Stacey Hutchinson | Operations Manager

Having enjoyed exploring South Africa in my youth, I chose to study travel and tourism. After working as a travel agent, I decided it was time to see the world I was selling. I based myself in the UK, and touched on most continents before returning home, and turning my attention to Africa. It was a reawakening, falling in love with the bush all over again. Working at Art of Safari keeps that passion alive.

Why I think you'll love Africa

Modern life bombards us with information, and we desensitise. Africa will feed your senses in a primal way, bringing you back to life. Hearing the cry of a fish eagle as you wake, watching the sun rise and the bush come to life, smelling the dew on the morning savannah and feeling the warming sun on your skin … these sensory moments are life affirming. Being in Africa is an experience that just can’t be beaten.

How I help create your dream safari

I quietly operate in the background, gathering, organising and processing the facts and figures that our safari specialists call on when helping you plan your dream safari. I’m the chassis in your safari vehicle, holding all the vital components together and providing a solid framework that will safely carry you on your safari adventure. You might never meet me, but I’ll be with you every moment of your Art of Safari journey.

My top safari travel tips

Besides all the practical items you’ll need when going on safari, such as a camera, binoculars and sunglasses, bring all of life’s worries too – then cast them into the wind as you drive through the open African air, experiencing life at its most carefree. And when I was young, I was always told to take my ‘bush eyes’ when going on safari, so don’t forget yours either, as they’ll be needed to spot those much awaited wildlife sightings.

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

Experiences

Mornings and evenings are especially lovely for an Etosha waterhole safari

Hopping Between Etosha’s Waterholes

The ‘immense hollow’ of Etosha Pan is dry for much of the year, but a series of waterholes around its fringes provide a vital lifeline for its many mammal species.…

Ngorongoro Crater Safari | Ngorongoro Crater is 20km wide and 600m deep.

Taking A Safari Into The Ngorongoro Crater

When going on a Tanzania safari, an essential, bucket-list experience is a Ngorongoro Crater safari – one of Tanzania's best safari experiences. Descend into this 20km-wide and 600m-deep volcanic caldera for…

When they're not sleeping, the chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park spend much of their time on the ground.

Meeting Chimpanzees At Greystoke Mahale

During your visit to the beautiful Lake Tanganyika, you’ll have the chance to meet Tanzania’s chimpanzees in the wild. To spend a morning with one of these troops is sure to…

With their jolly striped flanks, zebra always add pizazz to the wilderness. Makgadikgadi zebra migration

Being Dazzled By The Makgadikgadi Zebra Migration

The Makgadikgadi Zebra Migration is one of Southern Africa's most surprising phenomena. Each year, zebras trek between the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pans in search of fresh grazing. Why some…

You’ll arrive by boat for your private sandbar picnic in Mozambique.

Playing Castaway On An Idyllic Sandbar

The climax of your Mozambique holiday might well be spending time on a sandbar, far from shore. These sandy slivers only reveal themselves at low tide: peaceful, picturesque and altogether…

Desert Black Rhino tracking lets you get close to rhino.

Tracking Desert Black Rhino In Namibia

Fly into Desert Rhino Camp in Damaraland, a remote corner of northwest Namibia, for the safari of a lifetime. Wake up early and set off to track the highly endangered…

Drive next to cantering wildebeest during the migration in Zambia.

Discovering The ‘Other’ Wildebeest Migration At Liuwa Plains

The Liuwa Plains wildebeest migration in Zambia is one of Africa’s great natural phenomena. It’s second in enormity only to the Masai Mara–Serengeti trek, and yet it’s hardly known. Each…

Tswalu The Malori, although basic, offers all the comforts you need.

Sleeping Under The Stars At Tswalu The Malori

Spend a night away from your lodge on a sleeping deck in the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Tswalu The Malori lies within Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve and offers…

Zambezi Canoe Safari | Drift along the Zambezi shore and see what wildlife you can spot on a canoe safari.

Paddling The Zambezi On A Canoe Safari

Follow Livingstone's epic journey on a canoe safari along the Zambezi in a tranquil bird- and game-watching opportunity like no other. Skirting half-submerged hippo and lurking crocodile, majestic elephant and…

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…

An Okavango Delta balloon safari is the experience of a lifetime.

Drifting Over The Okavango Delta In A Balloon

A hot-air balloon safari over the Okavango Delta is a thrilling adventure – one of the best Botswana safari experiences. You’re suspended in a wicker basket above this marshy waterland…

Fly camping lets you get a real feel for southern Tanzania.

Having A Safari Under The Stars In Southern Tanzania

Head to the Selous or Ruaha reserves in southern Tanzania for a never-to-be-forgotten fly camping safari under the stars – one of Tanzania's best safari experiences. Walk from your lodge…

Marine Big Five | When a whale, like this southern right, throws itself out the water, it’s called ‘breaching’.

Finding South Africa’s Marine Big Five

Top off your holiday with a once-in-a-lifetime viewing of the Marine Big Five: whale, shark, dolphin, seal and penguin – one of South Africa’s best safari experiences. Near the southern…

Safari lodges

Elephant come right into camp at Savute Safari Lodge.

Savute Safari Lodge | Chobe National Park

In the west of Chobe National Park, the Savute Channel or ‘Stolen River’ floods and dries up on its own mysterious schedule. Set on its banks, Savute Safari Lodge –…

Before dinner, warm yourself by the campfire at Serengeti Under Canvas.

Serengeti Under Canvas | Serengeti National Park

Moving to different Serengeti campsites along the Great Wildebeest Migration path, Serengeti Under Canvas makes sure to offer the best possible sightings of this spectacular event. Here – at one…

Mnemba Island is just 1,5km in circumference.

Mnemba Island | Zanzibar

Discover white sands and turquoise waters, playful dolphin and some of Africa’s best dive sites at Mnemba Island, a romantic beach paradise with 11 guest bandas on a palm-fronded beach…

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge has 10 stilted treehouse suites for guests.

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge | Lake Manyara National Park

Cradled in the branches of a mahogany forest, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge – among Tanzania’s best safari lodges – has 10 stilted suites nestled in Tanzania's Lake Manyara National Park. From…

If you get really lucky you might spot a cheetah and her cubs while on a game drive from Mara Plains Camp.

Mara Plains Camp | The Masai Mara

Cross a narrow wooden bridge suspended over the Ntiakitiak River to reach Mara Plains Camp, located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy just north of Masai Mara National Reserve. One of…

Enjoy private riverside dining at Matetsi River Lodge.

Matetsi Victoria Falls | Victoria Falls

From its tranquil location on the banks of the Zambezi River, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers the best of both worlds. Authentic wildlife viewing experiences are a stone’s throw away, while…

Ongava Game Reserve is a sanctuary for rhino.

Little Ongava | Etosha National Park

Little Ongava is a luxury Namibian safari lodge in the private Ongava Game Reserve, which adjoins the iconic Etosha National Park. Ongava is a conservation success story – the spectacular…

Chinzombo’s villas have private plunge pools.

Chinzombo | South Luangwa National Park

Shaded by ancient msikzi trees on 24ha of private land, Chinzombo offers uninterrupted panoramas over the Luangwa River. Combining modern architectural forms with organic materials and indigenous building methods, each…

Getting to the remote Azura Quilalea Private Island involves an exciting helicopter ride.

Azura Quilalea Private Island | Quirimbas Archipelago

An isolated retreat, Azura Quilalea Private Island is one of the southernmost islands on Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago. Snorkel or dive straight off the beach in front of your villa at…

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is surrounded by lush lawns.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is the perfect base for gorilla safaris, and the gorilla families even periodically pass through! Discover diverse mammals, birdlife and butterflies,…

What a beautiful pride of lion, spotted near Londolozi Tree Camp.

Londolozi Tree Camp | Sabi Sand game reserve

Follow the spoor of leopard, lion, elephant, rhino or buffalo on game drives or interpretive walking safaris, do outdoor yoga or dine in the wild at Londolozi Tree Camp, one…

At The Ocean Spa Lodge you can lunch right at the pool.

The Ocean Spa Lodge | Kenya South Coast

Kenya’s south-coast beaches host some wonderful hidden gems.. The Ocean Spa Lodge, one of Kenya’s best lodges, takes the Indian Ocean experience to a new level by offering not just…

Hoanib Skeleton Coast is in Namibia’s rocky Kunene region.

Hoanib Skeleton Coast | Skeleton Coast National Park

Hoanib Skeleton Coast is set in the remote Kunene region of Namibia, with access to the Palmwag area and semi-mythical Skeleton Coast. The surrounding landscape seems harsh and inhospitable, but…

Safari trip ideas

Duba Expedition Camp has just six tented suites.

Botswana | Delta Waterways & Lagoons | 6 Nights

Visionary government policies and the tireless work of conservationists like Dereck and Beverly Joubert have preserved Botswana’s interlinked network of crucial wildlife habitats, such as the Okavango Delta and Savute.…

Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp allows for an authentic safari experience.

Uganda & Tanzania | Gorilla, Wildebeest Migration & Crater | 9 Nights

This Tanzania and Uganda safari places you in the heart of the action for two very different, but equally remarkable, kinds of wildlife experiences. The intimacy of a mountain gorilla encounter…

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…

You can go on canoe safaris from Ruckomechi Camp.

Zimbabwe | Big Five, Zambezi Floodplains & Victoria Falls | 8 Nights

As a nation, Zimbabwe is forward-thinking enough to have set large areas of pristine wilderness – like Mana Pools and Hwange – aside as national parks, yet still has one…

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