Listen to the animals
Where? Kapani Lodge in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia.
The wildlife? Huge herds of elephant and buffalo; three unique sub-species - Thornicroft's giraffe, Crawshay's zebra and Cookson's wildebeest; lions, leopards and hyena; and hippos.
What's so special? This is a walking safari between the main camp and four smaller satellite bush camps. Wildlife expert Derek Solomon will join guests for one day with the latest specialised sound equipment including an underwater hydrophone and an outdoor microphone with multi-user headphones. He will help you listen to hippos grunt underwater (80% of their communication is done this way) and to eavesdrop on the elephants, much of whose communication is ultrasonic. You can also listen more closely to the night sounds in the bush.
Where to book: Sunvil Africa (020-8232 9777). An eight-day safari costs from £1,801pp.
Tracking the black rhino
Where? Palmwag rhino camp, Damaraland, Namibia.
The wildlife? Lots of black rhino, of course, but you should also spot Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, ostrich, desert-adapted elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopard and spotted and brown hyena.
What's so special? Palmwag is run in conjunction with the Save the Rhino Trust; your safari offers an insight into the conservation work while contributing funds to the project. The camp, catering for a maximum of 12 guests, is mobile and can easily be moved if seasonal game migrations make it necessary to keep up with the rhino. Yet the tents have basic ensuite facilities including bucket showers with hot water on call.
Where to book: A 10-night Wings over Namibia package, including three nights at Palmwag, costs from £2,490pp (international flights from £710) with Worldwide Journeys and Expeditions (020-7386 4646).
Watch the skies
Where? The Okavango Delta in Botswana.
The wildlife? The focus of this November safari is the migrating birds, both intra-African and European migrants, who pass here in their breeding season. Most of the region's rarities should be seen, including Pels fishing owl, wattled cranes and coppery-tailed coucals. You should also see the brown firefinch, herons, jacanas, and eagle vultures. Around you will be the expected wildlife of the African bush.
What's so special? Ken Newman, regarded as the expert on southern African birds, will be on hand to assist guests spot the rarer breeds. Guests will stay in one of two tented camps, Chitabe or Xigera.
Where to book: Okavango Tours and Safaris (020-8343 3283). The seven-day safari costs £2,728pp including flights and full-board.
Walking with the Masai
Where? West Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The wildlife? Antelope, zebra, ostrich, possibly giraffe, elephant and buffalo.
What's so special? This is a walking safari in pristine African bush; your guide will be a local Masai, you will meet villagers and learn how they live while contributing to their community development fund. The first night is spent at Olmalog camp, a 2 hour drive from the airport at Arusha. Thereafter, provisions and baggage will carried by donkeys as you walk to the next camp.
Where to book: Tribes Travel (01728 685971). A five-day itinerary costs from £615 for six people travelling together, including full board; flights from £550.
Private view
Where? The Kruger park and the adjoining Sabi Sand game reserve in South Africa.
The wildlife? The 'big five' - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo - as well as cheetah, hyena, jackal, zebra and giraffe.
What's so special? The first private concessions have been granted in the Kruger, allowing these mobile luxury camping safaris. Support teams move ahead of the open 4x4 vehicles to erect new camps each night; this allows the party to get deep into the bush away from the crowds at the popular campsites. The final three nights will be spent at Djuma bush lodge, run by Jurie Moolman, a trained biologist and ecologist.
Where to book: Rainbow Tours (020-7226 1004). A five-day mobile safari that is combined with a three-night stay at Djuma costs from £795pp; flights from £625.
