Safari - wilderness preferred

[Penisbeakeralltheclassics]

We are looking at a safari holiday but I want ‘wild’ wilderness, slow paced, not a fenced, stocked reserve. Is that even possible now? We aren’t too worried about cost as it’s a big birthday. Where would be a good start in terms of location? Thank you.

If money is no object, combine a safari with Skeleton Coast Safaris in Namibia. We arranged to be dropped off by plane near Etosha (I am about 20 years out of date with good vs bad lodges) and had a hire car dropped off for us.
https://www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com/
You can’t get much more “wilderness” than that.

If Kenya is more your thing (and you would prefer a cheaper option), we liked the ethos of Porini in Kenya.
https://porinisafaricamps.com/

I spent many a holiday pound with Expert Africa (who were incredibly patient at putting 3-4 week itineraries together for us). I would also look at Aardvark Safaris, who are also long-established bespoke agents. If you wanted a riding safari, the owner has been on many.

What were you hoping to see/do?

nambia is definitely a good option. No need to fly - you can drive easily and camp if you want a budget option or stay in lodges.

Chongwe, Zambia

Have a look at Governors Camp in the Masai Mara. I've been twice! It is wonderful.

Shamwari in SA. Beautiful private reserve. We saw no one else when we were out on drives

I always think of Etosha as fenced, and supported, but yes the skeleton coast looks fantastic.

Am I wrong to think of reserves as a bit like big safari parks? The animals can’t just leave.

Namibia is on my list for when the kids are bigger!

Yes, Namibia is very drivable (or you sort things so people pick you up…or you can fly in). I am too out of date to say how cheap a family holiday could be, at govt restcamps. I have fond memories of sitting by the Halali waterhole one night ( watching rhinos bonking and a leopard)

I also love Zambia and Malawi for entirely different reasons.

A very very vague idea of budget and things they would hope to see would give OP better answers.

Malawi sounds interesting!

I think I’d like to search for animals and see small stuff too, walking maybe. I love water so lake Malawi sounds like it could be good. I think I’d like to see hyenas hunting more than the big 5. Animals being animals, not trophy stuff.

We have a big budget so I am not worried about cost.

Ive been twice to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia - it's where Kingdom, narrated by David Attenborough and showing on BBC1, was filmed. Don't be fooled by 'national park', it's the size of Wales apparently. It's an amazing place with low density tourists and high density animals and birds.

As per PP, I can recommend Expert Africa. Another one to look at is Yellow Zebra Safaris. Either way you're not restricted to the options on their website, you can ask them to put something bespoke for you.

On my first trip I also went to Livingstone to visit the Victoria Falls. On my second I went to Lower Zambezi National Park.