Which safari operators in southern Africa have the best safety record?

These local operators in southern Africa publish their safety measures, first aid or medical evacuation cover; each card quotes the company's own line.

Which safari operators in southern Africa have the best safety record?

The 26 operators below are based in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia or Zimbabwe and each publish their safety measures, first aid or medical evacuation cover, quoted on their cards. None of them publishes accident or incident figures; one claims a 20-year safety record without them. This page does not rank operators on safety.

What do they charge?

8 of the 26 operators on this page publish a price with its currency; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Blue Crane Safaris: Namibia Grand Highlights Expedition, 15 days, N$120,250 (N$143,500)
• Brave Africa Safaris: Taste of Botswana: 3 nights, from USD 1,935 per person.
• Kurt Safari: Victoria Falls 4 day packages from US$1 069 to US$1 631.
• Namibia-Experience: Namibia Family Tour 12 days, 5,008 USD adults / 3,829 USD children.
• Penduka Safaris: 2026 rates per person sharing, USD: 5 Day Luxury Delta (5 days, low and high USD 4 300); 5 Day Moremi (low USD 3 000, high USD 3 500); 7 Day Central Kalahari (low USD 4 450, high USD 4 900); 9 Day Classic (low USD 4 980, high USD 5 775); 11 Day Transfrontier Kalahari (low USD 7 200, high USD 7 700); 13 Day Botswana Explorer (low USD 6 650, high USD 7 650); 15 Day Circular (USD 8 950); 16 Day Namibian (USD 8 000, private on request); 20 Day combined (USD 10 850, private on request); combined 7 day Kalahari and 9 day Classic, 16 days (low USD 8 500, high USD 9 650).
• Skeleton Coast Fly-In Safaris: Skeleton Coast Safari, 4 days / 3 nights, private flying safari, 01 Oct 2026 to 31 Mar 2027: US$ 23,273.38 per person for 1 pax, US$ 17,023.38 for 2, US$ 14,940.04 for 3, US$ 13,898.38 for 4 per aircraft. 01 Apr 2027 to 31 Mar 2028: US$ 24,603.26 for 1, US$ 18,053.26 for 2, US$ 15,869.93 for 3, US$ 14,778.26 for 4.
• Ukhozi Tours: Mpumalanga Scenic add-on is R4520 pppd (one person), R3620 pppd (two), R3275 pppd (3-4).
• Unfold Africa Safaris: Moremi photographic from USD 700 per day; self-drive from USD 650 per night.

How do they run their trips?

19 of the 26 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.

• 16° South: Private trips only: 'there are no set departures or allocated seats on the bus waiting to be filled'.
• Blue Crane Safaris: Private bespoke guided trips are sold, plus scheduled guided group departures with fixed dates.
• 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.
• Bush Baby Calls: Private-style group trips priced by group size (2, 4, 6 or 8 pax).
• Firefinch Safaris & Car Hire: Private guided safaris are sold.
• Great Guide Safaris: Private trips are available and shared safaris with other guests depending on availability.
• Inzila Mobile Safaris: Each safari has a maximum of 6 people; an exclusive (private) safari is available on request.
• Jenman African Safaris: Private tours and set-date guided group departures.
• Kurt Safari: Shared scheduled departures: small-group packages leave Johannesburg Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, max 10 per vehicle, minimum 2 people to run.
• 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.
• Skeleton Coast Fly-In Safaris: Private safaris on special request; groups of two or more may reserve any departure date.
• 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.
• Unfold Africa Safaris: Private small-party trips: 'Your own vehicle and guide'.
• 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.

What do they say about children?

13 of the 26 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.
• Blue Crane Safaris: The Ultimate Namibia Family Camping Adventure is for families with children, minimum age 5 years; children 5 to 11 pay 50% of the adult rate (N$31,975 Green Season baseline, N$33,900 Peak).
• Brave Africa Safaris: Children aged 7 and over accepted; four-person family tent; kids menu; private vehicle for families with kids under 12.
• Great Guide Safaris: Children should ideally be 12 years and older to join; age and ability are considered when confirming bookings.
• Khangela Safaris: Multi-generational families welcome; family units with children under 16 preferred on their own exclusive trip.
• 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.
• Namibia-Experience: The Namibia Family Tour (12 days, private) is priced 5,008 USD adults / 3,829 USD children; it says there is no strict minimum age but kids aged 6 and above enjoy it most.
• 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.
• Skeleton Coast Fly-In Safaris: Children are welcome and there is no upper age restriction; guests must tell the office children's ages in advance.
• 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.
• 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