Gary Lotter | Art of Safari

Gary Lotter | Safari Specialist & Founder

My childhood passion for wildlife led me to a career in the African safari industry in the early 90s as a safari guide at one of Africa’s most established luxury safari lodges, Londolozi Private Game Reserve. Londolozi later became part of &Beyond – one of the continent’s largest luxury safari operators – and after 4 years as a guide, I moved into management, living and working across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and even India over 19 years with the group. I left &Beyond as Chief Operating Officer, and was fortunate enough to lead two other African travel companies – overseeing four very different, well-known African travel brands – before founding Art of Safari where I now focus my time on working with our team and our travellers ensuring that we deliver excellent service and your best safari experience. More about me on LinkedIn.

I believe most travellers to Africa arrive eager to see her iconic animals and experience her unique luxury safari lodges. However, they leave with vivid memories of seeing the starriest skies while lion roar in the darkened distance, and of the peaceful solitude of an African sunset. I think you’ll love what the African wilderness will do for your soul.

Art of Safari is the culmination of a dream to combine our greatest passions, encouraging you to visit Africa’s unique wilderness and wildlife and guiding you to the best safari experiences the continent has to offer. My purpose is to make sure that we inspire you in everything we do, and that you have an unforgettable safari travel experience, from our first meeting to your dream safari – and beyond.

Africa’s wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk – rise early or you’ll regret being asleep while everyone else was watching that leopard! Do sleep in once though, but not too much. Instead, wake up early, order some coffee, open up your safari room and watch (and listen to) Africa waking up. Lastly, Africa is big and best experienced slowly. Spend three or four nights at each location.

My African Canvas A selection of my favourite luxury African safari experiences

Experiences

Relax as your guide navigates your mokoro safari through the Okavango Delta.

Gliding Across The Okavango Delta In A Mokoro

A mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta is one of Botswana's best safari experiences, allowing you to experience the life of this watery wonderland in a traditional craft. View mammals…

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In the Makgadikgadi, you can get up close and personal with on a meerkat experience.

Making Friends With Makgadikgadi Meerkats

Years of scientific study have resulted in several meerkat colonies in Botswana being semi-habituated. Some lodges offer a great meerkat experience – one of Bostwana's best safari experiences – taking…

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The black-maned lion found in the Central Kalahari gets its name from its unusual mane.

Seeing Black-maned Lion In The Central Kalahari

The Central Kalahari is one of the most remote wilderness areas in Botswana. Going on a luxury safari in this region is all about big skies and arid beauty. Instead…

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Safari lodges

The rooms at Skybeds are set on stilts. © Natural Selection

Skybeds | Okavango Delta

Skybeds consists of three luxury sleep-out platforms. One of the more remote and intimate Okavango Delta camps – and indeed one of the best Botswana safari lodges – it offers all…

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Jacks Camp Makgadikgadi | Art of Safari

Jack’s Camp | Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Jack’s Camp has achieved iconic status (no mean feat among Botswana's best safari lodges) by way of its staggering location in the Kalahari Desert (described by its founder as possessing…

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Camp Xaxanaka | Okavango Delta | Botswana

Camp Xaxanaka | Okavango Delta

Camp Xaxanaka ticks all the boxes for being one of Botswana's best safari lodges. Situated in the pure, untamed Okavango wilderness, it offers access to a an amazingly diverse array…

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Safari trip ideas

San Camp invites you to relax and simply enjoy the views of the horizon.

South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe | Private Kruger, Salt Pans & Victoria Falls | 10 Nights

This luxury safari includes stays at some of the most distinctive luxury lodges in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Strikingly stylish accommodation at Ngala Tented Camp, San Camp and Matetsi…

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You'll be able to see elephant from camp at Sable Alley. © Natural Selection

Botswana | Pans, Oasis, Delta & Skybeds | 9 Nights

Although the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pans are not far apart by light aircraft, visiting both on the same safari feels like touching down on two separate planets, so great…

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Having bush sundowners is a wonderful way to end your day at Savute Safari Lodge.

Botswana & Mozambique | Black-maned Lion, Stolen River & Beach | 11 Nights

Discover the true meaning of luxury on a combination safari-and-beach luxury safari, taking in the huge spaces of Botswana’s Central Kalahari and Savute regions, and the azure waters surrounding the…

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