, I couldn't help but look at everything through that lens and find some parallels…

The Hospitality: Everywhere we stayed felt warm and truly welcoming. When we arrived at Taj Lake Palace, they threw flower petals as we walked in. In all the other places, we felt special too as they all offered us a blessing on arrival. It reminded me of the when you arrive at some camps and the team dance and sing. There's that same energy, that same intention to make you feel special from the moment you step into a place.

Guides: they were great. English-speaking, knowledgeable, connected. They knew how to navigate the crowds, where to take us for snacks when we were hungry but not ready for a full meal, and maybe most importantly, which street food was safe and which was best seen and not tasted! The last thing you want is to be sick and stuck somewhere far from home. We also had a different guide in each city, one that was local to the area so whilst we didn't get to know one guide as well as you might on a longer Safari, the local knowledge from place to place was incredible. They looked after us the way our Safari guides look after you.

Moments of Calm, and the ritual of a cup of chai or coffee: At one of my favourite boutique hotel on the trip, Jobner Bagh in Jaipur, I'd wake up to twinkling courtyard lights, perfectly set tables with a single small flower in a vase, and a cup of chai waiting for me as the cool morning settled in. That same attention to beauty and comfort you get on Safari after you've come from the hectic, chaotic outside world. Given, the outside world in India is a different type of chaos to that of Safari - wildebeest or a lion kill versus the noise and bustle of the city, but the calm you feel with your cup of chai is a similar kind of bliss. I loved it.

The logistics: Airport to airport, we were taken care of. A rep met us at every transition point. WhatsApp groups kept us connected to the main office and our guides. If we changed our minds about an activity or wanted to skip something, it was handled seamlessly. Just like being on Safari.

Little Details: I was looking at how tables were set. The lighting. The smell (oh my, the smell at Taj Lake Palace - they gave us incense when we left so we could recreate that scent at home. Genius). The way staff at all the places remembered Joe (my husband) needed lactose-free milk. These are the details that matter and a reminder for us to make sure these little details are always looked after on our Safaris. 

So here's what I learned: the places we send you on Safari? They're on par with some of the best hospitality in the world. India was beautiful, moving, chaotic, incredible. But I came home thinking about our Safaris - the standards we hold ourselves to, the lodges we choose, the guides we trust - and it’s a good feeling knowing we are doing it right!

What I Loved Most

One of my favorite places was Jaipur. I didn't get enough time there. The kids were done with palaces but I could spend more time just wandering about.

Our visit to The Taj Mahal in Agra was a on crystal clear clear day. Five days before we got there, you couldn't see it from 30 feet away because of fog. We got so lucky.

Qutb Minar in Delhi. The calm you feel in this place, even with the crowds.
The whole trip reminded me why I love what I do. Testing new places, understanding what makes hospitality exceptional, knowing I can send people somewhere and they'll be taken care of the way I want them to be taken care of.

So... India?

A few of you have asked if Journey to Africa would ever plan trips to India.

The answer is: Yes! I'm not saying we're launching India trips for everyone. But if it's been on your list? And if you want someone who understands what exceptional travel looks like to put it together for you? We can do that now. We have a ground operator we trust. I know what the experience looks like and what works. If you've been on Safari with us and loved how we handled everything airport to airport, the way we chose places that balanced beauty with comfort and exceptional guiding, then India could be that for you too. That's what Safari is. And now I know India can be that too.

If you've been curious, let's chat.

Mefi

2025 Reflections & What’s on the Horizon for Journey to Africa.

What a year! Safari Magic, Memories that will last a lifetime, and Journey to Africa growing in all the best ways! As we reflect on 2025, we want to say asante sana to all our Safari seekers past, present and prospective for your support, referrals, kind words, and most importantly, your shared appreciation for the Africa we cherish.

Some 2025 Guest Safari highlights:

• Safari First-timers falling in love with Africa - Nick and Madison experienced Northern Tanzania and before they'd even left, they were already planning their return. That's the Africa effect, and watching it happen never gets old.

• A Safari so good, a Powerpoint was made - Chris & Elizabeth had an amazing Victoria Falls & Northern Tanzania Safari. They loved it so much that Chris came to our Houston event with a powerpoint to show us and our other guests!

• Three generations on Safari - The Wu family - grandparents, parents, and children - shared sundowners on a kopje, laughed through early morning game drives, and created memories that will ripple through their family for years to come.

• Third-time Journey to Africa Safari goers - Josh & Teri celebrated a 50th birthday milestone with their third Safari with us, Gorilla trekking through the highlands of Virunga, experiencing Victoria Falls in Zambia, and exploring Namibia's desert landscapes. Betsy and Mark returned for their third Safari too, this time gliding through Botswana's magical waterways - delta sunsets, mokoro rides, and lions galore!

• Epic multi-country adventures - The Ragusa/McBain crew tackled Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Madagascar in one incredible Safari. Madagascar happened to be their 100th country visited!

• Generations of Journey to Africa Safari seekers - Debbie and Lisa giggled their way through Northern Tanzania with balloon rides and endless banter with guides. What makes this extra special? They came to us because their parents went on Safari with us years ago. We love seeing Safari magic passed down through families.

Our first in person event: For those who don't know, Georgie officially joined the Journey to Africa family this year! We also hosted our very first Houston meetup - chai, safari stories, and plenty of laughter. It was so special connecting our community in person, and we're already planning the next one.

The Pikes, who traveled with us to Tanzania on their first Safari came to iour Houston meet-up with a slideshow of their incredible Safari photos - who needs a Marketing team when you have guests like this? Asante Chris & Elizabeth!

What We've Noticed from 2025 - A Shift Toward Adventure

This year, we saw a little shift in how people want to experience Africa and we love it.

Don't get us wrong - we absolutely love sending first-timers to the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater. These iconic destinations are iconic for a reason, and watching someone experience the migration herds for the first time or their first glimpse of the Ngorngoro crater never gets old. But we've noticed more and more of our travelers - especially repeat guests - asking for something different.

More time in lesser-known, secluded spots where you might not see another vehicle all day. They want more walking. More trekking. Craving activity-based Safaris that get them out of the Land Cruiser and into the landscape or waterways - whether that's hiking through remote conservancies, combining a Safari with Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya, or exploring wilderness areas most people have never heard of.

These more expeditionary Safaris have become some of our favorite trips to plan. There's something incredibly rewarding about crafting Safaris that push beyond the traditional circuits - multi-country adventures that weave through different ecosystems, walking Safaris that slow everything down, treks that challenge you physically while rewarding you with views that take your breath away.

Looking forward to 2026, we're seeing a surge in interest for Kilimanjaro treks paired with Safaris, Mount Kenya climbs, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, and remote destinations that require a bit more effort to reach but offer something truly special in return like Mahale.

Journey to Africa has grown so much since the early days of Tanzania Safaris (though we'll never stop loving those!). We're loving the addition of the adventurous souls, the repeat travelers ready to dig deeper, but we are still absolutely for the first-timers who need that classic, life-changing introduction to Africa.

Mount Kenya in 2011 when Georgie summited Mount Kenya’s Lenana at 13 years old! We are loving the surge in adventuerous Safari-seekers looking for a challenge on their Africa Travels.

A note on how we work: This year, we've loved having more calls and meetings with our clients. There's something about actually talking through ideas, walking through itineraries, explaining the nuances of different destinations, and understanding your travel style that makes the whole planning process so much better. You get to know us, we get to know you, and together we create something that feels truly custom. If you're thinking about a Safari - whether it's a year from now or just a seed of an idea - Let’s Chat!

What's on the Horizon?

For Journey to Africa: We're looking into expanding our destinations across the continent. Morocco, Egypt, and the Indian Ocean Islands are all on our radar for 2026, and we want to hear from you about where you'd love to explore. We've put together a quick 2-minute survey to help us understand how we can grow and serve you better. Your input truly shapes what we do next. Asante sana.

[Survey Link]

For us personally: This holiday season, we're taking our own adventures. Mefi is heading to India for the first time (yes, really - despite being Indian!), while Georgie is soaking up her last month living in Whistler before heading back to Kenya in February. Georgie is here to answer any of your questions and do any planning over the holidays whilst Mefi takes a well deserved break!

Asante sana for being part of our Journey to Africa tribe.

Happy Holidays!

From Mefi & Georgie

Our First Houston Get Together - Safari Seekers in Houston

We hosted our first Journey to Africa Safaris Houston Event! This is how it went…

We had the joy of hosting our first get together in Houston - we invited some of our amazing past Houston based guests and met for chai, coffee, and Safari Chats!

It was so special to hear all the amazing memories that our guests have made over the years, and how their Safaris were life changing. It was also a chance for our Journey to Africa tribe to meet Georgie, my newest teammate - we chatted about her childhood growing up in bush to parents in the Safari world, and how Northern Kenya is the place to be on Safari.

Why did we host this event?

Mefi here - I have always wanted to do this. Now there are two of us behind Journey to Africa, we felt it was the time to do it. A way to say Asante to some of my incredible guest who have been on one, two and some even three Safaris with us over the years and who still want to go back! A way for my guests to meet other Safari seekers in Houston and exchange stories, memories and a love for Africa that has been forged from their Journey to Africa Safari.

From Botswana and Namibia to Zimbabwe and Rwanda - and of course Tanzania, we swapped Safari stories, laughed at memories with our guides and reminisced about incredible wildlife encounters - all totally unique and equally incredible. This is what drives us!

Chris, showing his photos from his Journey to Africa Tanzania Safari ! Look at that passion. We love it!

If you missed this one, don’t worry - more to come! Connecting in person is so special so watch this space! Whether you’re curious about a Safari, or you’re one of our Journey to Africa Tribe - Karibuni Sana [Everyone is welcome].

Chatting all things Safaris! Journey to Africa guests Josh & Teri have been on two amazing Safaris across five African countries with us! What’s next? We’re looking at Uganda Gorillas and Northern Kenya…

We also chatted about a few exciting plans for Journey to Africa and how we are looking into a few more very exciting African destinations that we want to offer! More to come on that..

We can’t wait to connect with more of you in person - whether you’ve already booked a Journey to Africa Safari for the future, or you’re one of our seasoned Safari goers, or you’re just curious about what going on a Safari is like!

Asante [Thank you] all for coming along for the journey as we grow.
Mefi & Georgie

Karibu Georgie, welcome to the team!

We have a new Safari expert joining the Journey to Africa Team!

Jambo friends! Let me introduce you to Georgie who is joining me at Journey to Africa! Some questions to get to know her and what she brings to Journey to Africa.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Kenya and Tanzania with parents in the Safari industry. So much of my young life was spent out in the bush. Like Mefi, I grew up in Arusha, Tanzania, the gateway to Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit, and we moved to Kenya when I was about 11 years old. My childhood was spent camping and exploring Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Manyara, Lake Eyasi, and many lesser-traveled spots in Tanzania and Kenya. With my father as a safari guide and my mother working in Safari aviation (managing bush flights!), I have lived and breathed Safaris since I can remember. When I was born in Nairobi hospital, my Dad got to say hello to me quickly and welcome me to the world, then had to rush off to guide a safari for 7 days! So, Safaris and exploring - It's always been a part of me. Sharing my love for my homeland and its wild spaces and the people who call it home brings me so much joy. This is the backbone and essence of Journey to Africa too, and its why I was drawn to work with Mefi. We have the same values and know who and what truly gives back to the the places we hold close to our hearts.

A safari baby from day one. My father was a safari guide so this was my childhood!

What will you be doing for Journey to Africa?

I'm doing a bit of everything! My background is in Luxury Travel Sales, and most recently working in Sales of the #1 Resort in Canada, so along with my knowledge and passion for Safaris, I do also know what makes a great vacation and the details to look out for when organising a trip. I also know that a Safari for many is a once in a lifetime experience and getting every detail as seamless as possible is really what I aim for. I'm here if you want to chat about where to go in Kenya and Tanzania and plan your Safari - whether you’re a seasoned Safari seeker or a first timer. I'm also looking after the social media accounts and getting Journey to Africa and the community Mefi has built out there so we can keep creating life changing Safaris to the places we love. So, any photos you've yet to share of your Journey to Africa Safari, or any wonderful or entertaining Safari stories, send them my way! I would LOVE to hear and see them all. I am so excited to be joining Mefi in sharing our favorite places in the world and share our knowledge to give you the most soulful, meaningful Safari to places that mean the world to us.

Favorite Safari Spots?

This is a tough one, but I have a real soft spot for East Africa of course (like Mefi!). Laikipia or Samburu in Northern Kenya is truly my favorite place to be in the world. This region is rugged, breathtakingly beautiful, and a mix of community and privately owned conservancies. The vastness of the bush here and the incredible endemic wildlife is so underrated. There is also a cultural element here which is unbeatable. The Samburu tribe of Laikipia and beyond are semi-nomadic pastorlists and have rich cultural traditions and an incredible way for life. Their life is dependent on their herds of cattle, goats or camels and they move around periodically for fresh grazing. Many of the wildlife conservancies in this region are owned and operated by the Samburu people and they are increasingly involved in conservation which is really important. Tucked away in one of these breathtaking Samburu operated conservancies, Namunyak, is the world’s first indigenous community owned and operated Elephant Sanctuary, Reteti. A place so special, you have to see it for yourself.

Views from Reteti House, an exclusive use lodge right by the elephant sanctuary.

You've definitely heard of the Big Five (which you can find here too), but have you heard of the Northern Five? These are five unique endemic species to Northern Kenya: the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, and Somali Ostrich. The Grevy's Zebra and Reticulated Giraffe are both, in my opinion, much more striking and elegant northern cousins to their southern counterparts in the Masai Mara or Serengeti!

Most memorable or unique Safari you’ve been on?

When I was about 9, I went on a 8 Day camel trekking safari in Laikipia (that's me in the red shirt below - I promise that my style has improved!). That Safari remains the most incredible one I have ever been on. Certainly not for those looking for frills and comfort, but if you want a true adventure, wandering into places no cars have ever been with only camels and their wonderful herdsmen guiding you along, it is a safari experience that will stay with you forever. The solitude, the vastness of the Laikipia Plateau, and gurgle of the camels as they settle down for the night and the Samburu Moran (Warriors) who know this land like the back of their palm.

An incredible Safari - no cars, just camels, the bush, wildlife and the amazing Samburu Moran (Warriors) guiding us and camping under the vast Northern Kenya skies in different untouched spots every night.

Kenya offers such diversity beyond the famous Masai Mara. From the dramatic landscapes of Samburu and the remote wilderness of Tsavo, to Mount Kenya’s unique Equitorial Alpine environment and lush forests. Kenya is a country that rewards those willing to explore beyond the well-trodden paths of the Masai Mara. Each conservancy and region has its own character, its own story, and its own magic.

What about a recent Safari?

I have to mention Mahale Mountains in Western Tanzania. I spent three nights at Greystoke Mahale last year, trekking with the chimpanzees in the ancient forest and relaxing in the most picturesque, remote place I have ever been. I actually can't do Greystoke Mahale justice in trying to explain it. It is somewhere you have to experience yourself. The chimps, the mountains, the crystal clear water and most importantly, the wonderful and knowledgeable guides and team at Greystoke are truly enchanting. It’s hard to convince yourself that it was all real once you’ve left.

Don’t hesitate to get to Mahale. It’s not the most accessible and requires a bit of effort to get to (a 4 hour flight from Arusha or the Serengeti, and a breathtaking 1.5 hour boat ride) but my goodness is it worth it. Mefi and I can tie it into a Serengeti Safari which makes for the ultimate adventure. I’d highly recommend a Northern Serengeti Safari, followed by Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale - truly an unbeatable combination.

Nothing will prepare you for your first glimpse of Greystoke, or for your first trek to find the Chimps, or for the warmth and knowledge of the team of guides and camp staff.

Where are you dying to travel to?

I am desperate to get to Zambia! South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi specifically. When you hear Mefi explaining the golden light of the Winterthorn Forests, her wild dog encounter or the days fishing on the Zambezi, you’ll want to too! I know we value the same things in a safari: remote, wild, soulful experiences in places that give back to the people and wildlife who call it home. Zambia is now top of my list!

Your Safari Essentials?

My travel backgammon set, my kindle, and a good pair of sunglasses. The kindle is for snoozy afternoons on safari when the sun is hot and everyone, including the animals around you, are resting. Everything slows down, and you can't help but slow down too and find yourself in the natural rhythm of the bush.

Asante Sana! Twende Safari (Let's go on adventure in Swahili).

Georgie

Top tip: Always have your camera on hand and know how to work it before you head off on Safari, you won’t regret it! If you don’t have one, you can rent a lense or camera for your safari. Iphones just don’t do the wildlife and landscapes justice.

World Elephant Day: A Love Letter to Africa’s Giants

Captured by Alex Fine

August 12th is World Elephant Day.
Elephants are very special to me. They’re wise, social, playful, sometimes a little mischievous, and always utterly spellbinding. Every Safari I design is a chance to help guests connect with elephants in fresh, memorable ways – and each story and encounter shared with me leaves a mark on my heart.

Today, I want to do more than share facts. I want to bring you into the moments: the sights, sounds, and even late-night rumblings that define what it’s like to meet elephants in the wild. And, as always, I can’t resist weaving in stories from dear guests and the special places where these encounters unfold.

On Mefi’s Safari in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Fascinating facts about African elephants

No two Safari days are the same, but elephants make sure every day is extraordinary. They’re full of surprises – here are some that never fail to amaze me (and my guests, too!):

• Did you know elephants can “speak” without a sound? Using deep rumbles and even seismic vibrations through the earth, they can send messages over distances of around six miles.

• Elephants literally shape the regions they live in! Their powerful trunks dig for water, creating life-saving wells in the dry season. They also knock down trees and spread seeds in their dung, keeping the whole ecosystem humming.

• Elephants grieve. They linger by the body, cover it with leaves, and seem to mourn together. Our guests Talia and James witnessed a herd gently touching the bones of a fallen matriarch.

• If you watch closely, you’ll notice those trunks have two finger-like tips – way more dexterous than we imagine!

• Each elephant’s tusks are as unique as fingerprints. Researchers use them to identify individuals.

• Ever seen an elephant use its trunk as a snorkel while swimming across a river? Or watched them slap their giant ears to stay cool? Africa is hot, but elephants know how to beat the heat with a good mud bath and an ear-fanning session.

• Not all African elephants are the same! Forest elephants, now considered a separate species, are shy, smaller, and built for dense rainforests. When you see them as I did in Republic of the the Congo, you cherish the moment. They’re rare and absolutely captivating.

Captured by guests Gary and Karen Simmons

Captured by guests Natalie and Vipul Engineer

Captured by guest Rebecca Rawalt

Guest encounters to get you excited for your own Safari

Safari isn’t just my story; it’s yours, too. Ken and Nan went on an epic journey across East Africa. Their tales say it all:

“We woke to an elephant eating leaves just five feet from our heads – felt his movement through the canvas! Another day we watched a line of elephants marching across the Amboseli flats towards water, so close you could hear their feet crunch on the dust.” – Ken & Nan

From sharing bush breakfasts to listening to thunderous midnight footsteps, every day was filled with elephants, laughter, and wonder.

Then there’s George – photographer, adventurer, and forever a city boy at heart. In Ngorongoro Crater, he watched an old bull elephant meander to within 12 feet of his group, calmly dust-bathing and unperturbed by their presence. Later, he arrived at a camp just as staff finished clearing up after a family of elephants had wandered straight through the kitchen tent the night before! That’s the thing about elephants: they’re always writing their own story, and if you’re lucky, you get to be a part of it.

And I’ll never forget listening to Angela’s tales, who brought her crew of energetic kids to Tanzania. The whole family still laughs about the day a sassy female elephant decided to scratch her behind on a mud pile right in front of them. And when they came across the biggest group of dung beetles their guide John had ever seen, he slammed the brakes, jumped out of the truck, and was off inspecting before anyone else could even unbuckle. A testament to the fact that there’s excitement in spotting ALL creatures on Safari – great and small.

Captured by Joshua and Terri Galvan

No matter where your Safari takes you, seeing elephants – and wildlife in general – is a privilege and a reminder: true Africa is raw, surprising, and beautiful in ways words can rarely capture.

If you’re dreaming of an elephant encounter, you’re not alone. I fell in love the first time I saw a herd rumbling through the dust, and that feeling has never left me.

Ready to meet them yourself? I’d love nothing more than to help you experience the magic of being in the presence of elephants. Reach out, share your dream. Let’s plan a Safari you’ll never “recover” from (just ask Ken and Nan!).

To elephants… and to all those who adore them. Happy World Elephant Day!