Which safari operators in southern Africa have the best guides?

These local operators in southern Africa say what qualifications or experience their own guides have; each card quotes the company's own line.

Which safari operators in southern Africa have the best guides?

The 37 operators below are based in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe and each say what qualifications or experience their own guides have (FGASA levels, professional guide licences, years guiding), quoted on their cards.

What do they charge?

7 of the 37 operators on this page publish a price with its currency; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Brave Africa Safaris: Taste of Botswana: 3 nights, from USD 1,935 per person.
• Bundu Adventures: Published trips (EUR per person sharing, from): Liuwa Camping Safari 14 days from € 3.580.
• Kurt Safari: Victoria Falls 4 day packages from US$1 069 to US$1 631.
• Mmilo Tours: Day tours are priced for 1 or 2 adults, for example Cape Town Peninsula full day ZAR6231.00 for 1 adult.
• Penduka Safaris: 2026 rates per person sharing, USD: 5 Day Luxury Delta (5 days, low and high USD 4 300); 5 Day Moremi (low USD 3 000, high USD 3 500); 7 Day Central Kalahari (low USD 4 450, high USD 4 900); 9 Day Classic (low USD 4 980, high USD 5 775); 11 Day Transfrontier Kalahari (low USD 7 200, high USD 7 700); 13 Day Botswana Explorer (low USD 6 650, high USD 7 650); 15 Day Circular (USD 8 950); 16 Day Namibian (USD 8 000, private on request); 20 Day combined (USD 10 850, private on request); combined 7 day Kalahari and 9 day Classic, 16 days (low USD 8 500, high USD 9 650).
• Tony Mobile Safari: Nine trips with 'starting at' prices in USD: 3 day Chobe National Park 968; 4 day Savuti>Chobe 1595; 5 day Kasane to Maun 2563; 6 day Kasane to Maun 2618; 7 day Kasane to Maun 3278; 8 day Kasane to Maun 3500; 9 day Kasane>Maun>Makgadikgadi 3938; 10 day Kasane to Maun 4538; 15 day Chobe>Savuti>Mababe>Moremi>Kwai>Maun 5148.
• Ukhozi Tours: Mpumalanga Scenic add-on is R4520 pppd (one person), R3620 pppd (two), R3275 pppd (3-4).

How do they run their trips?

25 of the 37 operators on this page say how they run trips (private, scheduled or overland); for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours: Guided convoy tours with a minimum of 3 vehicles (quotes for fewer), maximum 5 vehicles with 4 people per vehicle; dates are chosen on the Calendar and Bookings page.
• Brave Africa Safaris: Private trips: private vehicle for families with kids under 12, private car or whole camp available on request.
• Bundu Adventures: Private and bespoke trips with individual departures; fixed dates for the walking safari (14.07, 17.08 and 20.10, 2027).
• Bush Baby Calls: Private-style group trips priced by group size (2, 4, 6 or 8 pax).
• Bushlife Safaris: Little Vundu Camp can be hired for exclusive use.
• Cuckoo Safaris: Private tours and small-group safaris are both offered; the 6-day trip is labelled 'Small Group'.
• Embrace Safaris: Guests have the entire camp to themselves and a private guide; minimum 4 pax and maximum 9 pax.
• Endless Summer Tours: Specialises in private tours and shared small group tours.
• Firefinch Safaris & Car Hire: Private guided safaris are sold.
• Inzila Mobile Safaris: Each safari has a maximum of 6 people; an exclusive (private) safari is available on request.
• Kurt Safari: Shared scheduled departures: small-group packages leave Johannesburg Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, max 10 per vehicle, minimum 2 people to run.
• Mmilo Tours: Shared drives with other lodge guests are included in some packages (shared 3-hour drives on the budget Pilanesberg safari).
• Moriti Private Safaris: Private departures only: one guide and one vehicle, on your own dates, not a fixed departure.
• Nature Travel Namibia: Private guided safaris and group guided set-departure safaris with fixed itinerary and date; groups kept to 6 people or less.
• Natureways Safaris: Scheduled safaris can be joined via the safari calendar and new departures can be opened for a minimum of 2 people.
• Peake Safaris: Private only: 'With the camp and your guide to yourself' the safari is curated for your group.
• River Horse Safaris: Private trips are confirmed on minimum payment of six guests.
• Savannah Adventures: Private and small-group safaris (2-9 guests) in open 4x4 vehicles.
• Siya Phambile Expeditions: Private exclusive use costs a surcharge.
• Sunway Safaris: Scheduled small-group departures (max 12), many marked guaranteed, in English and German, with dates through 2027.
• Ukhozi Tours: All tours are private and bespoke.
• Viva Safaris: Guaranteed daily departures.
• Wild Focus Safaris: Scheduled fixed departures in small groups of max 6 guests for 2027 (minimum 4 guests to run), plus customised private safaris for private groups, film crews and photo workshops.
• Wild For Game Safaris: Private mobile safaris.
• Wild Photo Africa: Private safaris (whole vehicle for your group, up to 10 guests) and shared day trips (shared vehicle with other guests, multiple pick-ups).

What do they say about children?

14 of the 37 operators on this page publish a child or family policy; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• African Sightings Adventure Tours & Safaris: Child rate: children under 12 pay R1950 (morning and afternoon), R2650 (full day) and R4500 (Addo and Schotia), against adult rates.
• Brave Africa Safaris: Children aged 7 and over accepted; four-person family tent; kids menu; private vehicle for families with kids under 12.
• Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris: Children over 4 are welcome on open vehicle safaris; families with children under 4 can book a private safari or a closed air-conditioned vehicle.
• Khalanga Safaris: All children may join private Kruger tours; tours can be adapted with longer breaks and play time; children under 12 are restricted from certain park activities such as bush walks.
• Kurt Safari: Children 11 years and below sharing with parents get 50% off package rates; under 12s have discounted safari rates and half-price conservation fees.
• Legend Safaris: Child rates on day trips: Hazyview full day R 1 750 per adult and R 900 per child under 12 (1 Nov 2026 to 31 Oct 2027)
• Mmilo Tours: Pilanesberg 2026: children aged 12 and younger sharing with adults ZAR768.00 per child; aged 13-17 ZAR1875.00.
• Natureways Safaris: Child policy: children under 14 are not recommended on canoe safaris for safety reasons and are not accepted with mixed groups; they are welcome if the trip is private or with other families.
• Peake Safaris: Children under 12 at time of travel: 1 child at 50% of the adult rate per two full paying guests; a second child 25% off.
• River Horse Safaris: Generally 15 years is the minimum age; exceptions for 12-14 year olds on a private trip accompanied by parents and a support boat carrying provisions and younger children can be provided on request.
• Siya Phambile Expeditions: Families are welcomed ('for all ages'; families named alongside schools and groups) and a Lion & Safari Park day option is aimed at children.
• Sunway Safaris: Minimum age 12 (occasional exceptions); ages 12-17 accepted only with an accompanying adult on scheduled tours; parents must supervise children, some campsites are unfenced.
• Viva Safaris: Child rate (under 12) published on each package (for example 4 Day Tremisana/Masango 2026 R7795).
• Wild Focus Safaris: Scheduled departures have a minimum age of 12 years; younger children are advised to book a private safari tailored to the family.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 3 November 2026 · updated 3 November 2026