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A List 2025 Ian Proctor from Ultimate Africa Safaris

Travel + Leisure recognize Ian Proctor from Ultimate Africa Safaris as one of the most influential vacation specialists in the world.

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WE LOVE AFRICA

and want you to fall head over heels with it too

Meet Ian Proctor, a trusted safari planner with 30 years in the game. He has stayed at over 410 of Africa's top lodges, camps and hotels and visited hundreds more.

He works tirelessly planning high touch African adventures for a limited number of discerning travelers. With 3 decades of connections he is your backstage pass to the world of high end African travel.

"Ian here. I first visited Africa in the late 1980s. I came face to face with a wild elephant and fell in love with being on safari!  

When I started Ultimate Africa in 1996, we were the 8th safari company online. Many years later we are one of the top African travel companies in the Americas - known for arranging high end custom safaris, personal trips, no cookie cutter stuff. 

I love giving clients a front row seat to Africa's greatest wildlife experiences - typically far from crowds with wonderfully unique and comfortable accommodations. You might sleep under canvas in the middle of the great wildebeest migration or in a luxury treehouse above a waterhole. 

I love Africa and want you to fall head over heels for it too!"

- ian proctor -
ultimate Africa Safaris Founder & top experience curator 

all safaris are not equal

other companies will tell you every destination is greaT

With 30 years in the safari game, I can tell you unequivocally - not all safaris are equal.

Across the safari regions there are huge differences in terms of what you see, how you see it, the quality of the guides, types of safari vehicles, activities on offer, crowding, insects, weather, safety and health concerns, red tape, luggage allowances, etc... 

Many safari companies will simply tell you it’s all wonderful! They are banking on you not knowing any better. In fact, most companies, even those in Africa, employ people who have never been to the locations they are recommending. Travelers often end up spending their safari bumping along dreadful roads, seeing more cattle and goats than wildlife as they jostle for position amongst crowds of tourists.  

Why settle for an inferior experience? If you value personal attention, exclusivity, and comfort you need to book an Ultimate Africa Safari! 

I spend 2-3 months of each year inspecting Africa’s leading safari camps, lodges and hotels seeking out only the best experiences, accommodations and guides for my clients.  From Giraffe Manor to Mombo Camp I have personally stayed at nearly all of Africa’s top safari properties, 410 and counting. I have inspected hundreds more.  

I know the secret spots where you can have one of a kind, mind blowing, safari experiences. Imagine elephant drinking from your private pool or waking up surrounded by endless herds of wildebeest. We’re talking a front row seat to Africa’s best wildlife - far from crowds. 

Did you know Kenya, touted by many as Africa’s best safari destination, has only 36,000 elephants while Botswana has over 130,000? When it comes to lion Kenya has 2,500. Tanzania has over 10,000! 

Don't pay through the nose for a hoity toity travel “expert” to not hear you… pushing the same cookie cutter trip on every potential client. Life is too short and Africa too special.  

Leveraging our expertise and connections you can have a truly unique custom safari, be treated like a VIP, and since we know what we are doing you will save money as well. 

Schedule a call today – clients often say, “I learned more in 5 minutes on the phone with you than doing months of internet research”. 

Safari spectacularly!  

- Ian Proctor-
Ultimate Africa Safaris founder & top safari curator

 

SCHEDULE A CALL WITH IAN

“Ian, you are total no BS pro.”

J. Kerner

San Jose, California, USA

WHY UAS

you can’t vip yourself


Looking for a custom African adventure with more animals than you can shake a stick at?

Imagine a front row seat to Africa’s best wildlife, far from crowds with inspired local guides, and high-end intimate properties packed with personality. This is an Ultimate Africa Safari! 

this is lifestyle travel


Feel less like a tourist, and more like you’re spending time with friends

"I was in my swimming pool and elephants walked up and drank all the water – this is the Africa I love."  

"We had just finished dinner when we heard lions calling nearby. We piled into the LandRover to investigate. We spent an hour with the lions – and took our wine with us!"

"We sailed a dhow off the East coast of Africa to a sand island for a Robinson Crusoe picnic... as we left the island disappeared beneath the sea."

“We received special treatment everywhere because we booked with you.”

F. and R. Strom

Portland, Oregon, USA

THIS IS THE LIFE

I am still just as excited as when I started!

"I work with discerning high end clients who want to experience Africa in the style they are accustomed to. It's lifestyle travel... people come to me for a high touch experience. They come because of  who I know and my first person, insider knowledge."

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BILLIONAIRE BOLTHOLES

Next level safari and conservation experiences in Africa

The 3 properties covered in this post are the next level of the luxury safari game... not only do they offer some of Africa's most prolific Big 5 game viewing (and in the case of the 3rd property phenomenal ocean / tropical island biodiversty) they have reached almost mythical status in the safari world as they are extraordinarily private and incredibly unique... they are one offs as are the experiences they offer. 

“You are the reason our trip was the best ever.
(and we’ve been on a lot of incredible adventures)”

S. Johnson and Family

San Jose, California, USA

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THE SKIES THE LIMIT

FLYING is essential for those seeking a next level africa experience
 

Let me introduce you to your private pilot - the Iceman! 

Murtaza 'Ice Man' Walijee has over 10,000 hours of bush flying in Africa. Not only is he is a certified flight instructor with an instrument rating, he can easily discuss geology, flora, and fauna as well. 

EXTRAORDINARY WITH PURPOSE

ian goes to great lengths to ensure that each safari uplifts local communities & supports conservation efforts


Our safaris not only feel good - they do good! 

Since Ian’s days as an ecotourism consultant in Zimbabwe he has had a keen interest in projects that have tangible, real-life results.   

In addition to supporting numerous wildlife conservation efforts throughout the continent, Ultimate Africa Safaris offers ongoing funding to Botswana’s Khwai pre-school and nursery to ensure every child has nutritious breakfast each morning - life changing.  

“This level of personal service and expertise is increasingly rare these days.”

R. And C. Johnston

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA

COSTS

THE TIME WE ARE GIVEN IS SHORT

SPEND IT WISELY
 

Ultimate Africa safaris is about experiencing the best of the best.

From breakfast with a journey of giraffes to walking hand in trunk with a family of elephant for us it's about combining truly unique wildlife experiences with Africa's most stunning lodges and camps.

REACH OUT TODAY

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE SAFARI?


Clients often say, "I learned more in 5 minutes on the phone with you than doing months of internet research".

SCHEDULE A CALL WITH IAN