Tanzania·Kenya·Botswana·South Africa·RwandaTanzaniaKenyaBotswanaSouth AfricaRwanda

Tailor-Made Luxury African Safaris

Planned end to end by one specialist, from the Serengeti to the Okavango

Private itineraries across Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa and Rwanda, built from scratch by a US-based team with over two decades of African experience and the protection of a Registered California Seller of Travel.Private safaris from the Serengeti to the Okavango, built around your dates, pace and budget.

Or call +1 (949) 861-0473 and speak to a specialist.

20+Years in Africa
5Countries, tailor-made
24 hrsSpecialist reply time
CST 2150760-40Your funds held in trust

Luxury Safari Specialists

Safari

Magical Africa is a US-based luxury safari specialist, founded by an Africa-born expert with over two decades of experience. Every journey is fully tailor-made across Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa and Rwanda.

We pair boutique lodges and private conservancies with deep local knowledge, one specialist handling your trip end to end and the security of a Registered California Seller of Travel: your funds are held in trust.

Our Safaris

Luxury Safari Destinations, Country by Country

Every luxury African safari we plan starts with choosing the country. Tanzania and Kenya for a first safari and the Great Migration, Botswana for water and space, South Africa for leopards and Cape Town, Rwanda for gorillas, then the Indian Ocean coast to finish. Open a country below to see what it does best, or use the guide further down to match one to your dates.

Male lion on the Serengeti plains, Tanzania
01

Tanzania

The country for a first safari

Witness the Great Migration sweep the Serengeti’s endless plains. Luxury Tanzania safaris from the Ngorongoro Crater to remote tented camps.

Explore Tanzania Safaris
Leopard resting on a branch in the Masai Mara, Kenya
02

Kenya

Big cats, then the coast

Track big cats across the golden grasslands of the Masai Mara. Luxury Kenya safaris from Amboseli’s elephants to Samburu’s wild north.

Explore Kenya Safaris
African wild dog in the Sabi Sand, South Africa
03

South Africa

Leopards, families, Cape Town

Encounter the Big Five in Kruger’s private reserves. Luxury South Africa safaris pairing bush adventure with Cape Town’s coast and winelands.

Explore South Africa Safaris
Elephant crossing the Okavango floodplain, Botswana
04

Botswana

The second or third safari

Glide the Okavango Delta’s pristine waterways by mokoro. Luxury Botswana safaris through Chobe’s elephants and the Kalahari’s stark beauty.

Explore Botswana Safaris
Mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
05

Rwanda

The gorilla extension

Trek to mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, then slow down on Lake Kivu. Luxury Rwanda safaris that pair naturally with Kenya or Tanzania.

Explore Rwanda Safaris
Dhow sailing at sunset off Zanzibar, Indian Ocean
06

Safari and Beach

How most safaris end

Finish on the coast. Zanzibar after the Serengeti, the Seychelles or Bazaruto after Botswana or Kenya, with every flight and transfer arranged.

Explore Safari and Beach

Hover or tap a country to open it

Which country is right for your safari?

01

Tanzania

The country for a first safari

JFMAMJJASOND

The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Great Migration sit on one road out of Arusha, with Zanzibar a short flight away for the beach.

Signature
Serengeti migration, Ngorongoro Crater, Maasai villages
Pairs with
Zanzibar, Kenya, Rwanda
Fly into
Kilimanjaro (JRO)
When to visit Tanzania
02

Kenya

Big cats, then the coast

JFMAMJJASOND

The Masai Mara’s river crossings from July to October, private conservancies in Laikipia and the north, then Diani or Lamu for the coast, all run out of Nairobi.

Signature
Masai Mara crossings, Maasai-owned conservancies
Pairs with
Tanzania, the coast, Rwanda
Fly into
Nairobi (NBO)
When to visit Kenya
03

Botswana

The second or third safari

JFMAMJJASOND

The Okavango Delta by boat and mokoro, Chobe’s elephant herds and a deliberate policy of few guests and no crowds, at prices to match.

Signature
Okavango by mokoro, Chobe elephants, Kalahari San bushmen
Pairs with
Victoria Falls, Cape Town
Fly into
Maun (MUB)
When to visit Botswana
04

South Africa

Leopards, families, Cape Town

JFMAMJJASOND

The Sabi Sand’s leopards beside Kruger, Madikwe in the northwest, which has no malaria, then Cape Town and the winelands to finish. Game viewing holds up all year.

Signature
Sabi Sand leopards, Cape Town, the Cape Winelands
Pairs with
Botswana, Victoria Falls
Fly into
Johannesburg (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT)
When to visit South Africa
05

Rwanda

The gorilla extension

JFMAMJJASOND

Three or four nights for the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, usually paired with Kenya or Tanzania. Permits are limited and sell out early, so it is the piece we book first.

Signature
Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe
Pairs with
Kenya, Tanzania
Fly into
Kigali (KGL)
Gorilla trekking explained

Month bars show the months we would plan around first; every country has a good case outside them and a specialist will tell you where the value is. Best time for an African safari, month by month

Where To Go

The Parks and Places We Build Around

Most of the itineraries we design pass through a handful of places: the Serengeti and Ngorongoro in Tanzania, the Masai Mara in Kenya, the Okavango and Chobe in Botswana, Kruger and Cape Town in South Africa, with Zanzibar for the beach at the end. Each one has its own guide covering when to go, where to stay and how it fits with the others.

Serengeti National ParkTanzania

Serengeti National Park

Home to the Great Migration, where endless golden plains stretch to the horizon.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withNgorongoro, Zanzibar
Fly intoKilimanjaro (JRO)
Explore Serengeti →
Masai MaraKenya

Masai Mara

Kenya’s crown jewel, where the Mara River teems with wildlife year-round.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withLaikipia, the Kenya coast
Fly intoNairobi (NBO)
Explore Masai Mara →
Okavango DeltaBotswana

Okavango Delta

A lush inland delta of winding channels and islands rich with game.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withChobe, Victoria Falls
Fly intoMaun (MUB)
Explore Okavango Delta →
Kruger National ParkSouth Africa

Kruger National Park

One of Africa’s largest game reserves, home to the legendary Big Five.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withSabi Sand, Cape Town
Fly intoJohannesburg (JNB)
Explore Kruger →
ZanzibarTanzania

Zanzibar

Powder-white beaches and turquoise waters off the Swahili coast.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withSerengeti, Ngorongoro
Fly intoZanzibar (ZNZ)
Explore Zanzibar →
Cape TownSouth Africa

Cape Town

Table Mountain, the winelands and the meeting point of two oceans.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withKruger, the winelands
Fly intoCape Town (CPT)
Explore Cape Town →
Ngorongoro CraterTanzania

Ngorongoro Crater

The world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, a natural amphitheater with dense, year-round wildlife including the Big Five.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withSerengeti, Tarangire
Fly intoKilimanjaro (JRO)
Explore Ngorongoro →
Chobe National ParkBotswana

Chobe National Park

Famous for enormous elephant and buffalo herds along the riverfront, Chobe is old-school Africa at its wildest.

Best monthsJFMAMJJASOND
Pairs withOkavango, Victoria Falls
Fly intoKasane (BBK)
Explore Chobe →
Sights and Sounds of Africa

See the Places Before You Go

Short films from the parks, camps and coastlines we send guests to. For the written version, the Journal covers when to go, what a safari costs and how to choose between the camps. The 2026 Rate Report puts real numbers on it.

African Sunrise: First light over the acacia plains

Magical Africa Films

African Sunrise

First light over the acacia plains. Short film, filmed on safari.

East Africa

Top 5 on our channel

Why Choose Us

Why Travel With Magical Africa

One specialist handles your trip from the first call to the flight home. The itinerary is private and built from scratch, the lodges are small and your funds are held in trust under California law.

01

Tailor-Made Safaris

Every journey is designed around your interests, pace and travel style. Every itinerary is private and built from scratch, starting with a short discovery questionnaire.

02

Sustainable Travel

We partner with eco-conscious lodges and local conservation projects, so your safari helps protect Africa’s wildlife for generations to come.

03

Africa Specialists

Founded by an Africa-born specialist with over two decades of experience. Read who we are and how to judge a safari company before you choose one.

04

Financial Protection

Registered California Seller of Travel (CST 2150760-40): your funds are held in trust, so you can book every journey with complete confidence.

The Great Migration

Where the Herds Are This Month

· NowPeak season

Northern Serengeti & Masai Mara

The wildebeest herds are split between the northern Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara, shuttling back and forth across the Mara River rather than crossing once. Crossings continue all month and dry season game viewing is superb across every park.

Best base · Northern Serengeti / Mara

Temperatures79°F / 26°C days
57°F / 14°C nights
RainfallVery low
CrowdsPeak season
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecCurrent month
Herds inSeptemberNorthern Serengeti & Masai Mara
From the Journal

Safari Stories & Guides

Guides written by the specialists who plan the trips: when to go, what a safari costs, which camps earn their rates and how the pieces fit together.

Jul 22, 2026

The Best Time for an African Safari, by Month and Country

June to October is prime almost everywhere - but Africa runs on two safari calendars. Month-by-month timing for Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa.

Read The Article →
Aug 2, 2026

How to Choose an African Safari Company

Registrations that protect your money, seven questions to ask, red flags to avoid: how to choose an African safari company with confidence.

Read The Article →
Jul 17, 2026

Where Are the Wildebeest Right Now?

Where are the wildebeest now? Track the Great Migration month by month so you can time your safari to the herds and the dramatic Mara River crossings.

Read The Article →
Sep 8, 2026

Why Are African Safaris So Expensive? Where the Money Goes

Why are African safaris so expensive? One Serengeti night itemised: $153 a day in park fees, what a camp costs to run, and where the money should not go.

Read The Article →
Aug 11, 2026

African Safari Rate Report 2026

Verified 2026 nightly rates at seven flagship safari camps in Botswana, Kenya and Rwanda, with season dates, conservation levies and permit costs.

Read The Article →
Sep 9, 2026

Angama Mara: Cost and Booking

Angama Mara costs $1,850 per person per night in 2026 standard season and $2,750 in peak. The published rates, the park fees on top and how to book.

Read The Article →
Jul 22, 2026

The Best Time to Visit South Africa, Month by Month

Kruger's dry winter or Cape Town's summer? A month-by-month guide to South Africa's two opposite prime seasons - game viewing, whales, wildflowers and…

Read The Article →
Aug 2, 2026

Mozambique Luxury Safari & Beach, Explained

Bazaruto island lodges, Gorongosa's comeback safari, real 2026 prices and the best months: how a Mozambique luxury safari and beach trip fits together.

Read The Article →
Jul 16, 2026

When to See the Great Migration: A Month-by-Month Guide to the Serengeti & Masai Mara

Best time to see the Great Migration: July to October for the Mara River crossings, late January to March for calving. A month-by-month guide to the herds.

Read The Article →
Sep 8, 2026

El Niño and Tanzania’s 2026 Short Rains: What to Expect on Safari

El Niño Tanzania 2026: what NOAA, ICPAC and TMA forecast for the October to December short rains, and what it means on safari in the Serengeti and beyond.

Read The Article →
Jul 21, 2026

How Much Does an African Safari Cost? The Honest 2026 Guide

Real 2026 safari costs: $350-$3,500 per person per night by country and comfort level, sample trip budgets, what's included and where to save.

Read The Article →
Sep 9, 2026

Sasaab: Cost and Booking

Sasaab costs $1,852 per person per night in 2026 high season and $1,329 in the savings months. The rates, the Samburu conservancy fees and how to book.

Read The Article →

Safari Questions, Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers from our safari specialists on cost, timing, destinations and how tailor-made travel works.

How much does a luxury African safari cost?

+

Most luxury African safaris cost between $1,000 and $2,000 per person per night. That usually covers a boutique lodge, an expert guide, game drives, park fees and most meals; season, destination and lodge choice move the number in either direction. Every Magical Africa itinerary is tailor-made, so we price each trip to your budget. As a Registered California Seller of Travel (CST 2150760-40), we hold client funds in trust.

When is the best time to see the Great Wildebeest Migration?

+

July to October is the best time to see the river crossings, in Kenya's Masai Mara and the northern Serengeti. For the calving season, travel between January and March, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest are born on Tanzania's Ndutu Plains. The migration moves in a year-round loop, so there is always a right place to be; our month-by-month migration guide shows where the herds are in each month.

Which African country is best for a first safari?

+

Tanzania and Kenya are the classic first-safari countries: the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Masai Mara offer year-round wildlife, including the Big Five. Botswana's Okavango Delta suits travelers who want remoteness and few other vehicles, and South Africa pairs malaria-free reserves with Cape Town's food and wine. A Magical Africa specialist will match the country to your travel style, season and budget.

What is included in a tailor-made safari with Magical Africa?

+

Every Magical Africa journey includes itinerary design by an Africa specialist, hand-picked boutique lodges and private conservancies, private guides and game drives, plus every internal flight and transfer. We handle the trip end to end, from your first call to your final game drive.

Is an African safari safe for families?

+

Yes. Family-friendly lodges, private safari vehicles and the malaria-free reserves of South Africa make a safari one of the most rewarding family trips there is. Magical Africa designs family itineraries (our Tanzania family safari is one) with age-appropriate activities and pacing built in.

Why book with Magical Africa?

+

Magical Africa is a US-based luxury safari specialist, founded by an Africa-born expert with more than two decades of safari experience. We design fully customized luxury safaris across Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa and Rwanda, with access to boutique lodges and deep local knowledge. As a Registered California Seller of Travel (CST 2150760-40), we hold all client funds in trust.

Have more questions? Visit our full Safari FAQ or ask a specialist.

Your Journey Begins

How It Works

  1. 1Tell us about your dream safari

    Share your dates, interests and a rough budget through the enquiry form or the discovery questionnaire. If you are not sure where to begin, our guide to what an African safari costs is the place to start.

  2. 2Your Africa specialist crafts your itinerary

    Within 24 hours one specialist gets back to you and stays with you for the whole trip. You receive an itinerary laid out day by day, with named camps, the reasoning behind each choice and a price per person.

  3. 3Confirm and start packing

    Fine-tune every detail together, then confirm with a deposit held in trust under our California Seller of Travel registration. Before you fly we cover what to pack and, where the route needs them, the flights between camps.

Bhavita M., Magical Africa safari specialist

Let’s Plan Your Trip

Enquire now and your safari specialist will get back to you within 24 hours, or call +1 (949) 861-0473 and speak to Bhavita directly.

Let’s Start Planning
Get In Touch

Let's Plan Your Safari

Tell us a little about your dream trip and one of our safari specialists will be in touch to start crafting your tailor-made itinerary.

Who We're Helping
The Trip
Tell Us More
Thank you. Your specialist will be in touch within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk? Request a callback →

Request CallBack

Get In Touch

Let's Plan Your Safari

Tell us a little about your dream trip and one of our safari specialists will be in touch to start crafting your tailor-made itinerary.

Who We're Helping
The Trip
Tell Us More
Thank you — our team will be in touch within 24 hours.

Feel free to get in touch with us to begin planning your personalized dream safari today. Our team specializes in crafting bespoke safari experiences that cater to your specific preferences. Whether you’ve always dreamed of witnessing the Big Five in their natural habitat, marveling at the mesmerizing Great Migration, or simply savoring the enchanting African sunsets, we’re here to turn your safari dreams into reality.

Address

16531 Misty Hill Dr Chino Hills CA 91709

Phone

+1-855-8-AFRICA
+1-855-823-7422

Email

safaris@magicalafrica.com