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Safari has never stood still. As travelers seek more purposeful, immersive, and personal adventures, the traditional game drive is being reimagined, shaped around curiosity, wellbeing, and connection. Whether traveling alone, chasing a passion, or simply pressing pause, here are six fresh ways to experience safaris.
1. The Solo Safari
There’s something beautifully grounding about venturing into the wild on your own. Far from being lonely, a solo safari opens space for reflection, spontaneity, and self-discovery.
Travel outside peak seasons and the rewards multiply: Tourism outside of peak seasons offers the chance to experience similar wildlife encounters and beautiful landscapes without the crowds. During the quieter periods, you’ll find more exclusivity and privacy. The staff can offer more personalized attention, which adds a special touch to your experience.
Somalisa Camp is a true luxury safari experience offering no single supplement at certain times of the year. A comfortable and elegant camp both inside and out, each tented suite has en-suite facilities and even a glass wood-burning fireplace for those cool Zimbabwean nights.
If you're in the process of planning a luxury solo safari, partner with Mahlatini to ensure it is extraordinary. Apart from receiving expert advice, you can also enjoy 24/7 support, and full financial protection with funds secured in Trust. To speak to a travel expert, or start building your itinerary, explore our trip planner.
2. Female-only Expeditions
Forget the stereotypes! Today’s women are scaling mountains, sleeping under the stars, and pushing the boundaries of adventure. Female-led and female-only safaris are on the rise, offering women a safe, empowering space to explore, connect, and be challenged.
At Segera Retreat in Laikipia, Kenya, travelers can join local women at the SATUBO beading collective, walk with anti-poaching dog units, take a flight in the famous yellow biplane from the Hollywood film, ‘Out of Africa’, or dive into ancient traditions like beekeeping.
For animal enthusiasts, the Kalahari horse safari offered by Natural Selection is an epic adventure. Another idea is embarking on an ant safari in the Waterberg, or tracking endangered black rhino on foot with expert guides at Saruni Rhino in Samburu, Kenya.
With more female guides and conservationists taking the lead across Africa’s reserves, these journeys offer a new unfiltered and enriching lens on the wilderness.
3. Passion-led Safaris
Whether it's photography, astronomy, or conservation, building your safari around an interest transforms it from a vacation into a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Ol Donyo Lodge between Tsavo and Amboseli is a photographer’s dream, with two hides positioned at waterholes for capturing wildlife up close—one sunken for eye-level shots, the other open-air. Meanwhile, at Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, guests can immerse themselves in conservation by joining a rhino notching or elephant collaring operation, or tracking endangered pangolins with expert teams. Kwandwe also offer a wonderful 4-day Rhino conservation safari. Zambia is home of the walking safari and offers incredible opportunities to track animals, and enjoy a slower, more intimate connection with nature, often guided by local trackers who teach about flora, fauna, and traditional tracking techniques.
For cultural enthusiasts, travelers can enjoy traditional blessings with a lesser-known offshoot of the Maasai in remote Serengeti regions for an experience far removed from the tourist trail.
4. Educational Safaris
Educational safaris offer hands-on experiences led by specialists in conservation, ecology, and astronomy. With 80% of the world’s land affected by light pollution, astrotourism is fast becoming a major drawcard. In Namibia, where the night skies are among the clearest on Earth, guests at Little Kulala can experience a Star Safari, guided by expert astronomers using telescopes, digital sky maps, and astrophotography-grade equipment to uncover the secrets of the cosmos. Sleepouts in their signature Star Beds place you under a blanket of stars, with zero light pollution and the full galaxy above you.
Further afield, in the foothills of the Himalayas, Glenburn Tea Estate in India offers walking safaris led by resident guides who delve into local birdlife, plant species, and rural traditions.
5. The Joy of Doing Nothing
Wellness isn’t about rigid checklists, it’s about recalibrating, reconnecting with nature, and discovering what truly restores you.
Today’s luxury is time, space, and stillness...
This softer, more intuitive form of travel is gaining ground, as travelers move away from hyper-scheduled wellness retreats towards mindful, joyful restoration.
In Bhutan, the birthplace of Gross National Happiness, stillness takes on sacred meaning. At Gangtey Lodge, guests are invited to slow down and soak up the serenity of the Phobjikha Valley. Whether it’s meditative forest walks, soaking in a candlelit stone bath with valley views, or taking part in traditional Buddhist blessings with local monks, every moment here is about deep, soulful connection. Likewise, Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge in Botswana blends safari and stillness, with the chance to track endangered African wild dogs in the morning, and savor quiet moments overlooking the Okavango Delta in the afternoon. It’s not about ticking boxes—it’s about truly being present.
6. Art Safaris
Creativity meets conservation in Africa’s growing art safari scene. Cheetah Plains hosts Art on Safari sessions for solo travelers. At Segera, guests explore a world-class African art collection and engage with local artists. Xigera in Botswana is a gallery in the wild, with works commissioned from leading African creatives. Singita Sabi Sand curates rotating exhibitions, while Mateya and Tswalu house exceptional collections and run artist-in-residence programs. These lodges offer art lovers the chance to immerse themselves in Africa’s visual storytelling.
The Evolution of Safaris
The safari experience is evolving as lodges are moving beyond traditional game drives to meet traveler demand for authenticity, purpose, and personal growth. Slower travel and longer stays mean guests can now choose immersive itineraries that balance adventure with impact.
Planning your unique safari experience with Mahlatini means benefitting from the peace of mind that comes with working alongside a trusted, award-winning tour operator. With financial travel protection, seamless itinerary planning and first-hand destination knowledge, we consider every detail so you can fully soak up the safari experience.
Explore our itineraries, or get in touch with an Indo-African travel expert in order to create your dream safari vacation, with every aspect tailored to your interests and passions.
