A majestic lion relaxing on a branch in the African savannah landscape.

Privately guided safaris

With a private guide on your trip, you get access to deep local knowledge and destination expertise for the ultimate exclusive travel experience.

Plan Your Safari

What are privately guided safaris? 

Our safaris are led by specialist private guides who either have deep local knowledge of the destination you’re visiting, or are experts in the particular activities you’ll do. More than experts, our private guides are gifted in their ability to bring people together and craft meaningful, one-of-a-kind journeys.

For many of our guests, our guides are one of the main reasons they return to travel with us again.

Majestic male lions in the wild with tourists on a thrilling safari adventure experience.

Why go on a privately guided safari?

Travel tailored to your interests

With over 40 years of experience creating unique adventure travel, we understand the importance of listening to our guests. We’ll craft a trip that is completely tailored to your interests, previous experiences and group requirements.

In-depth exploration

We craft journeys that go far beyond the ordinary, rooted in deep exploration and defined by rare access. Whether it's tracking lion prides in the Serengeti or sharing tea with bullock-back nomads in Chad, every experience is selected for its power to surprise, move and transform.

A completely flexible itinerary

No two journeys are ever alike, and we shape each itinerary through a deep understanding of how you wish you travel, where you’d like to go, and your previous travel experiences. From there, we tailor every detail—from accommodation style and group dynamics to your budget.

Plan Your Safari

Meet the Explorer. Hannah Strand

Raised in Tanzania and shaped by a deep connection to the continent, Hannah spent much of her early childhood in camp with her parents and the rest of the Explorer safari crew. Today, she’s passionate about sharing her love of Africa with others.

As a private guide, Hannah designs safaris to exclusive locations that are both luxurious and thoughtfully paced, allowing space for stillness, wonder and a true connection with nature. She’s also passionate about visiting areas outside of the national parks where communities are fighting for the balance to coexist with nature.

“A truly meaningful safari isn't just about the wildlife. It's about the big picture of how everything works so intricately together in these immense ecosystems, and the feelings that arise once your perspective shifts.”

Our Story

Woman in white dress twirling with orange scarf in desert landscape against blue sky backdrop.

What do you want to experience?

Be inspired with this selection of experiences you could have on your Explorer journey. Have something else you’re passionate about seeing or doing? We’ll curate your dream adventure tailored to your specific interests, group and travel style.

Exceptional safaris

Choose from a multitude of game-rich safari locations across the country, with highlights including The Great Migration in the Serengeti and the magnificent elephant herds of Tarangire National Park.

Tanzania

Horse riding & yoga safari

Connect with nature and yourself on the ultimate wellness combination: a horse-riding and yoga safari in Tanzania’s elephant country.

Tanzania

Gorilla trekking

Step into Diane Fossey’s shoes and go gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park to see one of the world’s oldest primate habituation and research projects.

Rwanda

Victoria Nile fishing

Fish for the infamous Nile Perch of tremendous size in crocodile infested waters of the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls.

Uganda

Nomad trade routes

Follow the ancient nomadic trade routes, whether by camel caravan or 4x4. Step back in time as you stop by crumbling kasbahs that once served as mandatory tax donations of goods.

Morocco

Private pyramid viewing

Get exclusive access to the pyramids with no one else around, allowing you to view these profound historical sites in complete privacy.

Egypt

Explorer the Nile

Explore ancient temples, tombs, and historical sites as you sail down the Nile River on a luxurious sailing barge for a truly exclusive experience.

Egypt

Photographic safari

Spend the night in an underground photographic hide, waiting for animals to seek out a drink at nearby waterholes in the coolest hours of the day.

Botswana

Discover

Guiding in the Okavango Delta
Bush lunch with guests.
Children on safari
Elephant in front of truck
Leopold
Maasai in Starry Night

We have done two safaris with Explorer (dry season and wet season) with Hannah as our guide, and we cannot fathom experiencing Tanzania any other way! Hannah is organized, attentive, knowledgeable, and the most gracious host!

Susannah Wessel

Everything was done with the eye of perfection. The guides were fun, funny, knowledgeable, inclusive, kind... I could go on and on.

Emily Ashenbrenner

Gary led us through the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania and gave our family a gift we will never forget; a reminder of the true nature of our beautiful and wild world. And, of course the big 5!

Mary Ann Paul

The experience of driving across the Serengeti observing the ever changing landscape—verdant green scrubs, tall grasses and the occasional acacia tree as far as the eye can see—is primordial. The feeling it evokes is indescribable.

Sandra Hirsh

First of all, Tanzania is a magical place. But to have been privileged to have seen most of it in the company of Gary Strand and Explorer has made it even more so.

Warren Buckholder

It was magical to share the wild things and places of Tanzania with old friends Hannah Strand and Urassa, who made it even more special for my sons, daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.

Lonnie and Debbie Bailey

Accommodation

Our handpicked lodges, retreats and private residences embody exclusivity and authenticity. Some, like our private camps in Tanzania, are our own; others we know and have visited often — but all feel like your luxury home away from home.

View Our Properties

Luxurious safari-themed bedroom with cozy canopy bed and warm natural lighting features.

FAQs

Have a question about our privately guided safaris? Read our most frequently asked questions, or contact us if you need more information.

Contact Us

Are private guides paid separately to the trip cost?

No, this is included in the overall cost as per your itinerary. 

How long does the planning process take?

Privately guided trips normally take 12-24 months in advance unless you’re travelling outside of peak times. This is to allow time to plan and ensure guides and destination availability. The trip itinerary and costing typically takes around four weeks to finalise. 

Can I choose my own private guide?

We pair our groups with the best possible private guides available. Depending on availability, you may be able to choose the same guide you’ve had before.

Is the private guide with me for the whole trip?

Generally speaking, your private guide will be with you from the moment you touch down on arrival until you depart again from the airport (or as near to this as possible). If your group has planned an extension, such as a Zanzibar add-on to a safari, your guide will be with you until you leave your main trip.

Your privately guided African adventure awaits

Start planning your own privately guided trip today.

Plan Your Safari

A man captures the vibrant orange sunset with his silhouette against sky colors.