World's Best The Top 10 Safari Outfitters in 2019 By Brooke Porter Katz Brooke Porter Katz Instagram Website Brooke Porter Katz is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor specializing in travel, culture, food, design, and more. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, WSJ. Magazine, Afar, Bloomberg Pursuits, and Wine Enthusiast. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on July 10, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Courtesy of African Travel When you’re taking a bucket-list trip like a luxury safari in Africa, you don’t want to leave the planning in just anyone’s hands. It takes a true expert with years of experience to arrange a stress-free, bespoke itinerary and guide you to the best destinations, lodges, and experiences. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated tour operators and safari outfitters based on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value. Related: The World's Best Awards 2019 Coming in at No. 3, Micato Safaris has made the World’s Best list every year since the survey launched 23 years ago. It’s safe to say that this legendary company — founded by the Kenya-based Pinto family in 1966 — has set the bar for outfitters ever since. One respondent noted, “Cannot say enough about Micato Safaris. Used them two times in Kenya and Tanzania and both trips were way beyond any expectations! The Pintos are involved in many charities in the area, and we were happy to join in with the really good work they are always doing.” Roar Africa is another consistent favorite, earning the No. 2 spot for the second year in a row. The founder, Deborah Calmeyer, was raised on a farm in Zimbabwe, and she applies her vast knowledge when organizing trips everywhere from Botswana to Uganda to Namibia. “I have been to Africa numerous times and find that the services, guides, and exclusivity exceed any other company that we have traveled with,” raved one reader. Another wrote, “Seamless from start to finish.” Read on for the full list of top safari outfitters — and see which one took the No. 1 spot. (You won’t recognize its name from last year.) 10. Africa Adventure Consultants Courtesy of Africa Adventure Consultants Score: 95.63 More information: adventuresinafrica.com 9. andBeyond Courtesy of andBeyond Score: 95.65 More information: andbeyond.com 8. Travel Beyond Courtesy of Travel Beyond Score: 96.74 More information: travelbeyond.com 7. Extraordinary Journeys Courtesy of Extraordinary Journeys Score: 96.97 More information: extraordinaryjourneys.com 6. Thomson Safaris Courtesy of Thomson Safaris Score: 97.08 More information: thomsonsafaris.com 5. Rothschild Safaris Courtesy of Rothschild Safaris Score: 97.14 More information: rothschildsafaris.com 4. Deeper Africa Kevin Zimmermann/Courtesy of Deeper Africa Safaris Score: 97.50 More information: deeperafrica.com 3. Micato Safaris Courtesy of Micato Safaris WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 98.31 More information: micato.com 2. Roar Africa Courtesy of ROAR Africa Score: 99.05 More information: roarafrica.com 1. African Travel, Inc. Courtesy of Elewana Collection Score: 99.78 More information: africantravelinc.com After not appearing on the World’s Best list since 2015, this fourth-generation, family-owned outfitter managed to snag the No. 1 spot this year. The company plans a variety of traditional safari trips across the continent to favorites like Botswana, Kenya, and South Africa, and can also create itineraries from private cruises in Zimbabwe to volunteer opportunities in Tanzania. “This was one of the very best trips we have experienced. There was only excellent staff, food, safaris, knowledgeable guides, and accommodations,” wrote one respondent. “This was an amazing trip, and I would do it again.” See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2019. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit