Big 5 African Safaris
An African Safari is an opportunity of a lifetime. Africa has preserved wide tracts of land for conservation; allowing visitors to witness and experience close encounters with African animals at home in their natural habitats. The reserves are home to an impressive number of species. The Big 5; lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino are among these. Also to be seen are zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, cheetah, wild dogs, hippo and too many others to mention.
Private game reserves offer exclusive luxury accommodation in harmonious bush lodges or luxury tented camps. With most of these lodges in excellent settings, it is not uncommon to sight game from your private viewing deck overlooking a waterhole, or listening to a lion roar in the distance as you drift off to sleep. With every modern comfort and excellent cuisine, the romance of Africa is certainly captured. Game viewing takes place from open-air vehicles and a private game guide will ensure that the experience is unforgettable, getting you up close and personal with the wildlife.
Best Game Viewing Months:
The best time for game viewing in Southern Africa is generally during the winter months between May and October when the foliage and water have decreased and the animals are more visible and concentrated around the remaining water sources. Having said this, South Africa has its high season during summer so it really is a year-round destination and Cape Town is better over the summer months. The best time for birding and lush vegetation is during the rainy season between November and April when most of the young are born and great deals are on offer for Botswana and Namibia. The champagne coloured waters of the Okavango Delta are at their deepest from July to September as the flood waters come down from Angola, and this is the peak season in Botswana with steep prices. For the temperatures alone, Namibia is best over the winter months but seeing the vegetation in the desert over the rainy season is quite something. In East Africa, the Great Wildebeest Migration across The Serengeti and Masai Mara reserves is at its most dramatic from June to October, but this is again followed by high prices and peak crowds. Safaris in East Africa offer excellent game viewing year-round so these things can be avoided.
See our travel calendar for more information When to Travel to Africa
Great Safari Destinations in Southern Africa
Southern Africa is renowned for its excellent all round safari experience, from the quantity and quality of the game viewing, to its breathtaking diversity of locations, as well as the unique and exceptional safari lodges.
With the many reserves on offer, the endless choices can be overwhelming. Why not let Redfoot Safaris use our local knowledge and experience to help you make your choice. Our repeat business is our strong point and creating personalised itineraries is what we do best.
Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa
Exceptional game experience, Luxurious private reserves, Typical African savannah, Renowned Leopard & Lion sightings. Combines well with Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Mozambique beaches with direct flights on offer.
KwaZulu Natal Game Reserves, South Africa
Great setting with scenic lookouts, rolling hills and many rivers. Options of 5 eco systems in one reserve. Great year-round beach options close by for those wanting beach/bush combo’s
Madikwe & Eastern Cape Game Reserves, South Africa
Malaria free reserves making this ideal for young families. Madikwe is easily accessible from Johannesburg and boasts excellent game viewing. The Eastern Cape Reserves offer picturesque landscape with rolling hills and combines brilliantly with a trip up The Garden Route.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The highlight of any Botswana safari. Large wetland teeming with life and offering an exceptional game experience. Diversity of eco-system unparalleled. Remote access ensuring unspoilt wilderness. Elephant population renowned. Combines well with Cape Town and Victoria Falls.
Etosha National Park, Namibia
High density of wildlife around water holes. Dramatic moonscape of the salt pans. Great safari experience to combine with those travelling on a longer journey through diverse Namibia.
The National Parks of Zambia
Renowned for being the best Walking Safari destination on the continent. Off the beaten track, pristine African landscapes offering a true wilderness experience.
The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Best known for The Great Wildebeest Migration. Offering year-round excellent game viewing. Part of the main Tanzanian safari circuit and combines well with Zanzibar beach stays.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
A world heritage sight, teeming with wildlife in the world’s largest crater.
The Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya
Best known for The Great Wildebeest Migration. Offering year-round excellent game viewing. Combines well with other Kenyan Reserves, Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Seychelles beach stays.
Amboseli, Kenya
Offering excellent game viewing under the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak. Easily accessible from Nairobi.
Experiences
Hi Joan - We have arrived home safely - with just a little jet lag. Your guidance and expertise in planning this trip was invaluable. The trip exceeded all of my expectations!! I would not have changed anything. It would be difficult to pick out the best part of the trip - in that each day was so special. Rob and Heath were exceptional and a great part in making the trip so special. Londolozi was amazing. I'm not sure who we have to thank for our special Anniversary treat of lunch in the tree house; but thank you, thank you, thank you!! It still brings tears to my eyes thinking of the it!! We started the trip by saying "if" we go back to Africa only for it to be quickly changed to "when" we go back to Africa. So until next time, I thank you again for making this such a special experience!!
We were a group of three couples traveling to South Africa for the first time. We have traveled to Italy, Cuba, Mexico and other locations together and had arranged to stay in a house outside of Cape Town on our own. Redfoot Safaris was introduced to us by a friend in Phoenix that had a great experience in 2017. We communicated with Rex by email and phone and were impressed by his patience as none of us had ever been on a Safari and we had lots of questions. Rex arranged for us to have two full day tours of Cape Town and the surrounding area and we were so impressed with our guide that we engaged him for another full day. Upon arrival at Rattray on Mala Mala we could not believe how comfortable and luxurious the facilities were and the staff and their service was impeccable. Our guide, Garrett, was fantastic and a wealth of knowledge. We were exposed to a great number of animals and learned so much about their lives and their environment. It was both an educational and relaxing break and our photos and memories will be enjoyed for years to come. We highly recommend letting Redfoot make the arrangements so that the total experience can be enjoyed even though it is far from home. We would love to return and repeat the entire experience.
Our trip was just perfect - spent three days touring Cape Town and surroundings with our guide, George Meyer, who was fantastic. Other than our pick-up time, nothing was set in stone, and George allowed each day to unfold as it happened. We got to see everything on our list - and then some. From there we headed to MalaMala for a couple days safari, which were amazing - the accommodations at Rattray's were beautiful, and we saw more wildlife than we were expecting. Our safari guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and perfectly suited for our group. All details were taken care of by Redfoot/Rex, including being met at the Johannesburg airport, which was a huge help on our way home! Can't say enough about Rex, George, and MalaMala. Loved the trip!!