With exquisite safari camps, extraordinary wildlife and dazzling beaches, Africa is a top choice for honeymoons, romantic getaways and unforgettable celebratory holidays. A family safari is a wonderful opportunity to 'see together, do together and be together' far from the daily rush. Spending time with the mountain gorillas is one of the most rewarding experiences we organise. From charming coastal villages to luxury private islands there's an African beach hideaway within easy reach of most safari destinations.
Services
We only operate in Africa and the Indian Ocean, as we have since 1999, and our 'little black book' of contacts is without compare. We have worked with the majority of our suppliers for many years and we visit them regularly. As an Aardvark guest, you can expect the finest service from the very best in Africa.
Aardvark Safaris started in 1999 when John Spence and Richard Smith set up business in a one room office. This small enterprise has evolved into a vibrant, thriving company with UK offices in Tidworth, Hampshire and Musselburgh on the edge of Edinburgh. Alice Gully joined the management in 2004 and now co-owns the business with Richard.
Republic of Congo is one of the best places on earth to see the highly endangered western lowland gorilla. The equatorial rainforest that covers much of the Republic of Congo is part of the larger Congo Basin. Threaded with rivers and tendrils of savannah that provide a natural home to a wonderful diversity of wildlife, this wilderness contains more than 1,000 bird species, 700 types of fish, and over a 10,000 plant species.
Kenya has always epitomised everything that is Africa. It hosted the first real safaris and its diversity of landscape, people and wildlife has drawn more people to safari in Kenya than any other country in Africa. It hosted the first real safaris and its diversity of landscape, people and wildlife has drawn more people to safari in here than any other country in Africa.
Reviews (7)
James Wooldridge
Jun 10, 2022
Fiona Leahy
Apr 18, 2022
Lynda Morten
Apr 14, 2022
We have been on safari to Kenya three times with Aardvark. We are delighted with the service, booking process, in depth knowledge of the subject and the information provided which makes all the difference to the success of the holiday; for instance, in March 2022 the detailed pre departure Covid procedures to get into Kenya were superb. A great holiday right from the meet and greet at the airport to our third visit to the marvellous Kicheche Camps with excellent food and facilities, guiding and spectacular animal sightings. Many thanks to Jo and Richard.
Debbie Harper
Apr 10, 2022
I would absolutely recommend Aardvark Safaris. We booked a family holiday to South Africa with our children aged 7 and 10. Alice provided us with excellent recommendations and advice. It was our first time to Africa and it won't be our last! The personal touch from Aardvark is great. The kids were sent activity books to fill out on their travels, as well as luggage labels!
They even arranged for a bottle of fizz and cake at one of the hotels for our 40th birthdays! While we were away in South Africa we had some questions and it was very reassuring to know we could email Aardvark Safaris and receive prompt responses which helped us out. An amazing holiday; thank you!
They even arranged for a bottle of fizz and cake at one of the hotels for our 40th birthdays! While we were away in South Africa we had some questions and it was very reassuring to know we could email Aardvark Safaris and receive prompt responses which helped us out. An amazing holiday; thank you!
Robin Hilton
Jan 21, 2022
Aardvark were absolutely brilliant in arranging a short notice safari for us. Their advice on where to go to achieve the best value and best experience for a time limited trip was spot on. The holiday itself was absolutely amazing, and if we are lucky enough to go on safari again, we will definitely use Aardvark.
Phyl Simmons
Nov 21, 2021
Joyce Pollack
Sep 21, 2021
We recently returned from a 2 week trip to Kenya in August planned by Richard Smith at Aardvark Safaris. This is the 3rd trip to Africa that Richard has planned for us. The first was a trip to Madagascar in 2019. We were so pleased with Richard's work on that trip that we had him plan a trip for us to Uganda and Zambia for 2020. That trip was postponed until 2021, but when it was about a month before our departure Uganda stiffened their entry requirements due to COVID and we did not feel comfortable going there this year and had it postponed another year.
So on short notice we asked Richard to propose another trip and he suggested Kenya, where we could see the Great Migration. Richard suggested 3 locations and several options in each location, so we chose the ones we thought best, which all turned out to be excellent choices. We spent 4 nights each at Elsa's Kopje in Meru National Park, Lewa House in the Lewa Downs Conservancy, and Rekero Camp in the Masai Mara.
Each location had excellent accommodations and food but with somewhat different terrain and animals. Of our 12 nights in safari camps, we were the only guests for 7 nights. There were very few other vehicles at Meru and Lewa and many fewer in the Masai Mara than normal for this time of year. It's a great time to go to Africa! We felt quite safe the entire time, probably safer from COVID than we feel at home in the US.
The country and especially all the safari camps take COVID seriously. It was easy to get the COVID test we needed to return to the US. We highly recommend Richard and Aardvark Safaris. Richard is so knowledgeable about the options and so responsive and through in his planning that we feel extremely well taken care of. He provides a detailed written itinerary about the trip as well as more information online.
All of the arrangements in Kenya went very smoothly, including flights and car transfers between camps and between camps and Nairobi. It has never been a problem for us in the US to use Richard in the UK because he quickly responds by email to our requests and questions and is available to talk by phone as desired.
So on short notice we asked Richard to propose another trip and he suggested Kenya, where we could see the Great Migration. Richard suggested 3 locations and several options in each location, so we chose the ones we thought best, which all turned out to be excellent choices. We spent 4 nights each at Elsa's Kopje in Meru National Park, Lewa House in the Lewa Downs Conservancy, and Rekero Camp in the Masai Mara.
Each location had excellent accommodations and food but with somewhat different terrain and animals. Of our 12 nights in safari camps, we were the only guests for 7 nights. There were very few other vehicles at Meru and Lewa and many fewer in the Masai Mara than normal for this time of year. It's a great time to go to Africa! We felt quite safe the entire time, probably safer from COVID than we feel at home in the US.
The country and especially all the safari camps take COVID seriously. It was easy to get the COVID test we needed to return to the US. We highly recommend Richard and Aardvark Safaris. Richard is so knowledgeable about the options and so responsive and through in his planning that we feel extremely well taken care of. He provides a detailed written itinerary about the trip as well as more information online.
All of the arrangements in Kenya went very smoothly, including flights and car transfers between camps and between camps and Nairobi. It has never been a problem for us in the US to use Richard in the UK because he quickly responds by email to our requests and questions and is available to talk by phone as desired.
