ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS
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Where to go and when

We are able to arrange safaris to an exciting array of African destinations: From the flame trees of Thika, to the vast hunting grounds of the famed explorer Selous; from the Mountains of the Moon to King Solomon's Mines.

For most of our clients the main reason for visiting Africa is to view the incredible wildlife.

In order to help you decide which country or countries you may want to visit we have developed short briefs on the most popular wildlife destinations coupled with a rating system which will allow you to compare each destination by the selected criteria - see below.

UPDATE (October 2003): Despite poor decision making on behalf of Zimbabwe's political leadership and a faltering economy Zimbabwe remains a high quality destination. We see no safety concerns for traveler's visiting the Zimbabwe's National Parks and Victoria Falls. We would suggest travel by light aircraft direct between National Parks and Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe's neighbor to the east, Botswana, provides travelers with brilliant wildlife and remote, unspoiled wilderness areas. Botswana has a stable government and thriving economy - it is the highest quality safari destination in Africa (Don't believe us? Go to your local bookstore or library and pick up copy of the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide to Africa - Botswana is Africa's hidden treasure). Tanzania is a good option during the months December through March where traveler's may view the 1.5 + million animal wildebeest migration. Kenyan safari camps and lodges have invested heavily in an attempy to regain their position as the leading safari destination in Africa and this is paying off. Although the large tourist hotels filled with budget European travelers still exist there are a wide variety of incredible boutique properties offering superb safari experiences. South Africa has a lot to offer and is a great value destination. Zambia has come on strong this year Ultimate Africa is offering some great Zambian itineraries! Namibia's scenery and remoteness are breathtaking and it appears the secret is out. The number of traveler's booking to this southern African hotspot has grown by leaps and bounds.

Botswana

Situated in southern Africa, Botswana has captivated visitors with it's abundant wildlife and vast tracts of untouched and inspiring wilderness. In the land of Africa’s original inhabitants, the San Bushman, travelers will find a safe, quiet country with quality guides and exclusive accommodations.

Botswana is home to some of Africa's heaviest concentrations of wildlife! The main areas to visit in Botswana are in the north. These include the Okavango Delta, Moremi, and Chobe. Although wilder than Zimbabwe, Botswana's parks are far less well maintained.

The Okavango Delta is an oasis in a desert. Lagoons, palm islands, and secret waterways teem with animal and birdlife (the Delta is noted as having the highest density of lion in Africa in addition to herds of buffalo in the thousands, wild dogs, cheetah, leopard, wildebeest, giraffe and much more). Moremi is probably southern Africa's premier wildlife reserve. The Savute area of northern Botswana provides the setting for an annual wildebeest / zebra migration along with the attendant predators. Chobe National Park in the northeast is home to an enormous elephant population (over 50,000) and provides visitors with opportunities to view the rare puku antelope and red lechwe.

When to visit	Year round
Big 5 Wildlife Species	Yes
Overall Quality of Safari Guides	3.5
Overall Quality of Wilderness Experience	5.0
Personal Safety	4.5 (urban crime)
Health Concerns	4.0
General Infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, water)	2.0
Medical Infrastructure	4.0
Political Stability	5
Overall Rating	4.00

(ratings are based on a 5 point scale with 1 being the least desirable value and with 5 being the most desirable value)

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Kenya

Kenya has long been considered "the" safari destination in Africa. But things have changed since the 1960's and Kenya now finds itself competing with several other incredible safari destinations which offer the "BIG 5" wildlife species with far less tourists.

Although touristy and in many places crowded with inexpensive group tours, great accommodations do exist. Often people, goats and cattle are part of the wildlife experience. Although not a true wilderness destination Kenya provides the first time safari traveler with an overview of the safari experience.

The main reasons to visit Kenya is to witness the ungulate (wildebeest) migration. From July through September the Masai Mara teems with over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra and their natural predators. Click here to learn more about the wildebeest migration.

Other areas to visit include the Samburu Reserve, and Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks. Amboseli is the classic image of Africa. Wildlife abounds with the ever-present and remarkable view of Mount Kilimanjaro to the south in Tanzania. The Great Rift Lakes are also worth visiting.

The quality of accommodations and safari guides varies widely in Kenya and it is vital that you work with an expert to plan your arrangements. Our Kenyan counterpart handled the first two years of filming the BBC's Big Cat Diary in the Masai Mara. They also handled the arrangements for the filming of the Mountain Dew commercial with the cheetah in the Shaba Reserve.

Important: Many of Kenya's largest and well known tour operators limit your safari mileage (we won't mention names). Our Kenyan counterpart does not limit clients time or mileage so that you may enjoy your safari to the fullest!

When to visit	Late December through early March / June through October
Big 5 Wildlife Species	Yes
Overall Quality of Safari Guides	2.5
Overall Quality of Wilderness Experience	2.5 (some parks crowded with tourists, private ranches/reserves better)
Personal Safety	1.5 (violent urban and rural crime and terrorism in recent past)
Health Concerns	2.5
General Infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, water)	2.0
Medical Infrastructure	3.0
Political Stability	3.5
Overall Rating	2.50

(ratings are based on a 5 point scale with 1 being the least desirable value and with 5 being the most desirable value)

Official Language: Swahili, English is widely spoken Currency: Kenya Shilling Time difference: EST +8 Electricity: 220/240 50 cycles Departure Tax: US $20 Embassy of the Republic of Kenya 2249 R Street NW, Washington D.C. 20008 Telephone (202) 387-6101; fax (202) 462-3829 Visa is required for American tourists - US $50. Purchase visa before departure.

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Namibia

Situated on the southwest coast of Africa, Namibia is an ancient and ever-changing land. It is home to the world's oldest desert and to towering sand dunes that glow in the morning sun as if on fire. Desert elephant range free through Damaraland and the mighty lion is still king in Etosha National Park. Namibia provides travelers with stunning landscapes and remote wilderness areas. When combined with a safari to either South Africa or Botswana, Namibia makes for a truly memorable experience.

When to visit	March through November
Big 5 Wildlife Species	Yes
Overall Quality of Safari Guides	3.5
Overall Quality of Wilderness Experience	5.0 (not a lot of wildlife, mainly stunning landscapes)
Personal Safety	3.5
Health Concerns	4.0
General Infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, water)	3.0
Medical Infrastructure	4.0
Political Stability	3.5
Overall Rating	3.79

(ratings are based on a 5 point scale with 1 being the least desirable value and with 5 being the most desirable value)

Official Language: Afrikaans most common, English is widely spoken Currency: Namibian Dollar Time difference: EST +7 Electricity: 220/230 AC Departure Tax: Included on international outward ticket Embassy of Republic of Namibia 1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20009 Telephone: (202) 986-0540 Visa not required for American tourists

Tanzania

Situated in east Africa, Tanzania is a stunningly beautiful, albeit poor country. Home to Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, and the world famous Serengeti, Tanzania provides the wildlife enthusiast with vast areas of true wilderness.

One of the main reasons to visit Tanzania is to witness the ungulate (wildebeest) migration which makes its way south and west through the Serengeti in the early part of each year (January through March). Click here to learn more about the wildebeest migration. During the long dry season, June through October, the county's northern parks are fantastic.

The Ngorongoro Crater, a microcosm of Africa and it's wildlife (including all of the Big 5), is not to be missed. For those seeking a true escape the southern part of Tanzania has been set aside as the world's largest wildlife reserve. The Selous Reserve is remote Africa at its best.

Tanzania is a great safari destination!

When to visit	Late December through early March / June through October
Big 5 Wildlife Species	Yes
Overall Quality of Safari Guides	2.5
Overall Quality of Wilderness Experience	3.5
Personal Safety	2.5 (mainly urban with some rural crime, terorrism in recent past)
Health Concerns	2.5
General Infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, water)	1.5
Medical Infrastructure	1.5
Political Stability	3.5
Overall Rating	2.50

(ratings are based on a 5 point scale with 1 being the least desirable value and with 5 being the most desirable value)

Official Languages: Swahili and English Currency: Tanzania Shilling Time difference: EST +8 Electricity: 220/240 50 cycles Departure Tax: US $20 Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania 2139 R Street NW, Washington D.C. 20008 Telephone (202) 939-6125 Visa is required for American tourists - US $50. Purchase visa before departure.

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South Africa

South Africa, described as "a world within one country", heads into the new century with a new and buoyant spirit. Dressing itself as the world's premier eco tourism destination, this beautiful country provides the traveler with a large variety of national parks and private wildlife conservancies.

For wildlife enthusiasts the Kruger National Park provides first rate wildlife with first world infrastructure. Fleeting images of true Africa are tempered with paved roads and multitudes of tourists. Private lodges adjoining the park provide a more exclusive and remote atmosphere.

The country's private wildlife conservancies (large tracts of private land which have been restocked with indigenous game) are among Africa's finest, boasting numerous species of rare antelope and Africa's largest populations of both black and white rhino.

Other South African activities include scuba diving (Rocktail Bay is considered one of the world's top 10 dive locations), viewing rare leatherback & loggerhead turtles, whale watching (the world's leading land based viewing of southern right whales), viewing Jackass penguins, Great White Shark cage dives, touring the Cape Peninsula, the Cape winelands, and Table Mountain in cosmopolitan Cape Town, a visit to Nelson Mandela's boyhood home and to Robben Island where he was imprisoned for 27 years. You can tour Soweto and meet local people at New Rest. You may enjoy a Blue Train (the world's most luxurious train) or Rovos Rail journey or simply relax along the Garden Route. South Africa has been home to the world's #1 hotel 2 years running (the Cape Grace in 2000 & Singita in 2001). Getting to South Africa from the USA is easy - travelers can fly non-stop aboard South African Airways 747-400's from Atlanta & New York to Cape Town & Johannesburg.

When to visit	Year round
Big 5 Wildlife Species	Yes
Overall Quality of Safari Guides	3.5
Overall Quality of Wilderness Experience	4.0
Personal Safety	2.5 (violent urban and rural crime)
Health Concerns	4.5
General Infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, water)	5.0
Medical Infrastructure	5.0
Political Stability	4.5
Overall Rating	4.14

(ratings are based on a 5 point scale with 1 being the least desirable value and with 5 being the most desirable value)

Official Language: 11 official languages, English is widely spoken Currency: South African Rand Time difference: EST +7 Electricity: 220/230 AC Departure Tax: Included on international outward ticket Embassy of South Africa 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20008 Telephone (202) 232-4400 Visa not required for American tourists

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 Zambia

Zambia - the Real Africa” is no idle boast. It is not uncommon for guests at a safari camp in Zambia to note that this is the 10th or 12th year in a row that they have visited!

Unlike Botswana, its younger, more refined neighbor to the southeast, Zambia represents the power or raw Africa – from the rafting beneath the thundering Victoria Falls to tracking lion on foot in the South Luangwa, Zambia has a well deserved reputation with those looking for Africa unadorned – small personal safari camps and lodges, good food, cold drinks, comfortable accommodations, culture, great guides, excellent wildlife, an informal character, and adventurous activities around every corner.

Zambia is in many ways is like Zimbabwe in its wildlife and wilderness offerings with one very important difference – Zambia is a stable, democratic nation. Famous for its multiday walking safaris through wildlife rich national parks (unlike in Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana where walking is not allowed within parks), visitors to Zambia may also enjoy day and night wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles, boating safaris, canoeing safaris, white water rafting, and exciting cultural opportunities. In the hands of highly trained professional guides (in many cases equal in skill to Zimbabwean guides) Zambia offers the safari enthusiast true wilderness and abundant wildlife.

From the mighty Zambezi River where guests may canoe past hippo and crocodile, to South Luangwa renowned for it untouched wildness and abundant wildlife including exceptional leopard and over 15,000 elephant (hence the name “Last Kingdom of the Elephants”), from the lion prides of Kafue (the Kafue is reputed to have the widest variety of antelope in southern and central Africa) to the mighty Victoria Falls, Zambia offers travelers an exceptionally real safari experience.

When to visit	April through October
Big 5 Wildlife Species	Yes
Overall Quality of Safari Guides	4.5
Overall Quality of Wilderness Experience	4.5
Personal Safety	3.0 (urban crime)
Health Concerns	3.5
General Infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, water)	3.0
Medical Infrastructure	2.5
Political Stability	3.5
Overall Rating	3.50

Zimbabwe

Situated in southern Africa, Zimbabwe still provides travelers with an high quality African wildlife and wilderness experience although the unpopular actions of the country's President and a faltering ecomony have greatly tarnished this country's image. Once described as "Africa's Paradise", Zimbabwe is home to the Big 5 wildlife species including over 80,000 elephant and the second highest density of lion in Africa.

The main reason to visit Zimbabwe is to experience African wildlife and wilderness areas in the company of Africa's most highly trained and qualified guides. From Mana Pools in the northeast to Hwange in the west, travelers will find a wilderness punctuated by roving herds of game and cunning predators. The Matopos are home to the world's highest concentration of leopard. Guides are able to take you walking / tracking within national parks unlike Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania where you may not walk within national parks.

In the northwest the world's largest waterfall, the Victoria Falls, crashes untamed into the Batoka Gorge. Southwest, in a land of rolling hills lies Great Zimbabwe. The man made structures, the most spectacular south of the great Egyptian pyramids, date back to the 13th century and are the heart of the country’s historic past. Some believe Great Zimbabwe is the lost city of Ophir from the Bible.

OCTOBER 2003 UPDATE: Despite poor decision making on behalf of the country's political leadership and a faltering economy Zimbabwe remains a high quality destination. We see no safety concerns for traveler's visiting the Zimbabwe's National Parks and Victoria Falls. We would suggest travel by light aircraft direct between National Parks and Victoria Falls.

When to visit	April through October
Big 5 Wildlife Species	Yes
Overall Quality of Safari Guides	5.0
Overall Quality of Wilderness Experience	4.5
Personal Safety	3.0 (urban crime, farm visits not adviseable)
Health Concerns	4.0
General Infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, water)	3.0
Medical Infrastructure	3.0
Political Stability	1.0
Overall Rating	3.21

(ratings are based on a 5 point scale with 1 being the least desirable value and with 5 being the most desirable value)

Official Language: English Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar Time difference: EST +7 Electricity: 220/240 50 cycles Departure Tax: US $20 Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20009 Telephone (202) 332-7100 Visa is required for American tourists - US $30 single entry, US $45 dual entry. Visa paid upon arrival in Zimbabwe. No paperwork.

Links to other pages:

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ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS
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Tel (425) 793 8877 Fax (425) 793 8878
Phone toll free within the United States on 1 800 461 0682
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