Reading about where to go on safari is fun but planning a trip is hard work – and you never know what to believe!

 

We eat, sleep, and breath African safaris. We know where to go and when to go there.

 

Here are 10+ reasons why savvy travelers choose to work with us.

 

1 WE’VE BEEN THERE

There is no substitute for experience. 30+ years traveling through Africa we have had some incredible adventures. Let us share our favorite hidden gems, great values, the best rooms, the must do activities – the places where we have had the most fun! Call today to learn about the Africa we know and love!

 

2 HAND PICKED TOURS

No cookie cutter tours here. This is your trip to Africa! We will advise where to spend, and where to save, maximizing your travel dollar. We guarantee to make recommendations based on your needs as we have no vested interests in Africa. As a reference high quality, all-inclusive, custom safaris start at close to US $500 per person per day and can exceed US $5,000 per person per day depending where you stay, how you get around (chartered aircraft cost a pretty penny), and the season.

 

3 A FIRST CLASS WAY TO GO PRIMITIVE

Unlike many safari companies who will book anything and everything, we are very selective. We love intimate safari properties located right in amongst the animals – rooms with comfortable beds and en suite bathrooms. We try to avoid marginal areas, impersonal hotels, and crowds. In addition benefit from discounted rates, free nights, and room upgrades exclusive to Ultimate Africa clients.

 

4 GREAT PRICES AND SIMPLE PAYMENTS

Save anywhere from 2.5% to 10% off booking direct– and we won’t pigeonhole you into certain properties. We regularly compare our prices with our competitors to ensure we are providing you with a great value. If you find a better price, we guarantee to beat it by US $100 per person. Pay your trip costs by MasterCard, Visa or American Express with no extra fees. Pay by check and save 2.5%.

 

5 OUR TRIPS INCLUDE

Our safaris include friendly airport meet and greets, wildlife viewing from 4×4 vehicles with unlimited mileage, guided walks, and even boat / canoe trips. We do not use minibuses to cut costs. Our trips include expert English speaking local guides, unlimited drinks – whether bottled water, tea, wine, soft drinks or something stronger, all meals, park fees, accommodations, laundry, and road / air transfers. There are no hidden fees. Trips also include the helpful support of our expert travel planners before, during (24/7 in country support), and after you travel.

 

6 SAFARIS WITH HEART

We’re 100% committed to working with lodges, camps, hotels, and safari outfitters in Africa that are making a positive impact within local communities and helping to conserve wildlife and wilderness areas. 5% of annual sales are set aside for charitable causes.

 

7 EASY

We offer a comprehensive travel service including accommodations, activities, air travel, and trip insurance needs (many foreign companies cannot book international flights or purchase travel insurance for Americans / Canadians). Based in Seattle, USA we are easy to reach. No need for middle of the night calls to Africa. Email us during the day and we will often respond within a matter of minutes. Pay by check or credit card avoiding international wire transfer paperwork, uncertain bank charges and foreign credit card fees of 3% to 10% in addition to fees charged by your bank!

 

8 SAFE AND SECURE

Since 1996 thousands of travelers have trusted us with their safari arrangements. Being in the USA your booking is safe. We are licensed and registered in Washington State – 1 of 14 states that license / regulate travel agents and 1 of 6 states requiring travel agent registration. We carry US $1 million in insurance and offer 100% financial protection with all client monies held in trust. We are members of the Safari Professionals of the Americas – an exclusive consortium of America’s top African travel planning companies, the American Society of Travel Agents, and the International Airlines Travel Agent Network. We are also accredited by the Washington State Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

 

9 AS SEEN IN

Listed as one of Conde Nast’s 2015 “Experience Makers – The Pros We Use” Ultimate Africa trips have been featured in National Geographic Adventurer Magazine,Outside Magazine, and United Airlines in flight magazine. We have been mentioned in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Frommer’s Travel, and other publications. Ultimate Africa has also been on the “Wheel of Fortune”, PBS, and “The Doctors”.

 

10 FREE CONSULTATION

Would you like your African travel questions answered by an African expert who has been to each place and can recommend special experiences for just you? We would love to help! Call or email today for your free personal safari consultation. We often hear “I have learned more in 5 minutes on phone with you than I did doing weeks of research on the internet”.

 

OUR STORY
In 1996, after having lived and worked in Africa, Ian Proctor started Ultimate Africa in Seattle, WA, USA.

 

“I first visited Africa in the late 1980s when my sister was teaching there. I came face to face with a wild elephant and the trajectory of my life changed. I fell in love with the adventure, the wildlife – Africa’s beauty. I made it my life’s goal to create a safari company that was all about authentic experiences – sharing Africa’s most special wildlife and wilderness areas with other intrepid travelers.”

 

“When I started Ultimate Africa Safaris 20 years ago we were the 8^thsafari company online. Our focus was on personal trips, no cookie cutter stuff. Today we are one of the top African travel companies in the Americas and I spend 2 to 3 months of each year in Africa. It is awesome. When back in the Seattle I lead the expert Ultimate Africa team – my favorite moments spent sharing safari ideas with clients. A photo of my first face to face elephant encounter hangs prominently on my office wall… the moment when everything changed.”

 

“Experience the Africa we know and love. We promise great service, value, and the highest quality experience. This is Ultimate Africa Safaris!”

 

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ULTIMATE AFRICA

 

At the start of our trip one of the lodge manager’s in Africa asked us who had planned our safari. I told her “Ultimate Africa”. She said you were one of the best. Top 10 definitely. Maybe even 1 or 2.
F. Hart and Friends, Alexandria, VA, USA

 

This level of personal service and expertise is increasingly rare these days. Ultimate Africa stands head-and-shoulders above every other travel agency we have ever worked with.
R. and C. Johnston, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

 

We received special treatment everywhere we went and I am quite sure this was because we booked with you.
F. and R. Strom, Portland, Oregon, USA

 

Everyone on our trip kept complimenting us on choice of camps and lodges. I kept diverting the compliments to Ultimate Africa.
E. Estabrooks and Family, Seattle, Washington, USA

 

You seem to know just what people are looking for.
R. and K. Mackert, Piedmond, California, USA

 

Many people consider you to be the very best at what you do.
J. Franklin, Houston, Texas, USA

 

I am happy to give my business to you as you definitely earned it!
R. and F. Bomchill, New York, New York, USA

 

Other agencies should follow the example set by Ultimate Africa!
B. and L. Johnson, Santa Monica, California, USA

 

I would recommend Ultimate Africa Safaris to anyone interested in planning a first class African safari!
R. Perlen, Chicago, Illinois, USA

 

The safari company to go with when planning a trip to Africa.
J. and J. Perkins, San Rafael, California, USA