How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Abercrombie and Kent suits first-time safari travelers who want polished logistics and owned ground teams across Africa.
- Micato Safaris is the white-glove pick, with fully hosted, all-inclusive journeys and tips included.
- andBeyond and Singita suit travelers who want to stay inside one lodge portfolio, with conservation-led camps and consistent service.
- Wilderness is the pick for remote Botswana and Namibia camps on private concessions, where wildlife density is the draw.
- Go2Africa and Audley Travel suit multi-country trips, since bespoke planners can mix lodges from different owners.
- Scott Dunn suits families and safari-plus-beach combinations.
- Luxury safari pricing usually runs $900 to $2,000 or more per person per night all-inclusive, before international flights, so get a written quote.
Quick comparison
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The best african safari tour companies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Abercrombie and Kent has run safaris for decades, with owned ground teams in many African countries and a reputation for smooth logistics. Small-group journeys suit first-time travelers who want structure, while private journeys suit families and honeymooners who want their own vehicle and guide. The company covers East and Southern Africa broadly, so multi-country routes are handled by one operator.
Pricing is quote-only and premium, with typical luxury bands near $1,000 to $1,600 per person per night all-inclusive before international flights. Photographers who want a vehicle to themselves on a group departure may find the format less flexible. For first-time travelers who want a polished, low-stress safari, Abercrombie and Kent is a safe top pick.
What we like- Owned ground teams across Africa
- Polished logistics
- Small-group and private options
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Less flexible for photographers
- Premium cost
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Micato Safaris is a family-run luxury operator known for fully hosted journeys, where a Safari Director travels with the group and handles every detail. Fares are all-inclusive, covering meals, drinks, internal flights, laundry, and every gratuity, so the quoted fare is close to the total cost. Set departures start near $27,000 per person for multi-country journeys, and private journeys are quoted individually.
Small groups rarely exceed 12 guests, and the price puts Micato out of reach for tighter budgets. The company also funds an African child education for every guest through its nonprofit arm. For travelers who want every detail handled and no tipping or surprise costs, Micato is the white-glove standard.
What we like- Fully hosted journeys
- Tips included
- All-inclusive fares close to total cost
Watch out for- Very high prices
- Small-group format
- Best for East and Southern Africa
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
andBeyond owns and runs a portfolio of lodges across South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, and beyond, with a strong conservation focus. Staying inside one portfolio gives consistent service, shared standards, and easier transfers between camps. The lodges range from classic safari camps to island and forest lodges, so a trip can mix wildlife, beach, and culture within one brand.
The trade off is choice. You stay only in andBeyond lodges, so you cannot mix in a rival camp that might suit one stop better. Prices are premium, and popular lodges book out many months ahead. For travelers who want one trusted brand and a conservation story behind their stay, andBeyond is excellent.
What we like- Conservation-led lodges
- Consistent service
- Strong South Africa and Tanzania presence
Watch out for- One portfolio limits mixing
- Premium prices
- Some lodges book out early
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Singita runs some of the most acclaimed safari lodges in Africa, with private concessions in South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Service, food, guiding, and design are all at the top end, and the conservation work behind the lodges is substantial. Private villas and exclusive-use options suit families and groups who want privacy.
Prices sit at the top of the market, often above $2,000 per person per night at the most exclusive lodges, and the portfolio is smaller than andBeyond, so routes are more limited. Booking far ahead is essential. For travelers who want the finest lodges and can pay for them, Singita is the benchmark.
What we like- Exceptional lodges and service
- Private concessions
- Strong conservation work
Watch out for- Among the highest prices
- Limited portfolio size
- Books out far ahead
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Wilderness, formerly Wilderness Safaris, runs camps across Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, and East Africa, with many on private concessions where wildlife density is high and vehicle numbers are low. Fly-in circuits link several camps in one trip, which suits travelers who want remote country without long road transfers. The company has deep experience in the Okavango Delta and the Namib desert.
Remote camps cost more to reach, since light aircraft transfers add to the bill, and some camps close seasonally. Tighter budgets will struggle here. For wildlife-first travelers who want remote concessions and expert guiding, Wilderness is a top pick.
What we like- Remote camps on private concessions
- Strong Botswana and Namibia depth
- Fly-in circuits
Watch out for- Remote camps cost more to reach
- Less suited to tight budgets
- Some camps are seasonal
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Go2Africa is a Cape Town based bespoke planner that designs trips across many lodges and operators. That flexibility suits multi-country routes, since the planner can pick the best camp in each area rather than staying inside one portfolio. Safari experts guide first-time travelers through choices, and the company has a long track record with US and international clients.
As a planner, Go2Africa does not own the lodges, so the experience depends on the camps chosen, and planner costs sit inside the trip price. Typical luxury bands run near $900 to $1,500 per person per night all-inclusive before flights. For first safaris and multi-country routes, Go2Africa is an editor favorite for good reason.
What we like- Bespoke planning across lodges
- Strong Southern Africa depth
- Expert hand-holding
Watch out for- Planner fees sit inside lodge prices
- Not a lodge owner
- Quality depends on chosen lodges
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Audley Travel is a large tailor-made travel company with Africa specialists who build custom itineraries across the continent. The planning process is structured, with country specialists who have visited the lodges they recommend, and pricing is presented clearly before booking. Typical bands run near $800 to $1,400 per person per night all-inclusive before flights.
Audley is less boutique than a small founder-led planner, and the experience depends on the lodges chosen. Prices are premium, though often below the ultra-luxury lodge brands. For travelers who want a well-organized custom trip from a large, stable company, Audley is a reliable choice.
What we like- Tailor-made planning at scale
- Broad pan-Africa coverage
- Clear pricing process
Watch out for- Less boutique than smaller planners
- Lodge quality varies by pick
- Premium cost
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Scott Dunn is a luxury travel company with strong safari expertise and a family focus. It plans safari and beach combinations well, pairing a bush stay with an island or coastal stay, and it handles multi-country routes across Africa. Family villas, private guides, and child-friendly lodges are a specialty.
Prices are premium, and the UK base means US travelers may prefer a US-based planner for time zone ease. Depth in some regions is thinner than a dedicated Africa planner. For families and travelers who want safari plus beach in one smooth trip, Scott Dunn is a strong pick.
What we like- Strong family expertise
- Safari and beach combinations
- Good multi-country planning
Watch out for- Premium prices
- UK base may suit UK travelers best
- Less depth in some regions
How we chose
We compared operator type, regional depth, lodge quality, guiding standards, conservation work, and price transparency. We favored companies with long track records and clear inclusions, and noted where pricing is quote-only. We did not travel with any company hands-on, and prices here are indicative bands that move with season and exchange rates.
Buying guide: what to check before you book
Start with destination and season. The Great Migration moves through Kenya and Tanzania on a yearly cycle, gorilla permits in Rwanda sell out many months ahead, and Botswana water levels change what the Okavango offers. Next, decide between a set journey, a lodge portfolio, and a bespoke plan, since each suits a different traveler. Get a written quote that lists what is included, such as internal flights, park fees, drinks, laundry, and tips, since those items change the real total by thousands. Check guide quality and vehicle policy, since a private vehicle costs more but changes the experience. Finally, book early for peak dates and permits, and confirm cancellation terms, since safari deposits are large. Ask about travel insurance too, since it can protect a large deposit if illness or flight disruption forces a change of plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an African safari cost?
Value safaris start near $5,000 per person for a week, while luxury trips commonly run $900 to $2,000 or more per person per night all-inclusive, before international flights. Ultra-luxury lodges cost more.
When is the best time for a safari?
It depends on the destination. The Great Migration river crossings peak mid-year, Botswana is best in the dry season, and gorilla permits should be booked 12 to 18 months ahead. Ask your operator about your specific route and dates.
Should I choose a tour operator, a lodge brand, or a planner?
Choose a tour operator for a structured journey, a lodge brand for consistent stays in one portfolio, and a bespoke planner for a custom multi-country route across different lodges.
Are tips included in safari prices?
It varies. Micato includes all gratuities, while most operators leave tips to your discretion. Check the quote, since tips for guides, trackers, and camp staff can add a meaningful amount.
How far ahead should I book a safari?
Book 12 to 18 months ahead for gorilla trekking and peak Migration dates, since permits and top camps sell out first. Six to nine months is workable for most other itineraries.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Abercrombie and Kent
Micato Safaris
andBeyond
Singita
Wilderness
Go2Africa
Audley Travel
Scott Dunn