What started as another challenging trip planning experience turned into a seamless, awe-inspiring adventure, thanks to Ultimate Africa Safaris—reviving this travel journalist’s passion for exploration and adventure.
As a journalist who travels the world, I’ve explored 31 U.S. states and 25 countries (some multiple times), partnering with PR companies and destination management companies (DMCs) along the way. Lately it has been met with more frustration than ease. From poor response time, lack of planning or near last minute cancellations without notice, I’ve found it increasingly challenging to navigate the inconsistencies that can come with planning travel stories. So when I began planning my first safari, I braced for the usual challenges.
To my surprise, working with Ian Proctor and the team at Ultimate Africa Safaris was a completely different experience. Their professionalism, attention to detail and proactive communication made the entire process refreshingly smooth. Instead of being stressful or filled with uncertainties, as is often the case when planning a trip of this scale, it was effortless and I regained my excitement and sense of wonder for the journey ahead, knowing I was in capable hands every step of the way.
Ultimate Africa Safaris crafts highly personalized luxury African travel experiences, from private vehicles and exclusive camps to extraordinary activities like gorilla trekking, hot air ballooning and horseback safaris. A trusted expert in high-end African travel with 30 years of experience, founder Ian Proctor has stayed at 410 of Africa’s premier safari lodges, camps and hotels – and has inspected hundreds more.
Since 1996 he has been curating bespoke, luxury safaris for a select number of discerning travelers, offering insider access and unmatched expertise. With deep regional knowledge, he handles each journey personally and limits the number of clients he takes on to ensure a high-touch, concierge-level experience. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or experiencing Africa for the first time, Ian's goal is clear: to craft a seamless, luxurious and life-changing safari that exceeds expectations and lingers in your memory forever.
Ian’s love affair with Africa began in the late 1980s, sparked by a close encounter with a wild elephant in Tanzania. That singular moment inspired a lifelong passion that led to the creation of Ultimate Africa Safaris in 1996, one of the first safari companies to launch online. In 2025, coming off the heels of their most successful safari planning season in nearly three decades and Ian’s recent nomination to the board of the Safari Professionals of the Americas, Travel + Leisure recognized Ian Proctor as one of the most influential vacation specialists in the world.
With endless enthusiasm for creating deeply personalized, tailor-made African adventures, the safaris he crafts for his clients are far from the typical, mass-market itineraries. “I want my clients to fall head over heels in love with Africa,” says Ian. “Whether you're waking up in a luxury treehouse above a waterhole or drifting to sleep under canvas amid the great wildebeest migration, you deserve a front-row seat to Africa’s best wildlife, far from crowds.”
What sets Ultimate Africa Safaris apart from other safari offerings is its uncompromising approach to quality and detail along with extensive hands-on experience in Africa. Ian spends two to three months each year on the ground in Africa, inspecting lodges and camps to ensure that every property he recommends meets the highest standards. From iconic destinations like Giraffe Manor and Mombo Camp to hidden gems you’ve never heard of, his firsthand knowledge is your assurance of an unforgettable experience.
Not all safaris are created equal, and Ian is candid about the reality. Differences in wildlife density, guiding standards, safari vehicles, crowding and safety can drastically affect your experience. “Many companies pitch a one-size-fits-all trip,” Ian explains. “They’ll tell you everything’s wonderful, but few have actually been to the places they recommend”. In a land where a few weeks and a few miles can make the difference between having all of Africa's wildlife to yourself or being stuck in a jam of tourist vehicles, Ian understands the subtleties that make a safari truly exceptional.
Elevating experiences even further, Ian’s clients are often the beneficiary of perks made possible through his decades of personal connections. These might include free nights, exclusive experiences, private helicopter transfers, or complimentary spa treatments.
If you are interested in having Ian curate an incredible safari experience, like he did for me, you may schedule a phone call or Zoom through the Ultimate Africa Safaris website or by email at info@ultimateafrica.com.
