First Time to Africa?

Let us help you pick the perfect safari and wildlife destinations to ensure your ideal luxury safari experience.

Our safari camps are located in some of Africa’s most iconic areas.

Our wildlife guides are hand-picked for their knowledge, insights and effortless style of hosting you.

– Dereck Joubert

First time to Africa on Safari ?

If you are feeling a little overwhelmed by planning your first time to Africa on safari, and what to expect on your first safari, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

At Great Plains Conservation, we curate luxury safari experiences that immerse you in iconic wildlife destinations while supporting vital conservation efforts.

Our safari camps are found in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe — each offering distinct landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable encounters. Whether you seek adventure, romance, stillness, or storytelling, we will help you craft a personalised journey centred around your interests and travel style.

We offer two styles of accommodation to choose from: Explorer-Collection and Réserve-Collection safari camps. Whilst trying to decide which camp may be better than the next, it is really down to your personal choice. Rest assured that the wildlife experience, cuisine, beverages, service, and guide qualifications are identical in all the areas in which we are located.

Discover the Great Plains Collection of Camps

We understand that planning your first time to Africa on safari can feel daunting. That is why we are here to support and inspire you. Use the destination map and inspiration pages below to explore more about what each region has to offer.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Botswana

Botswana – For Untamed Beauty and Water-Based Safaris

Often chosen by first-time safari travellers, Botswana offers an exceptional blend of dramatic wildlife encounters and untouched wilderness. Here we offer safaris in the well-known private Selinda, Duba Plains and Sitatunga Private conservancies of Botswana.

Explore:

  • The lush channels of the Okavango Delta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Elephant-rich riverbanks along the Selinda Spillway
  • The haunting beauty of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Safari styles include:

  • Safari drives in open 4×4 vehicles
  • Guided bush walks
  • Mokoro (canoe) experiences
  • Boat safaris
  • Choose between our Explorer-Collection or Réserve-Collection safari camps. Feel free to combine both camps’ styles in your safari.

Botswana’s remote luxury camps offer privacy, comfort, and deep immersion in nature.

Discover the Magica of Botswana

Kenya

Kenya – For Classic Savannah and Cultural Richness

A Kenya safari is ideal for first-time explorers or seasoned travellers alike. The legendary Maasai Mara delivers big cats, vast savannahs, and the Great Migration.

Stay at our intimate camps and enjoy:

  • Horseback safaris, walking and biking adventures
  • Stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro from ol Donyo Lodge
  • The culture and vibrancy of the Maasai people
  • Helicopter aerial sightseeing opportunities in the Chyulu Hills
  • Open vehicle safaris exploring the Maasai Mara and private conservancies
  • Consider including a stay at an Explorer-Collection or Réserve-Collection safari camp. Feel free to combine both camps’ styles in your safari.

Kenya is an active traveller’s dream and the heart of classic African safari storytelling.

Discover the Thrill of Kenya

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe – For Adventure and Natural Wonder

For travellers seeking active, adventurous first-time safaris, Zimbabwe offers:

  • Expertly guided wildlife drives
  • Close encounters with elephants, predators, and birdlife in our open safari vehicles, on foot with your guide or from a boat or canoe whilst on the Zambezi River.
  • The chance to visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Zimbabwe is a destination of drama, depth, and discovery.

Discover the magnificent Zimbabwe