ABOUT US • Safari Secrets

Safari Secrets: Insider Africa Safari Guide


Favorite African Travel Experiences Revealed!


By: Leora Rothschild, Rothschild Safaris


April 2009

If you're reading this you are probably thinking about planning a safari in Africa. Perhaps you are thinking about your first journey to this exotic continent or perhaps you're looking to "dig deeper" into a location you've visited before. Lucky for you, for the first time ever we at Rothschild Safaris have revealed Africa travel tips and intriguing insights into the most magical experiences to be had on the African continent!

When safari planning you can either open a brochure and book a standard group itinerary, or you can work with someone who is passionate, knowledgeable, well-respected in the travel industry and truly offers travelers an insight that goes beyond a fancy brochure. Below you will find a list of some of our favorite African travel experiences. These are experiences that can be incorporated into every custom journey to Africa created by our team of experts at Rothschild Safaris.

So why are we sharing this information with you now?

In this economy, many people are taking pause when thinking about international exploration. Africa, unlike any other continent, offers travel experiences that are truly life changing. We remain so totally passionate about these amazing experiences and know that our clients deserve a special journey to Africa this year, now more than ever. As we face economic and other global challenges a special journey to Africa allows us a chance to take a step back, and by absorbing the physical beauty of Africa, coming face-to-face with the wildlife that still roams free on the continent and learning about the people we meet along the way, we all return with new perspectives and refreshing attitudes.

For nearly two decades, I and my team at Rothschild Safaris have been dedicated to personally exploring the African continent in order to custom design safari adventures for clients worldwide. Whether our clients are looking for the adventure of camping under the stars of the African sky or a safari in total luxury and style in permanent tents and lodges, we always deliver high value at reasonable cost. And, having personally experienced every destination, private guide, camp and lodge the company sells within Africa over the course of 200+ safaris, our company is proud to offer something special and unique when it comes to African safari planning.

As safari experts, Rothschild Safaris only sells destinations and accommodation options I and my staff have personally experienced. We continue to maintain outstanding relationships with a wide variety of land outfitters in Africa which combine to provide a perfect safari for each individual. This translates into VIP treatment for our clients at these top safari camps and lodges. These African travel tips below have been developed over many years of experience planning African safaris.

A safari in Africa is not something you can put in the hands of just anyone. It takes years of experience and first-hand knowledge to create something that people will remember for the rest of their lives. I've been gathering my favorite African travel tips over my lifetime. For anyone thinking about taking a safari in the coming months, this is a resource not to be missed!

A safari of words to take you away for now!

Growing up in South Africa and going on safari as a regular family vacation, this region is near and dear to my heart. Below we'll start with my favorite experiences in South Africa, and move north through Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and into East Africa and beyond… Rothschild Safaris, unlike many safari operators out there, only offers private, customized safaris and therefore the flexibility to build these amazing experiences into each and every safari experience.

Stroking a cheetah at Spier Winery in the Cape Winelands. Wait, big game and fine wine?! Certainly not a combination you'll find in Napa! Cape Town is an ideal city in which to start an African safari, and a few days in the Cape Winelands and Stellenbosch region tasting the region's prized Pinotage is a must. We can organize for you to combine the culinary treats and viticulture of the area with the amazing opportunity to come face-to-face with a majestic, tame cheetah.

The "Old Biscuit Mill" market on a Saturday. Skip breakfast at your hotel and head to this chic neighborhood of Cape Town for a yummy breakfast and then shop for eclectic arts and crafts afterwards. Our guides will either accompany you or point you in the right direction and let you roam.

A drive along Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Town. This is my favorite South African drive, and one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. We will have you start at Hout Bay and carry on partially up to the peak. There are numerous parking bays and picnic spots along the road and on the slopes but the road to the actual peak was closed in 2008 due to safety concerns. A hiking trail with beautiful views leads to the Chapman's Peak and can be accessed in 3-4 hours. We organize a picnic lunch for you and recommend this amazing hike to get the kinks out from your international flight before heading out into the bush and sitting in the safari vehicles while on safari.

Africa's best chance to photograph leopard! We take our guests to the exclusive Sabi Sand game reserve in eastern South Africa near the famed Kruger Park, where we believe the best opportunity exists to photograph the shy Leopard. In fact, currently four leopards have cubs, including Makwela (3), Makubela, Mambhirri and Shangwa. Now is a great time for keen photographers to visit this special reserve.

Eating! We appreciate culinary excellence and seek out the best of the best in Africa safari camp kitchens. The Malva pudding recipe from Nottens Bush Camp in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, South Africa is one of our favorites. We prefer camps and lodges where meals are a social event, with guests eating together around one table, gathering in enclosed bomas around a log fire under a canopy of stars or in large dining areas lit up with candles. This creates a wonderful atmosphere and an opportunity for our clients to share stories and conversation with other interesting people from around the world.

Ultralight scenic flight over Victoria falls. Silently floating over Victoria Falls, the "smoke that thunders"? Enough said!

Flying low over Sossusvlei Sand Dunes in Namibia. Namibia is often an overlooked destination, but offers some of the most breathtaking scenery on the continent of Africa and some very special, romantic accommodations. The sand dunes of Sossusvlei are the highest sand dunes in the world and we can organize a flight for our clients, nearly skimming the tops of these magical dunes. It's an amazing view and great for photographers.

Canoeing at Mana Pools: Mana Pools is one of the most treasured game areas in Zimbabwe, Despite the country's political turmoil, Mana Pools remains pristine and safe and we continue to sell this Zimbabwe safari destination as tourism is the only chance the wildlife in this region have. Our old friend John Stevens leads our clients on traditional walking safaris in this area. John continues to be a bright light and warm heart in this country that has been challenged by political turmoil. His love of Africa, and our favorite Mana Pools destination, is evident and translates into a very special safari experience for our clients.

Sundowners on the Lower Zambezi: Imagine cruising slowly on the wide, calm Lower Zambezi River, with the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia on your right and the famed Mana Pools World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe on your left. This segment of the river is in stark contrast to the drama and excitement of Victoria Falls just upriver. The bright red sunsets make for spectacular photographs, and the fine South African wine for sundowners is the perfect complement.

Walking safaris in Zambia: The famed Robin Pope, and trusted safari guide for many of our more adventurous clients, wrote the book on the now-popular five-night walking safari in Zambia. I spent my childhood trekking through Africa with my family, and this private, exhilarating safari experience couldn't be better for our family groups. We book our family groups at Jo and Robin Pope's "Safari House", ideal accommodation for families and other small groups, bustling with elephant, guides who specialize in working with children, and fresh, healthy food.

Spend a night at an authentic African village in Zambia: Spend the night at Kawaza, a local African village. While most people stop in for a quick visit, our adventure-loving clients often spend the night and this features prominently as a highlight of their African safari. While the scenery and wildlife blow people away in Africa, it's the people we often find personal connections to. In the village there is no electricity but that does not mean that overnight guests have to go to bed at sunset! In the dark, tropical night, villagers and school children will entertain you with drumming, dances and drama and the finest storytellers will recount the old Kunda stories with everyone seated around the fire. The villagers have built four rondavel huts with mud walls and thatched roofs for guests. Each has two beds complete with clean linen, blankets and mosquito nets. There are open-air showers surrounded by reed screens, for which villagers heat water over an open fire for guests to use in the mornings and evenings. Learn about the spiritual side of the Kunda people, from spiritual healers to the Chief who in 1876 was turned into a Baobab tree!

Private, unadvertised game area in Botswana. Growing up in Africa, I maintain relationships and knowledge about some of the more private, exclusive game areas not marketed to the masses. Are you looking for a totally private experience in the African bush? Don't want to see any other "tourists" during your safari? Just ask us about booking you in at a private game reserve, so private in fact that they don't advertise and it's simply something that the most "in the know" safari planners have access to. We know the right people to get you booked in here.

Kalahari Bushmen: The San Bushmen of Botswana have been living in this region of Africa longer than any other humans. Their ability to live in the harsh climate of the Kalahari, coupled with their amazing tie to the spiritual side of our natural world, has intrigued travelers for centuries. Their history in southern Africa has been tragic, as the San Bushmen have been relocated from place to place, but today have found opportunities to return to their ancestral lands and way of life with the support of tourism. One of my favorite properties in Botswana, Jack's Camp, allows our clients an unbelievable opportunity to witness and participate in a rapidly disappearing Bushmen ritual. The eight-night initiation hunt is led by guide Ralph Bousfield, an expert in the Kalahari and the Bushmen, and offers a unique opportunity to learn more about this fascinating culture.

Fresh water scuba diving in Lake Malawi: Lake Malawi is a massive fresh water lake nearly 700 meters deep that covers a vast area. With more than 600 species of small iridescent fish and a variety of fresh water critters, birds, mammals, reptiles, etc, Lake Malawi is the most species-diverse lake in the world. With comfortable accommodations, beautiful beaches and some of Africa's warmest and most welcoming local people, Lake Malawi is the ideal post-safari experience for our clients who are keen divers and those looking for a "different" beach rest before the long international flight home.

Elephant Darting Program: Many of our colleagues in African travel are working hard to ensure that populations of wild game, such as elephants, continue to be sustainable. We can organize for guests to spend the morning with top veterinarians from South Africa executing "darting" programs in South Africa or Botswana. These top vets tranquilize elephants to affix tracking collars to them, or to undertake other tests to help ensure these populations remain healthy and to continue learning about them. I believe that education will truly be the key to success in preserving these wildlife populations, and something that our guests are often a part of.

Southern Tanzania: One of our latest "favorite" African destinations is the Selous National Park in the southern part of Tanzania, where we book clients in at private concession luxury camps. Here two daring, young professional guides and conservationists, Anton Turner and Ryan Wienand, have set out like explorers and adventurers not only to preserve a vast unspoilt landscape but to expand it for conservation. You are free to set your own schedule here, no "scheduled" activities, and explore this vast and remote region of Africa.

Horseback safaris. Kenya is home to some of Africa's most spectacular big game, and Rothschild Safaris offers exclusive opportunities to journey into private game reserves on horseback. Our popular horseback safaris use well-schooled thoroughbreds accustomed to travelling 30 miles a day through herds of game. On safari, riders are accommodated in a luxury tented camp set up in a different location every two days and providing hot showers, comfortable beds, private toilets for each tent and delicious food.

Camelback safari. If you're even more adventurous, how about an amazing journey through northern Kenya on the back of a camel! We can organize multi-day programs and alongside some of the best guides in Kenya arrange for our clients to sleep under the stars. We'd had honeymooners enjoy the romance of the wilderness on camelback but have also had lively family groups journey this way. It's a must for adventurous travelers who want to get "off the beaten path."

Learn how Rwanda citizens are curbing poaching: This is an exceptionally rewarding way to see reformed poachers, who previously depended on poaching gorillas and the bush meat trade, now embrace conservation. You will see them talk about conservation and educate other community members on the importance of preserving the country's natural resources and wildlife. Martha Nyakairu and her husband are leading this charge, and we love for our clients to meet these "movers and shakers" before trekking to see the famed Mountain Gorillas in Parc des Volcanes in Rwanda.

So are you overwhelmed with amazing travel ideas yet?

We've made it our life's work to sort through the plethora of travel experiences to be had in Africa and steer people towards the most truly exceptional and memorable experiences. We can expertly combine destinations and experiences within Africa and through our long-standing relationships get you the best prices and VIP treatment along the way. What are you waiting for? I look forward to working with you. Now is the best time to start planning for a trip of a lifetime!

About Rothschild Safaris

For nearly two decades, Rothschild Safaris has been dedicated to personally exploring the African continent in order to custom design safari adventures for clients worldwide. Whether travelers are looking for the adventure of camping under the stars of the African sky or a safari in total luxury and style in permanent tents and lodges, Rothschild Safaris always delivers high value at reasonable cost. And, having personally experienced every destination, guide, camp and lodge the company sells within Africa over the course of 200+ safaris, Rothschild Safaris prides itself on offering something special and unique when it comes to African safaris.

Specific areas of expertise include honeymoon safaris, inter-generational safaris, accommodation trends, and sustainable travel products in Africa.

Leora Rothschild, the company's owner, travels to Africa at least twice a year to continually explore where to send clients and is incredibly critical of any camps or lodges that do not hold up to the company's strict standards. Leora has evolved Rothschild Safaris into a knowledge-leader in the industry. Each year travel agents and other institutions, such as colleges, utilize Rothschild Safaris' direct knowledge to ensure their most important clients have an experience of a lifetime by traveling through a customized itinerary of Africa.

To inquire about planning a safari, please contact us today:

info@rothschildsafaris.com :: 1.800.405.9463 :: www.RothschildSafaris.com