Big Five Safaris

In pursuit of Africa’s most iconic wildlife.

The Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – are more than safari icons. They represent the raw power, mystery, and majesty of Africa’s wild spaces. On a Big Five Safari with Ker & Downey® Africa, you’ll journey through world-renowned parks like Kruger, the Masai Mara, and private concessions in Botswana and Tanzania. Expert guides help you track each species, while revealing the intricacies of the surrounding ecosystems.

Stay in handpicked lodges and mobile camps that combine immersive wildlife access with elevated comfort. Whether you’re new to safari or returning for more, this is your chance to experience Africa’s most iconic creatures, up close and in unforgettable style.

Highlights

Where to go

Botswana | Kenya | South Africa | Tanzania | Uganda | Zambia | Zimbabwe

Curated Packages

Curated packages for
Big Five Safaris

Ker & Downey® Africa curates experiences that go beyond luxury. Our curated expeditions are shaped by whispers of the land and the wisdom of its people. With Ker & Downey® Africa, no two journeys are the same, opening doors to experiences few can imagine, and even fewer can access.

All Year Round

13 DAYS

Elements of Southern Africa: A Curated Safari

A curated Southern Africa safari blending Cape Town design, Sabi Sand wilderness, and Mozambique’s Indian Ocean into one seamless, elevated journey.

All Year Round

10 DAYS

Africa Safari: Uganda & Zambia’s Great Waterways

June – October

18 DAYS

Tanzania and Seychelles Luxury Safari

Experience the wild and the tranquil on this 17-night luxury safari through Tanzania and Seychelles, where the Great Migration meets island serenity.

Dec – Mar

7 DAYS

Wildebeest Calving Season Safari

Witness one of the seven wonders of the natural world as millions of wildebeest migrate through the Serengeti during calving season.

Year Round

10 DAYS

Natural East Africa Wonders Safari

Visit 3 regions on this luxury safari which combines the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, a scenic flight over Kilimanjaro, and the Great Migration in the Serengeti.

All Year Round

12 DAYS

Tanzania and Zanzibar Safari

This exclusive trip unites luxurious XO Private properties for the ultimate Tanzania and Zanzibar safari, seamlessly blending bush and beach.

15 June - 15 November

7 DAYS

Luxury Tented Safari in Tanzania

Soar above the savanna on a hot air balloon, track the Big Five, and enjoy mobile safaris, all paired with luxurious stays at iconic camps.

All Year Round

9 DAYS

Luxury Safari in Kruger National Park & Cape Town

Experience a luxury safari in Kruger National Park’s Sabi Sands as well as Cape Town & the Cape Winelands on this exciting bush and beach trip.

All Year Round

13 DAYS

Elephant Safari in South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana

This 13-day Elephant Safari takes you through South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana to connect with Africa’s iconic gentle giants.

accommodations

Track Africa’s Big Five in style.
Stay in luxury with wildlife immersion.

Cottars 1920 Camp

Cottar’s 1920s Camp evokes the golden era of safari with authentic experiences and award-winning guiding on a private Maasai Mara conservancy.

Anderssons At Ongava

Anderssons at Ongava blends quiet intimacy with the awe-inspiring wilderness at the heart of Namibia’s Ongava Reserve.

Somalisa Camp

Somalisa Camp is a leading luxury safari-tented camp that places travelers in the heart of Hwange National Park’s extraordinary wild spaces.

Entamanu Private

Perched on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, Entamanu Private is a highland sanctuary with dual views of the Crater floor and the vast Serengeti.

One Nature Nyaruswiga

One Nature Nyaruswiga is located in Central Serengeti National Park and offers front row seats to the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

The award-winning Sanctuary Chief’s Camp is a sophisticated safari retreat located on the famous Chief’s Island in the Okavango Delta.

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge is a sanctuary of style and adventure, offering luxurious island living in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Khwai Leadwood

Overlooking the peaceful Khwai River, Khwai Leadwood offers an eco-conscious retreat where comfort and conservation go hand in hand.

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero Lodge

Sanctuary’s Chobe Chilwero Lodge is an elegant luxury safari retreat that promises remarkable game viewing opportunities.

Take a seat beside the campfire, where untold stories rise with the smoke, legends live in the land, and luxury is part of the wild.

What our
Travelers say

Where to go

Enter the heart of Africa, where every encounter is a sacred exchange.

Come face-to-face with Africa’s most iconic wildlife. From private reserves in South Africa to Botswana’s floodplains and East Africa’s savannas, these destinations deliver unforgettable Big Five encounters.

Kenya Luxury Safaris

Kenya luxury safaris are defined by iconic wildlife encounters, from the Masai Mara’s vast plains to Amboseli’s elephant-filled landscapes.

Tanzania Luxury Safaris

Tanzania luxury safaris reveal some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, with the Serengeti and the dramatic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater at their core.

Zambia Luxury Safaris

Zambia luxury safaris are defined by the spirit of Africa’s original sanctuaries, where winding rivers and remote plains shape intimate encounters.

Zimbabwe Luxury Safaris

Zimbabwe luxury safaris captivate through dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unforgettable encounters along mighty rivers and rugged parks.

Botswana Luxury Safaris

Botswana luxury safaris unfold across pristine wilderness, spanning the Okavango Delta’s waterways and the stark beauty of the Kalahari Desert.

South Africa Luxury Safaris

South Africa luxury safaris unveil a diverse range of experiences, where Big Five game drives meet coastal escapes, vineyards and vibrant cityscapes.

africa travel journal

An insider’s guide to the heart of Africa

Explore our expert travel journals, packed with bold adventures, rare experiences, and smart travel intel to inspire your next journey across this richly storied continent.

Insights

Gorilla Trekking in Africa: Volcanoes vs Bwindi vs Mgahinga

Planning a gorilla trekking journey? Compare East Africa’s most iconic parks to understand the differences in access, terrain, and experience, and find the right fit for your adventure.

Experiences

Antarctica Penguins: From the Poles to the Plains

A rare journey into the Antarctic interior to witness emperor penguin chicks at Atka Bay, paired with an immersive stay at White Desert’s Explorer Camp.

Philanthropic

Luxury sustainable safari experiences & the best eco-friendly lodges

Learn about the top luxury sustainable safari experiences, including the best eco-friendly African safari lodges & parks.

Wildlife

Best Safaris in Africa to See the Big 5

Explore the best safaris in Africa to see the Big 5, including the best national parks and private game reserves.

Insights

Private Wildlife Conservancies in Africa vs National Parks

Explore luxury safaris in Africa’s private conservancies, offering intimate wildlife, bespoke guides & community impact, vs traditional national parks.

Accommodation

Insider’s Guide: A First-Hand Stay at Cheetah Plains

Part of our Insider’s Guide series, this first-hand review of Cheetah Plains luxury safari offers an on-the-ground perspective.

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE

The heart of Africa

Sign up to receive curated journeys, expert safari intel, and first-hand access to Africa’s most exclusive travel experiences.

Big Five Safaris

Big Five Safaris

In pursuit of Africa’s most iconic wildlife.

Highlights

Where to go

Botswana | Kenya | South Africa | Tanzania | Uganda | Zambia | Zimbabwe

Curated Packages

Curated packages for Big Five Safaris

All Year Round

13 DAYS

Elements of Southern Africa: A Curated Safari

All Year Round

10 DAYS

Africa Safari: Uganda & Zambia’s Great Waterways

June – October

18 DAYS

Tanzania and Seychelles Luxury Safari

Dec – Mar

7 DAYS

Wildebeest Calving Season Safari

Year Round

10 DAYS

Natural East Africa Wonders Safari

All Year Round

12 DAYS

Tanzania and Zanzibar Safari

15 June - 15 November

7 DAYS

Luxury Tented Safari in Tanzania

All Year Round

9 DAYS

Luxury Safari in Kruger National Park & Cape Town

All Year Round

13 DAYS

Elephant Safari in South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana

accommodations

Track Africa’s Big Five in style. Stay in luxury with wildlife immersion.

Cottars 1920 Camp

Anderssons At Ongava

Somalisa Camp

Entamanu Private

One Nature Nyaruswiga

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge

Khwai Leadwood

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero Lodge

What our Travelers say

Where to go

Enter the heart of Africa, where every encounter is a sacred exchange.

Kenya Luxury Safaris

Tanzania Luxury Safaris

Zambia Luxury Safaris

Zimbabwe Luxury Safaris

Botswana Luxury Safaris

South Africa Luxury Safaris

africa travel journal

An insider’s guide to the heart of Africa

Gorilla Trekking in Africa: Volcanoes vs Bwindi vs Mgahinga

Antarctica Penguins: From the Poles to the Plains

Luxury sustainable safari experiences & the best eco-friendly lodges

Best Safaris in Africa to See the Big 5

Private Wildlife Conservancies in Africa vs National Parks

Insider’s Guide: A First-Hand Stay at Cheetah Plains

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE

The heart of Africa

Curated packages for
Big Five Safaris

Track Africa’s Big Five in style.
Stay in luxury with wildlife immersion.

What our
Travelers say