By Tarrant, Luxury Travel Advisor at Pique Season Travel
A safari is easy to dream about and surprisingly hard to plan. The questions arrive all at once. Which country. Which month. Which of the forty camps that all claim to be “intimate.” How you get from one lodge to the next when the runway is a strip of red dirt and a windsock.
Most people open a dozen tabs, collect conflicting advice, and quietly close the laptop. I understand the impulse. I also think the bush deserves better than a guess.
I’m Tarrant, a luxury travel advisor with Pique Season Travel, based in Hawaiʻi and part of the Fora travel network. I plan custom luxury safaris across Africa, from the first idea to the final transfer.
Not All Safaris Are Built the Same
The word “safari” covers a lot of ground, literally. Each of these is a different trip, with a different region, season, and style of camp.
The Great Migration
Over a million wildebeest moving through Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti, with the dramatic Mara River crossings typically from July through October. Timing and camp location decide whether you see it or hear about it.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
An hour in the forests of Rwanda or Uganda with a gorilla family is quieter and more personal than any game drive. Permits are limited, so this one rewards early planning.
The Okavango Delta
Botswana’s water world, explored by mokoro canoe at sunrise and small plane between camps. Remote, low-density, and best from June through October.
How I Match You With the Right Safari
I pair clients with safari partners I trust based on three things: what you want to see, how you like to travel, and the budget you’re working with. Classic canvas tented camp or a private villa with a plunge pool. Game drives or walking safaris. A family trip with kids or a honeymoon for two. We settle all of that before anything is booked.
Before and After the Bush
A safari pairs beautifully with a few days elsewhere. Start with the pyramids in Egypt, the souks of Marrakech, or the vineyards and coastline of Cape Town. Finish with barefoot days in Zanzibar or the Seychelles, a lakeside hotel, or a slow week in the European countryside before the long flight home.
You bring the curiosity. I’ll build the trip around it.
Safari Planning FAQ
When is the best time to see the Great Migration?
River crossings in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s northern Serengeti usually happen from July through October. Calving season in the southern Serengeti runs roughly January through February, when predator activity is at its peak.
Should I go on safari in Kenya or Tanzania?
Both share the Great Migration. Kenya’s Masai Mara is compact, with private conservancies that limit vehicles and allow night drives. Tanzania offers more sheer space across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The right choice depends on your travel month and how remote you want to feel.
Where can you see mountain gorillas?
Mountain gorillas live in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is the most accessible for luxury travelers. Trekking permits are limited each day, so booking well in advance is essential.
When is the best time to visit the Okavango Delta?
June through October is peak season in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Floodwaters are high, the weather is dry, and wildlife concentrates around the water. Many camps are reachable only by small aircraft.
How far in advance should I book a luxury safari?
Plan on 9 to 12 months for peak season, especially for Great Migration river crossings, gorilla permits, and small camps with only a handful of tents. Shoulder seasons can sometimes be arranged with less notice.
Can I combine a safari with other destinations?
Yes. Popular pre-safari stops include Egypt, Marrakech, and Cape Town. Popular post-safari extensions include beach time in Zanzibar or the Seychelles, a lakeside hotel, or a few slow days in the European countryside before flying home.
Do I need a travel advisor to book a luxury safari?
You don’t need one, but an advisor with direct partner relationships can secure the right camps, coordinate bush flights and transfers, and often add perks that aren’t available when booking direct. Pique Season Travel plans custom safaris through trusted partners across Africa.
Start Planning Your Safari
Email concierge@piqueseasontravel.com and tell me what you’re curious about. We’ll take it from there.