13 Best African Safari Tour Companies (2025 Reviews & Guide)
- Craig Howes
- May 1
- 6 min read
Why Choosing the Right Safari Company Matters
Planning a safari is thrilling, but choosing the right company can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of operators promising “authentic” experiences, how do you know who to trust?
The truth is, your safari operator is just as important as the destination. They shape every moment, from your guide’s storytelling to the campfire meals to the ease of travel between remote lodges.
That’s why we’ve curated this list of the best African safari tour companies in 2025, backed by real reviews and editorial insight. Whether you’re dreaming of gorillas in Uganda or mokoros in Botswana, here’s who we’d trust to plan it.
Each company includes guest highlights, strengths, and what they’re best known for — so you can choose with confidence.
What Makes a Safari Company Great?
Local Expertise — Guides and teams who know the land intimately
Tailored Service — Itineraries built around your style, pace, and wishlist
Guest Reviews — Look for praise around guiding, logistics, and emotional connection
Sustainability & Impact — Support for conservation and communities
Value for Money — From ultra-luxury to affordable excellence
"The best safari company is the one that makes you feel seen — not sold to."
Best African Safari Tour Companies by Style (2025)
Boutique & Bespoke Safari Companies
1. Atzaró Okavango (Cape Town and Okavango Delta Tour)
Independent reviews: Boutique, highly rated, the Cape Town to Okavango Delta Itinerary is one of the best trips to do in Africa!
Best for: Stylish lodge-based safaris in Botswana combined with Cape Town
Why they’re great: A new player in the Delta, Atzaró blends barefoot luxury with expert guiding, private plunge pools, and peaceful seclusion. They also offer one of Africa’s best multi-country safaris:
Cape Town to Okavango — an unforgettable blend of culture, cuisine, and pure wilderness.
Guest review: “Beautiful camp, beautiful country, beautiful new friends.”
Awards: Awarded a spot on the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List 2025 — a global recognition of the world’s best new hotels and lodges.
Take a visual journey through the Okavango Delta and see what sets Atzaró apart in this cinematic lodge feature in the video above.
2. Stanley Safaris
Independent reviews: Boutique, highly rated
Best for: Personalized off-grid adventures
Why they’re great: Founder Shaun Stanley doesn’t believe in travel formulas. Guests get direct access to him and itineraries built with heart and imagination.
Guest review: “It felt like traveling with a friend who knew every hidden corner of Africa.”
Watch: Safari Secrets with Stanley Safaris (Before you book your Safari)
A candid conversation about what most people get wrong when planning a safari.
Luxury Safari Experts
1. &Beyond
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: High-end conservation-focused travel
Why they’re great: Seamlessly run, conservation-driven safaris with a soul. Lodges like Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and Vamizi Island are iconic for a reason.
Guest review: “Everything was well organized, and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly.”
See African Safari Mags Gorilla Trekking Guide
2. Micato Safaris
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Luxury + cultural immersion
Why they’re great: Family-owned with strong ties to East Africa. Micato pairs five-star style with meaningful local engagement through education programs.
Guest review: “The attention to detail and personalized service made our safari unforgettable.”
3. Abercrombie & Kent
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Seamless luxury for global travelers
Why they’re great: Known worldwide, A&K excels at logistics and polish. Their Africa programs reflect deep partnerships and refined service at every level.
Guest review: “Everything was smooth, from landing to lodge — effortless and elegant.”
4. Ker & Downey Africa
SafariBookings Rating: 5/5
Best for: Contemporary luxury with a sustainability edge
Why they’re great: These aren’t your cookie-cutter itineraries. Ker & Downey crafts experiences like private helicopters, secret beach lodges, or gorilla trekking in style.
Guest review: “The trip was well-planned, and the guides were excellent.”
5. Real Africa
TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5
Best for: Personalized, ethical travel with meaningful impact
Why they’re great: A smaller company that punches above its weight. Strong conservation ethos, flexible itineraries, and loyal client base.
Guest review: “Amazing experience with exceptional hospitality.”
Photography & Specialist Safaris
1. Wild Eye
Best for: Photography-focused safaris
Why they’re great: Small group trips led by award-winning wildlife photographers. Great for learning, capturing epic sightings, and sharing the bush with like-minded guests.
Guest review: “Not just a photo safari — it changed how I see the world.”
2. African Bush Camps
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Intimate, conservation-first safaris in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana
Why they’re great: Owner-run and community-driven, ABC offers warmth, design flair, and unforgettable storytelling around the fire.
Guest review: “The camp sang us farewell. It was personal in a way luxury rarely is.”
3. Natural Selection
Best for: Stylish safari in wild, less-trodden places
Why they’re great: Their camps — from the Skeleton Coast to the Delta — offer a balance of design and raw wilderness. Conservation runs through everything.
Guest review: “This is the safari for people who hate crowds and love soul.”
Affordable & Trusted Safari Operators
1. African Horizons
TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5
Best for: Affordable safaris without cutting corners
Why they’re great: Trusted by travelers for over two decades, African Horizons is proof that great guiding and good pricing can go together.
Guest review: “Great service and competitive pricing — we felt looked after every step.”
Multi-Region & Online Safari Planners
1. Go2Africa
TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5
Best for: First-timers wanting digital ease + custom planning
Why they’re great: Based in Cape Town, Go2Africa blends local insight with global polish. Their consultants are true safari nerds — in the best way.
Guest review: “The itinerary was perfect, and the team was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.”
2. Rhino Africa
TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5
Best for: Tailor-made safaris with concierge-level service
Why they’re great: Based in Cape Town, Rhino Africa has built a strong reputation for creating luxury, custom itineraries backed by excellent client support and deep destination knowledge. With awards from the World Travel Awards and an in-house team of Africa experts, they’re a go-to for travelers who want premium service from the first email.
Guest review: “They took care of everything — flights, lodges, even restaurant bookings in Cape Town. A seamless, unforgettable trip.”
What the Reviews Say: Real Guest Sentiments
“Our guide knew every sound in the bush. It wasn’t just a tour — it was a conversation with nature.”
“From the bush plane to the candlelit dinners, every detail was thought through. We’ll be talking about this trip for years.”
“I was nervous about choosing the right company. I’m so glad I did.”
FAQ: Choosing a Safari Tour Company in 2025
Q: What review sites should I check before booking? TripAdvisor, SafariBookings, and Google Reviews offer solid insights — but editorial reviews (like this one!) add deeper context.
Q: Can I trust newer or smaller safari companies? Absolutely. Smaller operators often deliver more personal attention. Look for consistent praise around guides and communication.
Q: Are luxury companies worth the price? Yes, for travelers who value exclusivity, seamless logistics, and top guiding. You’re not just paying for rooms — you’re paying for peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a safari company is more than booking a trip — it’s choosing a partner to guide you through one of life’s most powerful experiences. Whether you want starbeds in Namibia, mokoros in the Delta, or gorillas in the mist, start with the company that feels right.
Ready to plan your safari? Use our Safari Planning Tool, or explore more lodge reviews and sample itineraries on African Safari Mag.
Choosing with Confidence
Choosing a safari company is more than booking a trip — it’s choosing a partner to guide you through one of life’s most powerful experiences. Whether you want starbeds in Namibia, mokoros in the Delta, or gorillas in the mist, start with the company that feels right.
Ready to plan your safari? Use our Safari Planning Tool, or explore more lodge reviews and sample itineraries on African Safari Mag.
Other good reads:
About Us
African Safari Mag is written by passionate safari travelers, photographers, and storytellers. Our editor-in-chief, Craig Howes, has explored Africa’s wildest places — from the misty mountains of Rwanda to the sun-scorched pans of the Kalahari. We’ve stayed in the camps, interviewed the guides, and photographed the wildlife firsthand.
If you’re still unsure which safari company is right for you, reach out to us. We’re happy to help match you with an operator that fits your travel style, values, and bucket list. Consider us your well-traveled friend with insider connections across the continent.
Need help planning? Get in touch — we’ll point you in the right direction.
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