journey
LEVELS

Find Your SAFARI FIT: Style & Trip Investment

 

Planning for Your Safari Costs

Our journey levels

What Level Matches Your Travel Style & Trip Investment?

Some clients trip preferences fit neatly into one tier level’ while others may start at one level and then splurge at the end with the next notch up!

 

5 1/2-6 STARS

SAFARI ELITE

Off The Charts Unrivaled Private Safaris Crafted for You!

 

$ 2100-5400

5 STARS

REFINED ELEGANCE

Exquisite Journeys with Hidden Value!

 

$ 1300-2000

4 1/2 STARS

RAW luxury

Authentic, Nature Lover’s Safari

 

$ 850-1200

EXPERTISE MEETS YOUT TRAVEL STYLE

 

Journey Levels

Every safari we design is custom. This chart is simply a guide to help you understand the different styles of safari — from authentic and adventurous to highly private and ultra-luxury.

The biggest differences are not just the rooms. They are the guiding, location, privacy, logistics, food, service, wildlife access, and conservation impact.

Raw Luxury

Comfortable, soulful, and close to nature.

This is for travelers who want an authentic safari with good guiding, warm service, fresh meals, and a strong sense of place — without needing every luxury extra.

Refined Elegance

Stylish, polished, and beautifully run.

This level offers upgraded camps and lodges, excellent guiding, better logistics, refined service, and a more seamless safari experience.

Safari Elite

The most private and exceptional level of safari.

This includes Africa’s finest camps, top guides, private vehicles or charters, rare access, highly personalized service, and every detail handled with care.

The Tier We Don’t Sell

Mass-market safaris may cost less, but they often mean larger lodges, more vehicles, more time in transit, less flexibility, and less meaningful impact.

That is not the Africa we want to share.

How to Use This Chart

You do not have to choose one level for your entire safari. Many of the best journeys blend different styles.

Our job is to help you decide where to invest, where to simplify, and how to create the strongest safari for your interests, comfort level, and budget.

Safari Planning Framework

Journey Levels

Not all safaris are created equal. This guide helps explain the difference between mass-market travel, polished luxury, raw immersive wilderness, and the rarefied level of safari where privacy, access, guiding, logistics, conservation value, and attention to detail all come together.

Scroll sideways to view the full safari comparison.
Journey Levels Safari Elite Refined Elegance Raw Luxury Safari Tier We Don’t Sell Mass Market Africa
Quality Off the Charts
Extreme attention to every detail
5½ - 6 Star
Sophisticated, stylish, highly polished
5 Star
Deluxe
Low 5 Star
Simple & rustic
4½ Star
No frills, cookie cutter
2 to Low 4 Star
Safari Camp / Lodge Size Private or under 10 rooms / tents 4 - 12 villas / tents 6 - 25 rooms / tents 6 - 25+ rooms / tents 30+ rooms / tents
Location & Wildlife 🐾 Extremely remote, extraordinary, untouched Big Five wilderness Primarily private conservancies: remote, raw, off-the-grid Big Five areas Combination of private conservancies and excellent locations in national reserves and parks, with fewer vehicles around wildlife sightings and strong Big Five potential National parks only, often with no off-roading, night drives, open vehicles, or walking. More vehicles around sightings in high-density areas.
Guides Private, Africa’s best Highest-caliber senior guides Superior knowledge and highly experienced Accomplished and enthusiastic Entry level
Activities Private, experiential, once-in-a-lifetime moments More individualized or private, hands-on, immersive and authentic, based on the client’s interests Scheduled, more staged and group-oriented
Service Best in class Finest Excellent Personable and homey Basic
Food Privately curated, out-of-this-world culinary food and wine Epicurean plated, award-winning Delicious plated fare Simple, hearty, fresh and mostly plated Buffets, cafeteria style
Logistics Private charters More time on safari versus traveling between locations. Mostly flying and may include private charters. More safari time. Shared air charters and shorter scenic road segments. Shared charters and slightly more time on the road. More time in transit, more driving, backtracking and airport time.
Eco-Feel Deeply remote Authentic, low-impact to nature and designed to blend with the environment Low priority
Privacy Private villa, chef, butler, vehicle, pool and guide Highly exclusive with lots of space Moderately exclusive Far from the masses, though with more shared experiences Lack of privacy and bigger groups
Sustainable Conservation & Local Benefit Lowest density, enduring purpose and benchmark environmental credentials Tourism makes the highest positive impact, with lower density and excellent community and eco responsibility Tourism has a favorable impact on conservation efforts and local communities, with the added benefit of a lower tourist-to-area ratio Tourism dollars have minimal effect on supporting conservation or local communities. High tourist density negatively impacts wildlife.
Pricing Per Person, Per Night
Country / Season Dependent/ Estimated
Over $2,100 - $5,400+
x # Nights
From $1,600 - $2,000
x # Nights
From $1,000 - $1,500
x # Nights
From $850 - $1,200+
x # Nights
$125 - $450
x # Nights

Safari Elite

Off-the-charts, highly private, deeply curated safari design.

QualityExtreme attention to every detail. 5½ - 6 Star.
Camp / Lodge SizePrivate or under 10 rooms / tents.
Location & WildlifeExtremely remote, extraordinary, untouched Big Five wilderness.
GuidesPrivate, Africa’s best.
ActivitiesPrivate, experiential, once-in-a-lifetime moments.
ServiceBest in class.
FoodPrivately curated, out-of-this-world culinary food and wine.
LogisticsPrivate charters.
Eco-FeelDeeply remote.
PrivacyPrivate villa, chef, butler, vehicle, pool and guide.
Conservation & CommunityLowest density, enduring purpose and benchmark environmental credentials.
PricingOver $2,100 - $5,400+ per person, per night.

Refined Elegance

Stylish, sophisticated, highly polished safari luxury.

QualitySophisticated, stylish, highly polished. 5 Star to low 5 Star.
Camp / Lodge Size4 - 25 villas, rooms or tents.
Location & WildlifePrivate conservancies and excellent reserve or park locations, often with fewer vehicles around sightings.
GuidesHighest-caliber senior guides to superior, highly experienced guides.
ActivitiesMore individualized, hands-on, immersive and authentic.
ServiceFinest to excellent.
FoodEpicurean, plated, award-winning or delicious plated fare.
LogisticsMore time on safari, with shared air charters and shorter scenic road segments.
Eco-FeelAuthentic, low-impact and blended with the environment.
PrivacyHighly to moderately exclusive.
Conservation & CommunityStrong positive impact with lower density and meaningful community and eco responsibility.
PricingFrom $1,000 - $2,000 per person, per night.

Raw Luxury

Rustic, authentic, nature-forward safari with strong wilderness character.

QualitySimple and rustic. 4½ Star.
Camp / Lodge Size6 - 25+ rooms or tents.
Location & WildlifeExcellent locations with a lower tourist-to-area ratio than mass-market options.
GuidesAccomplished and enthusiastic.
ActivitiesMore authentic and immersive, though often with more shared experiences.
ServicePersonable and homey.
FoodSimple, hearty, fresh and mostly plated.
LogisticsShared charters and slightly more time on the road.
Eco-FeelAuthentic, low-impact and blended with the environment.
PrivacyFar from the masses, with more shared experiences.
Conservation & CommunityFavorable impact on conservation and local communities.
PricingFrom $850 - $1,200+ per person, per night.

Safari Tier We Don’t Sell

Mass Market Africa: higher density, lower personalization and less meaningful impact.

QualityNo frills, cookie cutter. 2 to low 4 Star.
Camp / Lodge Size30+ rooms or tents.
Location & WildlifeOften national parks only, with no off-roading, no night drives, no open vehicles and no walking.
GuidesEntry level.
ActivitiesScheduled, staged and group-oriented.
ServiceBasic.
FoodBuffets and cafeteria style.
LogisticsMore time in transit, more driving, backtracking and airport time.
Eco-FeelLow priority.
PrivacyLack of privacy and bigger groups.
Conservation & CommunityMinimal conservation or community benefit; higher tourist density can negatively impact wildlife.
Pricing$125 - $450 per person, per night.

*Pricing is highly country, season, routing, room category and availability dependent. This framework is intended as a planning guide rather than a fixed rate sheet.

What Your Safari Investment Includes

More Than a Room

Safari pricing is highly inclusive. Your investment usually covers the places you stay, the people who guide you, the wildlife access, the logistics, and the details that make the experience feel seamless.

Places to Stay Comfortable, luxurious, or ultra-private camps and lodges, depending on your safari level.
🍽️
Meals Fresh, delicious meals throughout your safari, from hearty camp fare to refined dining.
🐾
Safari Activities Game drives, guided activities, and wilderness experiences shaped around each destination.
🔭
Expert Guides Professional safari guides who bring the wildlife, landscapes, and stories of Africa to life.
✈️
Flights Within Africa Internal flights or light-aircraft transfers where needed to make the itinerary flow.
🚙
Road Transfers Planned transportation between airports, camps, lodges, and key points along the way.
🌿
Park Fees & Permits Conservation, park, reserve, and permit fees required for access to protected areas.
🍷
Drinks Local wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks, tea, and coffee are often included while on safari.
Good to Know Each safari is different, but most are far more inclusive than a traditional hotel stay. We will always clarify exactly what is included in your specific proposal.
Usually Not Included International flights, visas, gratuities, travel insurance, and personal expenses, unless specifically noted.

HOW WE PRICE YOUR SAFARI

 

Every safari we plan is handcrafted—never pulled from a shelf or pieced together from a template. We start with a blank canvas and design your journey in harmony with the seasons, wildlife movements, and the kind of experience you’re hoping to have.

Because everything is custom-built, we offer your trip as a complete package rather than listing prices for each individual lodge or activity. Behind the scenes, we purchase all accommodations, guiding, and ground services at wholesale rates—and our wholesale partnerships and supplier agreements contractually require us to offer a full itinerary rather than break down the pricing for each element separately.

 It’s a bit like buying a beautifully made meal or a well-built home—you’re paying for the whole, not for each ingredient or nail.

That said, we’re always transparent where we can be. We’re happy to break out internal flight costs, and we pass along all park and conservancy fees at cost, with no markup. These fees go directly to local national parks and community-run conservancies—helping to fund anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and initiatives that uplift the communities who live alongside wildlife.

At our core, we believe travel should be a force for good. That’s why we only work with lodges and partners who are deeply invested in conservation, community empowerment, and regenerative tourism. When you travel with us, you’re not just exploring Africa’s wild places—you’re helping to protect them.

So while you may not see a line-by-line invoice, know that every element of your journey has been thoughtfully chosen to reflect not only your preferences—but also our shared value

The Black Mambas - South Africa's First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Team

All park and conservancy fees go directly to local national parks and community-run conservancies—helping to fund anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and initiatives that uplift the communities who live alongside wildlife.

dive into the numbers

(Note: this is for your *Safari Nights… Nights in the City or at the Beach are typically much less costly)

 

Take the estimated Per Safari Night, Per Person Rate Range… For Example $850- $1,200 Per Person, Per Safari Night,

Multiply it by the # of Nights in Africa, AND by the # of People in Your Party You are Paying For.

VOILA!

So Per Person the range would be for an average 9 Night Safari: $7,650-$10,800 Per Person for the Trip

THUS $850-$1,200 Per Safari Night x 9 Nights x 4 People =

$30,600-$43,200 Estimated TOTAL Cost for Your Party’s Safari (or slightly less because you’ll most certainly have some in the city)

 

*WHAT MAKES NIGHTS ON SAFARI MORE EXPENSIVE? The more remote the area, the higher the operating costs, as every single item needs to be either flown in or be transported hundreds of miles by car. If a lodge is sustainable and off the grid, this adds even further costs. Lodges need to invest in generators, solar systems and expensive satellite systems.