Luxury Big Five Safaris

On a Luxury Big Five Safari the emphasis is on staying at a 4 to 5 star camp or safari lodge, enjoying exclusivity and superior game viewing with the best guides in the industry. There is nothing nicer than enjoying fine dining and excellent hospitality under lamp lit fig tree deep in the African bush after a thrilling game drive on an open 4×4 where you got within a few feet of a leopard or lioness on the hunt.

Luxury safari travel has reached new heights in Southern and East Africa and the combination of stunning wilderness locations, close up animal encounters, large fabulously appointed suites and first class service and cuisine combine to provide a memorable trip whether on honeymoon or on a special occasion family vacation.

The Kruger National Park

One of the largest national parks on the planet, the iconic Kruger National Park of South Africa, has long been a stronghold of the Big Five, and offers possibly the most reliable sightings of all five Big Five mammals,Read More

making it a popular wildlife safari destination. Visitors who want to see the Big Five in just 3 to 4 days, are most likely to do so on one of the concessions within the Kruger Park itself, or on one of the private game reserves abutting the Park’s western border.

Luxury private concessions within the Kruger Park include Singita, Lion Sands and Hamiltons. Sumptuous private game reserves bordering the main Kruger National Park include Timbavati, Manyeleti, Kapama, Thornybush, and Sabi Sands.

Of all the Big Five, leopard are notably evasive, and it is also in the latter area, in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, that visitors have the best chance of glimpsing these legendarily elusive big cats. The Sabi Sands is unquestionably one of the best places in the world to see leopard, and whilst there are never any guarantees when it comes to actually spotting all members of the Big Five, or of seeing a particular animal, visitors intent on ticking leopard off their lists, definitely stand the best chance of doing so here.

Madikwe Private Game Reserve

For families seeking a Big Five safari holiday, the Madikwe Private Game Reserve, in the Northern region of South Africa, is popular for the highly endangered African Wild Dog population roaming the reserve, as well as for being Malaria-free. Madikwe offers spectacular game-viewing and luxurious lodges, and is a mere 3.5km drive from Johannesburg, making it particularly family-friendly and attractive to those travelling with children.

Tailored African Wildlife Safaris

There are certain game reserves where guests have a higher chance of seeing all five animals in one visit. For those pressed for time, this is obviously significant. For others seeking out a special ‘bucket list’ animal, there are specific reserves better-known for definitive animal sightings.

At this particularly poignant point in time, with numbers precipitously low and sadly dwindling, any sighting of the critically endangered rhino is an immense privilege and is to be considered immeasurably special.