The safari you'll talk about for the rest of your life.
Coco Tran is a Sacramento luxury travel advisor, affiliated with Montecito Village Travel, a Virtuoso member agency, who plans private African safaris in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Kenya. She matches each traveler to the right month, region and lodges, and every trip comes with 24/7 ground support.
Made for the people you love most.
A safari is for the couple marking something big, and for the family who wants three generations around one fire, sharing the same sighting. You'll wake to the sound of the bush, spend your days with guides who know exactly where to look, and come home changed. Every detail before and during the trip is handled for you.
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Botswana
The most diverse safari in Africa, and the one to choose for a bucket-list trip. Few visitors, exclusive and private lodges, and water: glide through the Okavango Delta by mokoro and watch elephants from your deck at night.
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South Africa: Greater Kruger and Sabi Sand
Classic Big Five country, with four and five star lodges matched to you. It pairs beautifully with Cape Town, so you can have wine country, the coast and the bush in one trip.
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Namibia
Desert, dunes and enormous skies, for travelers who want landscapes as much as wildlife, and a feeling of having the place to yourself.
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Kenya: Amboseli and the Masai Mara
Elephants beneath Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, then the open plains of the Mara. I've stayed at lodges in both, so your advice comes first-hand.
How your safari comes together.
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The right month, not "migration season"
Wildlife moves all year in what I call the great rotation, so we choose your month for what you most want to see. Traveling outside the summer holidays usually means quieter, more intimate lodges.
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Three nights at each lodge
Two nights is the minimum and three is better. You'll have time to settle in, go out again, and see the moments rushed travelers miss. About eleven nights is right for Botswana.
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Land and water
Pairing a land-based lodge with a water-based one gives you two completely different safaris: game drives one day, a mokoro or boat cruise the next.
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Safari first, or after Cape Town
Most trips fly into Johannesburg with one night to settle. The safari goes at the start or after Cape Town, whichever suits how you like to travel.
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Someone awake while you travel
Vetted, expert partners on the ground and 24/7 support for the whole trip. For health advice, your travel clinic or doctor has the final word, and I'll walk you through the general guidelines.
Lodges I know first-hand.
- andBeyond Phinda Mountain LodgeSouth Africa
- andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari LodgeBotswana
- Belmond Eagle Island LodgeBotswana, on the water
- Sandringham Private Game ReserveGreater Kruger, South Africa
- Belmond Savute Elephant LodgeBotswana
- Sanctuary Kitirua Plains LodgeAmboseli, Kenya
- Angama AmboseliAmboseli, Kenya
- The Ritz-Carlton, Masai MaraMasai Mara, Kenya
Trip planning starts at $475. Hotel-only stays with VIP perks are complimentary.
See how we work togetherThe seven decisions that make a first safari unforgettable.
Most of a great safari is decided before you pack. Get the guide free and know exactly what to ask for.
What people ask first.
When is the best time to go on safari?
There is no single best month. Wildlife moves all year in a great rotation, so the right time depends on what you want to see and where. In Botswana I book the dry season and the November shoulder season, depending on what you're hoping for. Traveling outside the summer holidays means quieter lodges.
How many nights do I need on safari?
Plan at least two nights at each lodge, and three if you can. For Botswana, about eleven nights gives you time for both land and water lodges.
Is Botswana or South Africa better for a first safari?
Botswana is the most diverse and private, with very few visitors, which makes it the bucket-list choice. South Africa's Greater Kruger and Sabi Sand offer classic Big Five game drives and pair easily with Cape Town. The best one depends on you, and that's what our first conversation is for.
Is a luxury safari good for families?
Yes. Botswana in particular suits multigenerational families who want privacy and space. Each family is matched to lodges that suit their ages and pace.
Do I need vaccinations for a safari?
Your travel clinic or doctor gives the final advice. I'll walk you through the general guidelines for the countries on your trip.
What happens if something goes wrong on safari?
Every safari comes with 24/7 ground support from vetted, expert partners in the destination.
What does it cost to plan a safari with Coco Tran Travel?
Trip planning starts at $475. The full details are in the How We Work guide.