Privately guided tours

Indulge in an ethical, privately guided safari

Enjoy the ultimate peace of mind by traveling with an expert private guide who takes care of every detail of your tour, knowing you’re making a positive contribution to people and planet.

Privately guided safaris are perfect for small groups, families and photographers wanting premium wildlife viewing led by guides with a deep knowledge of the bush, years of guiding experience, insightful information on animal behavior, flora and fauna, and a passion for conservation.

Join an upcoming 2026/27 guided safari, or get in touch to create your own private trip!

Upcoming private safaris for 2026

Join our experienced private guides on a trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to host you.

2027 trip itineraries are coming soon.

An elephant walks through the reeds in Botwana
Credit: Taylor McCurdy

March 12 – 21 2026

Delta Revealed: Private Safari in Botswana

10 Days / 9 Nights

Explore the heart of Botswana’s legendary Okavango Delta with Tayla McCurdy.

This private safari is crafted for just four guests seeking extraordinary wildlife encounters, immersive landscapes, and true exclusivity.

Max/min guests: 4

Starting from USD $12,155 pp sharing

Credit: African Bush Camps
Credit: African Bush Camps

May 2026 (TBC dates)

Conservation in Motion – Zimbabwe & Zambia

10 Days / 9 Nights

Drift along the Zambezi, track rhinos and build lion bomas on a soulful 10-day adventure blending wild beauty with real conservation impact – with Tayla McCurdy as your guide.

Starting from:

4 guests
USD $12,940 per person sharing

6 guests
USD $10,795 per person sharing

A leopard lies in wait in a tree in the Lower Zambezi
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

June 6 – 12 2026

Rivers & Islands of Lower Zambezi: Private Safari in Zambia

7 Days / 6 Nights

Discover Zambia’s Lower Zambezi with Tayla McCurdy as your private guide.

Explore two authentic bush camps, Kutali and Chula Island, offering a deep immersion into one of Africa’s last true wildernesses.

Max guests: 6

Starting from USD $6,010 pp sharing

A leopard looks up a tree in Djuma Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

September 7 – 12 2026

Djuma Through My Eyes Part 1

6 Days / 5 Nights

Step into the wild heart of Djuma, a private game reserve in South Africa, with Tayla McCurdy for 6 days of rare leopard encounters, private villa luxury and stories shared under the stars in South Africa.

Contact for pricing

A lion basks in the early morning sun in Djuma Private Game Reserve
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

September 13 – 18 2026

Djuma Through My Eyes Part 2

6 Days / 5 Nights

Experience private game reserve Djuma with Tayla McCurdy as your private guide. Enjoy a private villa luxury, chef dinners and intimate safaris in true leopard country.

Contact for pricing

A Bengal tiger stalks toward the camera on a dirt road in India

November 26 – December 6 2026

Tracks & Tales: Pench, Kanha & Bandhavgarh, India

12 Days / 11 Nights

Journey Tayla McCurdy on 12 days through Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh, where tigers, forests and ancient stories come alive.

Starting from:

USD $8,246 per person sharing
USD $8,846 per single supplement

Sold Out - Private Safaris

The following safaris are already sold out for 25/2026.

Follow us on Instagram for the announcement of our 2027 safaris, or get in touch to discuss a similar itinerary for dates that work for you.

An insect walks under the side profile of a vibrant green snake, photographed on safari in Sri Lanka
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

November 24 – 28 2025

SOLD OUT:
Whispers of Wilpattu,
Sri Lanka

5 Days / 4 Nights

Discover Sri Lanka’s Wilpattu with Tayla McCurdy on a 5-day safari of serene lakes, rich forests and rare leopard sightings.

 

Silhouette of palm trees with an orange sunset backdrop
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

June 16 – 25 2026

SOLD OUT:
Legends of Selous & Ruaha, Tanzania

10 Days / 9 Nights

Discover Tanzania’s wild heart with Tayla McCurdy on a 10-day journey of boating safaris, golden plains and luxurious hideaways.

A baby gorilla from the Nkuringo group in Uganda
Credit: Amos Kaggwa

July 26 – Aug 4 2026

SOLD OUT:
Celebrations in the Wilds - Uganda

10 Days / 9 Nights

Celebrate Uganda with two private guides, Amos and Tayla, on 10 days of Kazinga sunsets, tree-climbing lions and two rare gorilla habituation days.

A leopard looks up a tree in Djuma Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

November 11 – 22 2026

SOLD OUT:
Whispers of the Jungle: A Tiger Safari Through Central India

12 Days/ 11 Nights

A soul-stirring private safari with Tayla McCurdy across central India’s great parks, seeking tigers and immersing in jungle rhythms.

Let us plan your dream adventure

Have specific dates or trip ideas in mind?

Simply tell us where you want to go, what you want to do and who’s coming, and we’ll work with you to create an unforgettable experience.

Benefits of a privately guided safari

Credit: Bush Camp Zambizi, Zimbabwe

Personalized experiences

Every detail of a privately guided safari is designed for your needs and preferences, with tailored service from arrival to departure.

Expert local guides

We handpick your guides based on their unique knowledge of the land – its flora and fauna, hidden wildlife hotspots and animal behavior – and your specific goals. Your guides will be dedicated to you throughout the entirety of your tour. Meet some of our guides.

Tailored wildlife encounters

A game drive in a private vehicle means our guides and trackers can help you find exactly the wildlife and sights you came to see. Keen photographers will be matched with guides who have extensive photographic experience to ensure you capture the best shots.

Private amenities

We can arrange private vehicles and even private planes, offering exclusivity and flexibility in your safari adventure.

Exclusive conservation experiences

Get up close with local veterinarians and conservationists doing important work to preserve the natural ecosystems of the destinations you visit. Learn more about the conservation experiences that may be available on your trip.

Luxury options for solo travelers

Many of our guests are solo travelers who request the companionship of a private guide throughout their trip and build a friendship with their guide.

Ultimate flexibility and comfort

Privately guided safaris offer the freedom to do exactly what you want, go where you wish, and learn as much as possible, ensuring a memorable and personalized trip.

Private security and safety

Our ultra luxury safaris typically include private security detail to maximize safety. We can add this option to any tailor-made itinerary.

Meet our guides

We partner with insightful, entertaining and passionate guides who have years of guiding experience in various parts of the world. Your guide(s) will be handpicked based on your unique destinations and interests.

All Aperture Travel guides adhere strictly to our code of conduct for ethical safaris.

Tayla McCurdy, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Aperture Travel and experienced safari guide

Tayla McCurdy

Lead safari guide

Our South Africa-based co-founder and lead guide has 12+ years of guiding experience across Southern and Eastern Africa and Sri Lanka. She is a semi-professional photographer and regularly volunteers her time for local conservation efforts.

Andrew Macdonald, lead photographic guide at Aperture Travel

Andrew Macdonald

Lead photographic guide

Dedicated to helping clients capture extraordinary photographs, Andrew’s goal is to provide guests with more than just remarkable images but with moments that will last a lifetime.

Mike Rosati, safari guide at Aperture Travel

Mike Rosati

Safari guide

Mike is a seasoned naturalist and professional field guide with over 14 years of experience in the safari industry. He has worked extensively across Africa, where his passion for nature conservation and ethical guiding has driven him to deliver immersive, transformative experiences for his guests.

Jay Collier

Photographic guide

Jay is a renowned photographic educator and tour leader with over 20 years of experience in guiding photographic tours all across Africa, Australia and Antarctica. With Jay, you’ll leave your safari with a hard drive full of outstanding images.

Explore our destinations

We offer privately guided safaris in some of the world’s best wildlife viewing areas.

A leopard splays itself over a branch in a tree in Zambia, mouth open
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

Zambia

Its remote wilderness, plethora of wildlife, inspiring views of the thundering Victoria Falls, walking safaris and luxury lodges make Zambia a slice of paradise worthy of exploration and photography.

Silhouette of two giraffes and a hot air balloon in the distance with a red sunset in the background in Kenya
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

Kenya

Experience a blend of natural wonders, conservation, culture and varied landscapes for an ideal African safari.

Two South African wildebeest clash their horns against one another
Credit: Tayla McCurdy

South Africa

Explore premium game drives, abundant conservation experiences and easy access to one of the most photogenic cities in the world.

Let’s chat!

Interested in a privately guided safari? We’re excited to help! Get in touch to learn more about what’s available.

Credit: Tayla McCurdy