Luxury African Safari Tours

Personalised safari tours in the land where it all began.

Safari. In Swahili, it means “long journey.” And with these luxury safari tours, we’ve brought safari back to its adventurous and thrill-seeking origins.

After all, we work from the assumption that a safari will mean many things to many different people. We’re not prescriptive or restrictive. No, we’re here to help you design your perfect wilderness escape, whether you want to trek to the gorillas of Rwanda or witness the spectacle of the Great Migration. Tell us your obsessions, your dreams and your passions, and we’ll do the rest.

Ultimately, these are truly tailored trips executed with flair, fun and flourish. Nothing is presumed. Least of all you.

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FAQs

Everything you need to know about going on safari with Black Tomato

Are luxury African safaris suitable for families with young children?

From groups of three to entire clans, a family safari is exciting – but a lot of work to research. That why we’ll do all the heavy lifting and design your safari around the size and needs of your family, while getting a grip on all the planning, details and logistics. Tailoring your destination to the needs, ages and size of your group, while suggesting an itinerary keeps everyone happy.

We particularly love:

  • This family safari in Botswana – From safari on foot to safari by canoe, this safari tour is a great fit for families with teens in tow. Spend your days on the lookout for endangered species, and your nights tucking into some home-cooked food under the stars.
  • The ultimate family safari in Kenya – Bring the plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Laikipia to life, suitable for families of all ages. Stop by Nairobi National Park on the way home for sightings of rhino against a unique city backdrop. 
  • A malaria-free safari in South Africa – Escape the Kruger crowds and instead head to an abundance of malaria-free areas, making this African safari tour perfect for families with young ones. Throw in a final stop in Cape Town, if only for the food.

For more information, read our dedicated guide to family safaris or get in touch with one of our Travel Experts who will be ready to help.

Which safari would you recommend for a honeymoon?

We may be biased, but we truly believe nothing beats a safari honeymoon. These are just some of our favorites:

Do you offer more adventurous safaris?

Africa is a vast continent, from rolling savannah and tropical islands to snow-capped mountains and moon-like deserts. So, don’t forget to ask us about these more unusual safari destinations that offer unique experiences.

We particularly recommend:

  • Meeting the gorillas in Rwanda – History, landscape, culture and wildlife. We’ll set the scene, before introducing you to the star act – the gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.
  • Heading into the mountains of Uganda – Uganda, for now, has very low levels of tourism. That may change over the years, as more travellers become aware of it’s incredible primate sanctuaries and mountain treks.
  • Being in the paradise of Madagascar – Life is easy and laidback on the island paradise of Madagascar. Here, the jungle is king. It’s a safari with a tropical twist. Expect more wildlife than you can shake a palm frond at.

What does a fly-in safari involve?

A fly-in safari typically means you will transfer between camps by helicopter or bush plane. These luxury safaris maximize the time spent on safari, as you don’t need to worry about the long, windy and often uncomfortable roads taken when driving.

Helicopter transfers or ‘flips’ can mean you take to the skies and soar above some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes. This is a great way to get a sense of the scale and drama of Africa, while also taking in the million-hoofed scale of the Great Migration. We love the route from Namibia’s Skeleton Coast to Serra Cafema, framed by a wide river and hazy, round-shouldered mountains.

What are the different types of safari you offer?

If safari is about encountering animals in the wild, then it’s also true that there’s no single way to ‘do’ a safari. From river pack rafting to hot air balloon, there exists a world of options to choose from. Stick with one or mix and match to your heart’s content.

Our favorites include:

  • Hot Air Balloon Safaris – Drifting, gracefully, above a hazy landscape of rugged hills and lazily swirling rivers. Dusky blues and powder pinks. By hot air balloon, you can hover above the land and put everything into context. This is particularly good in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
  • Horseback Safari – Nothing quite beats the frontier thrill of saddling up and riding out in search of nature. These safaris are a good way of covering a lot of ground without resorting to planes and automobiles. Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa and Jack’s Camp, Botswana, are particularly good for this, as are the ethereal and odd landscapes of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, dusty in white and purple.
  • Traditional Jeep Safari/Game Drive – From Sabi Sands to the Maasai Mara, this is the classic and original safari experience, albeit with plenty of comfort and flair. From intimate and thrilling experiences tracking the Big Five, to all-day drives with world-leading guides. Every lodge has its own unique approach to the traditional game drive. Tell us what you prefer.
  • Water Safari – Ultimately, water is the lifeblood of the safari. It is where animals come to drink, bathe and congregate. A water-based safari offers, then, an entirely new angle on the animal kingdom. Imagine a dug-out canoe in the Congo, a speedboat along the Zambezi and a pack-raft down the Okavango Delta. It’s thrilling stuff.
  • Walking Safari – Do it on foot for a sensual, on-the-ground perspective on African wildlife. Walking safaris are essential for gorilla trekking, and particularly perfect across the Lower Zambezi. Joining expert guides, you’ll get a deeper understanding of flora, fauna and wilderness habitats. Take it slow and enjoy the journey.

Looking for inspiration?