Kristen’s Safari Adventure

Beagle Expeditions / Courtesy of Beagle Expeditions

Here are some sample camps to start our discussion. The rates listed are based on published rates for two people and do not include transfers or tips. Safaris include food and activities. Availability is not guaranteed.

Botswana

Zebra near Karangoma, Botswana / Mel Van Zyl / Courtesy of Classic Portfolio
Zebra near Karangoma, Botswana / Mel Van Zyl / Courtesy of Classic Portfolio

If you want to experience Botswana again, Desert & Delta offers a good combination of price and style. Although the country is generally expensive, their prices are manageable and include transfers between camps. Depending on interest, I would probably combine Camp Moremi with one or two of their others. I’ve also included some other camps I like in your price range that could be combined.

  • Desert & Delta 8 nights/3 camp itinerary: $9,619 per person (includes free night)
  • Desert & Delta 6 nights/2 camps itinerary: $7,925 per person
  • Karangoma: $2,000/nt
    • This camp is a fantastic deal in Botswana’s high season and could be combined with a similar camp to finish out the itinerary elsewhere in Botswana or Victoria Falls.
  • Victoria Falls Island Treehouse Suites: $2,790/nt
    • This is one property that came to mind when you said amazing location and design.

Zambia

Zambia / Scott Dubois

Zambia is a great immersive safari destination. I just went a couple of months ago, and I love the mix of activities—walking safaris, boating, canoeing, and game drives. It’s a more adventurous destination because it’s less developed than other safari countries, but that’s part of the appeal.

  • Chisa Busanga: $2,700/nt
    • This is a memorable camp because of the bird’s nest design – it came to mind when you mentioned architecture. Kafue National Park is pretty remote and will have some tse tse flies, but it will also have some of the best lion sightings in Africa.
  • Chongwe Suites: $2,860/nt
    • Chongwe is an amazing camp for the price – I just stayed in November. I would go with the suites for the best location and most comfortable room overlooking the Zambezi River.
  • Mchenja: $2,600
    • This is a stylish Zambian hut in the wilds of South Luangwa. It’s a good overall safari destination, but it’s best experienced on walking safaris.
  • Sausage Tree Camp: $3,640/nt
    • Sausage Tree is a stylish luxury camp deeper into the park than Chongwe. It might break the budget, but they will usually cover your domestic flights if you book it with Chisa Busanga.

Kenya

Sarara Camp / Courtesy of Bush and Beyond
Sarara Camp / Courtesy of Bush and Beyond

Kenya is a great safari destination if you love landscapes and culture. It’s also not quite as far from Europe if you’re connecting through there. Because the Great Migration arrives in August, availability may be limited.

  • Saruni Samburu: $2,000/nt
    • I love the wild northern part of Kenya for the landscapes and people. Saruni is a fantastic deal for an amazing room.
  • Finch Hatton’s: $2,900/nt
    • This luxury camp in one of Kenya’s most elephant-rich areas was recently purchased by Richard Branson.
  • House in the Wild: $3,140/nt
    • The Maasai Mara can be crowded and expensive in July, but House in the Wild is a calm refuge at a reasonable price.

South Africa

Rhino at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge / Courtesy of Kwandwe luxury South Africa safari
Rhino at Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge / Courtesy of Kwandwe

South Africa is a great safari destination if you’re looking for a high level of camp for a good price. The private reserves in the Eastern Cape are a quality safari area with great prices because it isn’t as well known as Greater Kruger. Greater Kruger encompasses the private game reserves around the massive Kruger National Park. This is a fantastic one-stop safari where you can see the “Big 5” in one day if you just want to go to one really nice lodge for 4-5 nights.

  • Kwandwe: $1,800/nt (20% off 4nt stay or 25% off 3nt stay honeymooners)
    • This is a large private game reserve in the Eastern Cape with large luxury rooms and nice amenities.
  • Samara Karoo: $1,300/nt (25% off honeymoon)
    • Samara doesn’t have as much wildlife as Kwandwe, but the landscape is one of my favorites in South Africa, and they have a good cheetah population.
  • Tanda Tula: $3,116/nt (25% off honeymoon)
    • This is a newly remodeled contemporary lodge if you want an amazing luxury wildlife experience.
  • Dulini: $3,140/nt (25% off honeymoon)
    • Dulini is one of my favorites in the legendary Sabi Sands reserve, where you will get some of the best leopard sightings in Africa – a really stylish lodge for the price.