When most people think of an African safari, they picture game drives and the Big Five. While these iconic experiences remain a highlight, Africa offers so many more ways to connect with its landscapes, wildlife and cultures.
From tracking mountain gorillas through mist-covered forests to drifting quietly along Botswana's waterways, Africa's safari experiences are as diverse as the continent itself.
Understanding the different ways to safari can help create a journey that perfectly matches individual travel styles, interests and comfort levels.
Walking Safaris
For those wanting a deeper connection to the natural world, walking safaris offer a slower and more immersive perspective.
Rather than focusing solely on large wildlife sightings, walking safaris reveal the intricate details often missed from a vehicle. Learn to identify animal tracks, discover unique plant life and gain a greater understanding of the ecosystems that support Africa's remarkable wildlife.
Zambia is widely regarded as the birthplace of the walking safari, while northern Tanzania also offers exceptional guided walking experiences.
Walking safaris are suitable for travellers with a moderate level of fitness who enjoy spending time outdoors at a relaxed pace.
Gorilla Trekking
One of the world's most extraordinary wildlife encounters awaits in the forests of Rwanda and Uganda.
Coming face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience that few wildlife adventures can match.
Rwanda
Known for its luxury lodges and easier trekking conditions, Rwanda is an excellent choice for those seeking a premium gorilla trekking experience.
Uganda
Offering more affordable permit options and diverse wildlife experiences, Uganda provides excellent value for adventurous travellers.
Permits are limited and often sell out well in advance, making early booking essential.
Boat Safaris
Experience Africa from a completely different perspective.
Boat safaris allow travellers to glide silently along rivers, lakes and waterways while observing wildlife in a natural and undisturbed environment.
Spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants and an incredible variety of birdlife from the water while enjoying a slower pace of travel.
Destinations such as Botswana's Okavango Delta offer some of Africa's most memorable water-based safari experiences.
Many itineraries combine both land and water activities, providing the best of both worlds.
Rail Safaris
Luxury rail journeys combine the romance of classic train travel with Africa's spectacular landscapes.
Rather than travelling between destinations by road or small aircraft, rail safaris offer a relaxed and elegant way to explore remote regions while enjoying exceptional onboard comfort.
These journeys are ideal for travellers who value scenery, culture, history and comfort alongside wildlife experiences.
Rail safaris often include game drives and guided excursions throughout the journey, creating a seamless blend of luxury and adventure.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Watch the African wilderness come alive from above as the sun rises over the plains.
Hot air balloon safaris are among Africa's most iconic experiences and offer breathtaking views across landscapes teeming with wildlife.
Most popular in Kenya's Maasai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti, these experiences are perfect for special occasions, milestone celebrations or travellers seeking something truly unforgettable.
Cultural Encounters
Africa's people and cultures are every bit as fascinating as its wildlife.
Many safari experiences now incorporate meaningful cultural encounters that provide a deeper understanding of local traditions, history and daily life.
Visit Maasai communities in Kenya and Tanzania, meet the Himba people of Namibia, or participate in locally guided experiences designed to support communities while creating authentic cultural connections.
These experiences add another layer of richness to an African journey and often become some of the most memorable moments of the trip.
Why Book Africa with Viva Expeditions?
Africa is one of the world's most rewarding destinations, and no two journeys are ever the same.
The Viva Expeditions team specialises in crafting tailor-made African itineraries, helping match the right experiences, destinations and styles of travel to create unforgettable adventures.
Whether you're dreaming of gorilla trekking, luxury rail journeys, wildlife safaris, cultural encounters or a combination of them all, expert advice can help bring the perfect African journey to life.
Sale ends: 28 February 2027 (No Single Supplement offer valid for travel 7 January – 28 February 2027)
Discover Botswana's extraordinary wilderness on Essential Botswana, a new nine-day fly-in safari combining three of the country's most iconic safari regions into one seamless journey.
Staying in three intimate luxury camps, you'll experience the dramatic contrast between the wildlife-rich Kalahari and two distinct regions of the spectacular Okavango Delta. With light aircraft transfers, expert guides and exceptional game viewing, this itinerary offers an immersive safari designed for those wanting to experience Botswana in depth.
Essential Botswana
9 Days | Maun – Kalahari – Okavango Delta – Maun
Your journey begins at Dinaka, located on the edge of the Kalahari, where open grasslands, desert-adapted wildlife and breathtaking night skies create a safari unlike any other.
Next, fly into the Okavango Delta to Shinde, renowned for its outstanding year-round wildlife viewing and lush island setting.
Finish at Kanana, a remote wilderness famous for its pristine waterways, exceptional birdlife and the opportunity to spot the elusive Pel's Fishing Owl.
Why you'll love Essential Botswana
Three distinct safari experiences in one itinerary
Stay in exclusive, intimate safari camps away from the crowds
Explore by 4WD safari vehicle, mokoro canoe, boat and guided walking safari
Scenic light-aircraft flights between camps
Outstanding wildlife viewing with expert local guides
Very few vehicles at wildlife sightings for a more exclusive experience
No Single Supplement
Solo travellers can take advantage of no single supplement for travel between 7 January and 28 February 2027, making this an exceptional opportunity to experience Botswana independently.
Who is this journey perfect for?
Ideal for travellers seeking an authentic luxury safari experience, including couples, solo travellers, photographers, birdwatchers and anyone looking to discover one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife destinations.
Contact Shore Travel today to learn more or reserve your Essential Botswana safari.
One of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles is calling. The new Great Migration Safari with Viva Expeditions is a 10-day East African adventure designed around the traditional migration routes during peak season.
Travelling from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania to Nairobi, Kenya, the journey combines some of East Africa’s most famous wildlife areas, vast open plains and game-rich reserves, with stays in intimate tented camps and comfortable safari lodges.
The Great Migration Safari
10 days | July to September
Tanzania & Kenya
From $19,805 NZD per person, twin share
Timed for peak migration season, the itinerary offers the opportunity to witness enormous herds of wildebeest and other wildlife moving across the plains, along with the predators that follow them. As with any wildlife experience, sightings and river crossings can never be guaranteed - and that unpredictability is all part of the safari experience.
Beyond the migration, there’s plenty more to discover, with exceptional game viewing throughout Tanzania and Kenya and the chance to experience two distinct landscapes and wildlife regions in one seamless journey.
With peak-season pricing already built in, it’s an incredible choice for wildlife lovers, photographers, first-time safari travellers or anyone ready to tick an East African safari off their bucket list.
Get in touch with our Shore Travel team to find out more about The Great Migration Safari and start planning your African adventure.
Embark on a unique voyage through the Amazon in Ecuador, home of the legendary pink river dolphin and other wondrous wildlife. When you enter the Ecuadorian Amazon, you are entering a world that few people have the opportunity to experience. The smells, sounds, and tastes are all different. Of course, so are the cultures that live within the communities.
Viva's Best Bits...
Duration: 5 days
Price from $6,453 NZD Per person, sharing
Explore an array of exclusive travel deals and special offers curated to spark your wanderlust. Our Destination Specialists stand ready to craft your dream adventure to our most extraordinary destinations: Latin America, Antarctica, the Arctic, and the vast expanse of Africa.
Why settle for ordinary when your next trip could be extraordinary? Start planning your ultimate adventure today with the incredible deals below:
Antarctica & the Arctic
13 days
Antarctica Basecamp
A huge array of activities are included. Try out camping in Antarctica, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering and a photo workshop
From $17,018pp NZD
10 days
Arctic Adventure: Hosted Svalbard Explorer 2025
Explore the wildlife and landscapes of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago; home of the polar bear, walrus, and few people!
From $18,704pp NZD
11 days
Classic Antarctica
Offering the ultimate taste of the white continent. Embark on this small ship with only 88 passengers & discover classic Antarctic highlights
From $11,912pp NZD Based on a Triple Share Cabin
Latin America Itineraries
5 days
Galapagos: Seaman Journey
A great taste of the Galapagos, spend 5 days on the Seaman Journey, exploring the Southern and Central Islands.
From $9,253 NZD Per Person
8 days
Galapagos: Archipel
This 8-day cruise aboard the catamaran Archipel I gives you an extensive overview of the Galapagos Islands.
From $9,035 NZD Per Person
11 days
Signature Galapagos Islands
Explore the Galapagos Islands aboard a luxury catamaran, where lizards swim and tortoises roam. Includes a five-star stay in Quito's charming old town.
From $13,269 NZD Per Person
Africa Safaris & Tours
12 days
Kenya and Tanzania Wildlife Safari: Small Group
Small Group Camping Tour With Upgrade Options. Highlights include Masai Mara, Great Rift Valley, Hells Gate, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater.
From $6,664 NZD Per Person
13 days
Uganda Wildlife Explorer: Small Group
Small Group Camping Tour with Upgrade Options - The best of Uganda's national parks & wildlife, from gorilla trekking to tree-climbing lions.
From $5,414 NZD Per Person
Many More Tours, Get in Touch With Us!
Signature Tours - Premium itineraries carefully crafted by destination experts. Take in the very best of South America and Central America, with highly-rated hotels and exclusive authentic experiences.
Luxury - Viva design unique luxury holidays and experiences that allow you to experience the most spectacular and remote parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Choose from the best hotels and lodges, luxury small ship cruises, enjoy one of their exclusive Heli-tours.
Southern Lights - Witness the world most spectacular lightshow on Earth, the Aurora Australis! Check out their Southern Lights tours including best seller the Southern Lights by Flight departing Christchurch, New Zealand.
Small Group Tours - Embark on a fully escorted small group tour to discover the stunning continents of South America, Antarctica and New Zealand. A group tour gives you the opportunity to explore in a fun and exciting environment surrounded by like-minded travellers.
Heli Tours - Take to the skies and soar over New Zealand’s & Antarctica's spectacular landscapes. On one of Viva's New Zealand Heli-tours you can access some of the most remote and un-spoilt parts of the country. Or fly over vast expanses of snow and ice in Antarctica!
Walking and Active - Viva walking and active tours are perfect for people who love the outdoors and enjoy being close to nature. Hike some of the world most beautiful trails, kayak with whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife, Heli-skiing or Heli-fishing.
Wildlife and Nature - Viva wildlife and nature holidays will take you to some of the most remote and unspoilt regions in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover rich exotic wildlife in Latin America, magnificent marine wildlife in Antarctica and spot spectacular birds in New Zealand.
Food and Wine - Both Latin America & New Zealand offer some of the worlds freshest and finest cuisine and they are two of the best wine-producing regions on earth where you’ll find cellar doors open for tasting and lovely vineyard restaurants in abundance.
Off the Beaten Track - Get away from the crowds and explore some of the most unspoilt regions on earth. Experience the landscapes and cultures as are and as they have been for centuries.
Cultural Experiences - Experiencing life within a foreign culture, rather than from the outside as a traveller, is the true meaning of cultural travel. Viva wants to give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the destinations you visit, to understand its people and its history.
Family and Friends - Take a trip with your friends or bring the whole family to explore on a child-friendly adventure.
Price from
twin share
Dates
Depart:
22 November 2026
Return:
10 April 2026