Why Travel to Africa?
Africa isn’t just a destination—it’s a transformation. Witnessing a lion pride at sunrise, tracking endangered gorillas through misty mountains, falling asleep to distant elephant calls, dining under the Milky Way in the bush—these moments change you.
Spencer Travel’s Africa expertise spans three decades of relationships with the continent’s finest safari operators. We know which camps offer the most intimate wildlife encounters, the best conservancies for cheetah sightings, the lodges where Michelin-caliber chefs serve dinner under acacia trees. We’ve walked with Maasai guides, slept in canvas tents where elephants wander past at dawn, and understand how to balance adventure with luxury.
What Makes Africa Extraordinary
- The Big Five – Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo in their natural habitats
- Serengeti Migration – 1.5 million wildebeest crossing crocodile-filled rivers (July-October)
- Gorilla Trekking — Rwanda/Uganda mountain gorilla encounters (permits required)
- Indian Ocean Perfection – Pristine beaches in Seychelles, Mauritius, Zanzibar
- Cape Winelands – World-class vineyards in South Africa’s Stellenbosch, Franschhoek
- Cultural Immersion – Maasai villages, Cape Town history, Victoria Falls majesty
- Luxury Lodges – Canvas-walled camps with plunge pools, butlers, gourmet dining
When to Visit Africa
🦁 East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda)
🌸 Dry Season (June-October): Best for Safaris
- Great Migration: July-October (Serengeti river crossings)
- Wildlife congregates around water sources (easier viewing)
- Dry conditions, clear skies, comfortable temperatures
- Peak Season: Book 12-18 months ahead for top lodges
☀️ Green Season (November-May): Lush Landscapes
- Fewer crowds, lower prices, dramatic skies
- Bird watching, baby animals (Jan-Feb)
- Short rains (Nov-Dec), long rains (March-May)
- Still excellent wildlife viewing
🐘 Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe)
🍂 Year-Round Destination
- Dry Season (May-October): Best game viewing (animals at water)
- Wet Season (November-April): Lush scenery, migratory birds, baby animals
- South Africa: Year-round excellent; Cape Town summer (Nov-March), winelands harvest (Feb-April)
Spencer Travel Insight:
“70% of our safari clients travel June-October for migration and dry-season viewing. But November-February offers incredible value, fewer vehicles at sightings, and photographic drama with stormy skies.” — Louise Brown
Spencer Travel Insider Access
As a Virtuoso agency, Spencer Travel secures exclusive safari experiences:
✔ Private Conservancy Access — Game drives in exclusive areas off-limits to day visitors
✔ Luxury Lodge Priority — First access to limited-availability camps (Singita, andBeyond, Wilderness Safaris)
✔ Walking Safaris with Expert Guides — On-foot encounters with armed rangers
✔ Photographic Safaris — Private guides for serious photographers
✔ Gorilla Trekking Permits — Secured 12+ months ahead (limited daily permits)
✔ Hot Air Balloon Safaris — Sunrise flights over Serengeti or Maasai Mara
✔ Bush Dining — Private dinners under stars, sundowners in the wild
✔ Virtuoso Lodge Benefits — Complimentary upgrades, spa treatments, private guides
Signature African Experiences
1. Classic East Africa Safari & Beach (12-14 Days)
Nairobi arrival → Maasai Mara luxury camp (Big Five, migration Jul-Oct) → Serengeti conservancy → Ngorongoro Crater → Zanzibar beach resort (spice tours, diving, relaxation)
Investment: $40,000-70,000 per couple
2. Tanzania Ultimate Wildlife (10 Days)
Arusha → Tarangire (elephant herds) → Serengeti (migration, endless plains) → Ngorongoro Crater (dense wildlife) → All luxury tented camps with private game drives
Investment: $35,000-60,000 per couple
3. South Africa Grand Tour (14 Days)
Cape Town (Table Mountain, winelands, Peninsula) → Kruger private reserve (Big Five luxury lodge) → Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia border) → Optional: Garden Route extension
Investment: $38,000-65,000 per couple
4. Gorilla Trekking & Safari Combo (12 Days)
Kigali, Rwanda → Volcanoes National Park (mountain gorilla trekking) → Serengeti luxury camp → Beach finale in Seychelles
Investment: $45,000-75,000 per couple (gorilla permits $1,500/person)
5. Botswana Luxury Safari (10 Days)
Okavango Delta (mokoro canoe safaris, water-based camps) → Chobe National Park (massive elephant herds, river cruises) → Small luxury camps (max 12 guests)
Investment: $40,000-70,000 per couple
6. Safari & Seychelles Escape (14 Days)
Kenya or Tanzania safari (7 days) → Seychelles private island resort (7 days) — Perfect balance of adventure and relaxation
Investment: $42,000-75,000 per couple
Types of Safari Experiences
Classic Game Drives
Twice-daily drives (dawn and dusk) in open 4×4 vehicles. Expert guides track wildlife via radio networks. Sundowners (drinks at sunset) in the bush.
Walking Safaris
On-foot exploration with armed rangers. Learn tracking, flora, smaller creatures. Adrenaline-rich, intimate encounters.
Night Drives
Spotlight safaris to spot nocturnal animals (leopards hunting, hyenas, bush babies). Not allowed in national parks—only private conservancies.
Photographic Safaris
Private guide and vehicle for serious photographers. Specialized equipment mounts, optimal lighting times, patience for perfect shots.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Dawn flights over Serengeti or Maasai Mara. Aerial wildlife viewing, champagne breakfast in the bush after landing.
Mokoro Canoe Safaris (Okavango Delta)
Glide silently through waterways in traditional dugout canoes. Birds, hippos, elephants from water level.
Gorilla Trekking (Rwanda, Uganda)
Hike through mountain forests to observe endangered mountain gorillas (one-hour encounter, life-changing experience).
Best For
✅ First-Time Safari Goers — Kenya or Tanzania with beach finale
✅ Wildlife Photographers — Private guides, conservancy access, Serengeti migration
✅ Luxury Seekers — Ultra-exclusive camps (Singita, andBeyond) with butlers, plunge pools, spa treatments
✅ Honeymooners — Romance meets adventure: private dinners under stars, couples’ spa, intimate camps
✅ Repeat Africa Travelers — Botswana, Rwanda gorillas, Zambia walking safaris, Madagascar
✅ Multi-Generational Families — South Africa (malaria-free Kruger options, winelands, Cape Town activities for all ages)
✅ Adventurous Couples — Walking safaris, gorilla trekking, canoeing in Okavango
Sample 14-Day Itinerary: “Safari & Seychelles Escape”
Day 1-2: Nairobi, Kenya
Arrive Nairobi, private transfer to boutique hotel (Giraffe Manor option—breakfast with giraffes). City tour, Karen Blixen Museum. Overnight rest before safari.
Day 3-5: Maasai Mara
Light aircraft to luxury tented camp (andBeyond or Mahali Mzuri). Twice-daily game drives (Big Five). Optional: Hot air balloon safari ($450pp). Bush sundowners, Maasai village visit. All-inclusive gourmet dining.
Day 6-8: Serengeti, Tanzania
Fly to Serengeti conservancy camp (Singita or Four Seasons). Private game drives in exclusive zones. Migration river crossings (Jul-Oct). Night drives, walking safaris. Star-bed sleeping under Milky Way (optional).
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Dense wildlife concentration (rhinos, lions, flamingos). Luxury lodge on crater rim (Ngorongoro Crater Lodge). Afternoon spa treatment.
Day 10-13: Seychelles
Fly to Mahé, Seychelles. Private island resort (North Island or Fregate Island). Overwater spa, snorkeling, diving, giant tortoises. Private beach dinners, couples’ massages. Pure relaxation after safari adventure.
Day 14: Departure
Private transfer to Seychelles airport. Business class flight home.
Investment Range: $50,000-80,000 per couple
(Business class flights, luxury camps/resorts all-inclusive, private guides, transfers, Spencer Travel service fee)
Investment Guide: What to Expect
| Budget Component | Estimated Cost (per couple) |
| Business Class Flights (Sydney-Africa) | $14,000-18,000 |
| Luxury Safari Lodges (6-8 nights all-inclusive) | $15,000-30,000 |
| Beach Resort (4-5 nights, Seychelles/Mauritius) | $6,000-12,000 |
| Internal Flights (light aircraft between camps) | $2,500-4,000 |
| Special Experiences (balloon safari, gorilla permits) | $1,500-3,000 |
| Ground Transfers & Logistics | $1,000-2,000 |
| Spencer Travel Service Fee | $4,000-6,000 |
| Total Investment | $44,000-75,000 |
What’s Included:
✔ All-inclusive safari camps (meals, drinks, game drives, guides)
✔ Virtuoso benefits (upgrades, spa treatments, private guides)
✔ Internal flights between destinations
✔ Private guides and vehicles
✔ 24/7 concierge support
✔ Conservation fees supporting wildlife protection
Frequently Asked Questions
“Our Tanzania safari was beyond dreams. Louise arranged a private conservancy where we had lion sightings to ourselves—no tourist crowds. The lodge was pure luxury: outdoor shower, private deck, incredible food. Then Zanzibar beaches for recovery. We’re already planning our return for gorilla trekking.” — Michael & Susan, Melbourne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
