Once upon a time, luxury safari visitors were all about spotting lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos – but while staying in nicer tents and eating gourmet meals.

But that’s changing.

“Safaris are no longer just about the 'Big Five,'” said Lori Cohen, an writer who covers luxury safaris. “People only have so much free time in their lives, and they really want to use that time to do something special and transformative.”

“They want personal attention [and] unique experiences,” she said. They want “their feelings addressed.”

This is changing the definition of luxury tourism in Africa, said Olivia Gradidge, marketing manager at trade fair organizer RX Africa.

“While world-class amenities remain important, the focus on unique and exclusive experiences has expanded,” she said. “Travellers, particularly those seeking luxury, are increasingly driven by the desire for novelty and exclusivity. They crave experiences they’ve never had before.”

That might be a walk with a veterinarian who works with gorillas or a glance into the lifetime of a neighboring community, Cohen said.

For others, it's an experience that matches their interests, reminiscent of photography or the chance to trace certain animals or a helicopter trip to a distant area, Gradidge said. Travelers are increasingly fascinated with “taking a behind-the-scenes look where guests can participate in conservation activities, meet researchers or learn about anti-poaching efforts,” she said.

“These experiences… [transform] “The traditional safari transforms from passive wildlife viewing to an active and exciting adventure,” she said.

The luxury safari market is anticipated to proceed to grow $1.7 billion in 2023 to $1.98 billion by 2032in response to the market research company Business Research Insights.

A 2024 Trend report The study, published by travel website Africa Travel Week, noted the rise of “7+ star experiences” and “ultimate luxury” in Africa. But the web site Discover Africa notes that luxury travelers are moving beyond luxury right into a recent era of “conscious luxury“, which combines sustainable safari tourism and personalized itineraries.

Kgomotso Ramothea, CEO of the African Travel & Tourism Association, said there was greater interest in walking and trekking safaris, which produce lower carbon emissions than traditional safaris.

Murielle Mignot-Vegezzi, product director at luxury safari company Discover Africa, said destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana remained the top choice.

But “return visitors are looking for more immersive experiences, with safari itineraries through multiple countries rather than trips to individual countries.”

This can increase prices. The price of a luxury safari booking reached $9,600 per person in 2024, she said.

Easy and medium safaris

A basic African safari costs between $100 and $300 per person per day.

With this budget, shared game drives are often possible at certain times of the day. Compared to luxury safaris in private game reserves or nature reserves, wildlife viewing could also be limited.

Meals are also moderately easy in comparison with high-end safari camps.

For $300 to $600 per day, travelers can expect excellent service and fewer fellow guests. There are sometimes additional activities reminiscent of guided bush walks, night drives and experienced rangers.

In Kenya, camps that fall into this category include Mara Intrepids Tented Camp, Ashnil Mara Camp, Tangulia Mara Camp and Kitumo Mara Lodges.

There can also be the Serengeti Sopa Lodge in Tanzania; South Africa's Sabi River Sun Resort in Kruger National Park; Botswana's Moremi Crossing; and Namibia's Sossus Dune Lodge within the Namib Desert.

Luxury safaris

These lodges typically cost around $600 per person per day and offer luxury accommodations, private game safaris, gourmet meals and personalized services reminiscent of private guides and butlers.

Angama Mara, Emboo – New Generation Safari Camp, Richard Branson's Mahali Mzuri and JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge are examples of luxury safari camps in Kenya's Masai Mara. There is Finch Hattons near Tsavo National Park and the Angama brand has one other luxury camp in Amboseli National Park. The Elewana Collection has camps in pristine locations in Kenya and Tanzania, as does Asilia Camps, which also runs safaris in Uganda.

In Tanzania there may be the Singita Sabora Tented Camp and the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, the latter with Serengeti views, plunge pools and an infinity pool.

There are also many safaris on this price range in South Africa, from the Royal Malewane to the Babohi within the Qwabi Private Game Reserve, an exclusive lodge for adults only.

Ultra luxury safaris

To experience the head of the safari experience, you should be prepared to pay between $1,500 and $10,000 per day to enjoy fastidiously tailored activities, exceptional amenities and exceptional service.

In Rwanda, lodges like Bisate Lodge and One & Only Gorilla's Nest are positioned near Volcanoes National Park, home to the country's mountain gorillas. These lodges offer gourmet meals in stunning surroundings, private gorilla trekking excursions with expert guides, and distant locations that provide an intimate experience for those looking for seclusion.

There's also the Singita Grumeti in Tanzania and the andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, which offers luxury bush villas with private plunge pools, private game drives and walks with trackers.

Africa is blessed with among the rarest and most beautiful animals on the earth – a undeniable fact that entices tourists to book safaris all 12 months round.

But safaris only scratch the surface of what the continent has to supply.

From wine tours to vibrant coastal towns, more experiences await those willing to transcend game drives and enterprise deeper into the center of the continent.

For mountain climbing enthusiasts, Africa is blessed with quite a few peaks – from Toubkal in Morocco to the continent’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

But there’s also Mount Nyangani in Zimbabwe, which a skywalk at Mutarazi Falls, the best waterfall within the country.

Table Mountain in South Africa might be climbed in just a few hours, but adrenaline junkies may prefer a bungee jump from Johannesburg's Soweto Towersor the Bloukrans Bridge along the country’s famous “Garden Route”.

Africa is good for adventurous travelers, says Zina Bencheikh, managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Intrepid Travel.

She recommends the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar, which consists of two geological zones called the “Little Tsingy” and the “Great Tsingy”. In the local language, Malagasy, this implies a spot “where you cannot walk barefoot”.

“The Big Tsingy Trek is no ordinary hike!” she said, describing it as “a labyrinth of limestone formations that resemble a forest of rocks.”

In Namibia, travelers can climb the famous Dune 45 to admire the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, explore the eerie white clay pan of Deadvlei, or hike through the picturesque Sesriem Canyon.

At Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, travelers can go white water rafting, bungee jumping or swimming within the Devil's Pool, situated on the Zambian side of the falls. Similar adventures might be had in Jinja, Uganda, where the Nile River originates.

Hot air balloons are also a preferred and adventurous way of exploring, allowing you to get a bird's eye view of the Berber villages of Morocco and the Masai Mara in Kenya.

African beach towns mix beauty and culture, for instance within the Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt.

One example is Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya.

“Here you can experience African, Indian and Arab cultures in one place. Fort Jesus is one of Mombasa's most remarkable sites and was built by the Portuguese in 1593. In less than 200 years, the fort changed hands nine times,” said Luciemarie Swanepoel, owner of African Sky of Diamonds Tours & Safaris.

She recommends a visit to Zanzibar to see the The labyrinth of Stone Town Alleys together with Kenya's Swahili Coast, the historic ruins of Gede and the UNESCO World Heritage Mijikenda-Kaya forests

“Madagascar … is another island gem, with beaches like Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie, palm-fringed coastlines and lively coastal villages,” said Swanepoel.

Durban and Cape Town are two of probably the most beautiful beach destinations in South Africa, she said, adding that travelers there can go kitesurfing, snorkeling, kayaking or searching for dugongs and whales.

From budget houseboats to luxurious all-inclusive boutique lake cruises, Africa offers a spread of unique boating experiences.

Cruises on the Nile, Zambezi and Chobe rivers, in addition to on Lake Kivu in Rwanda, are highly really helpful because the water journey offers spectacular views of the wildlife.

“On a river cruise, you can see a herd of elephants wading through the shimmering waters, see large buffalo gathering on the banks and even spot crocodiles slithering stealthily through pools. Hundreds of hippos wallow in the river with only their nostrils sticking out,” says Kate Powell, managing director of houseboat company Zambezi Queen Collection.

Travelers also can cruise between villages, fish and sunbathe within the calm waters.

“You can explore the Manambolo River in a pirogue or a wooden dugout canoe in the shade of towering rocky cliffs. [or] Stop to explore a cave and the eerie tombs of the Vazimba people, believed to be the first inhabitants of Madagascar,” said Intrepid's Bencheikh.

East and South Africa are not only popular stopovers for cruises around the world, but also have their own cruise routes along the coast and to offshore islands. Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC offer cruises from Africa.

“Marine voyages in Africa allow visitors to experience the continent’s wildlife, cultures and landscapes from a unique perspective,” says Kevin Bubolz, Norwegian’s vice chairman of Continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“In Port Elizabeth, the Penguin Island Cruise is an excellent experience. You travel to the world's largest colony of African penguins of their natural habitat,” he said. “If you're lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of playful humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.”

Countries like Morocco, Namibia and Ethiopia have wine-growing regions. But South Africa is the crown jewel of the continent.

“South Africa is known for its world-class wine-growing regions, with the Western Cape being the heart of the industry,” said Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro, Cape Town’s tourism and trade agency.

“The areas around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl form the famous Cape Winelands, where visitors can tour historic wineries, taste award-winning wines and learn about the winemaking process.”

Stellenbosch is not only one of the best places for wine tours, but also a culinary hotspot known for its innovative food scene. Elmarie Rabe, Marketing Manager at Visit Stellenbosch, advises travelers to choose wineries that are committed to sustainable and organic practices.

“Also consider the distances between farms, as Stellenbosch stretches over 60 square kilometres,” she said.

The best time to visit is during harvest season, from late January to March, when the vineyards are in full swing. But each season has its own charm, she added.

“Spring offers lush landscapes and ideal weather, while winter is ideal for having fun with daring red wines in front of the hearth. Summer offers sunny days which are perfect for outdoor wine tasting,” Rabe said.