This Is Your Safari

You have more than likely wanted to go on an African safari for many years, and the time has finally arrived. Rather than pick a safari from a brochure, why not have one designed just for you, your interests, your price range, and your dreams? There is no reason not to have this once-in-a-lifetime trip designed exactly as your have envisioned it. Prices for a private safari are not more and sometimes even less than a brochure safari where you are sharing your vehicle with strangers—for 10 days or more. Why not spend your time exactly as you wish.

In Northern Tanzania, you have your own driver/guide with Land Rover with you from the day you arrive until you depart that country. You are never limited to just two game activities each day (dawn and late afternoon), instead you are able to spend the entire day exploring the National Parks and Reserves taking picnic lunches along should you desire. Or, you wish to sleep-in one morning, not waking at dawn—when on a brochure safari, that is when "they" depart and you must be there. But, when traveling on safari with your own vehicle and guide, the day is yours to enjoy. No time limits on game drives, no mid-day enforced siesta when you are told after the morning game drive, that in the heat of the day, the game is inactive. Yes, it might be, but sitting around your lodge/camp/tent lets you see very little, at least being out on game drives in the bush, you have the opportunity to see the action, see the game, for you never know unless you are out there.

We don't have those long breaks between activities. If you want to be in the bush—you are! In other countries, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, etc., you will fly into your camp. Please note: a lot of small aircraft will be involved in these countries to get from reserve to reserve. Once arrived, the camp staff greets you and you are in their hands for your stay at their camp. In most cases, the camps offer two game activities each day—rising at dawn to begin your game drive or game walk, you return to the camp by mid-morning. The afternoon activity usually begins at 4 o’clock and runs through dusk. In some camps, they are permitted to continue the game drive into dark, and they take out spotlights, so you can see the activity of the game once night has fallen. In almost all of these camps, you also share your vehicle with other guests. If you wish to have a private vehicle just for yourselves, you must request that in advance and pay for the seats that you are now keeping for yourselves.

When you travel on a safari to Africa designed by Hippo Creek, you are not part of the madding crowd. From the moment you arrive, you are in the competent hands of our specialists on the ground in Africa who ensure that your safari fulfills your expectations in every way. You have only your bags to pack, and we take care of everything else. No worries once your safari itinerary is settled. Just sit back, read about your destinations, learn about your camera, and let us, the Safari Specialists, take care of all the details.

Hippo Creek knows that going on a safari is something that you have dreamt about, and we are here to design the trip that will fulfill those dreams. Have you imagined yourself sitting by the campfire with sundowner in hand as the moon rises on the horizon or listen from your tent to a distant roar as the lion begin their nightly hunt? Those are the things that matter to Hippo Creek, that you not only see the game, but you hear it and live the experience of truly being in Africa.

Do you see yourself on horseback amongst the zebra or possibly sleeping on an elegant platform house with nothing above your head but the brilliant stars in the Southern sky? Do you see yourself in elegant camps and lodges with tea or coffee brought to you at dawn as a gentle wake-up call? You are falling asleep with the sounds of Africa just outside your canvas walls—and you are there, finally there.

Safari can be the most rewarding destination you will ever encounter. From the people of Africa who welcome you so graciously to their countries, to the game viewing beyond your wildest expectations, with the magnificent landscape that's ever changing and always surprising. Every aspect of Africa takes your breath away.