Tailormade Safaris - Southern Tanzania

The extremely experienced Foxes family and colleagues will help create your dream safari in lesser-known southern Tanzania

Southern Tanzania has 3 of East Africa’s 4 largest game parks, some of the world’s finest big game viewing and has long been the favoured destination of top zoologists, conservationists and wildlife photographers. Yet the area gets far less press, and far fewer visitors, than both Kenya and the northern Tanzanian circuit. The reason is simple; organising the logistics of a safari to this vast, wild, remote and exquisitely beautiful area is more difficult than to the more easily accessed, better-known northern game parks.

When we decided to team up with a bespoke operator in the south there was only one choice: the Foxes. The family established tea estates in the Mafinga highlands 50 years back and since then have acquired an unrivalled knowledge of the Ruaha, Selous and Katavi National Parks. In the early eighties they were pioneers in establishing camps and lodges in the region’s prime game-viewing locations and have been polishing and perfecting their safari operation ever since. And the addition of Lazy Lagoon to the Foxes portfolio means that the company are also now able to offer a dreamily hedonistic Indian ocean experience which we think dovetails perfectly with their safari operation.

Why we chose this partner

• The Foxes own and manage some superb lodges in southern Tanzania’s most spectacular game locations, including Ruaha, Mikumi and Rufiji (currently being rebuilt)
• They use expert guides and drivers who ensure that you not only see a lot of game but that you learn a lot about it, too
• They have a fleet of specially adapted game vehicles with tiered seating, guaranteeing maximum visibility and comfort
• They own a number of light aircraft and have their own pilots. They can be more flexible in getting you to and from their lodges and adopt schedules to suit prevailing weather conditions and your needs
• We loved the exceptional food - many ingredients are grown on the estates surrounding their lodges
• We also like the Fox Family's hands-on approach: you can expect to meet Sarah Fox if you book at Ruaha, and Geoff and Vicky Fox at the Highlands Lodge; and it will be Jane Fox handling your reservation
• And we’re delighted to recommend an operator with a genuine ethical commitment - they support an orphanage, an HIV outreach programme, a school building project and the training and employment of local Mahehe people (1183">more).