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Safari inspiration
Tailored, off-the-beaten-track safaris since 1984
Luxury safaris
Indulge in exclusive wilderness with every comfort
A Bushbuck safari is always luxurious, but definitions vary depending on your particular tastes. Some clients love intrepid campfires and tented accommodation in wild places, which earn their luxury stripes in exclusivity and personalised service. Others define luxury through swimming pools and gyms, which are standard in many lodges across the continent.
There is no right or wrong definition, but we would encourage you to go for location over facilities. Too many other vehicles can sap the atmosphere of wilderness, so if you’re going to splurge on anything make it a private reserve, rather than a private pool. Saying that though, there are plenty of luxurious lodges with all the spoiling facilities you could want in some of the best wildlife locations on the planet. We know the lodges with the best of both worlds.
Tented safaris
Sleep close to nature in stylish tents
The word “tented” is misleading when it comes to African safaris. Oust visions of damp mornings and sore necks, and be assured this is nothing like camping you know. Tents are furnished with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms, providing everything you could possibly need for a relaxing stay.
There are different levels of luxury when it comes to tented safaris, with the most basic being a compact room under canvas, to the most luxurious with wooden floors, multiple rooms and free-standing bathtubs. One advantage to an under canvas safari, even with all the luxuries you could wish for, is that you feel closer to the surrounding nature.
Great Wildebeest Migration
Witness 1.5 million animals on the move
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the most spectacular remaining natural event on the planet, where 1.5million grazers make their way around the Serengeti National Park in search of fresh pastures. It’s humbling to witness these animals hurl themselves into the mighty jaws of the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti (Tanzania) and the Masai Mara (Kenya) from July to October.
Calving season is another awe-inspiring time to see the herds as they congregate in the southern Ndutu plains of the Serengeti, attracted by the rich volcanic soils which lie north of the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you can witness layers upon layers of brown specks all the way to the horizon, roaming as they have for years. Some 8,000 wildebeest are born daily. Seeing the Great Migration is on many bucket lists – and deservedly so.
Riding safaris
Ride wild Africa on horseback
Both Boo and Kitty are keen horsewomen so naturally at Bushbuck we organise out-of-this-world riding safaris. There is no feeling like cantering through the breathless wilderness of the Kalahari Desert; no hack will ever compare to a horseback adventure through the enchanting Okavango Delta, with elephants splashing, hippos snorting and antelope jumping all around.
While Botswana, given its concentrations of wildlife, is a place for experienced riders, families are well-suited to Laikipia in Kenya, a patchwork of private concessions, or reserves in South Africa. We know the best specialist riding lodges where you can head off from dawn until dusk with a reliable horse or bouncy pony to keep everyone, at every level, entertained. Bushbuck has been organising horse riding safaris since the 1980s.
Photographic safaris
Capture Africa’s beauty with expert guides
Truthfully, every African safari destination we recommend is heaven for photographers. But at Bushbuck we have built up four decades worth of contacts in Africa, some of whom are brilliant photographic safari guides.
We can organise for one of these specialists to accompany you on your entire trip, allowing you to seriously devote your trip to photography.
That being said, if you are interested but not fanatical, most safari guides resident to camps and lodges will be able to cater for your photography needs. We usually recommend booking a private vehicle.
Fly-camping
Sleep under stars in pure wilderness
Fly-camping – or spending the night in a small mobile tent, often only covered by a mosquito net – was how safaris began in the 1980s. We remember fly-camping in the bowl of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, which is no longer permitted.
In the spirit of this bygone era of safari exploration, which used to be leave luxuries firmly at home, many lodges and camps offer a one-night fly-camping experience. Popular with honeymooners, a staff member will set up your little tent somewhere remote and beautiful, and you can star-gaze into the night. If you want the authentic fly-camping experience, Bushbuck knows a few private guides who can take you on a multi-day adventure, setting up camp in different spots each night. What an experience. Some camps and lodges offer a “star bed” experience rather than a mobile tent, which sees guests spend the night in a permanent elevated structure consisting of just a bed and mosquito net.
Primate safaris
Meet wild silverbacks in life-changing encounters
Seeing a wild silverback gorilla up close is one of life’s most humbling, grounding experiences. Their human mannerisms and familiar family dynamics are captivating to watch, and often spark in travellers a genuinely overwhelming emotional bridge between us and the wider natural world. It is, put simply, life-changing.
Rwanda is ideal for gorilla trekking before or after a safari holiday to Kenya or Tanzania; Uganda works well as part of a longer game viewing safari to the country. Seeing the boisterous chimpanzees of Kibale in Uganda also mustn’t be overlooked, or for those wanting a totally outback experience Tanzania’s wild west of the Mahale Mountains is singular. Here, chimpanzees live alongside a special camp in the region, Nomad Mahale. People rarely venture to this part of the world, and it’s magic.
Walking safaris
Discover Africa’s secrets on foot
Walking safaris offer a perspective of safari Africa vehicles simply cannot. On foot you are not seeking out the Big 5 or those dramatic Attenborough-worthy moments, but are appreciating and learning about the small components which make up the powerful ecosystems these unbelievable animals call home.
It’s learning about how dung beetles are solely responsible for clearing up after the Great Migration in the Serengeti; it’s discovering how termite mounds are comprised of huge, intricate armies; it’s seeing the fresh track of a leopard on the hunt; it’s hearing about the wizardry of trees defending themselves from grazers. Not everything inspiring has to be big and shouty, and walking safaris champion this ethos. Each African country has specialist walking safaris operators, but the best are arguably in Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Beaches
Pair wild safaris with pristine island shores
In-land Africa boasts the most magnificent wildernesses in the world, and its beaches are no different. East Africa is home to the wonderful Zanzibar Island with a fantastic array of characterful boutique hotels. Others travel to the Kenyan coast for the cultural hub of Lamu.
Southern Africa’s Indian Ocean gem is the archipelagos off Mozambique, while the Maldives and Seychelles are a longer hop away for the ultimate Indian Ocean getaways. Crafting a safari and beach holiday to your specific preferences is our speciality, so please get in touch and we can guide you to the Indian Ocean beach that’s best for you.
Fishing
Cast lines in Africa’s wild waters
Fishing in Africa is out of this world – and completely varied. You can battle with a monster tiger fish on the Zambezi river, catch bone fish in the Seychelles, or go deep sea fishing off the coast of Mozambique for marlin or dorado.
There are waters in Africa for any type of fishing enthusiast and we know the continent’s best guides and lodges set up to cater for some of the best fishing in the world. Kitty loves fishing so can point you in the right direction.
Safaris for everyone
At Bushbuck Safaris we know that no two travellers are the same. Whether you are a couple looking for something quiet and romantic, a family wanting an adventure everyone will remember, or a group of friends ready to explore together, we can shape the trip around you.
We particularly specialise in multi-generational trips, and often send big groups of little ones, parents and grandparents on safari. No group is too big or comings and goings too complicated. It’s all possible on a Bushbuck Safari, so if you have a big, sprawling family safari dream, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Multi-generational safaris
Away from modern-day distractions, with plenty to do and lots to talk about, this is the ultimate way to spend quality time with your family.
Yet, creating a carefully developed itinerary and moving numbers of people around can be like mobilising a small army. Thankfully, we know the best camps – and importantly the best guides – which will take care of activities and logistics on the ground.
Bushbuck will sort out the organisational headache so you are free to enjoy your safari.
- Unrivalled for family & multi-generational holidays
- Escape modern distractions for pure quality time together
- Stress-free: all organisation & activities handled for you
- Flexible itineraries & schedules tailored completely to your group
- Guides who inspire adventure or deliver peaceful downtime
- Children engage with family in fresh, deeper ways through shared adventure
For couples
From the clearest Milky Way of dreams to the unparalleled natural world below, an African safari is pure romance.
Whether you’re in a five star luxury lodge or a charming meru tent, you will not find more attentive staff or intimate lodging anywhere else in the world.
Luxury here is a given, whatever your budget.
- Unrivalled for romantic honeymoons
- Off-grid tranquility after a busy wedding
- Stress-free: all organisation handled for you
- Awe-inspiring moments to share together
- An array of activities to suit all (boating, beach, walking, riding and more)
- Luxury is in the DNA of safari, whatever your budget
- A unique experience tailored to you: no two Bushbuck trips are the same
For individuals
Safaris are fabulous for solo travellers.
Many of our favourite spots in Africa are incredibly sociable, with communal dining tables and intimate camps welcoming guests as part of a family, rather than separate guests.
Solo travellers often make friends for life around a safari camp-fire.
- Safaris are sociable, with communal dining available in many camps and lodges
- Meet likeminded people, with a shared love of the natural world
- Stress-free: all organisation is handled for you and there will be someone to meet you every step of the way
- You have our contacts on the ground for extra peace of mind
- Huge array of activities for special interests