Africa Safaris & Game Drives Safari Companies

The 12 Best Safari Companies in Africa (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 12 picks

The best safari companies in Africa in 2026 are Wilderness, with 55+ camps in eight countries since 1983; Singita, with lodges in five countries; &Beyond, which runs lodges across Africa and tailor-makes trips; Great Plains Conservation in Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe; Natural Selection; Asilia in East Africa; Time + Tide in Zambia; and African Bush Camps, Robin Pope Safaris, Cottar's, Gamewatchers (Porini) and Machaba Safaris.

“Safari company” covers two kinds of business. Lodge operators such as Wilderness, Singita and &Beyond own or run the camps you stay in and often sell complete trips. Tour operators and ground handlers plan itineraries, supply guides and vehicles, and book a mix of camps. Both can be booked directly or through a safari specialist.

The companies below are ranked as operators of camps and safaris across Africa. For country-by-country picks, see our guides to safari companies in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana.

The list at a glance

Wilderness Eight African countries, Botswana
Singita Five countries, South Africa
&Beyond Africa-wide, South Africa
Great Plains Conservation Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe
Natural Selection Southern Africa, Botswana
Asilia East Africa, Tanzania
Time + Tide Zambia and Madagascar
African Bush Camps Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Robin Pope Safaris Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe
Cottar's Safaris Olderkesi Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Gamewatchers Safaris (Porini) Kenya
Machaba Safaris Botswana, Zimbabwe and Gabon

1. Wilderness — Eight African countries, Botswana

A conservation pioneer running 55+ camps in eight African countries since 1983.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Multi-country trips · Conservation

Wilderness, formerly Wilderness Safaris, has existed since 1983 to protect Africa's wild places and now operates more than 55 camps across eight African countries, from Mombo in the Okavango to Bisate in Rwanda.

Its scale lets you build a multi-country trip within one company, with consistent guiding and conservation funding from every stay.

Good to know: Combine the Okavango with Hwange or Rwanda on one itinerary.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

2. Singita — Five countries, South Africa

Africa's benchmark for luxury lodges, with lodges in five countries.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Luxury travelers · Honeymoons

Singita's lodges, camps and private homes span five countries, including the Sabi Sands and Kruger in South Africa, the Grumeti reserves in Tanzania and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and it works to restore biodiversity across four African countries.

Its food, design and privacy set the standard for top-end safari.

Good to know: Pair Singita Kruger or Sabi Sands with Grumeti for two very different safaris.

Singita Ebony Lodge, Sabi Sand, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. &Beyond — Africa-wide, South Africa

Luxury lodges across Africa plus tailor-made safaris and tours.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Families · Multi-country trips

&Beyond is a luxury experiential travel company that runs lodges and camps in countries including South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia, and tailor-makes trips in Africa, Asia and South America.

Its lodges range from Phinda in KwaZulu-Natal and Ngala in the Greater Kruger to Serengeti Under Canvas.

Good to know: Use &Beyond's own planners to build a trip across its lodges.

andBeyond Phinda, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. Great Plains Conservation — Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe

Small, high-end camps in Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe with a conservation mission.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Photographers · Couples

Great Plains Conservation runs award-winning luxury camps in Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe, including Duba Plains in the Okavango and Mara Plains in the Maasai Mara, with a mission to protect Africa's wildlife.

Its camps are small and in exclusive conservancies, so sightings are uncrowded.

Good to know: Duba Plains is known for its lion and buffalo interactions.

Duba Plains, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Google Maps Website

5. Natural Selection — Southern Africa, Botswana

26 camps and lodges in three Southern African countries, conservation first.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Value seekers · Conservation

Natural Selection has a portfolio of 26 camps and lodges across three countries in Southern Africa's premier wildlife areas, including Botswana, and was founded to protect important wildlife areas for future generations.

Its camps range from classic Okavango tented camps to desert lodges, often at more accessible prices than the top luxury brands.

Good to know: Look at its smaller camps for good value in Botswana.

Maun, Botswana

Google Maps Website

6. Asilia — East Africa, Tanzania

Genuine safaris that make a difference across East Africa.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Great Migration · First-timers

Asilia runs camps and safaris across East Africa, including Tanzania and Kenya, with a focus on making a genuine difference to local people and places.

Its portfolio covers the Serengeti, the Maasai Mara and other classic East African areas, including camps positioned for the Great Migration.

Good to know: Ask about migration-following camps for the river crossings.

Arusha, Tanzania

Google Maps Website

7. Time + Tide — Zambia and Madagascar

Luxury camps in Zambia's South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Walkers · Couples

Time + Tide runs luxury safari camps in Zambia and Madagascar, including Chinzombo in South Luangwa, the home of the walking safari, and Chongwe in the Lower Zambezi.

It is a top pick for walking safaris and canoeing.

Good to know: Combine South Luangwa walking with Lower Zambezi canoeing.

South Luangwa, Zambia

Google Maps Website

8. African Bush Camps — Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Award-winning camps across Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Multi-country trips · Zimbabwe

African Bush Camps runs award-winning safari lodges in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, from Mana Pools to the Okavango and Lake Kariba, with a focus on sustainable hospitality.

It suits trips that combine Victoria Falls with Hwange or Mana Pools.

Good to know: Ask about its three-country itineraries.

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Google Maps Website

9. Robin Pope Safaris — Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe

A family-run Zambian operator since 1986.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Walkers · Repeat visitors

Robin Pope Safaris is a family-run safari operator in business since 1986, offering safaris in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe, and has added a new camp in Lower Zambezi National Park as it marks 40 years in Zambia.

It is known for walking and mobile safaris in South Luangwa.

Good to know: Book a mobile walking safari in South Luangwa.

South Luangwa, Zambia

Google Maps Website

10. Cottar's Safaris — Olderkesi Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya

A safari family business with roots back to 1909, bordering the Maasai Mara.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Families · Romantics

Cottar's traces its roots to 1909 and runs award-winning safaris from the private Olderkesi Conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara, including the 1920s-style camp and Cottar's Bush Villa.

It combines old-style safari elegance with community conservation.

Good to know: Book the Bush Villa for a private family safari.

Olderkesi Conservancy, Narok, Kenya

Google Maps Website

11. Gamewatchers Safaris (Porini) — Kenya

Small eco-camps in Kenyan conservancies, with GOLD eco-tourism certification.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Value seekers · Conservation

Gamewatchers runs the Porini camps in private conservancies in Kenya, small eco-luxury camps away from mass-market lodges, with more than 30 years of experience and GOLD eco-tourism certification.

Guests directly support wildlife and local communities, and game drives are uncrowded.

Good to know: Combine a Mara conservancy camp with Amboseli.

Nairobi, Kenya

Google Maps Website

12. Machaba Safaris — Botswana, Zimbabwe and Gabon

Classic, solar-powered safari camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Classic safari · Couples

Machaba Safaris runs classic safari camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe, and trips in Gabon, with eco-friendly solar-powered camps.

Its style is traditional tented safari rather than ultra-luxury.

Good to know: A good classic-style option in the Okavango.

Maun, Botswana

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best safari company in Africa?

For range and conservation record, Wilderness and &Beyond; for top-end luxury, Singita; for small, high-end camps in Kenya and Botswana, Great Plains Conservation. The best choice depends on the countries you want to visit.

Should you book a safari directly with the lodge company?

You can, especially for a single-company trip. For trips that mix companies and countries, a safari specialist usually costs no more and handles flights and transfers.

Which safari companies operate in several countries?

Wilderness operates in eight African countries, Singita in five, and &Beyond across much of Africa; Great Plains runs camps in Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and African Bush Camps in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

1. Wilderness — Eight African countries, Botswana

2. Singita — Five countries, South Africa

3. &Beyond — Africa-wide, South Africa

4. Great Plains Conservation — Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe

5. Natural Selection — Southern Africa, Botswana

6. Asilia — East Africa, Tanzania

7. Time + Tide — Zambia and Madagascar

8. African Bush Camps — Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe

9. Robin Pope Safaris — Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe

10. Cottar's Safaris — Olderkesi Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya

11. Gamewatchers Safaris (Porini) — Kenya

12. Machaba Safaris — Botswana, Zimbabwe and Gabon

Frequently asked questions

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