r/LuxurySafari

Hi! We are thinking about doing a delayed honeymoon in February 2027 and want to do a mix of safari but also have some beach time built in. Questions:

-thinking east Africa but what countries would be the best to see the big five at that time?
-what would be the smoothest travel to hit some type of beach time?
-is it possible to plan this trip in this amount of time?

Our budget is about 30k but flexible, ideally would like to go for two weeks at least. Is this possible ???

Any resources that can be shared my way would be helpful.

Our current trip plan is:

• 2 nights in Chobe
• 3 nights Shinde
• 4 nights Chitabe
• 3 nights Little Mombo

We are avid wildlife photographers and 100% of our interest in Safari is the wildlife and photography. We don't get bored of animals and being in the wilderness. We have booked private safaris throughout.

I was thinking about whether it is actually worth it to make the trip to Chobe and if we should change our trip to just add a couple more nights in the delta (maybe to Shinde/Chitabe). I'm not sure if the extra logistics and travel with going to Chobe are worth it for this trip or if we should put it off for a future trip. And instead we would just fly in and out from Maun to the delta instead of Kasane + Chobe travel and then to the delta and then out from Maun.

Was curious to get folks thoughts on this and if this change sounds like a good idea.

Appreciate the help!

I’m going again to Tanzania, this time visiting Lemala lodges and camps.

When you read reviews, what is the information you are looking for? What specifics do you want to know?

I’m bringing a notepad 😉

Hi all - we are planning our honeymoon for September 2027. Originally we were planning Cape Town, 4 myths at sabi then Mozambique but we struggled to get this within budget and it seemed a shame to do only 4 nights safari.

We have since been given two itineraries for east Africa:

1. Kenya: 3 nights Lewa safari camp, 3 nights eagle view in naboisho conservancy, 7 nights Xanadu in Zanzibar

2. Tanzania: 3 nights olmara in eastern Serengeti, 4 nights ikuka in ruaha, 7 nights Xanadu in Zanzibar

The Tanzania holiday is coming out slightly more expensive but there isn’t much difference. I just wanted to get people’s thoughts on which one would be more honeymoon vibes whilst keeping that sense of raw untouched Africa. We are currently leaning towards Tanzania but keen to hear what people think! Thanks in advance

Hi everyone! My husband and I are heading on our first African adventure this October and I’d love some advice from anyone who has done a similar trip! We’ll be flying into Nairobi, heading to the Maasai Mara for safari, then returning to Nairobi before flying on to the Seychelles for some beach time.

A few questions for those who have traveled this route:
Nairobi Airport: What has your experience been flying internationally through Nairobi (NBO)? Is it relatively easy to navigate? Anything we should be prepared for with immigration, security, connections, or luggage?
Jewelry on safari: I was thinking of bringing inexpensive/cheap jewelry instead of my nicer pieces. Is that a good idea, or would you recommend leaving jewelry behind altogether?
Safari luggage: Any packing tips or things you were really glad you brought? Anything you packed but never used?

Bugs: How bad are mosquitoes in the Maasai Mara in October? Any particular repellent or clothing you recommend?
Tipping: This is one I’m especially curious about! Who did you tip throughout the trip - safari guide, driver, camp staff, porters, airport transfer drivers, hotel staff, restaurants, etc.—and how much did you typically tip each person/per day?
USD vs. local currency: For tipping in Kenya, is it better to bring US dollars or Kenyan shillings? And in the Seychelles, did you tip in USD, euros, or Seychellois rupees?
Kenya → Seychelles: Has anyone flown from Nairobi to the Seychelles? How was the airport/departure process and flight?
Seychelles: Anything you wish you had known before going, especially after coming straight from safari?
First safari: Any general tips for a first-time safari that you wish someone had told you beforehand?

I am planning an east Africa trip. Gorillas at Bisate, either Mara Nyika or Mara Plains in the Mara, Ol Donyo near amboselli, however I cannot wrap my head around Laikipia.

Originally I thought it had to be Segera. The property looks stunning, but at the end of the day, I want safari over just pampering. Safari viewing in Lewa seems more. Maybe not as polished obviously, but just good safari. Segera from my impression is pampering and beauty first, then safari. I'm already pampered at the other locations, and again, this trip is all about the animals. I've looked at Kirafu with Elewana, Sirikoi and Lewa wilderness a distant third. What say you experts and previous East African specialists?

Segera? Sirikoi? Kirafu? Somewhere else in Laikipia?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to put this to bed once and for all!

Hi everyone, I am planning my honeymoon for late September 2027 for 14 days 20k budget. I want to stay at a lodge for about 3 days and spend the rest in Mauritius. I would love to do Kenya or Tanzania as doing the hot air balloon in the morning is such a dream of mine and I don’t see company’s in SA that do it. I also love the landscape and would want to see the migration. Has anyone done this route and how difficult was it to travel between all these places. I know the classic would be sabi sands/ Kruger to Mauritius but I’m so stuck on wanting this hot air balloon ride!

We were asked by our travel agent, Wilderness Safaris to get Travel Insurance. We are doing a Safari in Botswana with 2 nights in Chobe(SFO -> JNB -> Kasane) and then flying between three lodges in the delta (Shinde, Chitabe and Mombo) and then flying back (Maun -> JNB -> SFO).

Are there any travel agency companies recommended for this trip and what are things to consider when getting travel insurance?

We are looking into a safari and my friends are working with someone from Ker & Downey but I'm suspicious of the itineraries and stuff they've gotten. The travel agent is someone named Sasha Flux but the only search results for that name are sketchy at best.

A LinkedIn profile without a photo saying they are a travel agent and a yoga studio listing 30 or so instructors were among the first results. Neither has a photo but the marketing itinerary has a photo of a 30ish blond woman who would most likely have a profile photo somewhere. Google image search only wants to offer me places to buy a shirt like hers.

What's the correct website for Ker & Downey? There seem to be 4 of them and a WhoIs search of a couple of them doesn't return anything useful.

Maybe I'm paranoid but before wiring the equivalent of the cost of a car I want to be sure I'm dealing with the right place.

I'm fairly sure this person doesn't exist since they don't have any other profile photos on the internets.

Hello, we are hoping to have a boutique luxury safari experience next summer for around $10k to $12k per person for seven days in Tanzania, but not sure if this is possible. We were looking at Nomad, but if anyone has any other suggestions, we would greatly appreciate it. Hoping to focus on boutique safari lodges, sustainable travel, and, of course, the game drives are the most important! Any advice or suggestions welcome!

Looking to plan a last minute trip to Kenya in mid September. I’m thinking of 4 nights each at a combination of 2 lodges or 3 nights each at 3 lodges.

My ideal stay:

• Baby elephant sanctuary and private feeding session in Reteti

• A couple of Samburu experiences like the singing wells and Ngoma

• One 2-3 hour, doors-off helicopter photography safari over epic landscapes

• A night of fly-camping and camel-supported walking safari. I’m not looking for a hectic hike, more for the romance and adventure of the experience but a gentle walking safari LOL

• Good game drives and unique wildlife would obviously be nice, but I understand this isn’t Mara

• Private vehicles, luxury accomm and beautiful art are all nice to have, but ultra-luxury is not the goal. No AC up in Laikipia is fine.

I’m considering Sarara Camp plus one or two of Segera, Solio, Ol Malo, Ol Lentille, Suyain.

The last two seem luxurious and lovely but also perhaps the most overlap with Sarara?

Segera is my strongest contender for now, but I’m intrigued by Solio and Ol Malo as well.

I want to end with 5-6 nights in Lamu, explore the old town and take a dhow boat out to tranquil beaches, ruins and atmospheric villages. I’m struggling to find a characterful luxury place to stay. I’m only expecting AC, good design and great service not ultra luxury! Amani House looks gorg but $20-40K (for 2 people) feels bonkers for Lamu.

Any Laipikia + Lamu / Culture + Conservation experts in this sub who could help me plan this trip? Many thanks!