When you decide to embark on a journey to Africa, you would want to be guided by the best African safari tour operators that understand the territories, know the best routes when on a game drive, and comes highly recommended due to the wonderful adventure experiences that they have been providing over the years.
Many countries in Africa offer safari experiences like nowhere else in the world. The abundance of wildlife diversity, historical monuments, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites gives the promise of rewarding adventures you will remember for life. That being said, the degrees of comfort and excitement you get from every safari journey largely depends on the operator who manages the travel, destinations, and accommodations. Some operators provide more for less money, yet there are probably others who fall short in terms of excellence.
Below is a list of the best African safari operators in ten different countries:
South Africa
The options are seemingly limitless with Rhino Africa, a tour/safari operator based in South Africa. It is possible to explore the entire attractions and wildlife diversity of one specific country or you can choose to do cross-country excursions. Rhino Africa caters to all sorts of tourists from the young, the honeymooners, the adventurers, the active, and even the tired ones. Regardless of your personal preferences, Rhino Africa delivers.
Top destinations include
- Kruger National Park
- Cape Town
- Victoria Falls
- Okavango Delta and Moremi Region
- Garden Route
Rhino Africa is an internationally reputable safari operator, proven by a long list of awards including but not limited to World Travel Awards (for four consecutive years from 2013 to 2016), South Africa Travel Blog Award (2016), and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence (2016). Complementary financial protection and travel insurance are available as well.
Morocco
When it comes to wildlife safari, Morocco may not be the first country that comes to your mind, but there are still world class attractions and adventures to experience here. Morocco Expert Tours is one of few operators in the country which offer both package-based and tailored excursions across the magical landscape of Morocco. Exploration of Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, and imperial cities are just the basic offerings.
Recommended packages include:
- Camel Trekking and Safaris for multiple days of adventures across Marrakech and Fes
- Morocco Expert Group Tour – 15 days of excursions to cover all major attractions in the country
- Grand Tour – 10 days of Moroccan experience
One of the best things about the safari operator is that you are allowed to choose any starting point in Morocco; it can be a hotel, a railway station, or an airport. In case the available packages are too limiting, you can make your own plan for the operator to accommodate.
Tunisia
Among all local safari operators in the country, Tunisia Safari stands out from the crowd thanks to its wide range of packages and the option of customize individual private tour. Weekly excursions include Sahara Explorer, Medinat Alzahra, and Tunis Carthage. Jeep Safari (3 days long) and Berbers Land are normally available if there are at least 4 participants in either activity. If individual private tour is chosen, the operator will adjust the price accordingly.
Top experiences include:
- Camel riding
- Atlas Mountains
- Camel Mountain
- Dunes Sanctuary
- Dune Riding
- Chebika Mountain Oasis
By far, the most popular tour available from Tunisia Safari is Sahara Explorer. The package combines luxury and excursion in one package by mixing comfort transfers (by coach) and adventurous 4WD excursions across southern Tunisia.
Algeria
With a head office located in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, Expert Algeria is a local English-speaking tour/safari operator that caters to cultural, archeological, and historical tour across the country. It offers all kinds of excursion from Roman cities of Algeria to the dunes of Sahara.
Top experiences include:
- Algerian Sahara
- Roman Algeria
- UNESCO World Sites including Tassili, Timgad, and Tipasa
Where Expert Algeria shines is at its capability of catering to not only individual/private tours, but also more formal settings such as corporate services including cruise reception, business trips, and conference hosting.
Mozambique
In a country like Mozambique where wildlife safari is popular, there are just too many safari operators offering their services and claiming to be the best. Abundance of options does not necessarily make choosing easy, but Dana Tours is one of the easiest to find for good reasons. For decades, Dana Tours has played its role in promoting Mozambique tourism and turning first-time visitors to returning tourists.
Top destinations include:
- Limpopo National Park
- Niassa National Reserve
- Maputo Special Reserve
- Gorongosa national Park
Wildlife safari is the highlight of Mozambique tourism industry indeed, but Dana Tours has its own unique way to combine adventures in the wild with the diversity of Mozambique local cultures. It caters to individuals, couples, groups, and customizable safari packages.
Tanzania
Backed with more than a decade of experience, Tanzania Adventure is a leading safari operator to help you explore nature’s best reserves in the country. From the world’s popular Great Migration to the untouched natural beauties of Tanzania, the operator covers it all. Budget and luxury packages are available along with personalized tours to suit personal preferences.
Top destinations include:
- Serengeti National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
Due to the great number of tourist destinations and attractions in Tanzania, it is always wise to choose the bespoke package with which you can ensure proper balance between duration, destination, and price. Another advantage is that you can choose your own departure date, so there is no rush and that’s the best way to enjoy nature. Ready-made packages include Honeymoon Safaris, Lodge Safaris, Off the Beaten Tracks, Camping Safaris, and Family Safaris.
Kenya
In Kenya, it is safe to say that all the safari packages available from Julius Tact Safari are inclusive, comprehensive, and well-organized. There are day trips and multiple-days excursions to explore the most popular attractions across the country. For more flexible safari tour, Julius Tact Safari also offers customized travel plan.
Some popular destinations are:
- Tsavo East National Park
- Tsavo West National Park
- Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Amboseli National Park
- Lake Nakuru National Park
With Julius Tact Safari, you are allowed to start directly from Nairobi Airport, the international airport of Kenya; a professional will pick you up and transfer to your hotel. The next day when you wake up, your safari vehicle will be waiting to start your adventures.
Uganda
Just like many other reputable safari operators in other countries in Africa, the Safaris Uganda is based in the capital of Uganda and it offers tailor-made tours for all. In fact, the operator can also include excursions to Rwanda, the adjacent country of Uganda. Eco tourism with a blend between wildlife diversity and local community engagement is Kagera’s specification.
Top destinations include:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Kagera covers all major national parks in Uganda. Apart from wildlife safaris (including gorilla and birding activities), the operator caters to cultural tours, hiking, and educational travels for university and high school students as well.
Namibia
What makes Sense of Africa, a Namibia-based tour operator, stands out is its range of destinations of choice. Popular attractions are all covered, but the real highlights are the little-known destinations for quiet, calm, comfortable, unique, unforgettable safari and excursions.
Destinations include:
- Etosha National Park
- Skeleton Coast Park
- Khaudum National Park
- Nkasa Lupala National Park
- Bwabwatwa National Park
Sense of Africa also runs and manages its own vehicles garage to make sure that all cars are at their best conditions any day any time. Several vehicles are available including VW Polo and Toyota Quantum 9-seater; all are hand-picked to conquer the challenging road conditions in the Namibia. Most guides working for the operator are local Namibian citizens with great personal involvement with the community and environment.
Senegal
Some of the best safari operators are not the biggest or most luxurious. Andaando, safari operator based in Senegal, is a fine example of that. Instead of relying on luxurious expensive tours to attract customers, Andaando offers personal one-on-one or small group tour only.
Top experiences include:
- Bandia Wildlife Preserve
- Dakar City Car Tour
- Joal/Fadiouth – Shell Island
- Popenguine
- Niokolo-Koba National Park (Multi-Day Trip)
All tours are customizable. Another highlight is that the guide, despite young, is knowledgeable and experienced enough to know best destinations in both Senegal and Rwanda. He is also multilingual person fluent in English, French, and Wolof. Andaando is not a big company, and that can be a sign of affordability.
Conclusion
In a safari, the most important thing in the entire activity is the adventure and spectacles of wildlife or the nature. Some operators combine that with luxurious offerings on lodges or hotels, but this will also increase the total price. Customizable or tailored safari tour seems to be the best option for everyone; the journey, destinations, and accommodation can be all hand-picked by tourists based on personal preferences and budget.
