What company has the best safaris in Botswana and South Africa? Why do you think so?

Question

What other must-do things are there to do in these countries? Any recommendations on hotels and restaurants for before and after a safari? Since I'll probably only go once, I'd like the trip to be as special as possible. Our price range is moderate to moderately expensive.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

First of all, one doesn't just arrive in these places, check into a hotel and then go on safari.

I assume you're arriving from an international destination and odds are that you'll be arriving in Johannesburg - before taking any connecting flights to Botswana or neighbouring countries.

Johannesburg is a number of hours drive from the closest wildlife parks - and even further from the good ones (about 6-7 hours) - such as those bordering the Kruger National Park - one of the largest in South Africa.

Options are:
- fly from the airport to a lodge via a charter flight
- get a charter shuttle to a lodge (may not suite your timetable)
- hire a car and drive

You may want to spend the night in a hotel in Johannesburg before going the lodge, and possibly the night before flying out. See hotels in Sandton, Rosebank or Bryanston - these are in a decent parts of Johannesburg and about 40mins drive from the airport.

A reputable operator who I've used (and I grew up in South Africa) is Conservation Corp. Africa - http://www.ccafrica.com/

I've been to places such as Ngala (see above site), Londolozi (http://www.londolozi.com/) and Sabi Sabi (http://www.sabisabi.com). All of which are 5 star. Everything is included in the price, meals are divine, you'll be treated like royalty and you'll see almost all the game you want.

If you want something cheaper, then research lodges that surround Kruger.

Safari doesn't make sense in local terms. You have game farms / game parks and you have game drives. The parks are the areas that hold game and the drives are the act of viewing that game. Some parks allow tour operators access to take people through their park to view the game. Some parks do their own game drives exclusively. It all depends on the park.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Drifters. Because they've been in the business the longest.

Source(s):

I'm an ex-overland tour guide from Africa. (I didn't workfor Drifters though)

Answer 3

try this link
http://www.ytbtravel.com/davidmartey
got the best fares

Answer 4

There is only one hotel I'll recommend to foreigners, because it has a great atmosphere, great service, not too pricey, beautiful restaurants - just really, really nice. Check out the "Farm Inn Hotel". That is if you are going to Pretoria/ JHB area. They've got a good enough website. I got married there a few years ago, and can't wait to go there with some UK friends when I visit SA next.

Don't know much about safari's, sorry. Hope you enjoy your visit.

Answer 5

I went on a safari to Kenya several years ago and used Fox Glove Safari's which was owned by Micato Safari's. I don't believe that division ( lower priced ) exsists anymore - but they were fantastic. I recommend Micato.
Here is their link for more info -

http://www.micato.com/

As far as pre/post safari - most of the companies will arrange those for you

P.S - Im jealous !