A generation ago, a safari meant one thing: wildlife, and plenty of it. The best trips today still deliver superb game viewing — but they weave in the culture, food, landscapes and adventure that make Africa so much more than its animals. We call it “safari-plus,” and it is how more and more of our guests are choosing to travel in 2026.
Culture and community
Some of the most moving moments on safari happen away from the vehicle — sharing a meal with a Maasai family, visiting a community conservancy that your stay helps fund, or learning to track on foot with a San guide. Done respectfully and authentically, these encounters add depth and meaning that a game drive alone cannot.
- —Maasai and Samburu village visits in Kenya and Tanzania
- —Community-owned conservancies where tourism funds conservation
- —Guided bush walks with expert local trackers
Food and wine
Cuisine has become a highlight in its own right. In the Cape Winelands you can pair Big Five mornings with world-class vineyards and tasting menus; across East and Southern Africa, top camps now serve genuinely exceptional food, from bush breakfasts on the plains to candlelit dinners under the stars.
- —Cape Town and the Winelands after a Kruger or Sabi Sands safari
- —Bush dinners, sundowners and private dining at luxury camps
- —Farm-to-table menus sourced from local producers
Adventure and landscape
For the active, Africa is a playground beyond the savanna. Balloon over the Serengeti at dawn, canoe the Zambezi, walk the Okavango on foot, climb toward Kilimanjaro, or stand before the thunder of Victoria Falls. These experiences turn a safari into a full, well-rounded journey.
- —Hot-air balloon safaris over the Serengeti or Maasai Mara
- —Victoria Falls, white-water rafting and helicopter flights
- —Mokoro canoeing and walking safaris in Botswana and Zambia
And, of course, the beach
The classic “plus” remains a few days by the Indian Ocean. Ending in Zanzibar, the Seychelles or Mozambique lets you decompress after the early mornings of safari and fly home rested — the perfect counterpoint to the bush.
