African safaris in the Covid era
Travel has changed; it’s no longer so casual. It demands more care and attention.
With today’s complex, fast-changing Covid rules it’s never been more important to have the back-up of experts who can help you navigate the logistics and follow the protocols.
Expert Africa is an award-winning travel company specialising in high-quality, tailor-made, sustainable safaris to East and Southern Africa. We have successfully sent travellers to Africa since 1994, including all but the first three months of the pandemic.
Travel has never been so tricky. But nor has it ever been so rewarding or so important.
Fewer travellers means quieter camps and lodges, emptier parks, and an even warmer welcome from local communities, who appreciate visitors like never before.
Travel in the Covid era requires serious care and expertise. So book a safari with people who’ve visited the places you’re going and have enduring relationships with the best partners on the ground: book with Expert Africa.
Years in travel
8,770 safaris organised in the last 14 years
4,941 unedited reviews
EXCELLENT
Positive impact and giving back
We’re acutely aware that the places that Expert Africa features are some of the most pristine and delicate wilderness areas in the world. They are also home to some of the world’s most iconic species. We’re conscious, too, that we have a responsibility not only to help protect these places but also to promote the benefits they provide to the people who live in them, and who dedicate themselves to protecting them.
This is a shared responsibility involving our travellers, the camps and lodges on the ground and ourselves at Expert Africa. We don't simply pay lip service to this responsibility; we actively take the lead on it. This is a genuine commitment and not the often-observed tokenism prevalent in much of our industry. Promoting actions that look good but usually have little meaningful impact is not what we are about. Expert Africa is different.
charities supported
772 trip wildlife reports completed
30,592 species sightings recorded
Key species & where to find them
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
79% SUCCESS
1,431 sightings from 1,802 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
45% SUCCESS
919 sightings from 2,043 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
29% SUCCESS
462 sightings from 1,579 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
31% SUCCESS
413 sightings from 1,325 observations
Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei
The world’s most impressive primate, the mountain gorilla inhabits a handful of locations in Africa’s equatorial cloud forests, where guided treks offer an intense wildlife experience.
95% SUCCESS
21 sightings from 22 observations
Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
18 sightings from 18 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
3% SUCCESS
48 sightings from 1,705 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
29% SUCCESS
284 sightings from 980 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
123 sightings from 766 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
1,222 sightings from 1,467 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
45% SUCCESS
669 sightings from 1,483 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
90% SUCCESS
1,735 sightings from 1,921 observations
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
76% SUCCESS
41 sightings from 54 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
83% SUCCESS
1,655 sightings from 1,989 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
1,272 sightings from 1,428 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
699 sightings from 1,003 observations
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
19% SUCCESS
40 sightings from 207 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
31 sightings from 1,621 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
24% SUCCESS
253 sightings from 1,046 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
21% SUCCESS
218 sightings from 1,033 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
20% SUCCESS
27 sightings from 134 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
51% SUCCESS
1,000 sightings from 1,963 observations
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
16% SUCCESS
61 sightings from 388 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
42% SUCCESS
233 sightings from 554 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
64% SUCCESS
1,157 sightings from 1,817 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
83% SUCCESS
1,868 sightings from 2,244 observations
Africa holiday styles and special interests
From family friendly adventures to the wildest walking safaris, find your perfect African trip.
Let us help you customise your trip
Like all of our holidays on this site, this is just an idea. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you.
Talk to an Expert
Browse this Expert Africa website, then call us. We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you.
Set up your itinerary
Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.
Prepare for your trip
The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.
Travel with peace of mind
After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.
When you return
We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.