Woodbridge Safaris: Locations

Locations

I assemble tailor-made itineraries across all the countries of East and Southern Africa, and have travelled extensively throughout the region. Once again, there's no simple formula that I can publish on this website to determine where you should go! That decision is influenced by factors including season, budget, previous safari experience and the activities you wish to include. It's best that we discuss the options, perhaps initially by email, but ideally by phone. Indeed, if you live in vicinity of Woodbridge in Suffolk, I find that a home visit can be particularly effective.

Whilst attempting to capture the essence of a country as a safari destination in just a few words is doomed to failure, my personal experiences include:

Kenya: a full range of safari options, including the Masai Mara, home of "Big Cat Diary". Whilst the current political unrest is deterring travellers, all tourist destinations are operating normally.
Ethiopia: great trekking in the Simien mountains, with unique wildlife and fascinating history. Tanzania: a full range of safari options, including the Ngorongoro Crater and Mt Kilimanjaro. The "Southern Circuit" of Selous and Ruaha combines particularly well with the beach and culture of Zanzibar.
Uganda / Rwanda: relatively compact and populous by African standards, offering a range of safari experiences but with mountain gorillas as the unique draw.
Malawi: justifiably marketed as the "warm heart of Africa" and a developing destination offering a diversity of safari experiences, many centred around the Lake.
Zimbabwe: the country where I was first became addicted to safaris. Whilst the current political situation deters most visitors, it is still possible to travel there. With an amazing diversity of national parks it is sure to return as a mainstream destination.
South Africa: in addition to world-class National Parks, there are many private reserves offering high standards of service at reasonable prices. Well-developed infrastructure means that self-drive is an excellent option, and conventional safari can be combined with options such as Cape Town, whale watching, vineyards and the stunning coastal scenery of the Garden Route.
Botswana: a first-class safari destination encompassing Chobe, the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert. Emphasis is on small camps offering personal service, with transfers by light aircraft.
Madagascar: a fascinating country, very different from other African safari destinations: a strong French influence (including baguettes and patisseries!) and limited infrastructure. Unique flora and fauna with a very high proportion of endemics.
Zambia: another all-round safari destination, and the home of walking safaris. A number of outstanding parks, offering excellent game viewing and small, owner-operated camps.
Namibia: amazing landscapes, with all seven types of desert in a single country: last time I was there Sossusvlei, surrounded by miles of enormous sand-dunes, was full of water - a spectacular sight. Ideal for self-drive, with good infrastructure and a network of farms offering high-quality accommodation.