MT Sobek Custom Africa Safari Webinar

Join travel expert Mindy Teini and award-winning safari specialist Nicole Russo for an exclusive webinar showcasing how we bring Africa’s wild beauty to life, your way. From gorilla trekking in Uganda’s misty forests to walking safaris across Kenya’s remote wilderness, you’ll discover the extraordinary ways MT Sobek creates active, custom safaris that resonate with your own sense of adventure. Along the way, we’ve highlighted unforgettable experiences across East Africa, Southern Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda—each designed to awaken your spirit of discovery. Whether you dream of quiet luxury, thrilling adventure, or a harmonious blend of both, this conversation will inspire your next great journey in Africa.

Africa Webinar Overview

Discover Custom African Safaris with Mountain Travel Sobek

Welcome to our webinar! I’m Mindy Teini, your host and Custom Travel Director. I’ve been in the travel industry for over 15 years—half of that with Mountain Travel Sobek. It was Botswana that truly captured my heart during my first visit to Africa. And like many travelers, I came back having learned something unexpected about myself: I’m a secret birder! Birds are some of the most reliable wildlife you’ll encounter on safari. Even if you don’t consider yourself a birder now, I promise: after a safari, you’ll at least find yourself spotting some of the more spectacular species. You’ll be scanning the trees and bushes with your binoculars, looking for flashes of color—it’s inevitable.

Joining me is Nicole Russo, our Program Director and Custom Travel Consultant for Africa. Nicole has more than 27 years of experience in African tourism, and for the past four years, she’s brought her deep knowledge and passion to MT Sobek. She first fell in love with Africa as a wildlife biology student in Kenya—and she’s been hooked ever since.

At Mountain Travel Sobek, we’ve been leading extraordinary adventures for more than 55 years, and Africa has long been a core part of our legacy. We pioneered walking safaris, led the first commercial climb of Kilimanjaro, and have spent decades building deep, trusted relationships with our partners across the continent.

Whether you’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime journey or returning for a deeper dive, we’re here to help design the right experience for you. In addition to our group departures, our custom travel team brings unmatched knowledge and a passion for Africa. We’ll work with you to determine the best region, timing, and travel style for your needs.

Today, we’re going to cover three main regions:

• East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania)
• Central-East Africa (Uganda and Rwanda)
• Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia)

Let’s dive in!

East Africa

Kenya

Most travelers are drawn to Kenya for its big game: elephants, lions, and especially the wildebeest migration. Kenya is often considered the birthplace of the modern safari—after all, “safari” is a Swahili word meaning “journey.” Most safaris begin in Nairobi and then head south to famous parks like Amboseli and the Maasai Mara. There are also important conservation areas in central and northern Kenya, such as the scenic and wildlife-rich Matthews Range.

Tanzania

Tanzania offers a similar experience, with iconic destinations like Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Ngorongoro is a collapsed caldera that forms a unique microcosm of wildlife at the crater floor. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the Serengeti, which stretches into Kenya and is home to the Great Migration.

Many ask: “When can I see the migration?”
The answer: all year round—depending on where the herds are.

Over a million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, follow seasonal rains in search of short grasses. They’re followed closely by predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. The migration forms a giant circle across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. If you’re traveling in February, for example, we’d recommend heading south to the Ndutu Plains, where calving season occurs.

Our expertise lies in aligning your travel window with the best opportunities to witness the migration, while minimizing unnecessary driving or logistical challenges.

Central-East Africa

Uganda & Rwanda

Shifting to Uganda and Rwanda, you’ll find a very different experience. While both countries offer Big Five game viewing, they’re especially known for gorilla trekking—a rare and deeply moving experience.

Mountain gorillas inhabit the Virunga Mountains along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are the main trekking zones. Guided hikes through bamboo and rainforest terrain bring you face-to-face with gorilla families, often including silverbacks and playful babies.

Mindy shared her experience in both countries—encountering multiple gorilla troops and highlighting the critical support provided by skilled guides and porters, especially in Uganda’s challenging mountainous terrain.

Both countries also offer traditional safari experiences. In Uganda, you can go to Murchison Falls or explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we’ve arranged opportunities to accompany researchers tracking and collaring lions—a rare behind-the-scenes look at wildlife conservation. In Rwanda, Akagera National Park offers restored wildlife populations thanks to a successful collaboration with African Parks.

Beyond wildlife, there are rich cultural experiences. In Bwindi, Mindy visited Ride for a Woman, a nonprofit empowering local women through skill-building, from basket weaving and sewing to bike rentals and cooking classes. Experiences like these add depth to your journey and foster meaningful human connections.

Southern Africa

Now to Southern Africa, starting with South Africa, a large and diverse country with abundant wildlife and vibrant culture. The northeast, including Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands, is renowned for leopard and rhino sightings. There are also excellent malaria-free reserves in the Eastern Cape, which appeal to travelers who prefer to avoid anti-malaria medication.

Cape Town

Cape Town is often a gateway city—and a destination in its own right. With its mountains, ocean, vineyards, and cultural sites, you could easily spend several days there. One group of women we worked with wanted to support women-owned businesses, so we arranged visits to female-led wineries and experiences with local sommeliers. Custom touches like that are always possible.

Botswana

Botswana is another gem, known for its pristine wilderness. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, transforms into a seasonal floodplain filled with wildlife. You can explore it by mokoro (traditional canoe), on foot, or by 4×4. The delta’s scenery is lush and ever-changing.

Botswana is also home to remote areas like the Makgadikgadi Pans, which offer surreal, moonlike landscapes and unique sleep-out experiences under the stars. The Mashatu Game Reserve, known as the “Land of Giants,” offers another rich wildlife experience with dramatic terrain.

Zimbabwe & Zambia

In Zimbabwe, we highlight Victoria Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls. Its intensity varies by season, and there are different experiences available depending on whether you’re on the Zimbabwean or Zambian side (e.g., Devil’s Pool is only accessible from Zambia).

Our Zimbabwe trips often focus on Hwange National Park, known for elephant populations and innovative conservation efforts. In one area, local communities successfully reintroduced white rhinos—a testament to the power of grassroots conservation.

Accomodations in Africa

Accommodations on safari range from mobile tented camps to luxury permanent lodges—often small and intimate, offering personalized service and deep immersion. One favorite camp, Jacana, offers private tents with outdoor bathtubs overlooking the Delta, and communal storytelling evenings around the BOMA fire pit.

Beyond the Safari

Africa is much more than just safari. We also offer trips to:

• Madagascar – for lemurs, chameleons, and unique biodiversity
• Ethiopia – for historical and cultural exploration
• Namibia – for dramatic desert landscapes and black rhino conservation
• Morocco and Egypt – for immersive culture, architecture, and history
• West Africa – for deep cultural engagement with ancient rituals and traditions

The MT Sobek Difference

At the heart of every MT Sobek trip are our guides—extraordinary individuals who are knowledgeable, passionate, and central to your experience. You may have a single guide throughout your journey or meet different local experts in each region.

What truly sets our trips apart is the custom approach. We want to know what matters to you—whether that’s meeting an artist in Kenya, supporting women-led initiatives, or making space for personal reflection on a legacy trip.

Most guests start out saying, “This is my once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa.” And often, they come back saying, “Where can I go next?”

Africa’s Highlighted Destinations: Eastern Cape, South Africa, and Cape Town

The more first-hand experience we gain, the better. We recently sent one of our team members to the Eastern Cape to scout several different game reserves there. That area is especially interesting because the reserves are malaria-free, which means the mosquitoes do not carry malaria—something that appeals to many travelers who prefer not to take anti-malaria medication.

South Africa is also an incredible gateway. Most people flying into Southern Africa arrive in Johannesburg, but there’s also the option to fly directly into Cape Town. In fact, there are direct flights from the U.S.—mostly from the East Coast—straight to Cape Town.

Cape Town itself offers more of an urban experience and is a “soft landing.” It’s a beautiful city at the southern tip of Africa, surrounded by ocean and mountains, and full of nature, wineries, and even wildlife. You can visit Boulders Beach to see penguins, or go biking through a vineyard. There’s so much to do. If I had time to spend in Cape Town, I would absolutely take it. You could easily spend a week there, though most people stay three to four days.

Cape Town is familiar in a way—it feels a bit like Seattle or Vancouver in terms of being cosmopolitan—yet it’s very much Africa. There are rich cultural experiences, from food to history. You can visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. There’s a ton to do in and around the city.

Tips to Plan Your Next Safari in Africa

• Start early: Ideally, begin planning a year in advance to secure your preferred lodges and travel windows.
• But don’t worry if you’re late: Thanks to our strong on-the-ground partnerships, we can often pull off amazing trips on shorter notice—sometimes even within two months.
• Tailored pricing: Cost depends on region and style, but we work within your budget to deliver exceptional value.

Final Thoughts

Africa is vast and layered. Most people come for the wildlife—but they leave talking about the people. Whether it’s a guide, a porter, a local host, or someone behind the scenes, the human connection is what makes a safari unforgettable.

We’re here to help bring your dream trip to life. Email us, call us, or submit an inquiry through our website—we’ll connect you with the right expert.

Asante sana (thank you in Swahili) for joining us! We hope to see you out there on safari soon.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any further questions via phone at 800-974-0300 or email info@mtsobek.com.