Click below to jump to a specific safari partners that we work:
YZ Safari Suppliers
We are very proud to have built a strong reputation within the safari industry. As you can see from the below, we work with some of the most respected and biggest names in our industry.
"YZ has always been focused on providing the very best trips to its clients. That starts from the initial itinerary design and the individual skill of the specialists in our offices. The actual delivery of that goal, however, relies on the camps, lodges and guides on the ground in Africa. Over the years we've visited all of the best camps, many numerous times, creating genuinely lifelong friendships with owners of Africa's best safari camps. Those relationships are key; we only work with the best companies in Africa. We rely on them to execute safaris that our own clients repeatedly describe as life-changing. We're proud to say that our suppliers are the very best at what they do."
Wilderness
Along with Great Plains Conservation and Singita, Wilderness is one of our best high-end operators. It is particularly good in Botswana, offering a perfect balance between luxury and authenticity. Its flagship property is Wilderness Mombo Camp, Botswana.
Wilderness aims at sustainable conservation through responsible tourism. The company provides luxury safari experiences while helping to protect Africa’s wildlife heritage and sharing the benefits of tourism with the communities living close to its camps. Of the 2,800 staff who work for Wilderness, 85 per cent come from neighbouring communities.
YZ favourite properties:
Wilderness Mombo, Botswana
Wilderness Mombo is often described as the finest safari camp in Africa – and it has always been a favourite at YZ. Unbelievably good for game all year, Wilderness Mombo is a property that is often booked out over a year in advance.
Wilderness Bisate, Rwanda
Super-expensive but wonderfully designed, Wilderness Bisate is a truly stunning property with a price tag to match. It is a great option for gorilla and golden monkey trekking, in addition to all sorts of nature and cultural activities!
Wilderness Vumbura Plains, Botswana
Split into North and South camps, Wilderness Vumbura Plains is one of the few places in the Delta to offer wet and dry game viewing at any time of year. It's supremely expensive but seriously comfortable.
Singita
Singita
Singita is quite possibly the most luxurious of all the safari companies. Its lodges all offer exclusive private game viewing in remote areas rather than busy safari in national parks. It’s difficult not to use superlatives when describing the lodges as they are all ultra-luxurious. The company’s flagship lodges are Boulders and Lebombo in South Africa, and Sasakwa and Faru Faru in Tanzania.
Singita operates 15 lodges in total – 6 in Tanzania, 5 in South Africa, 2 in Zimbabwe, and 2 in Rwanda. The company was founded in 1993 when Singita Ebony Lodge was built on family-owned land in what is now the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Its aim was to share this beautiful area of bush, while respecting the natural environment and challenging accepted notions of luxury. It has grown considerably over the last 20 years but continues to provide the highest levels of luxury, all the while being environmentally friendly, assisting sustainable conservation, and ensuring the empowerment of local communities.
YZ favourite properties:
Singita Ebony, South Africa
Ebony Lodge was the first property to be constructed by the Singita collection in 1993. We've enjoyed every minute of Singita's evolution into one of the greatest suppliers of luxury in South Africa's Sabi Sands region.
Singita Lebombo, South Africa
Singita Lebombo has outstanding views, outrageously good food and service, and excellent game viewing. We literally cannot fault this property. Certainly one of Africa's finest and most unique safari lodges.
Singita Faru Faru, Tanzania
Faru Faru, meaning ‘Rhino Rhino’, looks out over a watering hole onto Grumeti River. We think it is nothing short of exceptional, especially fantastic for the Great Migration from May to July.
Nomad
Nomad Tanzania
Nomad Tanzania is definitely for clients with a sense of adventure, and it’s known for its commitment to conservation and the quality of its guides.
We love this company as it is about as safari focused as you can get. The camps are in absolutely amazing locations – beautifully rugged – but probably too rugged for some people. If you’re looking for high luxury with marble baths and so on, this company is not right for you.
YZ favourite properties:
Lamai Serengeti, Tanzania
Lamai is a stunning property located on top of a rock kopje, giving it unbeatable views of the whole park. The service is extremely good (only a handful of camps may be able to beat it), but for us, the real highlight are the guides.
Greystoke Mahale, Tanzania
This is one of Africa's finest and most famous camps. The main thing to do at Greystoke is chimpanzee trekking. With a backdrop of the Mahale Mountains, this is the greatest place to spot some chimps.
Sand Rivers, Tanzania
This property epitomizes the very essence of Nyerere (formerly Selous). Great for walking safaris and excellent for boating trips, this is a seriously well-run camp that has an incredibly well-established reputation. First-class, especially in the suites.
Asilia
Asilia Africa
Asilia is well known for its high-quality and good-value luxury accommodation in Tanzania – however, please note that its level of luxury is not in the same league as companies such as &Beyond, Wilderness Safaris, and Singita. The focus is more on value and their camps tend to have great locations. Asilia’s flagship camp is Sayari, but Olivers is also very popular. The company is interested in eco-tourism and conservation of wilderness areas.
YZ favourite properties:
Namiri Plains, Tanzania
After its recent redesign, Namiri looks incredible! It’s always been excellent for its remote location and phenomenal wildlife. Now it will appeal to those looking for a high level of luxury and design too.
Olakira, Tanzania
This is Asilia's best mobile camp in our opinion. Aimed at delivering the finest wilderness experiences on the continent, its location from July to October, with river crossings on tap, is superb!
Oliver's, Tanzania
Established in 1992 by Paul Oliver, this old-school camp has always aimed to provide an authentic base within the wildlife-rich Tarangire. With a recent makeover, it still remains a real contender.
Time+Tide
Time+Tide
Time+Time is our favourite Luangwa safari company; it typifies Zambian safaris and gives a real sense of adventure. It is particularly well known for its small intimate camps, walking camps, and focus on guiding.
Time + Tide was first established as Norman Carr Safaris, more than 60 years ago, and was one of the original safari companies in Africa. During a time when most people went on safari to shoot animals, Norman Carr introduced the idea of taking people on safari to look at the wildlife and photograph it. He also saw the importance of involving the local community – when he established his first camp, he did so in partnership with the local chief Nsefu. He also introduced the first walking safari.
The company has continued to follow Norman Carr’s ethos ever since those early days, working closely with the local community and aiming at conservation through tourism. It’s one of the only big companies that is still owner-run.
YZ favourite properties:
Mchenja Bush, Zambia
Mchenja is one of our favourite bushcamps in the South Luangwa! It boasts a lovely location on the Luangwa river, good food, great guides, and access to a truly superb game-viewing area.
Kakuli Bush, Zambia
This fantastic little bushcamp has a stunning location on the Luangwa river and provides both walks and game drives. It offers excellent guiding, and with only five guest rooms it is highly personal.
Chinzombo, Zambia
This property is ideal for travellers who like their creature comforts while on safari! Unlike the authentic little bushcamps in the area, Chinzombo is stylish and super-luxurious, offering villa accommodation.
African Bush Camps
African Bush Camps
We think that African Bush Camps (ABC) offer an amazing experience at a very good price. All the camps are located in prime game-viewing areas and they are incredibly well run, with some of the best guides in the region. The camps offer a high level of comfort, but with ABC it is all about exploring remote areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe.
ABC is a small and independently owned company run by one of Africa’s top safari guides, Beks Ndlovu, and his wife Sophie. ABC’s concept has remained the same over the years, with them focusing on tented accommodation that features high-quality guiding and hosts. The company portfolio has grown over the years and they now have properties in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Victoria Falls.
YZ favourite properties:
Somalisa Acacia, Zimbabwe
A great little camp for travellers in search of that authentic safari experience, Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly safari camp in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. Highly recommend if you are a fan of elephants.
Linyanti Bush, Botswana
Considering the quality of the game-viewing area here, this little camp is excellent value for money in the Linyanti. June to November for game viewing is superb. The rooms are spacious and well designed.
Zambezi Expeditions, Zimbabwe
Set on the banks of the Zambezi, this little bush camp takes full advantage of its easy access to both the water and the floodplains. The diversity of activities on offer ensures there is something for everyone.
Desert_Delta
Desert & Delta Safaris
Desert & Delta is perfect for guests hoping to experience the highlights of Botswana. The company runs camps in some of the country’s most established safari areas, and among the range of activities you can enjoy are expertly guided game drives, mokoro excursions, boat trips, and walking safaris.
Founded in 1982, Desert & Delta offers luxurious accommodation in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, the Savute region, and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The company seeks to develop the human potential of tourism across the country, by providing a true wilderness experience in some of the most pristine areas.
All of Desert & Delta’s properties are managed by local citizens. As well as offering deluxe guest rooms, suites, or even chalets, each camp or lodge exudes warm hospitality.
YZ favourite properties:
Camp Okavango, Botswana
Located deep in the Delta, Camp Okavango’s recent refurbishment sees it as one of the most luxurious water camps and one of the very best. We love combining this property with one of its sister camps.
Camp Xakanaxa, Botswana
We have always loved Xakanaxa. Some people can pick holes in the lack of activities on offer, but game viewing is seriously good here and the camp has a tangible character. An excellent choice in our opinion.
Savute Safari, Botswana
Though Desert & Delta offers an impressive portfolio, Savute Safari Lodge is one of our all-time favourites. Sitting on the deck and watching elephants walk towards the waterhole is truly special.
Great Plains
Great Plains Conservation
Great Plains is one of several independent safari companies operating properties where we like to send our clients. They run excellent camps in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Contenders for some of the best camps anywhere!
Great Plains is slightly different from other eco-tourism companies, most of which try to run a successful business while helping conservation at the same time. The Great Plains priority is to help conservation rather than make money. The company’s aim is to protect the world’s wildlife, parks, and wilderness presently threatened by the increase of populations and the advent of tourism.
The company was founded by National Geographic photographers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, and Colin Bell, the ex-CEO of Wilderness Safaris. It has set up conservation projects in a number of diverse and threatened habitats both in Africa and around the Indian Ocean.
YZ favourite properties:
Duba Explorers, Botswana
YZ recommends Duba Explorers Camp for travellers seeking very comfortable accommodation within a wildlife-rich region of the spectacular Okavango Delta. We are big fans of Explorers, a great high-quality camp.
Mara Plains, Kenya
Mara Plains Camp is definitely one of the top-top camps in the Mara conservancies! Everything about it is seriously top-notch, among the very best in Kenya. If you love luxury safari, you will love it here!
Ol Donyo, Kenya
If you like a little luxury on safari, Ol Donyo is one of the best options in the area of Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills! This is a fab-looking property with commendable conservation values at its heart.
Beyond
&Beyond
&Beyond is one of our most luxurious suppliers. This company is most famous for its East African properties, such as Crater Lodge, Mnemba Island Lodge, and Klein’s Camp, but it also has excellent lodges in South Africa and Botswana, as well as a couple in Kenya and Namibia.
&Beyond is known for its natural luxury and the quality of its guides, trackers, and naturalists, who help guests achieve memorable wildlife experiences. It’s particularly good for single travellers as there are no single supplements.
Previously known as CCAfrica (Conservation Corporation Africa), &Beyond has the core ethic of ‘Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People’. It believes that wildlife conservation and ecotourism are vital for Africa’s future, and that low-impact, high-yield tourism helps the conservation of both wildlife and its habitat, by making it economically viable, while at the same time benefiting the local communities.
YZ favourite properties:
Mnemba Island, Tanzania
Mnemba Island is a picture-perfect Maldives-style island showcasing barefoot, Robinson Crusoe-style living at its blissed-out best. Set on a private island, it takes Africa’s title for best beach property.
Kirkman's Kamp, South Africa
Located in South Africa's Sabi Sands, Kirkman’s Kamp is certainly a YZ office favourite. With consistently epic wildlife sightings and a superb river location, you cannot go wrong with a stay here.
Sandibe Okavango Safari, Botswana
Though on the high-end of a budget, Sandibe is a super-luxury camp that is nothing short of exceptional. Located in the Delta, it is worth the price tag, especially in shoulder and low seasons for better value.
Selous safari company
Selous Safari Company
This is a small company based in Tanzania. It has two luxury tented camps in southern Tanzania, and a lovely beach lodge on the mainland coast.
We’ve known Selous Safari Company for many years, and believe that it offers one of the best-value safaris anywhere in Africa. You cannot go wrong with a circuit of its properties.
YZ favourite properties:
Siwandu, Tanzania
Siwandu Camp is one of the best lodges in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park, and is well-priced to boot! As one of the oldest camps in the reserve, it has a great location right on the banks of Lake Nzerakera.
Jongomero, Tanzania
Jongomero’s good rooms and rates are certainly fine selling points; however, it is the camp's location that sets it apart. Consider Jongomero if you want to be in a remote location in the deep south of Ruaha.
Fanjove Island, Tanzania
Fanjove Island is one of Tanzania's most exclusive beach destinations. Surrounded by powder-white, sand beaches, and crystal clear Indian Ocean water, this island has an enormous lagoon and 11 km of coral reef.
Robin Pope
Robin Pope Safaris
Robin Pope is a great little company, well known for its walking expeditions across the Luangwa and trips out to the Liuwa in western Zambia.
Robin Pope grew up in Zambia and began working for Zambia Safaris in 1975. Ten years later he started his own company, Robin Pope Safaris, and opened his first camp, Tena Tena, in 1986. The company has grown over the years and now has several camps in the South Luangwa, Zambia, as well as a safari lodge just 3 km away from the spectacular Victoria Falls.
YZ favourite properties:
Nkwali, Zambia
With private access into the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is well-located for a great safari. Here, you can go on a walking safari, night drive, and experience seasonal boating activities.
Luangwa Safari House, Zambia
Luangwa Safari House is a uniquely designed house made out of stone and thatch. One side of the house is castle-like, while the other side is totally open, with wonderful views of the seasonal lagoon outside.
RP's Mobile Walking Safari, Zambia
Robin Pope's Mobile Walking Safari is a superb camp that offers an incredible experience at a very high standard. The staff and quality of guiding makes this one of the best ways to explore the South Luangwa.
Remote Africa
Remote Africa
Remote by name and nature, this family-run safari operator has a handful of intimate camps spread across Zambia’s Luangwa region.
John Coppinger, the founder of Remote Africa, guided and worked, along with his wife Carol, at Robin Pope’s Nsefu Camp until the mid-1990s. Together, they then built and ran their first camp Tafika in the South Luangwa. Although the company remains in the family, Remote Africa has expanded to five camps, two national parks, and over 100 staff.
Remote Africa’s ethos has always been to build camps with local materials and utilise local skills as much as possible. Almost all the wildlife guides are from the immediate area and have received their training from scratch.
YZ favourite properties:
Tafika, Zambia
With stunning views of a sweeping bend in the Luangwa River, Tafika is a safari enthusiast’s dream! A family-run camp, it has a traditional safari feel with a back-to-basics approach - a very adventurous camp.
Chikoko Tree, Zambia
What a truly fantastic camp...Chikoko Tree Camp is one of the purest safari experiences we know – adventurous and authentic, yet very high quality. You will not find guiding this good in many places.
Mwaleshi, Zambia
Mwaleshi Camp is located in the walking-only zone of North Luangwa. It is one of Africa’s finest walking camps, home to some of the best guiding you will find on the continent. A real safari heaven!
Elewana Collection
Elewana Collection
Elewana offers a particularly good safari circuit if you use its properties in North Tanzania – Tarangire followed by Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar. It’s the only company to operate this full circuit.
The company’s ethos is to have as little impact on the environment as possible and to engage with local communities. It tries to use local materials, local craftsmen, and recyclable products. Each camp works closely with local community projects, and tries to employ and train the local people.
YZ favourite properties:
Arusha Coffee, Tanzania
Arusha Coffee Lodge lies on the rolling foothills of Arusha's outskirts. Hidden among coffee plantations, it is a property that we have used for years and constantly delivers well for our clients.
The Manor at Ngorongoro, Tanzania
The Manor has gained a great reputation for its sheer individuality! The interiors stick closely to the style of a traditional manor house and are very luxurious – think wooden beams and heavy wooden furniture.
Sand River, Kenya
If you like a little luxury on safari, you’ll love Sand River! This property provides a glamorous 1920s-style base (think Persian rugs, billiards...) from which to go on safari in the Maasai Mara.
Kwando Safaris
Kwando Safaris
Kwando has built a circuit of intimate and exclusive camps around northern Botswana, enabling guests to enjoy the best of Botswana’s wilderness areas and its wildlife. It even operates two camps in Botswana’s desert areas.
We think Kwando is very good. It is known for being ‘safari focused’ as opposed to solely ‘hospitality focused’. It offers adventure and a little bit of luxury – not on the same level as the ultra-luxurious lodges like Singita – but very comfortable nonetheless.
YZ favourite camps:
Kwando, Botswana
Lagoon is one of only two camps situated in the enormous Kwando Reserve, the other being Lebala. Both are owned and run by Kwando Safaris. Lagoon is our tip for travellers seeking both land and water activities.
Lebala, Botswana
Lebala means ‘wide open spaces’. One of the best big game camps in Africa, it’s authentic rather than stylised, with classic safari experiences its priority. It has a strong reputation for excellent guiding.
Splash, Botswana
Located in the heartlands of the Okavango Delta, Splash Camp is set up around a pan that attracts plenty of wildlife! With high standards of guiding, this is a very good option for the Okavango's private reserves.
Sanctuary Retreats
Sanctuary Retreats
Sanctuary is an extremely high-end company with a focus on the US market. It has some very good camps in Botswana, Tanzania, and Kenya.
A luxury adventure travel company, it originated in 1999 when its first Lodge, Sanctuary Okenana, was opened in Kenya. The company has grown steadily since then, and now owns and operates an additional 13 lodges and camps in Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, and Uganda.
YZ favourite properties:
Swala, Tanzania
Swala Camp is highly recommended for travellers seeking a deluxe base from which to explore Tarangire. It has great character and as it is located within the park, a great camp for wildlife!
Chief's, Botswana
Are you after a super-luxurious safari? Then definitely consider Chief's Camp, Sanctuary's flagship Botswana property. It carries a heft price tag, but worth it for the location and views.
Gorilla Forest, Uganda
Gorilla Forest Camp is perfect for travellers who like the idea of basing themselves within Bwindi for gorilla tracking, rather than outside the park’s borders. It also happens to be a great camp.
Shenton Safaris
Shenton Safaris
Another family-run company based out of Zambia, Shenton Safaris is owned and operated by Derek and Jules Shenton. While Derek is a third-generation conservationist and safari guide, Jules is a zoologist and wildlife photographer. Together, they are the perfect pair to create quality camps that focus on the traditional safari experience.
They established Kaingo Camp in 1992 and Mwamba Camp in 2000, and have developed these properties with the photographer in mind – we highly recommend their hides for Nat Geo-worthy photos.
If you want to book a safari with one of the reputable suppliers above, contact us here - or for more inspiration, take a look below: