How to Plan a Luxury Safari to Africa: Step-by-Step Guide
Planning a safari can feel like stepping into a vast, wild unknown - thrilling, but also a little daunting. That’s why we’re here. At Wild Again, our role is to gently and expertly guide you through the process, making it feel effortless and exciting from the very first conversation.
Here's how we begin crafting your journey...
1. Your Vision
Every safari starts with a simple question: What kind of experience are you dreaming of?
Perhaps you imagine a luxury escape surrounded by comfort and space. Or maybe you’re drawn to something more elemental - walking through wilderness on foot, feeling the pulse of Africa beneath your feet. You might be hoping to see the Big Five, track elusive leopards, or spend unhurried time watching elephants move through open plains. Whatever your wishes, this is where we start - by listening deeply.
2. Your Budget
Once we understand the type of experience you’re after, we’ll discuss your budget. This helps us tailor our recommendations so that every lodge, flight, and transfer fits seamlessly together - giving you the best value without compromising the quality of your journey.
3. Your Ideal Area
We design safaris across 12 African countries, from the savannas of Kenya to the remote corners of Zambia and the deserts of Namibia. Each region offers something distinct, and part of our role is helping you match your wishes - whether it’s wildlife, landscapes, or a particular atmosphere - to the places that suit you best.
4. Your Travel Companions
Who you travel with shapes your experience. Families, couples, solo travellers, or multigenerational groups all have unique needs and rhythms. Whether you’re traveling with young children, parents, or friends, we’ll help select lodges and experiences that feel right for everyone.
5. Your Timing
When you travel can change everything - from wildlife sightings to weather and atmosphere. We’ll talk through your preferred dates and guide you on where’s best to go during that time. Some areas are spectacular year-round; others shine during specific seasons.
The Wild Again Planning Process
Once we’ve gathered the essentials, here’s how the process unfolds:
Step 1: Get in Touch
Reach out via email (info@wildagain.africa) or via our inquiry form on the website (www.wildagain.africa) and share as much information as you can from the points above. The more detail we have, the more tailored your experiences can be.
Step 2: Video Call
We’ll arrange a relaxed video call to talk through your ideas, answer questions, and offer guidance on what’s possible. It’s also a chance to get a sense of each other - the beginning of your journey with us.
Step 3: Look Book
If there are several directions you’d like to explore, we’ll create a personalised look book - a curated collection of lodge and destination options that visually bring your safari possibilities to life.
Step 4: Itinerary
Once we have a clear direction, we’ll reserve your preferred lodges, flights, and activities, then send you a detailed digital itinerary that outlines your safari from start to finish.
When to Book
For the best choice of lodges and dates - especially for peak seasons - it’s ideal to begin planning 12 to 18 months in advance. Many of the most sought-after properties book up early, and this timeframe ensures you have access to the finest options available.
At Wild Again, we believe that your safari begins long before you set foot in Africa. It begins in the dreaming, in the conversations, and in the care taken to create something deeply personal and unforgettable. So please do get in touch and let the adventure begin!
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We create safaris in 12 African countries. Your adventure starts here.
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Founder, Private Guide and Safari Planner
Being born the daughter of David Attenborough (it’s true but he’s probably not the one you’re thinking of) I don’t believe I ever really had much choice about what direction my life would take. I grew up in the city of Durban, South Africa but for as long as I can remember nature has called to me. Whenever I could I would escape to the forests around my home barefoot and in search of chameleons and red duiker to befriend.
And so in 2010, after completing my Journalism and Media Studies degree, I followed that calling to the wilds of Southern Africa to become a game ranger. I planned to stay for a year but it turned into ten. During that time, I worked at Phinda Private Game Reserve, Ngala Private Game Reserve and Londolozi Game Reserve, some of South Africa’s most prestigious lodges and immersed myself in the natural world. I learnt to track animals with Zulu and Shangaan trackers and spent as much time as I could on foot approaching animals with my guests. I also put my photojournalism degree to use by becoming a specialist photographic guide. I travelled to Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, India and throughout South America in search of wildlife. My greatest adventure was living in Gabon training local guides for the WWF and Smithsonian Institute, where we spent weeks at a time living like early nomads in the dense and remote coastal forests, fulfilling a life-long dream of tracking and habituating wild gorillas. Seeing how embodied and present animals are inspired me to begin practicing yoga. I am a qualified vinyasa and yin teacher and spent six months training under a Hatha master in Boulder, Colorado. I am also a certified Martha Beck life coach. With this mixture of knowledge, interests and skills, I started Wild Again to help others really experience the wild places I know and love so much. Through my specialised Wellness Safaris that incorporate yoga, meditation, mindfulness and personalised life coaching I continue to grow more conscious safaris that return people to nature and to themselves. As we re-wild ourselves we hear the earth, our common mother, again. It is only then that we can co-create with her healing.
Tell us if you’re keen to plan a safari or join a retreat. We’re ready to create your dream experience.
