The Classic Safari Company is Australia’s leading African safari company and bespoke travel specialist. Since 1992 we’ve been designing unique itineraries to some of the world’s finest wilderness regions embracing the exotic, the remote and the curious.
We believe the journey begins as soon as you walk into our safari-inspired Woollahra office. Here, you can sit with one of our consultants, lay out the maps and start planning your next great adventure, whether that be a traditional ‘Big Five’ safari or something else entirely. Our team members travel extensively, and many have been with us for decades, representing more than 100 years of collective experience. They bring a remarkable depth of knowledge to the planning process, designing every holiday to perfectly suit your style, preferences and pace. No two journeys are ever the same
With unique access to pristine wilderness areas, the finest lodges, and behind-closed-door cultural experiences, ours are real adventures in unreal style. From A-nthropology to Z-oology, we specialise in voyages of discovery for enquiring minds.
Authentic encounters can never be packaged!
“Bespoke” means that no two journeys are ever the same. Our experienced travel consultants take the time to truly understand what is important to you, then draw on their extensive first-hand experience to design a tailor-made itinerary that perfectly suits your preferred style, pace, interests and requirements. Nothing is off the shelf.
We are well known for our African safaris across countries such as Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In response to guests who loved our approach but wanted to travel further afield, we expanded our portfolio to include Northern Africa – including Morocco, Ethiopia and Egypt – the Indian subcontinent (India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan), Latin America (including Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador and the Galápagos), and the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. We also have expertise in specialist interests such as expeditionary cruising and horse riding journeys.
Yes. Our attentive, collaborative approach is perfect for first-time safari-goers who may require a little more input or reassurance when planning their trip, whether that involves choosing a destination, navigating visa requirements, understanding seasonality or anything else. We have plenty of experience that first-timers can draw upon.
We usually recommend booking 12 to 18 months ahead, simply to provide the greatest choice, especially if you are travelling as a group of family or friends. We preferentially work with small, specialist outfitters whose camps and lodges often accommodate only a handful of guests. Having said that, by tailoring every aspect of your itinerary, we can coordinate each individual element to create a fabulous trip, even at the last minute.
Both. Alongside fully private, individually designed itineraries, The Classic Safari Company runs a limited number of small-group journeys for special-interest travellers such as photographers and horse riders. Our collection of “Journeys for Women” offers small-group, ladies-only departures uniquely designed and hosted by Classic Safari Company Director Sarah Hoyland.
The Classic Safari Company holds ATIA accreditation, meaning it operates in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and the ATIA Charter and Code of Conduct. For our clients, this provides a recognised layer of consumer protection when booking significant international travel. We meet the industry’s highest standards for professionalism, expertise and consumer protection.
The range is genuinely broad — traditional guided safaris, self-drive and horseback safaris, expeditionary cruises to destinations only reachable by boat, private air safaris, walking and multi-day wilderness expeditions, small group and special-interest departures, and the ladies-only Journeys for Women collection.
But the format is really just a starting point.
What sets The Classic Safari Company apart is the depth of its connections on the ground: 35+ years of relationships with premier camps, boutique hotels, guides and operators across Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Latin America, the Polar Regions and Australia. This means the team can move well beyond a standard itinerary to build something entirely tailored, whether that’s a private charter to a camp that rarely takes bookings, a once-in-a-lifetime family celebration, an off-the-map add-on for a seasoned traveller who has “done” Africa before, or a completely custom itinerary built around a specific passion, from photography to conservation to gastronomy.
If a client can dream it, the specialists at The Classic Safari Company know exactly who to call to make it happen.
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
