I don't know anyone who doesn't want to go on an African safari. With so many places offering versions of this big-ticket experience – be it in South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania – the first hurdle is choosing where you want to do it and what else you might want to do while you're there. After all, these extraordinary African destinations are so much more than their game drives.

Sure you can DIY – people choose this option because it can be less expensive – but honestly, if there was ever a reason to go premium and use a travel planner, a safari is it. And our local experts from Elsewhere, our boutique travel planning service, are the best in the business. Once you figure out where you want your epic Africa adventure to begin, take the leap and book the safari of a lifetime with Elsewhere.

Elsewhere is Lonely Planet's premium boutique travel-planning service. It pairs you with a local expert who knows the ins and outs of a destination, to guarantee the best trip ever. Just book your flights, and Elsewhere's travel experts will do the rest. Get started by messaging an expert here.

Check out highlights from recent Elsewhere-planned safari trips across Africa.

Best for: culture, history, wine lovers and game drives

Dive deep into Cape Town's culture, spend the day on a farm in Franschhoek and photograph the animals during a game drive in Thornybush Private Nature Reserve.

Travel to South Africa

Best for: meeting the Maasai and the Great Migration

Take a bush walk with a Maasai, explore the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, and see wild animals from an open-air 4WD over a two-day game drive.

Travel to Tanzania

Best for: gorillas, volcanoes and luxury stays

Talk about packing it in. Along with game drives, walk among the trees to go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and float by hippos on Lake Ihema.

Travel to Rwanda