Africa is a place of immense natural beauty. As the cradle of civilisation, it is home to some of the most ancient and interesting cultures in the world and there is nowhere on earth where wildlife puts on a greater show.
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Safe, peaceful & democratic, with a Smart Traveller green stamp of approval, Botswana stands as a pillar of the African community, leading the way with visionary politics, sustainability and conservation. These factors, combined with some of the most pristine wilderness and highest game densities in the world, make it an aspirational African wildlife safari destination.
For thousands of years Egypt has been the playground of emperors and kings. Great civilisations have risen from its sandy interiors and the Nile continues to bring life to an otherwise barren land. Much of the scenery has barely changed since biblical times and the entire nation is wrapped in an ancient mysticism which has beguiled writers and romantics for centuries.
Ethiopia is an awe-inspiring and intriguing forgotten land. Its story begins with the emergence of early human-ape homins including the famous ‘Lucy’ and its history is laden with the treasures of great empires and faiths. The rich tribal culture is testament to the pride of a country that has never been officially colonised.
Kenya is the home of the original African wildlife safari (the word ‘Safari’ means journey in KiSwahili) and is still, quite deservedly, the continent's most iconic destination for African wildlife safaris. One-tenth of all land in Kenya is designated as national parks and reserves, the most famous being the Maasai Mara, which plays host to the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebra.
Madagascar’s African wildlife safaris showcase some of the most peculiar life forms on the planet. The wild National Parks teem with dancing lemurs, aye-ayes, fossas (a cat-like predator), rare birds, colourful chameleons, frogs, lizards, butterflies and a host of weird and wonderful insects and plants – a staggering 80% of which are only found on this island. Out-of-the-ordinary African wildlife safaris found here!
Malawi boasts undiscovered scenery, wildlife strongholds and adventurous activities to rival any of its neighbouring, and better known, African wildlife safari destinations. The Great Rift Valley has gauged an immense chasm down the eastern flank which now, brimming with crystal clear water, forms Africa’s third-largest lake: Lake Malawi.
A brief overview describing Morocco's highlights would outweigh War and Peace and still only skim the surface. The exotic colours, history and culture that have attracted travellers from time immemorial are still vibrantly visible and unlike anything else Africa has to offer.
Mozambique’s beaches are the main pull for most travellers. Endless swathes of white sand sweep dreamily along the coastline, palm-fringed freshwater beaches hug Lake Malawi and the Quirimbas Archipelago is a remote paradise of azure waters, mangrove forests and community-based conservation projects.
Straddling two great deserts, Namibia is a country of sweeping sands and eerie landscapes. Dramatic environments host spectacular desert-adapted wildlife & fascinating tribal communities, whilst the cities are a contradictory muddle of modern African vivacity and old world German influence.
The Congo is an unspoilt conservation hotspot and exotic safari destination. The safari experience here combines river ecosystems and savannahs with wildlife rich bais (clearings) and steamy jungles teeming with forest elephants, chimpanzees, butterflies, colourful funghi, brilliant birdlife and plenty of primates including the critically endangered western lowland gorilla.
Known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ thanks to its swathes of mist-shrouded mountains, Rwanda lies in the heart of Africa as the emerald jewel of the continent’s crown. Home to one third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Rwanda offers one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth.
São Tomé and Príncipe is one nation consisting of two remote volcanic islands marooned 140 miles off the coast of Gabon. The landscape is a lost world of dense jungle, spires of primordial rock and deserted beaches. Activities centre around the natural world with plenty of snorkelling, wreck diving, turtle watching and hiking to keep you occupied.
South Africa is one of the world’s top travel destinations offering a unique blend of scenery, culture, wildlife and activities for all ages and interests. The cities are dynamic and cosmopolitan, wild landscapes span mountains, savannahs and deserts, and the combination of sub-tropical waters and colder Atlantic currents provide a rich diversity of marine wildlife.
With National Parks and game reserves covering 28% of the country, Tanzania has more land devoted to wildlife than anywhere else in the world and the game viewing in Tanzania is unparalleled. The high point of the year is the spectacular wildebeest migration when great herds cross the northern plains and plunge through the rivers of the Serengeti.
Uganda lays claim to an astonishing number of primate species, some of the richest birding in Africa, plenty of plains game and some elusive and unusual big cats. No other country in Africa ticks all these boxes.
Zambia offers impressive wildlife diversity as well as some of the wildest and most remote game areas on the continent. It is also the land of the legendary walking African wildlife safaris and the concept of exploring the bush on foot over multiple days was first pioneered in the South Luangwa.
Zimbabwe is rich in natural wonders, cultural and historical highlights. Zimbabwe’s eco-operators and conservationists have fought tirelessly to see its wild area flourish once more and the passionate guides are among the best in Africa. Today it proudly resumes its rightful position as Africa’s pink-diamond and the African wildlife safari destination of choice for those in the know.
When it comes to experiencing the great outdoors, our neck of the woods holds its own and then some! The wildlife here is weird and wonderful, the landscapes dramatic and the remoteness breathtaking. There are very few places on Earth you can find yourself quite so far from civilization.
We can’t help but rave about our own continent-sized country. From hiking the Flinders Ranges to beach glamping on the edge of Ningaloo Reef and fan boating through the wild wetlands of the Northern Territory, some of the best wilderness experiences can be found in our very own back yard.
Known affectionately as the land of the long white cloud, our nearest neighbour is our go-to for cool climate explorations amidst epic landscapes. The trails are uncrowded, the ecology fascinating, the thermal pools inviting and the food and wine scene delectable...although jury’s still out on who invented the pavlova!
The Indian subcontinent is known for its deep-rooted cultural traditions, mouth-watering cuisine and vibrant festivals. For centuries, India has enticed merchants and mercenaries to its mystical lands with the promise of untold riches and when it comes to opulent splendour, no one puts on a better show.
Enigmatic, unspoilt and deeply spiritual, the Kingdom of Bhutan is regarded as one of the world's last ‘Shangri‐La's’. It measures its wealth not by GDP but by ‘Gross National Happiness’, and is carbon negative by absorbing more carbon than it emits. For a limited number of visitors, this means peaceful forests, authentic cultural heritage and a sense of spiritual purity.
For centuries, India has enticed merchants and mercenaries to its mystical lands with the promise of untold riches and when it comes to opulent splendour, no one puts on a better show. Walk the streets of any Indian city and find a dizzying array of religions, languages, food and culture that few countries can boast. Explore secretive jungles, spice-laden markets, places of pilgrimage and fairy-tale castles lost in time.
Few islands in the world offer the diversity that exists in Sri Lanka: ancient cities, rich religious festivals, colonial memories, rolling tea plantations, an astonishing variety of bird and animal wildlife and some of the best beaches in the Indian ocean. It showcases a bustling and chaotic way of life yet enchants visitors with a potpourri of cultures, religions, races, customs and its sheer natural beauty.
Stretching over a huge latitudinal range, Latin America boasts everything from soaring mountains to steamy jungles and searing deserts to ice fields. Ancient civilisations rub shoulders with pulsating modern cities and the avant garde food scene is to die for. This continent has it all - viva Latin America!
Stretching nearly 3,500-kilometres to the very southern tip of South America, Argentina is the land of the tango, gauchos, polo, malbec, glacier-topped mountains and perfectly grilled steaks. Argentina’s cultural heritage is the perfect partner to its natural beauty which ranges from tropical rainforests to open ‘pampas’ grasslands, icy glaciers and scorched deserts.
Brazil makes up almost 50% of the continent and borders almost every South American nation – it is vast! From the thundering falls of Iguaçu to the Amazon and the Atlantic, it buzzes with festival spirit. Standout architecture brings a sense of luxury travel South America style to the accommodation offerings, and the population of fun-loving people know just how to celebrate life!
Stretched out longitudinally along the Pacific coast, Chile is packed with phenomenal scenery, niche biospheres and geological idiosyncrasies. Together, the world’s highest volcano, the driest desert, rainforests and hanging glaciers have all created striking landscapes, each inspiring unforgettable adventures.
Spanning the border between Chile and Argentina, Patagonia's solitude and majesty are intoxicating. Several mountain ranges converge on this protected region, that is home to puma, guanaco and the impressive Andean condor. Whether cantering across sweeping plains with the gaucho, fly fishing the glacial rivers for trout, or hiking the endless trails, Patagonia is a land of pure escapism.
It is often said that in Colombia you get five destinations for the price of one: the Pacific Coast, the Andes, the Amazon, the eastern plains and the Caribbean. Across the country this diversity has given rise to one of the most impressive and innovative gastronomic scenes of the world as modern chefs turn natural abundance and rare ingredients upside down.
Amazonian rainforests, Andean peaks, foggy cloud forests, the Galápagos Islands and a rich indigenous heritage – all can be found in Ecuador. Split down the middle by a chain of snow-capped volcanoes, the mighty Amazon lies to the east while cloud forests, an untouched coastline and, of course, the awe-inspiring Galápagos Islands lie to the west.
High Andean peaks with majestic soaring condors, steamy rainforests, endless coastal destinations, vast deep-blue lakes and the almost mythical Machu Picchu, all this and more can be found in Peru. And when it comes to luxury travel South America finds its peak in the beautiful boats that sail the Peruvian Amazon, delivering a knockout wildlife experience.
Through our insatiable curiosity and continual travel to the world’s wildest places, we have unearthed an array of incredible experiences that don’t necessarily fit the mould but simply must be shared.
Owned by no one, visited by a few, Antarctica is the world’s coldest, windiest and wildest continent and truly the world’s ultimate travel frontier. Visiting the frozen south is by no means a usual trip, but with the right group organising the expedition, Antarctica holidays are an opportunity for eye-opening, transformative experiences that linger with every explorer who makes the trip. Magnificent icebergs, carved from the elements into natural sculptures float serenely whilst seals bask on their icy shelves. Humpback whales with barnacled heads breach the glassy surface of the ocean and busybody penguins chatter in their thousands. Abandoned shelters of polar explorers, rusting whaling outposts and scientific research stations are the only ghosts of man’s presence, and these are few and far between.
The Arctic Circle is the 'kingdom of the polar bear' - a spectacular wilderness of glaciers, mountains, fjords and breathtaking icebergs. The Arctic is also home to the rich and unique culture of the Inuit people, who have survived in this harsh landscape for over 9,000 years.
Travel is exhilarating, and just the experience of being somewhere exotic tantalises the senses and makes you feel alive. But for the active adventurers among us, that isn't enough. You will be itching to run, climb, pedal and paddle your way into the wilderness...and so you shall!
You’re a seasoned safari goer who’s itching for more. Deepest, darkest Africa holds no fear for you and you’re looking for out-of-experiences and off-the-map destinations. Luckily we know a thing or two about Africa. Come with us and we’ll gladly show you the way…
Those in the wilderness will always be drawn to the flicker of the flame and our holidays cater perfectly for campfire stargazers. A gin and tonic by the fire is a rite of passage for any safari goer!
Whether it’s watching a moustache curling competition in India, weaving with a women’s collective in the Andes, trance-dancing with an African tribe or browsing a private art collection in Lima, these cultural experiences will leave you bemused and beguiled, with plenty of stories to tell.
Travel is the best teacher if you want to broaden the mind. In journeying to foreign lands, children experience the world in all its natural wonder, develop cultural awareness, learn new languages, calculate currency and so much more.
Culture and cuisine have gone hand in hand - nothing says more about people than how they eat! Here we present a small collection of journeys and experiences in some of the world’s most tantalising gastronomic destinations.
If you have seen 'Out of Africa' then you already know: Africa is the most romantic place on earth. Here you can escape life’s clutter and just be together, at peace with nature and each other. Our luxurious bush camps, lodges and hotels are ideal for honeymoons and romantic getaways.
You’ve watched every documentary going and now its time to live the experience. Feel the hum of a million monarch butterflies in Mexico, help to protect the pumas of Patagonia or walk with great tusker elephants in Kenya. This is nature in the raw.
Having the time of your life doesn’t mean breaking the bank. If you’re clever about where, when and how you travel, even the loftiest of champagne tastes can be satisfied with a holiday that punches well above its weight in the style stakes.
Joining a carefully curated set departure can open doors you never knew existed. Outfitted by trusted, small-scale operators that we've known for over 30 years, ours are a cut above the rest!
What experiences are on your bucket list? Would you like to cruise among the icebergs of the Arctic or snorkel with the sealions in the Galapagos? Perhaps saddle up on a horseback adventure in Africa or immerse yourself in the Buddhist spirituality of the Himalayas? Tell us your dreams we'll turn them into reality.
Some of the world’s most unique natural environments are only accessible by boat, so we have handpicked a collection of expeditionary cruises to take you there.
Up, up and away! What better way to appreciate the vast emptiness of a desert, the broccoli abundance of a jungle or the sweeping lagoons of a coastal wilderness than by air? See what would take weeks or even months by road in just a few days, while embracing the thrill of adventure as you take to the skies.
A collection of ladies only escorted group journeys designed specifically by women, for women. Joining one of our women only travel groups presents the opportunity for like-minded individuals to venture to some of the most inspirational, exotic and adventurous destinations on the planet with the companionship and security of a small group, and the knowledge and expertise of the best specialist guides.
Being on horseback allows you to explore the terrain that vehicles can't and provides a fully immersive experience with virtually no impact on the environment.
The best way to experience nature is to get right amongst it for several days at a time. These expeditionary style adventures will take you deep into the wilderness, often on two feet, four legs or by paddle power.
Enjoy the company of an intimate group of like-minded safari enthusiasts with Classic Safari Company’s privately guided tours. Small group African safari tours are an outstanding experience for families and close friends.They are also ideally suited to special-interest groups, such as photographers or birders.
Discover One-off hosted journeys with Classic Safari Company.
The wild world isn't just defined by destination but also by the abundance and wonder of nature to be found hiding within its biospheres. Here we present a collection of the finest wildlife experiences on the planet.
