Africa National parks Trips

Our Cape Safari and Falls trip with Contiki was an unforgettable 12 days, and a big part of that came down to our tour guide. They were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing insights that really helped us understand each place we visited, while also making sure we felt safe and confident during every activity. Starting in Cape Town was the perfect introduction. The slower pace at the beginning gave us time to settle in and properly learn about South Africa, rather than feeling rushed. It set the tone nicely for the rest of the trip. Heading to Kruger National Park was a real highlight. Seeing such a wide range of animals in their natural environment was incredible, especially witnessing interactions between them. It felt like something out of a documentary, but happening right in front of us. Moving on to Victoria Falls was equally memorable. The falls themselves were stunning, and the optional bridge activities added a real sense of adventure. What worked well was the flexibility, if you didn’t want to take part, there was still plenty to do, from watching others to browsing local street vendors. Finally, traveling into Botswana was a standout moment of the trip. Camping in the park with no fences was both surreal and exciting. Being so close to wildlife, while still feeling safe, made it a unique and memorable experience, and definitely a personal highlight. Overall, it was a well-balanced trip with a great mix of learning, adventure, and downtime. It’s one I’d highly recommend to anyone looking to experience this part of the world in a meaningful and exciting way.

As soon as I met up with the group on day 1 I felt reassured that I had made a great decision to travel with Contiki to Kenya. Within a couple of hours we were already in Nairobi National Park looking at the rare white rhinos, giraffe, elephant, hippo to name a few... Our guide and the team were amazing and there was never a dull moment. Seeing both the amazing wildlife the country has to offer and cultural insights, including visiting a Maasai tribe and the charity work of Mirrors of Hope, I felt enhanced the experience massively. I felt as though I came away from the trip understanding more about this beautiful part of the world thanks to our guide. Another consideration I had was the weather, given I visited at the beginning of the rainy season, but the truck was covered (unlike most safari vehicles), so my waterproof stayed in my bag. Another highlight was the food cooked by the team which was delicious and always hit the spot, but stops along the way were nice to top up on snacks and coffee too! The safari and scenes over the savannah are images that I will never forget... particularly sunrise over Mt. Kilimanjaro.

My Kenya trip with Contiki was truly unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. We started our adventure exploring Nairobi, getting a taste of the city's bustling energy. Then, we headed out on a safari in Maasai Mara, where I saw incredible wildlife—lions, elephants, giraffes, and more—up close and personal. The experience of sunrise over the savannah was unforgettable. We also visited local villages, learning about Maasai traditions and connecting with the community. The trip was a perfect mix of adventure, cultural immersion, and relaxation. The group was fantastic, and our guides made everything seamless and fun. Overall, it was an inspiring journey that left me with lifelong memories and a deeper appreciation for Kenya’s natural beauty and rich culture.

This trip is packed with so many amazing experiences. At the beginning of the week we were walking in amongst giraffe, middle of the week trekking to see gorillas and searching for pangolins. By the end of the week, walking amongst golden monkeys. We had two guides, Robert and Umar, both were safe drivers and great at spotting the wildlife as we drove along. Along the way, we stopped at various organisations working to either save the wildlife or to support women in work - so make sure you have space in your case and to take some extra money as I am sure there will be something to tempt you. Weather is a bit hit and miss, you do a lot of time in rain forests and as such, gaiters are probably a good idea - I didn't have them and had a boot full of mud by the end of the day. Be prepared for some long drives, though they will be broken up with plenty of stops. The locals are extremely friendly and do enjoy when you join in with activities such as dancing, so make sure to have your dancing shoes at the ready. Overall an epic adventure that I struggle to put into words!

We chose this tour operator for our safari, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Everything was exceptionally well organized from start to finish. The service was outstanding, and our guide was simply fantastic — incredibly friendly, highly knowledgeable, an excellent driver, and an amazing spotter. He made every game drive exciting and memorable. What we appreciated most was how flexible and attentive the team was. We planned the itinerary together, and every special request we had was taken seriously and accommodated whenever possible. Thank you so much for turning our dream safari into an experience that far exceeded all our expectations. We’ll never forget it and we’re already dreaming of our next trip with you!

What an amazing tour this was. We had three incredible close up wildlife experiences, with giraffes on the walking safari at Lake Mburo National Park, with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park and with golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. The mountain gorillas had to be the highlight, not least the 5 day old baby, but each encounter was breathtaking. Our tour leader Robert and Umar were both excellent drivers and local guides and did all they could to make sure everyone saw and enjoyed as much as possible. There is a lot more to this tour than the wildlife - the countryside is spectacular, we visited community support groups, learned about the Rwandan history at the moving Genocide Memorial in Kigali, tried banana gin and plenty more. The lodges we stayed in were impeccable, in great locations and with plentiful food. All in all a highly recommended trip.