
Discover Africa
Experience Africa beyond the expected
Why Africa with Butterfield & Robinson?
The true difference lies not just in where you go, but in the access you have, the expertise that guides you, and the care with which every detail is shaped.
60 Years of Craft. 30 Years in Africa.
For three decades, we’ve been crafting journeys across East and Southern Africa, guided by enduring relationships and trusted expertise. We consider seasonality, wildlife movement, lodge atmosphere, pacing, and how each region complements the next.
We Put the Active into Africa
A safari doesn’t have to mean sitting in a vehicle from dawn to dusk. With B&R, you can track game on foot with expert guides, bike through local villages and along wildlife corridors, or walk quietly through the bush at sunrise.
We Take You Closer
Closer to wildlife, culture, and the natural world—with exceptional guiding, private access, and thoughtfully designed experiences, alongside meaningful encounters with local communities and experts that reveal Africa’s scale, silence, and raw beauty.
Independent by Design
We don’t own camps. We don’t operate lodges. And we’re not tied to filling rooms. That independence gives us the freedom to choose the very best in each region—iconic properties, private conservancies, and pioneering conservation camps—based solely on what’s right for you.


Christine Tucker
Africa specialist
"The real magic begins in our pre-trip conversations, when I learn what matters most to travellers and design moments that feel both personal and unexpected. For one couple celebrating an anniversary in Kenya, a passing comment about their wedding led to a vow renewal with Samburu warriors in full traditional dress. For an avid guitarist who mentioned having to leave his instrument at home, we made sure a guitar was waiting for him at each camp along the way.”
FAQs
We're Africa specialists, not a safari company with a sales team. Your planner has personally scouted your route, built direct relationships with guides and camp managers, and experienced these destinations firsthand. You're not choosing from a catalog, you're co-creating something built around your interests, travel style, and what matters to you.
But here's what really sets us apart: we go beyond the vehicle. Staying true to our active roots, we design experiential moments that go beyond passive game viewing. You’ll get to experience walking safaris that let you track wildlife on foot, conservation projects where you contribute meaningfully, cultural exchanges that feel authentic rather than performative. We believe the best way to understand Africa is by engaging with it directly, not just observing it through a window.
Not the way we design it. While game drives are central to safari (and there's real magic in those early mornings and sunset hours), we know how to weave in active elements that transform the experience from passive observation to full immersion.
Walking safaris put you at eye level with the landscape. You will experience tracking animals on foot with an armed guide, reading signs in the sand, and feeling the ecosystem around you. Bush walks can range from short nature strolls to half-day treks, depending on your fitness and interests.
Beyond walking, we build in experiences that engage you physically and culturally: mountain biking through conservancies, canoeing the Zambezi at sunrise, horseback riding alongside giraffe and zebra, rock climbing or rappelling central Kenya, even archery lessons with the Hadza hunter & gatherers in Tanzania, or learning traditional tracking skills from San Bushmen in Botswana.
Our strength is creating that holistic experience, not just ticking off animal sightings from a jeep seat.
The beauty of Africa is its variety. From Cape Town's vibrant gallery scene and street art to Nairobi's contemporary art movement, Africa's creative communities are thriving. We can arrange private studio visits with acclaimed artists, tours of design districts showcasing African fashion and textiles, or visits to craft cooperatives where you'll meet the artisans behind the work.
Safari might be the hook, but once you're on the continent, the possibilities are extraordinary. Tell us what intrigues you beyond wildlife, and we'll show you an Africa most travelers never see or even could imagine exists. Africa is so much more than game drives, and we love designing trips that reveal the continent's creative energy, cultural depth, and diversity beyond the bush.
Any age can work, but context matters. In general, the sweet spot is 5–13 years old. At this age we find that they are old enough to appreciate the experience, but young enough to be genuinely enchanted, ask questions, and form the foundation for how they'll perceive and experience the world.
We've also found success with teens by building in active elements like walking safaris, conservation activities, or cultural exchanges. These give them agency and engagement beyond passive game viewing, and let them see in action things they might have touched on in school.
That said, every family is different. Comfort levels with long-haul travel vary, and what feels right for one family may not for another. That’s why having a conversation is so valuable, Christinewill walk you through how an African safari really works, and despite common assumptions, it’s often one of the most rewarding trips you can take with children.
This might surprise you, but Africa's camps and lodges are exceptionally accommodating. Rather than simply omitting ingredients, chefs take pride in creating thoughtful, delicious alternatives so you're not just eating around your restrictions.
Gluten-free? Expect fresh-baked bread made with alternative flours. Vegan? You'll find creative plant-based dishes that rival anything you'd get at home, often featuring local ingredients and traditional preparations. Severe food allergies? Camp managers brief the entire kitchen staff and take cross-contamination seriously.
The hospitality ethos in African camps is deeply personal, and no request is too challenging. We communicate your dietary needs well in advance, and staff genuinely want to exceed your expectations. You'll eat remarkably well, restrictions and all.
Africa rewards early planning, but last-minute trips aren't impossible. A good rule of thumb: booking about a year out from your intended travel date gives you the best shot at securing your preferred camps and activities. Below is an overview of ideal booking windows.
East Africa
Peak Season: June–October (Great Migration & dry season) & January–February (short dry season)
- Book: 9–12 months in advance
Shoulder Season: March–May & November–early December
- Book: 6–9 months in advance
Southern Africa
Peak Season: June–October (dry season & best wildlife viewing)
- Book: 9–12 months in advance
Shoulder Season: April–May & November
- Book: 6–9 months in advance
Festive Season (Dec 20 - Jan 5):
- Plan for 12–18 months in advance, especially for private villas and family suites
Multi-Generational & Group Travel
- Add 2–3 additional months to the timelines above
- Larger suites, exclusive-use villas, and coordinated logistics require extra lead time
Last-Minute Travel
- Occasionally possible 2–4 months out during shoulder season. Rare during migration or peak dry months.
Let your African journey begin
Get In Touch With A Travel Expert
1.866.551.9090
Contact an Expert









