The 2012 Good Safari Guide
This year's guide is our selection of the winners and finalists of The Good Safari Guide Awards, referred to as the 'Safari Oscars', voted for by over 450 experiences 'safari specialist' tour operators and 1,800 travellers, from Los Angeles to Tokyo. Led by a panel of 13 highly respected independent judges with over 300 years of safari experience between them this collection of safari lodges, camps and mobile safari operators in Africa can be regarded as the undisputed 'crème de la crème' of safari properties in Africa. Rest assured that any of the safari camps or lodges in this guide will provide you with an extraordinary safari experience and are worth suggesting to your travel advisor should you be planning a safari in the next year or two.
Inevitably the last two years of global financial restructuring have affected the serence world of safaris in distant Africa. With many safari camps and lodges offering four nights for the price of three, or seven nights for the price of five, 2012 is definitely a year where good value can be obtained for the best safari experiences. Safari operators have risen to the commercial challenges, refining and improving their offerings to safari lovers whilst opening up interesting new areas to differentiate themselves in a more competitive market. Mozambique is definitely a country to watch, featuring three Good Safari Guide winners; whilst Zambia and Tanzania continue to provide a solid high quality, mobile and walking safari experience for those travellers prepared to venture a little further.
Responsible tourism and corporate responsibility are establishing firm feet amongst most safari operators in Africa. Moving forward from providing books for local schools, the very best operators are totally integrating their business with local communities needs and investing in up-skilling the local tribes-people to provide long term employment in the tourism sectors. As the future of wildlife tourism is largely in the hands of the people who live and work adjacent to the wildlife reserves this is a very encouraging trend that I believe will significantly enhance the safari experience.
We are not tour operators and cannot help arrange your safari, but you will find a selection of safari specialists to advise you on each page of the guide, or simply contact one of the judges. Whilst it is possible to book most of the safari camps and lodges direct, Africa is not somewhere you would wish to be stuck if something goes wrong with a transfer or you lose your travel documents. With over 20 years personal experience of safaris I have learned that travel advice from an independent tour operator, that does not own safari camps themselves, is the best way to plan a safari and they are best placed to find a solution should things go wrong for you. Best of all it won't cost more than the safari lodge will charge and if there are 'special offers' it's always the tour operators who know about them first. There is an advice line on +44 (0) 1865 582290, to direct you to more detailed information on the safari lodges and camps featured in this guide, or to their representative based in the UK, Europe or the USA.
I trust you find our fifth Good Safari Guide to be a useful reference tool when considering your safari. This year we have reduced the guide size to make it more convenient to handle for travelling, integrating the guide very closely with our website which has more information on all the safari lodges and camps in the guide. Following us on Twitter '@goodsafariguide' will ensure you hear about the most inspiring safari experiences and any special offers from the best safari lodges and camps in Africa created by independent safari experts who can help you plan the safari of a lifetime. If, however, you are looking for inspiring safari ideas, the 'safaris' area on our website is just for you.
Henry Hallward,
Publisher
PS If you have a favourite safari camp or operator please consider voting for them at www.safariawards.com.