Your dream African safari made real.
Hello. My name is Marianne Birrell and I’m a safari planner and facilitator. My safari service started in 2001 and I call it my WILD space odyssey. I help to create out-of-this-world wildlife safaris for visitors to Africa, this vibrant continent that runs in my blood. It’s a wondrous space: vast, abundant, beautiful, bursting with song and warmth and seemingly endless biodiversity. Safari life celebrates this freedom and space, so come and join us! It’s easier than you think. (Photographic safaris only; no hunting safaris are offered.)
It starts with a conversation.
We help you avoid many, many hours of safari research, as well as the pitfalls. We can help you eliminate unsuitable choices, and we offer advice and share tips on winning lodges – just ask us. Tell us your wish list, and we’ll find you that perfect safari destination.
Safari Talk!
Tell us a bit about you and what you would like to see. There is no obligation required from you; it simply gets the process off the ground.
Please note that your details are private and we will never, ever share them with anyone else.
Our service ethic.
My business is small and personal. I work closely with two great associates, John Grant and Ute Sonnenberg, within a wider network of safari specialists in all regions. We recommend selected safari lodges and stand-out game reserves based on our many lodge visits. Our price will be fair. We use transfer connections at sensible times for your comfort, with meet-and-greet services at each stop for your peace of mind and convenience.
Planning your dream African safari.
We’ll offer safari ideas on where, when, and how, as well as pointers to best value. We can secure your chosen lodge/s, arrange your transfers including internal flights, and help you pack for your trip. Being local, we are well positioned to know the current logistics. More background …
Our added value.
Why us? Well, we have no vested interest in any one safari lodge or group. We keep it simple and transparent: our preferred lodges are simply those that always deliver the best safari to our clients; and we do not recommend destinations based on commission levels. Browse some of our safari plans …
Most asked safari questions.
A safari is a big journey, and there is much to know. Read the common questions often asked by our clients at the early stages of safari talk here …
Lodges we love.
The perfect safari calls for great lodgings and, equally importantly, great game rangers. Here are some destinations we love. We think they just have that extra dash of magic.
Pondoro. 
Elephant Plains. 
Phinda Mountain Lodge.
They trusted us.
“From day 1, good recommendations to make our trip to our expectations. All 14 days were above expectations, hotels, transfers, lodging, all safaris both on water, by car, walks with rangers, service at all camps, just all perfect. We did six places in 3 countries all smooth. Good job Marianne!”
“Thank you for a beautifully planned trip, Marianne.”
“I normally do everything myself, but knowing that inside knowledge in Africa is very helpful, this time I went with an agent to set up a few safaris in South Africa. Marianne Birrell set everything up for me better than I could have done it myself after weeks of research.”
“Kruger park with Rhino safaris located in the parc was an excellant choice with an excellant guide for a walking safari, Victoria Falls visit and Batonka new lodges were again a perfect choice for us. Chobe river was also a different kind of safari that we enjoyed very much. Finally our stay in the Okavango Delta with elephant so close from the tent and treking in the bush was a perfect choice.”
Step #1 to the perfect safari.
Talk Safari with us. It’s the time saving way to help you find the perfect safari. We share our insider safari intel with you! More here …
Just before you go …
Too good not to share, here’s proof that safari life is also huge fun. Enjoy the birthday ride put together by staff at one of the Cape game reserves recently.