Madagascar Hidden Gems

At Aardvark, you’ll find that we don’t sell any camps or lodges that we haven’t visited ourselves and that after more than 16 years in the business, we’re still passionate about creating customized safaris that will introduce you to the Africa we know and love.

From a one room, two man enterprise, we now have four small offices in the US and UK that are well stocked with smart, dedicated, patient safari consultants who know their stuff. When we’re not riding through the Okavango Delta, hopping on helicopters in Zambia, climbing sand dunes in Namibia, on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, exploring Kenya’s wildlife with our own children, self-driving in South Africa or sneaking photo opportunities with gorillas, we’re arranging the best customized safaris in the business.

Whether you’re a safari first timer or a veteran, it’s great to know you’re in safe hands. Read on to find out that you won’t pay more for our expertise than if you booked the safari yourself, and that we work hard to give back to the animals and people that make Africa so special. We’re proud to be a small, dynamic company. We’ve stayed close to our roots and we think you’ll find that makes all the difference.

Why Aardvark

At Aardvark Safaris, we know that no two clients are alike, that bigger isn’t better and tailor-made is best. From out and out adventure to the lap of luxury, we bring your dreams to life using our expertise to create unforgettable journeys. Hidden gems, extraordinary access, out of the way places — that’s the Aardvark way. That’s Africa, your way.

A safari is a once in a lifetime experience and we want your safari to be perfect…for you.  We won’t suggest a camp or lodge to you until we get to know your wishes and requirements. And we won’t recommend it unless one of our specialists has been there, has walked with the guides, eaten the food and slept in the beds.

We travel every few months to see new properties and to re-visit old favorites. It is only by spending time on the ground that we can be sure we are offering you the best advice.

Where possible, we will use small, owner run camps and lodges that are ideally located so you can enjoy the bush off the beaten track. We also understand that a guide can make or break your trip. The small camps we use employ better guides with more experience, charisma and unmatched local knowledge.

Our approach combines decades of experience with an exceptional service. We’ll be with you every step of the way, from designing your itinerary to advising you what to pack to monitoring your progress as you travel. More than 70% of our clients come from repeat business or word of mouth and we strive to exceed expectations, every time.

We’ll get you away from the crowds during the wildebeest migration, introduce you to the gorilla vets in Rwanda, find you Botswana’s top specialist guides, create unscripted and meaningful cultural exchanges in townships, villages, schools and clinics, get you into the top restaurants in Cape Town and ensure you have the finest pilot for your Namibian flying safari.

On your return, we want to hear about your trip and find that client feedback (both good and occasionally bad) helps keep us abreast of changes on the ground.

We’re passionate about safaris and know that travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Whether you are a single traveler, couple, multi-generational family or a group, we can help you plan an itinerary with insider access and experiences that surprise and delight to ensure that you enjoy the real Africa with absolute confidence and security.