Africa + Indian Ocean
If you’re an Africa first-timer, nothing can prepare you for the emotional impact of standing in this ancient landscape, face-to-face with its extraordinary wildlife.
And even if you have already visited parts of this amazing continent, every return journey delivers a new sense of wonder.
We have one client who has visited Africa over 20 times with us but still we can deliver something exciting and new. We just need to understand you and what you are looking for.
The region has developed out of all recognition over the three decades that we have worked there, and the proliferation of lodges, camps and hotels means that there’s more need than ever for help and guidance in designing a trip that’s exactly right for you.
Only someone who has personal experience of all the options can deliver a properly balanced itinerary…and, even more importantly, the best guides – because the choice of guide can make or break a private safari.
where to go with c+l in Africa+the Indian Ocean
destination spotlight (four to consider)
Uganda
best visited: July - oct
Susie Cazenove and Henrietta Loyd travelled to Uganda together in the mid-90's when 'high end' wildlife tourism was in its infancy and it was still pretty raw. It is still an adventurous destination-especially when travelling between areas by road- but an improved air charter network and good links with scheduled carriers from Tanzania and Kenya, make it a great combination for those seeking something different. The incredible, lush and unspoilt habitat has not change one iota and it is still to many the most beautiful landscape in East Africa. And the quality of the lodges and guiding is unrecognisable- still not on a par with the luxury of South Africa or Botswana but very comfortable and well-managed. The big draw to Uganda (and neighbouring Rwanda) are the primates and the more advance warning, the better as Mountain Gorilla permits are strictly limited. But for those who want to see East Africa with a difference Uganda without the gorillas delivers some really refreshing surprises and one of the warmest and most genuine welcomes in Africa.
morocco
best visited: feb - june
Clients (thankfully) return to us again and again to organise that very special holiday to a destination which they know that we understand. But they also recognise that our knowledge on the ground means that we can do much more. Every year we are asked by a handful of clients to organise parties to celebrate landmark birthdays or anniversaries. We have done this in South Africa, in India and in Brazil but few destinations are better suited to this sort of celebration than Morocco. It has the exoticism of the long haul destination but the accessibility for a shorter visit. And it has a huge variety of accommodation, and we know the owners of the different riads, hotels and kasbahs who can deliver an exotic experience. This we design with them in combination with the help and enthusiasm of our cultural and activity guides. Everyone has friends and family with their particular whims and fancies.......and we like to think that we can cater for all of them. Be it five people or one hundred, we can organise a very memorable party.
botswana
best visited: May - oct
This is where c+l started. And it still does not disappoint. Why after all these years does it still deliver? Most importantly careful wildlife and habitat management has meant that a strict limit has been put on the number and type of lodges permitted. Yes, this does make a safari in the country expensive but it has meant that the wildlife and wilderness experience is second to none. And if you are only going to Africa once, there are a variety of habitats and experiences in close proximity- mokoros in the Okavango Delta, quad bikes in the desert and 'traditional' 4x4 game-viewing. And each easily accessed by a highly efficient system of small, charter aircraft. For a honeymoon or anniversary, there is real luxury and very special private dinners will be set up in romantic spots. For a family there is the ability to do a traditional and very interactive safari and the proximity of the Victoria Falls ticks the boxes for the adrenalin seeking teenager. And for the serial Africa-phile, we have guides of a quality to open the eyes of even the most travelled or informed wildlife enthusiast.
seychelles
best visited: Feb - dec
To be honest, (and with no ownership of properties/ground handlers or allocations of rooms we can be), the Seychelles a decade ago did not offer value for money. Now, whilst still expensive, the best lodges really are world class. And there is now also a choice between the slightly more Mauritius-style hotel and the more barefoot-chic Maldivian-style lodge. Flights to South Africa and to Kenya mean that, for those with the budget, the Seychelles offers the best beach add-on to a safari holiday. Added to that the rich marine life means that, for divers and snorkellers, the safari holiday continues. For those who want more from their beach holiday, the ability easily to combine two or three very different islands into the same itinerary with easy light aircrafts flights between them allows fascinating variety of wildlife and habitat and a different beach every day of a two week holiday. The Seychelles will never match Mauritius for the glitz of hotels and slickness of service and that is what makes it so unique and the small island culture and pace of life so appealing to those who love the pace of Africa.
