Lilshira
Private Wild launches luxury safaris in five African countries
Private Wild has announced exclusive luxury safari experiences across Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and Namibia. No specific start date has been given, and the offering targets international leisure travellers, families, specialist groups and travel agents.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Private Wild adds exclusive luxury safari experiences across five African nations
- Timing
- No specific start date announced
- Who is affected
- International leisure travellers, families, specialist groups and travel agents
The details
- Announced by
- Private Wild
- New rule
- Private Wild introduces exclusive luxury safari experiences designed around personalised wildlife encounters, specialist guiding and private wilderness accommodation.
Launch Overview
Private Wild, an independent African safari brand founded by Corné Schalkwyk, announced a new line of exclusive luxury safari experiences. The offering centres on highly personalised wildlife encounters, specialist guiding and private wilderness accommodation. By moving beyond conventional group game drives, the brand aims to deliver a fully private and flexible holiday that can be shaped around individual interests such as photography, conservation or family travel. The service is positioned for international visitors seeking a high‑end, experience‑led safari.
- Tailor‑made itineraries built around client interests
- Private lodges and vehicles reserved for a single party
- Dedicated safari team including specialist guide and chef
Geographic Coverage and Offerings
The portfolio now spans five African destinations – Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and Namibia. In each country, Private Wild selects properties that can be booked entirely for a single party, allowing guests to enjoy exclusive use of lodges, camps, vehicles and dedicated staff. The programmes incorporate land‑based and water‑based wildlife viewing, especially in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, and draw on the founder’s extensive guiding network in South Africa. Visitor statistics cited by the brand show strong growth in Kenya and Namibia, while Zambia continues to face a decline in arrivals.
- Botswana’s Okavango Delta offers land and water wildlife viewing
- South Africa leverages founder’s guiding network for expert interpretation
- Kenya recorded 7.6% visitor growth in the first half of 2026
- Namibia saw 45.5% increase in international arrivals in 2024
Target Market and Distribution
The new safaris are marketed primarily through international travel agents, tour operators and luxury travel designers, who act as the main distribution channel. Target client segments include leisure travellers from Europe and North America, families, photographers, conservation groups and other specialist audiences. Flexible itineraries enable travel designers to align travel dates, activity focus and accommodation style with client preferences, while the exclusive‑use model provides added privacy and a dedicated safari team for each booking.
- International agents can integrate the product into bespoke itineraries
- Specialist groups receive dedicated wildlife interpretation and conservation focus
- Families benefit from private accommodation and tailored safety measures
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing bookings with other operators remain unchanged; the new Private Wild product is separate
- Travelers can now consider private, exclusive‑use safaris for future trips to the five countries
- Flexible itineraries allow travel dates to be aligned with client preferences without fixed schedules
Cost and documents
- No new fees or taxes are mentioned; pricing depends on private lodge and service selection
- Standard travel documentation such as visas and passports remain required; no additional paperwork is introduced
What you need to do
- Interested travellers should contact their international travel agent or Private Wild directly to inquire about availability
- Travel designers need to review the exclusive‑use options and incorporate them into proposals for suitable client segments
- Clients should ensure their existing travel documents meet entry requirements for the chosen destination
Who this affects
-
International leisure travellers
The new luxury safaris target visitors seeking personalised wildlife experiences across five African destinations
What to do Can book the exclusive safaris through travel agents or Private Wild
-
Families
Private Wild offers private accommodation and dedicated staff suitable for family travel
What to do Should arrange family‑focused itineraries via agents
-
Specialist groups (photographers, conservationists)
Tailored programmes include specialist guiding, conservation focus and flexible activity options
What to do Can request customised itineraries that match their specific interests
-
Travel agents and tour operators
They are the primary distribution partners for the new exclusive‑use safari product
What to do Should add Private Wild’s luxury safaris to their portfolio and market them to suitable clients
Frequently asked questions
What new safari experiences does Private Wild offer in Africa?
Private Wild now provides exclusive luxury safari experiences that combine personalised wildlife encounters, specialist guiding and private wilderness accommodation across Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and Namibia. The product focuses on tailor‑made itineraries and exclusive‑use lodges for each guest party.
Which countries are included in Private Wild's luxury safari portfolio?
The brand’s portfolio covers five African destinations – Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and Namibia – each offering privately guided and exclusive‑use safari options designed for high‑end travellers.
Who can book Private Wild's exclusive‑use safaris?
Bookings are made through international travel agents, tour operators and luxury travel designers who work with Private Wild. The service is aimed at international leisure travellers, families, photographers and other specialist groups.
How do Private Wild safaris differ from standard game drives?
Private Wild’s safaris provide exclusive use of lodges and vehicles, dedicated safari teams, and itineraries built around individual interests such as photography, conservation or family travel, rather than fixed group game drives.
When will Private Wild's new luxury safaris be available?
The announcement does not specify a start date; the new experiences have been introduced and are being marketed to travel professionals for upcoming bookings.
Do I need any special documents to book a Private Wild safari?
No additional documentation beyond the usual travel requirements such as a valid passport and any required visas for the destination is mentioned for booking a Private Wild safari.
